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2024-11-04 13:00:24Related chapters
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Shades of Shady
Pupils blown wide with desire after breaking away from their kiss, Mike murmured,“Alright, babe. Better get going before I lose all self-control.”Flashing that devilish grin he loved, Olivia pressed one last kiss to the corner of his mouth, leaving a faint smear of her ruby lipstick. “Hold on,” she stopped him after he grabbed his jacket from the coat rack, she then swiped her thumb over his lips to wipe the stain off.“There.”He threw her a roguish wink before heading for the door. “See you soon.”The endearment made her roll her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Just get outta here.”Olivia leaned against the doorframe and watched him walk down the front path. Just before he reached the driveway, Olivia called out again. “Mike?”He stopped to glance over his shoulder.“Love you, babe,” she lilted and batted her lashes with practiced innocence.Rick's full lips curved into a wolfish grin. “Love you too.” Then he turned and continued on his way, slid behind the wheel of his cherry red Mustang
Last Updated : 2024-11-04A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Down in the wine cellar
A WEEK LATERGianna stared down at the symbol she drew on the paper (the same sign Bernie had made that day before he died)—a double S connected at the bottom and top with two dots in between. She traced the crooked lines with her fingertip, wondering if it meant anything. Was it worth being worried about? Was he leaving her a clue when he made it? A sharp rap at the door made her jump.“Ma’am?” Sounded the muffled voice of the butler.“Mr. Caldwell requests your presence in the east wing storage.”“Alright! Coming!” Gianna called back and hastily stuffed the scrap of paper into the recesses of her closet, then found her way to the said storage wing.She wondered why Mason would need her down there.Walking through the arched doorway of the storage it simply smelled like ‘stuff’. Towering shelves and stacks of crates and piles of things here and there like a museum of discarded relics just waiting to be rediscovered.“There you are.”Mason startled her, but she composed herself as sh
Last Updated : 2024-11-05A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Sweet Sin
A featherlight brush of his fingertips along the curve of her jaw made every atom in her body thrum like a live wire as she gazed up at him.“W—what?”The scorching intensity in his eyes made it impossible to look away or even draw breath as he dipped his head until their foreheads touched in the barest of caresses. “That night,” he clarified in that same ruinous rumble that made her heart gallop. “Every…” A whisper of lips over hers, “single…” and again, “moment. How could I ever forget?”A tremulous whimper escaped her at the sinfully intimate skim of his mouth against hers. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, Mason sealed their lips in a scouring kiss that stole every rational thought from her mind. He tasted that bitter sweetness from the wine on her tongue Gianna moaned into the ferocious clash of heat and satin flesh as his body further pushed her against the wall. She fully succumbed, winding her arms around his neck as Mason's tongue plundered her mouth w
Last Updated : 2024-11-05A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Down in Hell
Rounds of insistent knocking filtered through Olivia's dreams. Slowly being pulled out of wakefulness by those muffled thumps outside, she frowned and turned over drowsily. She stretched out her hand to the other side of the bed, now looking over and seeing that Mike wasn’t there.Olivia was still busy squinting around the room when more knocks sounded, accompanied by gruff voices.Where was Mike? And who the hell was pounding on their door at—she raised her head to squint at the nightstand clock—six-thirty in the damn morning?Groaning, she shoved back the duvet and rolled out of bed, her bare feet finding their clothes scattered over the carpet. She picked up Mike's t-shirt and shrugged it over her head as she shuffled towards the door.“Yeah, yeah...hold your horses, I'm coming.”Dragging the oversized shirt lower over her sleep shorts, Olivia tugged the bedroom door open and moved down the hallway, rubbing one eye with the heel of her palm. The knocking started up again and more
Last Updated : 2024-11-07A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Water Park
It was early in the morning and Gianna was in the living room sorting out the parcels she received from her recent order with one of the housekeepers; she had decided on making some readjustments to the decor of the house. Her phone was soon buzzing with a call from Mason. She shook her head in exasperation. Mason was always taking the roundabout way of summoning her with phone calls even when they were just a few steps away under the same roof. If he needed her attention so much, then why not come find her? She tucked the phone back into the pocket of her robe and continued with what she was doing. Only when she was done, did she head to his room—their room.She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept in her own bedroom. These days, her world revolved around Mason's master suite and its sinfully luxurious amenities, not to mention its occupant. “You'd better have a good reason for summoning me—“ she huffed in her best approximation of aggravation as she walked into the bedroom
Last Updated : 2024-11-07A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Wake Keep
