CHAPTER 13.

  "Yes, baby. He's all yours. Do with him as you wish, Your Majesty," he groaned, a smile spreading across his face. AnniBerry kept sucking deeper while Marchen got harder and harder. "AnniBerry, get on the bed," Marchen said softly. AnniBerry stopped and looked up at him. "I do not want this," she said, rolling her eyes at him.

  Marchen looked at her. "Too late."

  He lifted her off the floor and gently dropped her onto the bed. AnniBerry immediately grew anxious, her heartbeat quickening. Marchen loosened the hook of her trousers and slowly pulled them down. She wasn't wearing any underwear, exposing her smooth Virginia. He then slid his hands beneath her top and drew out her both breast free before lowering his head to kiss and suck them eagerly. AnniBerry's legs began to tremble. In that moment, she wanted him so badly that she forgot everything that had happened earlier, losing herself completely in his touch. Soft moans escaped her lips.

  "Yeah, I want to hear those moans louder, baby," Marchen groaned.

  AnniBerry was completely lost in the moment.

  "Those legs, Anni... spread them," Marchen said huskily.

  AnniBerry parted her legs, and in no time, he thrust into her. She let out a sharp cry, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.Twenty minutes later, Marchen released a low groan and collapsed beside her, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Sweat covered his body despite the air conditioner. AnniBerry quickly covered herself with the bedsheet and lay on her side, equally breathless. Before she could even regain her strength, she heard Marchen's cold voice.

 "You can leave."

  She turned to him in disbelief. She stared at him for a long moment before finally getting up, gathering her clothes, and storming out of his room in anger.

 Marchen picked up a towel, wrapped it around his waist, and walked into the bathroom to take a shower.  AnniBerry entered her room and slammed the door shut. She sat on the edge of her bed, wondering how she had fallen for his trick twice in one day. The more she thought about it, the more foolish she felt.She stood up to take a shower when her phone suddenly beeped. She quickly grabbed it, hoping it was Mark or someone she had been expecting. Instead, it was a message from Lucy, one of her regular customers at the pancake store.

  "Oh, AnniBerry, long time no see. Where have you been? I heard about your cousin and what happened at your house. It must have been a lot for you, girl. I'm so sorry." 

 AnniBerry read the message, then sighed in disappointment and placed her phone back on the bed. She wasn't ready for anyone's sympathy. All she wanted was to find out what had happened to Merrilyn and, more than anything, get away from Marchen.

  ....

  Marchen walked into the sitting room and found Linx sitting on the sofa. He looked deeply troubled, as though something was weighing heavily on his mind.

 Marchen frowned. "What's up?" he asked. Linx stood and walked towards him. "Mar... are you fucking her?" he asked in a low but firm voice, careful not to let anyone else hear. Marchen let out an irritated hiss and dropped onto the sofa. "It's late, Linx. Why are you here?" he asked nonchalantly, deliberately ignoring the question. Linx let out a frustrated laugh and placed his hands on his waist.

  "Mar, this is dangerous. Have you thought about what the Boss will do to you if he finds out she's been with you all this time?" Linx asked.

  Marchen's expression turned icy. "What do you mean? I never supported that decision from the beginning, even before I knew Mr. Palms had a daughter. I was simply doing my job. When I found out about her, technically, I had just met a girl. I had no idea who she really was." Linx stared at him in disbelief

  "You just met a girl?" he repeated with a scoff. "No, Mar. You discovered a huge secret a secret that could destroy everything we've worked so hard to build."

  A faint smile appeared on Marchen's face. He walked over to the dining table, poured himself a glass of wine, took a slow sip, then turned to face Linx.

  "Destroy everything we've worked hard for?" he asked calmly. "Can't you see it's already falling apart, Linx? Mr. Mars expects me to have told the Boss about the girl by now. That's why he's gone into hiding. But I'll find him soon. I'm already working on it."

  “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with a lady you only met two weeks ago,” Linx questioned, curiosity evident in his eyes. Marchen looked at him and gave a little smirk. “I’m not in love with her, but right now, she is mine, and no one can touch what is mine,” he said firmly. Linx leaned back on the sofa and bit the tip of his index fingernail.

  “Mar,” he began, “you can’t keep her around you. I’m tired of working for the Boss. I’m relying on you to get us free, and now you’re doing this?”

  Marchen smiled at him. “Don’t worry, Linx. Once I find Mr. Mars, this will be easier than you think,” he assured him before taking a big gulp of his wine, emptying the glass and placing it back on the table.

  Linx’s face was filled with worry. He was about to get up and leave when he spotted AnniBerry walking towards the sitting room.

  “Hi,” he greeted her with a smile.

  “Hello,” she replied, smiling back.

  Marchen heard the exchange between them and immediately frowned, wondering when they had met.

  “Thank you for earlier,” AnniBerry said to Linx with a warm smile.

  “You’re welcome" Linx responded with a warm smile.

 “What did he do earlier?” Marchen interrupted, cutting Linx short.

  “He showed me your Wi-Fi password. I needed it,” AnniBerry replied.

  “I see…” Marchen said before looking at her. “Why are you here?”

  AnniBerry looked tense but answered innocently, “I’m hungry.”

  Immediately, Marchen’s expression changed. He recalled that she had only eaten once that day. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. He turned to Linx. “She needs to eat,” he said sharply, urgency clear in his voice. AnniBerry looked surprised. She thought Marchen had asked Linx to fix her something to eat.

  “No, I can make myself something,” she quickly butted in.

  Marchen looked at her with concern. “It’s late, but I can get someone to bring you something. What would you like to eat?”

  AnniBerry wondered why he seemed so concerned about her eating. Maybe he just feels guilty for sleeping with me on an empty stomach, she thought.

  “I’d love some chicken and pancakes,” she answered. Marchen picked up his phone and began typing. A few minutes later, he looked up only to find AnniBerry sitting close to Linx. The two of them were smiling at each other.

  His face darkened.

  “AnniBerry is such a beautiful name. Who gave it to you?” Linx asked.

  Before AnniBerry could answer, Marchen walked over to him. “You need to leave. It’s late. Call me tomorrow,” Marchen said.

  Linx let out a bright smile and stood up. “Goodnight, AnniBerry.” 

 “Goodnight, Linx,” she replied with an even brighter smile.

Marchen rolled his eyes and walked to the door, opening it for Linx. Linx looked at him as though he was trying to stop himself from laughing before walking out. The moment Linx stepped outside, Marchen slammed the door shut.