Edward’s povWith the evidence I had, I would not confront her. Not yet. I wanted her to continue for a bit longer, wanted her to believe she had been stealthy enough to get away with this. And when she lost that expectation of getting caught, when she believed we were through and clear? Then I would step forward.This thought settled my worrying heart.Let them continue. But neither of them knew how long I could be patient for. How much control could I have as everything burned?My phone buzzed again. I looked at it… the same text from my spy, making sure I knew the coordinates, asking if I wanted him to send a photo now. I didn’t look at it. A photo now wasn’t necessary. I already knew where she was. And that was enough.I finished bathing and turned in bed, pulling the covers halfway up my body, and for once, sleep didn’t feel like something beyond me. Whatever had been there before in my chest felt less like a void and more like something solid.Let them have their fun. I smiled a
Charlottes povBy the time dessert arrived, I’d reclined my chair back slightly, crossing my legs at the knee as my dress rode up just enough to get a longer look from him. “You really do own all of these things?” I said then, feigning innocence but intrigued nonetheless.“All this and more,” he responded proudly. “Property in London, hotels in Dubai, stocks in tech companies half the world still hasn’t discovered. I told you; I’m not just rich Charlotte… I’m… untouchable.”“Wow, that’s impressive,” I smiled.“You like impressive,” he teased.“Maybe.”He slid close to me and started to slide his hands down my crossed legs until they stopped at my butt.“Why don’t we take this meeting somewhere else?” He asked. I almost laughed. They always said that. Instead, I tilted my head and gave him a look like I wanted him.The waiter came, left the bill, and Oscar didn’t even glance at it. Just tossed his card down like it was nothing. Yeah okay, now this was getting sexy.We left the restaur
Edward’s pov“I love you. I love only you. Can’t you hear that?” The admission choked me. “If I hurt you, I’m sorry… but this isn’t me doing it. She’s pushing herself into our lives. She’s trying to wedge herself between us.”Eloise blinked, her lashes wet but didn’t look like she was holding tears back.I searched her face, desperate, and my gaze fell on her lips. Fuck it… I couldn’t stop myself. The distance between us disappeared in one rough second, and then I kissed her.It wasn’t gentle and neither was it cautious.It was hard, and it was demanding, and she pushed against me at first while I kept wishing she’d pull me closer instead.My whole body caught fire as she leaned into me and we stayed there for a while, the tension between us rising to higher grounds.It didn’t take long before she broke off and we stared at each other with our chests heaving and we were breathless.“Why?” I choked out. “Why are you breaking me?”It was as if killing me would be a mercy.“Please, just
Charlottes pov“I’ve been called worse,” he said flippantly. “Now, come on, Charlotte. I don’t believe for an instant that you’re the type to call it a night after any party.”He wasn’t wrong. God, he wasn’t wrong. I bit my lip, hating that he could already read me.“Fine,” I said finally. A little too quickly. “Where?”He said the name as I smiled. An expecting few hotels that the super rich went to.“I’ll be there.”“And I’ll be waiting,” he said before hanging up.I could only smile to myself as I stretched my arms and decided to go for this.Edward wasn’t here to stop me. I was not going to sit at home and do nothing. I needed to be out there having fun.I went to the room and had my bath as I slipped on a black dress, low back and sharp at the waist that would leave him wanting more of what he couldn’t have, my whole body hummed with adrenaline. I touched up my lipstick, spritzed my favorite perfume along the length of my neck, and just stared at myself in the mirror for a minute
Edward’s povVoices clamored, shouted questions fired all together."Edward, what happened in there?""Did you really get into it with Oscar Monroe?"“Who’s the lady with ya?”“Are you hurt?”I shielded my face with my bloody hand as I rushed through the people.My lip was split, swollen. My hand was bleeding… There was no fucking way I could pretend nothing happened.Charlotte stepped beside me as well, her head ducked and hands raised in front of her face to block the light.“Edward…”“Move,” I snapped, pushing her down the walkway.The car was right there. A black Mercedes, long and sleek and with windows you couldn’t see through. The driver got out and opened the back door for me on the other side of a half a dozen shouting paparazzi.I ducked my head, pushed through, my other hand clamping down on Charlotte’s shoulder in a vice to keep her moving. “Don’t stop, just don’t stop.”I got in and shut the door after me. It went mute right away; the sound of muffled shouting and flashin
Charlottes povBefore I could say anything, Oscar chuckled. “Jesus Christ, Edward. You’re still the bloody same. Still, the little insecure kid is relying on his snazzy suit and tie.”Edward swung around, irritation burning bright across his face. “I wasn’t speaking to you, Oscar.”“Why should I bother?” Oscar shrugged, “You think you can show up and accuse me of doing something? That’s the thing about you, Edward… you act like everyone belongs to you. Newsflash… people don’t.”“I’m not listening to that rubbish.”I snapped. “Stop it, both of you. This isn’t about…”But neither of them was listening.Edward jabbed a finger at him. “You’ve always been the same. Walking into rooms like you own them. Thinking every woman wants you. You’re just a leech.”Oscar laughed. “Better a parasite than a coward. At least I don’t hide behind excuses. You…” he turned his head toward me, his voice dropping lower, sharper, “you don’t see it yet, Charlotte. He’s not angry because you’re talking to me. H