MYKEL I was losing control even if I tried hard to ignore that I was with my wife in a yellow two-piece suit. She was the epitome of a living goddess. And fuck me, she knew when to tease—when I was vulnerable and at her mercy. She was attracted to me, and I felt she didn’t try hard to hide it. If we reached that part, I didn’t want her to regret it after. No matter how much I wanted to take her to bed, she was not ready for that. I would throw away those conditions she lay on the table, and I wasn’t sure she would take it lightly. We got back to the mainland after dinner. Unfortunately, our time was limited, and she’d already mentioned her job. We had to fly back home early in the morning. I went to bed. Adley was already sleeping. This time she was wearing a light pink skimpy satin sleepwear. And this tension, and I knew this would go for a long haul and would blow even in my sleep. I woke up to her nudging me in the middle of the night. “Mykel, wake up.” I rubbed my eyes and s

MYKELShe was right. I was way over my head—I let my cock rule over my brain. I let this fucking feelings cloud the purpose of this marriage. I tried to talk her out, but who would I be fooled when what I said was the complete opposite of what I did?We barely spoke as we bumped in the kitchen. Adley grabbed a bottle of water, and I grabbed the fucking milk. She paused as she noticed what was in my hand, then she turned her heels and walked to the spare room. Fuck. Fuck this feeling. Fuck everything.I had gone to bed an hour ago and was still up. I closed my eyes again, but my mind kept revisiting our last conversation. I went to my office instead and watched the football match replay on the tv screen.I checked my email—I found one from Dash and another from Cenric. I opened Dash’s email first with an attached file—a starting up medical equipment manufacturer he wanted me to check out. Then I read Cenric’s email. It was an update of their decentralized finance or Defi CENTH’s d

MYKEL Adley ended up in my arms since we slept in the same bed together. It was constant. And it felt so damn good that I didn’t have to be in a hurry to escape all the time after getting what I wanted. For the first time, I realized what I had been doing had nothing to do with sexual pleasure. I was running away from commitment—the fear of failure, trust, and intimacy. I was looking for an instant connection, and I didn’t find it in those women but with Adley. Adley stirred and stretched out with a groan. She suddenly stiffened, realizing she was tangled with me. “This is getting so embarrassing.” “What is it?” I remained calm before her situation became awkward, even though I was beyond cool with this. “Just so you know, I was sleeping. I didn’t know what I was doing.” Her voice was still groggy and low. She moved to her side. “It’s not your fault.” “It is, Mykel. My space is empty.” I chuckled. “It’s okay. I think my boxers are still on. I don’t feel like being assaulted, a

ADLEY “You can’t. It will only raise suspicion for Mykel and Elise. Just go out on a date with Elise and report back to the office tomorrow like today did not happen.” He gave a slow nod. “You’re staying with your grandfather?” “No. It won’t take long, but I’m going to the penthouse after.” “I still don’t like this.” He scowled. “Grandpa would never hurt me,” I insisted. “This must be very important.” “Will you call me as soon as you reach there?” “Of course.” Blaze hugged me and whispered, “Please, take care.” “I’m not going to a battle, Blaze.” “I’m sorry.” He smiled. Two black sedans were already waiting in the parking lot. Blaze followed me down to make sure I was going to be okay. “Insurance.” He also took pictures of the plates of the car. “Silly.” I kissed him on the cheek. “I have to go.” Before I climbed into the sedan, I asked the tall guy, “What’s Grandpa’s favorite place?” “Lake Amelie, ma’am.” I looked at Blaze and shrugged. “See? He’s legit.” The trip to

ADLEY Grandpa made me promise not to disclose his condition, even to Mykel, and I had to respect his wish. “Are you staying for the night?” He was already in his bed after his dialysis. I was grateful he didn’t develop hypotension or low blood pressure during the treatment, which was a common side effect, according to his doctor. I smiled in assurance. “I’m not going anywhere, Grandpa. You should get some rest.” “Have you talked to Mykel?” “Yeah, when I was in my room.” My smile faded. “He knows you’re with me, doesn’t he? He thinks I’m taking you away from him.” I chuckled as I rolled my eyes. “He knows, but I didn’t tell the reason. Maybe Blaze told him how I got here. That’s why he’s kind of, you know... being Mykel.” He sighed deeply. “He seems to care a lot about you. I always knew that one day he’s changed. I didn’t know it was because of you.” “That’s absurd, Grandpa. He’s still him. How come I never met him? Or he never knew me at all?” Grandpa smiled. “I make sure