LOGINJames“Strip.”Her hands trembled as they moved to the zipper of her dress. She hesitated.I stepped closer. “Now, Belle.”She pulled the zipper down and the dress fell to the floor.She stood there in her underwear, her chest rising and falling fast. I walked around her slowly, appreciating the body that had driven me wild every single day since I laid eyes on her. My God, she was a goddamn goddess. “All of it.”Her breath caught. She reached behind and unhooked her bra. It dropped. Then she slid her panties down.She was completely bare before me.Her body was a sight I could behold for as long as I lived. She was perfect for me. How had I survived all these years without her? She was the woman I needed. The one I wanted.I wasn’t going to let myself grow weak, but I wasn’t going to live in denial either. If I had met her instead of Angelina, our lives would have been different. Then again, that was impossible. She was Tania’s age, and I was far older than her. Wishful thinking had
James Why the bloody hell was Devon standing next to my woman?I was boiling inside, forcing myself not to punch him in the gut for hugging her.I shot Belle a warning look. She moved closer to me immediately.“Devon, thanks for today. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Devon gave a short nod. “Good night, Belle. Good night, Mr. Wilder.” He gave a polite bow and walked toward his car.My attention shifted back to Belle.“What did I say about staying away from Devon?”Her shoulders lifted slightly. “He helped me with the flowers. We took them to a hospital. The patients were so happy. The whole place felt brighter. I’m glad we did it.”Her face lit up as she talked.I watched her.I could send her a thousand flowers every day just to make her smile like that. She was so lovable in every way. If I were ever to give love a chance, it would only be with her.Fuck. Get a grip, James.I forced the thought away. “Belle, that’s still not an excuse.”Her smile faded.“I told you to stay away from him
Belle“Cut it out, Tania. Belle doesn’t owe you anything.”“This is between me and my best friend, Devon. Stay the hell out of this.”They stared at each other. Hard. Devon’s arms crossed. Tania’s hands balled into fists.Devon didn’t blink. “I don’t even know why you’re so worked up about this.”“Because she lied to me!” Tania turned back to me, her face red. “You lied, Belle.”“I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d react like this.” I pressed my hands together. “That’s why I kept it from you.”“You mean to tell me that Devon is your boyfriend? The one who bought you the car? The one who sent you all these flowers?”My fingers twisted together. “What do you want me to say, Tania?” I sighed. “You asked.” That was the best I could come up with. I couldn’t exactly give James’ credit to Devon. Tania couldn’t believe it. She looked between me and Devon. He looked at me.I mouthed, “Please.”He sighed. “Yeah. Belle is my girlfriend.”“Now that that’s out of the way, maybe you ca
BelleHe claimed one last kiss from me, then pulled back. “We’ll finish this tonight.”I nodded, smiling. I was loving every bit of this James standing right in front of me. He’d been different since the night I was attacked.“Mr. Lynn’s project design. Any chance you can hand that over to me today?”“Yes. I have it on my laptop.”“Good,” he noted.Just as he was about to leave the office, Devon entered.James looked back at me. A vein pulsed in his temple. His fingers curled into fists. His breathing changed.Crap. He hated seeing me with Devon.“Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?” Devon looked between us.“No,” I said quickly. “Mr. Wilder was just leaving.”James’ eyes burned into mine. His nostrils flared. He looked between Devon and me, his chest rising and falling faster. His hands opened and closed at his sides like he was restraining himself.“I just wanted to congratulate you again.” Devon smiled. “And I found your hair clip Belle. You left it on your old desk.”“Oh, thank you, Dev
Belle James walked in, and I stepped back, my heart already racing.“You did all this… for me?”“Yes.” He didn’t deny it.“Why?”“I’m the only man who should make you smile. No other man should be able to measure up.”“James.” I chuckled. “This is a lot.”“Do you like it?”I licked my lips. “I love it.” I beamed. “But it’s all too much. First a new driver, then a garden in my office, and Amelia’s office becoming mine. It’s overwhelming. I can’t take it all in.”“It’s alright. I can have them move the flowers to your room at home if you’d feel more comfortable.”“And what about Tania?” I placed a hand on my waist. “James, it isn’t just about the bouquet. I’m talking about the office. This is Amelia’s office. I feel wrong taking it.”“You shouldn’t. She’s the reason you got hurt, and you deserve this.”“If I were any other employee, would I even be here?”He paused. “This is your office. That’s final.”“What do you think the rest of the staff would say?”“I don’t bloody care, Belle.”“
Belle “You have to get me out of this.” I looked anxiously at James as he watched the doctor examining the bruises on my face.“Ssh.” He pressed a finger to his lips like I was disrupting his concentration. He looked tense as he watched the doctor.“She’s recovering excellently well, Mr. Wilder.” The doctor turned to James.He exhaled in relief. “Thank you, doctor.”“So that means I can go back to work?” The thought excited me. James had stayed with me, but still, I couldn’t keep him away from meetings with stakeholders and I certainly didn’t want to keep being the fragile girl he had to protect.James turned from me to the doctor.“I don’t see why not. Physically she is okay, but after what happened, she should see a therapist for any psychological trauma left behind.”“No need. I’m doing perfectly fine. I got mugged. Everyone has at some point in their lives, right?”“Belle, I know you want to get back to work, but…”“James, I’m fine. I promise.”“Very well. I recommend an addition
Belle "You look... breathtaking," he murmured in my ear as I turned to him. He stared like he was memorizing me, unable to look away even if he tried. "Mr. Wilder." I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face. "Congratulations are in order." He smiled back, those dark eyes locked on min
Belle "You came back." My hands dropped in relief it wasn't anyone else."I did.""Why?" I kept stepping back, wondering if he was going to touch me and make me fall apart again.His eyes dropped to my breasts and I threw my hands back on my chest to cover myself."There's a dinner with the execut
James She shook her head. "It's about the Bridge project.""What?" I stared at her confused because what did she have to do with the project?"I thought I could help so I drew up a design," she stretched her hand with the folder to me.I chuckled. "What does a junior employee know about a project
Belle The news had spread. The entire office was singing my praise. Not only was the boss impressed with my design but the Briggs group loved it too. We'd won the contract."Congratulations Belle," the words kept coming as I headed to my desk from everyone, fellow interns like me, senior employees







