LOGINMary's POV The light of morning crept through the curtains as I woke up. Reid’s heavy body was still pinning me to the bed and his face was now buried in my shoulder. His breathing was uneven and his skin was still burning against mine. I tried to wiggle free but his arms tightened around me even in sleep. "Reid," I whispered and shook him gently. "I need to get up." He groaned in response but he didn’t wake up. Carefully, I managed to slip one hand free and brushed my fingers across his forehead, he was still feverish. My thumb accidentally grazed his lips, they were also dry and hot. Reid’s eyes flew open instantly. His dark, glassy eyes were unreadable as they had mixed with fever. "Are you touching me in my sleep, darling?" His voice was rough and the usual edge was dulled by sickness. I yanked my hand back. "You have a fever. I was just checking..." "I know what you were doing." His grip on my waist tightened. "You taking care of me, aren't you?" My face burned. "No! I
Mary's POV The car ride home felt endless. My mind kept racing with Donna’s threats, the deleted blog posts, and one burning question, Why was Reid really helping me? Was it just to protect his reputation? Or his precious Brown name? Or was there another reason? I needed answers. After closing from work late today as I had spent most of my day sulking and lost in thought, I barely got enough work done. As I got home, I saw Reid’s car parked outside. Surprisingly, he had come home earlier than usual. I shrugged his thought off as I walked to my room and tossed my purse on the bed. I needed to confront him and ask why he was helping. My hands shook as I paced and rehearsed what I would say to Reid knowing fully well that I always lost my composure whenever I got close to him. My thoughts came to a halt as the door creaked open. I whirled around and there he was. Reid was standing in the doorway with his suit jacket gone and his shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong f
Mary's POV I walked into my office building the next morning with my head held high, but my stomach twisted in knots. I didn’t miss the whispers that had started before I even reached the elevator."She’s here...""She slept with both Brown men...""Gold-digger..."I clenched my fists with my nails digging into my palm as anger built up within me. But I didn’t want to cause a scene or give them the satisfaction.The elevator ride to my office felt endless. Every second, I imagined more people talking, more blogs popping up, and more, humiliation.I barely got enough sleep last night.But none of them knew what had happened. They didn't know the full story but they were so fast to jump into conclusion.I opened the doors to my office and saw Freya waiting with her face lit up in excitement."Mary! Have you checked online?" she asked and practically bounced on her toes.I shook my head as I hadn’t dared look since yesterday."All the posts are gone!" Freya grabbed my arm and pulled me
Mary's POV I stared in my sleep as my eyes sprang open. My vision was not clear and my body was aching in places I didn’t know could ache, the sheets were tangled around my legs and the pillow smelled like the mix of expensive cologne and something uniquely Reid. This wasn’t my room. It was his room. The bed was empty beside me, but the shower was running in the bathroom and steam curled out from under the door. I sat up quickly and winced as my muscles protested. Memories from last night flooded back. I remembered Reid’s hands on me, his mouth, and the way he whispered my name as he buried himself deep inside me. My face burned. What had I done? And why did it feel so right? Because that was the terrifying part. The way Reid moved inside me, the way his body fit against mine was awesome. No. It couldn’t be. The bathroom door opened and Reid stepped out with a towel slung low on his hips. Water dripped from his hair down his chest and over the tattoos I had traced with my
Mary's POV I woke up in the middle of the night feeling my throat dry and scratchy. I was very thirsty and my jar was empty. My eyes moved to the clock on my bedside table as it glowed 2:47 AM in bright red numbers. I growled and threw off the covers. Barefooted, I padded to the door. The marble floor was cold under my feet as I made my way downstairs trying not to make noise. The kitchen was dark except for the faint glow of the security light. I didn’t bother turning on the lights as I knew this house well enough to walk in the dark. I was halfway to the fridge when I walked straight into something hard. It wasn't just anything, it was a human "Reid!" I gasped and stumbled backward. I didn't know why I yelled his name. I wasn’t sure if it was him but his name was the only thing that came to my mind. His hands shot out to steady me. His body felt warm and firm on my bare arms as his masculine scent hit my nostrils. It was obviously him. My hands moved through his chest as
Mary's POV Two days later after the dinner at my parents’ house, things had become a little bit strange and confusing. Reid had changed, he had become different. He showed up at breakfast yesterday morning before leaving for work. He sat down there with me drinking coffee while I ate. Thought he didn't talk much, his presence gave more than enough care. He even asked if I needed anything before leaving. This morning again, he did the same thing. It was unsettling that the Reid who didn’t use to check on people, the man who only commanded and controlled was treating me with care. It felt oddly weird. It seemed as if he was up to something. As if he wanted me to lose my guard so that he would have a chance to hurt me just like Danny did to me. The memories of the kiss that night in the garden at my parents' mansion streamed into my mind. I touched my lips as I remembered the kiss. It was so gentle compared to the other one we had shared. His words, "Let me take your pain away"
Mary's POV Tears streamed down my face as I finally confessed everything. Starting from the truth about dating Danny, how I was supposed to marry him, how things had spiraled out of control, and how I had turned to Reid in my darkest moment. Rose's expression hardened and her voice rose. "Mary!
Mary's POV Outside Rose's gate, I shivered in the cold night air. I had nowhere else to go. The weight of the evening's experience and the fear clawing at my chest had left me exhausted but I forced myself to press the doorbell. The gate buzzed and after a moment, the guards opened it. "Miss Mar
Mary's POV I kept running with my breath coming in ragged gasps and my legs trembling beneath me but I didn't stop. Though, I didn't know where I was going, I knew that I had to get away. The cold night air hit me like a slap as I burst out of the hotel doors. The city lights blurred before my
Mary's POV I stood in front of the dress laid out on my bed with my jaw tightened. The fabric was flimsy and it barely covered anything, it was more of an invitation than a gown. I exhaled sharply and my fingers clenched at my sides. I knew exactly what Donna's father was planning. But I would n







