MYKEL “Mr. Creed?” I repeatedly blinked when my name was called. “Is there something you’d like to ask?” Reed asked. “That’s all. Let’s wrap it up. See you all again in three months for the quarterly report.” I stood from my chair. From the corner of my eye, Elise was eyeing me with knitted brows. I ignored her even though I could see a thousand questions written all over her face. She followed me into the office. “You okay? You’ve been distracted.” “I am if you stop asking questions.” “It’s not my business, but something is bothering you—” I went to my chair. “You what? Ask me to see a shrink?” Elise smiled as if I read her mind. “Is it something to do with me giving your number to Miss Kross?” “Actually, I should thank you for that.” “You’re welcome,” she replied. Just hearing Adley’s name felt like dread cutting through my chest. It had been two days, and she hadn’t called me or did anything people used to reach out to others these days. Nada! Zilch! Maybe she was will

ADLEY My first thought was to run away after seeing myself standing in front of a jewelry shop. But looking back at what was at stake, it was a one-way trip. I had to do this. “This one.” I showed Mykel the ring I chose. It had no center stone yet, but it was gorgeous. I imagined myself wearing an engagement ring one day, but never had I imagined it would be today and by the man sitting beside me, whom I despised for being so vocal about his opinion. He took it from me. “I like it. The wedding band, baby.” He kept calling me that, which might stick for another twelve months. Sometimes, I felt I was blushing, and he knew the effect of his endearment on me. I chose the eternity design, while he preferred pure platinum faceted squares around the band with a single stone in the center for himself. “I like that one.” “Really? I need your honest opinion since you’re a designer.” “Suits you perfectly.” His smile was contagious. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” What I least expected wa

ADLEY I feel so embarrassed. I was aware of the fact that this day would come that I had to face and end this foolish, irrational fear of the unknown. Knowing that it was only in my head, I couldn’t let that trauma control my life. Mykel was right. And I’d been too caught up with the illusion that I could live with it. And I had been living with it for sixteen years. “Adley, I’m still waiting.” “Yes.” Mykel slipped the ring into my finger and kissed my hand. As soon as I said yes, I heard the applause behind us. I wasn’t aware that we had an audience. Then we were served two flutes. “To our future together.” He proposed a toast with a huge smile on his handsome face. I lifted and sipped the champagne. Mykel joined beside me again. “How long is the flight?” I completely forgot to ask. I was still pretty shaken until now, but I held on to his promise that he would not leave my side. “Five. Maybe less.” “Five?” I covered my mouth with my hand, and his gaze dropped to the en

ADLEY I kept having to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming. After the brief wedding ceremony, we rode in the getaway car, and I didn’t know exactly where we were going. I kept my mouth shut. I felt a shiver coursing through me, thinking of the abrupt yet too intimate kiss we had shared earlier. I could still feel his lips against mine. It shouldn’t bother me because I’d kissed men, yet it didn’t leave me breathless or speechless the way I had with Mykel. It wasn’t awkward either. Maybe what I saw in his eyes gave this stupid tingles and image in my head. I squeezed my eyes shut with a groan. “You okay?” I cracked my eyes open to see the familiar airstrip. “Not again.” “Baby, you survived our trip. You can do better than that.” “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who felt like vomiting the gut out every time I see aircraft,” I dryly remarked. “Would you rather travel through the land to New York? I’m fine with it.” My gaze stayed hard at him for a moment, consid

MYKEL Waking in this position with a woman in bed should terrify me. Not this time. I found my wife’s arm on my abdomen, her leg over my thigh, and she sprawled out over my chest. I wondered how she would react to seeing herself in this position—she lay entangled with me. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when I told her. I was still trying to wrap around my head the fact that I was a married man. Not so long ago, I swore not to get in a relationship as I was already married to my work. I realized I wasn’t scared about the idea of being with someone. I admitted I had abandonment issues and inflated my ego so much that what mattered to me was living life to the fullest. It wasn’t such a bad idea to be with somebody like the woman beside me right now. Or I just met the right one who taught me how to throw those doubts and fears out of the window. I looked down at her peacefully sleeping, her hair in disarray. Yet, she was the most beautiful woman who walked to earth, dest