[Juliette's POV] One week later… I closed the door to the office of Lux Corp’s CEO and stalked to the table as the CEO sat in his chair. "I've read all the science reports and there's nothing wrong with HFE-10!" I crossed my arms and glared at the stubborn ox. "We have to release the drug soon and get leverage!" Ralph lifted a glare at me. "You may be a fact sponge and a business genius, Juliette. But I know a lot more about drugs than you do! And I said we need to test the revised formula for magnesium!" I thrust a hand at the door and exclaimed, "They've done all the tests! And the results are all positive!" He threw out his palm in anguish. "Were you sleeping just now? They didn't redo the magnesium test. It was a convenient assumption!" I gripped my hands in annoyance. "A convenience based on a perfectly scientific reason — the Mg levels won't fluctuate!" Ralph closed his eyes and took a deep inhale. When he opened them, they were warning me. "It's just one test,” his

[Juliette’s POV] Ralph put his arms around me, which surprised me greatly because this was unlike him–comforting was the last thing he would do. “We’ll figure something out, babe.” He rubbed my back in a soothing way and added, “Take your mind off it for a while, and something will come along.” I felt more guilty than before. This is a man I can trust. Yet, something inside me still resists it. I pulled back and looked at his face. “You’re right. Let’s have a wonderful dinner. The three of us.” My heart halted once more. I blinked and searched the ground. “I mean, the two of us with Tommy.” There was no reply. So I looked up and he was giving me a strange look, as though I had said something foreign. But then he dismissed it quickly and caressed the side of my head. “Tommy said to come quickly. So we better get going. Or he’ll make a big fuss, and it’s going to be a long journey.” We chuckled knowingly into each other’s face. ***** We arrived at Lux’s private dinin

[Juliette’s POV]We were soaking in a bathtub of warm, relaxing waters and fragrant foam and bubbles. I flattened my back against that broad chest, admiring the strength in those hard muscles and slipped a giggle. Man, my husband is one hell of a sexy beast. “Care to share the joke?” asked Ralph, his deep voice ringing in the steamed cavity. I ignored his question and lifted his hand, and smothered foam all over it. “I love your hands.” Behind me, he stiffened.Is he upset? I tried to turn and check on him. But he nudged me back to the front and snapped, “Stop fidgeting.” “Did I say something wrong?” I asked, genuinely concerned. After a brief silence, he muttered, “No.” I spread his fingers against mine as the silence continued. Then, he added, “I love it.” This time, I stiffened. “What do you mean?” There was fear in my whisper. He kissed the back of my neck. “What you said about me, I love hearing it.” He tucked my head under his chin and sighed. “It makes me feel… hu

[Juliette’s POV] I gasped and tilted my head to give him better access, and he traced his tongue down the side of my neck to the curve that bend to my right shoulder. A shudder rippled through me. I wanted to put my arms around him and hug him close, but my arms were wrapped around the cool metal shaft. So I could only lean my neck towards his mouth. “You haven’t answered my question, Juliette,” he murmured against my collarbone. “How many times did you think of me? While we were out there.” I struggled to catch up. “I lost count!” “Naughty kitten…,” his deep voice rumbled across my skin. “I saw it in your eyes.” He nibbled the hill of skin as his hands slid up my thighs. “How many times did you imagine coming with me inside you?” “Mmm!” I whimpered. Shit! I hadn't thought of it. But the image of him making love to me out there on the teeing ground popped into my head—and drove me crazy. I became more frustrated with the restricted movement. I want to touch him, goddamn

[Juliette’s POV]I didn’t think it’d be that easy. But why did Karl sound as though he was getting a death sentence? I must ask him when he calls back. There seems to be something going on in the background with Papa’s email account. Suddenly, motivation filled my veins. I feel one step closer to the truth—one step closer to proving Ralph’s innocence. Wait a sec. Am I saying that Ralph is innocent? Well, anyone’s innocent until proven guilty, I defended myself, feeling like an idiot and a liar at the same time. Do I want Ralph to be innocent? Maybe starting a family with him won’t be as bad as I thought. We may be enemies but he’s potentially a good father, like Papa. And Papa chose him when he was most desperate. Desperate. My eyes lit up as an idea sprouted inside my head. Papa was desperate! Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen someone from the other side! Ralph said that he trusted the Luxes because we’d never talk to his family. Perhaps Papa was in the same situation! P