I can’t hold back my indignant snort as I fold my arms across my chest. “You don’t say.”Arthur doesn’t react to my quip, although I can see his eyes flash with annoyance. “I want to perform an official paternity test to determine for certain that Miles is my son,” he goes on. “If it is determined t
Arthur & IrisArthurI watch Iris storm out of the office, her yellow cardigan fluttering behind her like a shaft of sunlight. In a flash, she’s gone, leaving behind nothing but a single chestnut hair and a trace of the scent of oil paints. The frosted glass door slams shut behind her.For several l
Five hundred thousand Ordan dollars. Per year.And for what? To keep me under his thumb? To ensure that Miles feels obligated to him, so that he can groom him into being the Alpha heir he always wanted?Even if I accepted that absurd offer, which I would never, it likely wouldn’t change the fact tha
IrisI must look like a wreck as I stare at the three tickets in Arthur’s hand, my mouth hanging open and the front of my shirt splattered with pancake batter, but I don’t care. I’m trying to figure out what Arthur’s angle is.After everything that I said to him yesterday, why would he show up here?
I hate how the way he looks at me makes butterflies flutter around in my stomach.“This one of yours?” he asks, jerking his chin toward the painting. He finally pulls his gaze away from me, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.“Yes,” I say, nodding. I step up beside him, looking up
IrisThe amusement park is a riot of color and noise, families milling about and the sounds of game machines whirring through the air.Miles is perched on top of Arthur’s shoulders high above the crowd, his face is split in the widest grin I’ve ever seen.I can’t help but smile.As we make our way t
He’s staring at me. Intensely.I almost tell him to stop staring, but I don’t—because there’s something in his gaze that gives me pause. Something soft and tender, similar to the look on his face when he was gazing at that painting earlier. Something that reminds me of the man I once loved.It makes
IrisBy dinnertime, Miles is bouncing with energy from his nap. We take our seats at the dinner table, digging into a saucy pasta dish with glistening chicken breast and vibrant vegetables. Miles happily twirls his pasta around on his fork, his tongue stuck out in concentration.For a few moments, w
While Arthur dresses, I slip out of the bedroom. Miles is in the kitchen now, standing on his tiptoes trying to reach the cereal boxes on the top shelf. Scout curls around my legs, crying for his breakfast too as I make my way over to Miles.“Here, let me help,” I say, retrieving his favorite cereal
IrisSunlight streams through my partially open curtains, painting warm stripes across the tangled white sheets. I wake slowly, my body pleasantly sore in ways I haven’t felt in years. An arm is draped heavily across my waist, and for a moment, I’m disoriented—and then the memories of last night com
“I want to taste you,” I whisper, pushing him gently onto his back.Arthur’s eyes fly open, watching as I move down his body, placing open-mouthed kisses along his chest and stomach. When I take him into my mouth, his hand flies to my hair, fingers tangling in the strands.I remember what he likes—t
Iris“Do you want some wine?” I ask, locking the door behind us. The apartment is quiet, just the soft hum of the refrigerator and Miles’ nightlight spilling into the hallway from his partially open bedroom door. Emi was waiting for us when we arrived, and quickly left once she saw Arthur enter behi
“To new beginnings,” Arthur says softly, clinking his glass against mine. I smile and take a sip. The champagne is crisp and cold, bubbles dancing on my tongue. I lean back on one elbow, gazing up at the mural again.“You know,” I say thoughtfully, “I’ve always loved that this mural shows humans and
Iris“Careful, step up here,” Arthur murmurs, his hand firm on my lower back as he guides me forward.The blindfold is soft against my face, blocking out all light. I’ve been wearing it since we got in the car twenty minutes ago, and my curiosity is killing me. Where on earth is Arthur taking me?“A
The interviewer takes notes, then turns to me. “And now you’re raising your son together. How has that transition been?”“It’s been wonderful having Arthur in Miles’ life,” I manage. “Miles adores him.”“I imagine it must be quite the adjustment, suddenly being thrust into the public eye as the Alph
IrisMy hair is swept into an elegant updo, not a strand out of place. My makeup is flawless but subdued, emphasizing my cheekbones and brightening my eyes without looking too dramatic. The dress is a conservative knee-length sheath in navy blue, with a matching blazer that nips in at the waist.The
“What do you mean?”“I’ve arranged a photoshoot and interview. For both of us.”I blink at him, stunned. “A photoshoot? You mean... like for a magazine?” My mind flits back to all of the magazine covers with Arthur and Selina—the perfect poses, the pretty smiles, the flawless makeup.Arthur nods. “A