LOGINKENDRICKLanding back in London, I could already tell Yulia wasn't ready for the trip to end. She sat beside me in the back of the car, staring out the window with the most miserable expression I'd seen all morning. Her arms were folded across her chest, and every few minutes, she'd let out a dramatic sigh as though the universe had personally offended her by making us return to reality.I glanced at her again and chuckled at her childishness. “Cheer up, Peaches.”She slowly turned toward me, her lips still pushed into that adorable pout. “Yeah, right. Back to reality.”I kissed her cheek, feeling the softness of her skin. “I'll leave you to finish your final exams, and after that, you're all mine to spoil.”She gave me a skeptical look. “You've already done enough.”I laughed. “Yeah, but there's more to go.”She tried to suppress her smile before eventually giving up and leaning her head against my shoulder. I wrapped an arm around her, enveloped in solemn silence as Edwin drove us
YULIAThe elevator doors slid shut behind us, and Kendrick immediately pulled closer, kissing my temple. I sighed in contentment.I tipped my head to peer into his grey eyes. “Thank you for bringing me here. I needed the change of scenery. I didn't realize how badly until we got here.”He nodded, massaging my hips as he talked. “I knew you needed it. Me too.”“I can't believe our little vacation is already over.” My lips pushed into a pout. “It went by too quickly. I don't want to go back to reality.”Kendrick chuckled, gently pulling at my hair. “Then we'll have another little getaway.”“When?” I asked, feeling excited.“After you finish school.”My eyebrows lifted. “You're serious?”“Very.”I couldn’t help but simper. I was on cloud nine.Kendrick bent down and scooped me into his arms when the elevator chimed. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me through the open elevator doors.He carried me toward our suite. He stared at me, and I held onto his gaze, which made us s
YULIAThe warm Los Angeles air greeted us the moment we stepped out of the cathedral. I looped my arm through Kendrick’s as we made our way toward our car.The wedding ceremony had been beautiful, elegant, and so emotional.Seeing Marion standing at the altar with that look on his face when Demetria walked toward him had made something inside me ache in the sweetest way.Kendrick seemed unusually quiet as we drove toward the reception.I glanced at him. “What are you thinking about?”His eyes shifted toward me. “Nothing.”I squinted at him like he was hiding something. “That is never true.”A smile broke across his face. “You were beautiful during the ceremony.”My cheeks warmed. “You already told me that.”“I can tell you again.”I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling.A short while later, the car pulled up in front of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles. The grand building immediately caught my attention.The historic architecture was breathtaking, with its
KENDRICKI stood behind Yulia, watching her adjust her dress in front of the mirror. I'd been pretending to be patient for the past twenty minutes. I wasn't. Not even close.She looked incredible.The knee-length dress hugged her figure perfectly, elegant without trying too hard. Her blonde hair fell beautifully around her shoulders, and the subtle makeup only made her natural features stand out more.I stepped closer, settling my hands around her waist.She glanced at me through the mirror, as if she knew I was up to something suspicious. “What now?”I smirked mischievously, biting her earlobe. “You're looking stunning, Peaches.”She blushed; a smile immediately appeared on her lips. “Thank you.”I pivoted her slightly toward me and kissed her softly.She smiled against my lips before pulling away. “I still have to finish.”“I noticed.”She laughed under her breath and turned back toward the mirror. I watched as she carefully fastened her earrings.Once she was satisfied, she reached
YULIA“Mmmm…” The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the smell of food. Savory and delicious. My stomach growled before my eyes even opened.I stretched beneath the soft sheets, letting out a sleepy yawn as I slowly blinked myself awake.The room was still dim, the curtains only partially open, allowing streaks of California sunshine to spill across the floor.I turned my head. Kendrick stood near the windows with his phone pressed to his ear.He was already dressed. His hair was slightly tousled, and one hand rested casually in his trousers’ pockets as he listened to whoever was on the other end of the call.I stretched again, pulling the covers closer around me. That was when his eyes found mine.His entire expression changed with a smile spreading across his face. “Let me call you back.”He ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket.“Who was that?” I asked sleepily.“My project manager.” He strutted toward the bed. “He needed confirmation from me about some changes
KENDRICK“I’m so exhausted. I feel jet-lagged.” Yulia groaned, collapsing onto the bed in our suite.I chuckled. “Me too.”Eating and talking with Marcel had taken a little over an hour. We had spent most of the time catching up on our lives, work, and everything that had happened since college.Marcel was a hard guy to get close to. He usually kept to himself, but once you earned his trust, he was surprisingly easy to talk to.I looked at Yulia, who was lying across the bed with her arms covering her eyes.My baby was exhausted.I walked over and stood in front of her. “Get up, babe. Let’s take a quick shower.”“Noooo…” she whined, turning her face away. “I’m feeling drained, Kendrick.”I shook my head, smiling at her cuteness. I bent down and scooped her into my arms.“Kendrick!” she shrieked, wrapping her arms around my neck.I laughed. “Let me take care of you, Peaches. You’ll thank me later.”She rested her head against my shoulder, too tired to argue anymore. “You better make it
YULIA“This is it?” I asked, glancing around the parking lot filled with cars. “Yes.” Kendrick parked his car and turned to me. “Ever been to a street race?”I shook my head wildly, speechless all of a sudden. His expression barely changed, but his eyes said otherwise . “Then prepare yourself. Yo
KENDRICK“What were they thinking, letting her live with you?” Victor asked, leaning back lazily in the chair across from my desk like he owned the space.“Safety.” I shrugged, flipping through the folder in front of me without bothering to look up. “Apparently, her father thinks London will collap
YULIA“We’re almost there, baby girl.” My father watched me as I angled towards the side window, lost in my thoughts.“I still can’t believe you eloped and got married.” I glanced at him, and he was smiling.“Well… I can’t be single forever. I’m ready to settle down and spend the rest of my life wi
YULIA“So you’re telling me that you’re living with the Kendrick Fernsby?” Adeline asked dramatically, raising both hands to make quotation marks in the air. I laughed, taking another sip of my pineapple smoothie. I had decided to meet her at The Good Life Eatery because their smoothies were ridic