The mournful tolling of the cathedral's bells could already be heard as Gianna’s entourage pulled over. She was ushered out, then flanked by bodyguards as she approached the wake keep. Just like herself, everyone else was dressed in black. She was back in Bayshore, the small coastal town that had nearly become her grave some weeks ago. Taking a steadying breath, she started towards the building tightening her hold fractionally on the bouquets she was holding. She saw a couple of faces she recognized from that last party brightening up on seeing her. And not long after this, Gianna heard someone chirp her name loudly as they hurtled in her direction. It was Betsy, one of the women who’d come to visit her and the lodge to invite her to their party. Betsy came and threw her arms around Gianna. “Good Lord, it’s so nice to see you again,” then as she pulled away, she continued. “We were all so worried after that terrible attack. But look at you now, looking strong as ever.”All Giann
Last Updated : 2024-11-09A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Shopping Spree
It was a mildly sunny afternoon. Sonia strolled through the entrance of the lavish mall, immediately spotting Mason where he stood near the central fountain, hands shoved into his pockets. “Hey!” She waved at him. Relief washed over his features as he spotted her approach. “Sonia. Thanks for coming on such short notice.” "No problem," Sonia replied with an easy grin. Mason had reached out to Sonia for a very specific reason— he needed help picking gifts for Gianna. Sonia was more than a little surprised by Mason's request for her assistance today, but she was just as excited to be involved with something like this for Gianna’s sake. She took the lead, visualizing the long list of things Gianna would adore. “So, any idea what you wanna get your girl?” Mason shook his head, exhaling slowly while they trailed through an aisle, “I’m pretty hopeless when it comes to choosing gifts for people. But I know you know what Gianna would like.” Chuckling, Sonia guided him
Last Updated : 2024-11-09A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Surprises
SURPRISES“Wait, but you two are already married?”“You know that wasn’t a real one. I want to do it right this time.”The emotion in his voice must have shown on his face because Sonia pressed a hand to her chest.“I could actually burst into tears right now from joy.”“Think you can keep her distracted at your place while I set something up at the house? Say till 6.”“Of course!” Sonia clapped.After parting ways with Mason, Sonia returned to her apartment. She thumbed in her lock pin and nudged the door open, only to freeze when she saw Gianna flipping through a magazine, on her sofa.“Jeez, scared me.”Gianna sighed, “You told me you were going to be home. I’ve been here for a while.”“Gosh, I'm so sorry.” She hastily dropped her bag and hurried over to hug Gianna.“I said I’d be home and I completely spaced, I'm the worst.”“What have you been up to?” Gianna inquired.“Well nothing more than work as usual,” she fibbed lamely.Gianna slowly rose from the couch with a luxuriant str
Last Updated : 2024-11-11
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A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Day’s Surprise
Cufflinks clicked; wristwatch secured firmly around his wrist. He turned from the mirror, grabbed his office bag, and headed out of the door. Downstairs. The scent of coffee welcomed him before reaching the door of the staircase, as well as the sound of Gianna humming from the kitchen. She stood at the counter, hair swept into a messy bun, wearing one of his t-shirts that drowned her small frame. Her hips swayed slightly as she moved between the coffee maker and stove, where something sizzled in a pan. “Don't burn whatever that is,” he teased, making her turn around.“Morning?” She sang.Gianna raised the spatula she was holding like a weapon.“I'm making that egg white omelet thing you like. Though I might have killed it.”Mason walked over to where she was, smiling warmly.“Save it for some other morning,” he said, then reached past her to turn off the burner. “I'll grab something at the office.”Gianna pouted playfully at the nearly burnt egg, then shifted her face into a grin j
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Friends In Need
Glass shattered. In Gianna's chest. It wasn’t from pain, but from joy pulsing in her body. She called Mason, and watched the phone ring, all the while thinking she was going to spill the beans too soon. A secret this big felt like trying to hold sunshine in her palms.“Hey, beautiful. Called you earlier.”Her heart did another odd little skip. “I must have missed it when I was helping Sonia at the store.”“Just called to tell you I won't be home tonight.”“No?”“Sonia's got this massive project deadline. She needs an extra pair of hands, maybe extra eyes too. So we might pull an all-nighter.”“At the store?” Mason asked.“No, we're heading to her place. She's got all the materials there.”“I could stop by on my way home. Maybe bring you both dinner?”“Aww, thank you love.”“Alright. See you soon,” he said, “I love you.”“I love you too.” Those words, at least, were pure truth.The call ended, and Gianna let out a breath that felt like she'd been holding it since the doctor first sai
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Unexpected News
Colin flicked through the portfolio on his tablet. "So, Mr. Caldwell, what are your thoughts on our talent pool?”Colin's mouth quirked a bit as he zoomed in on one particular headshot. “Let's be honest here, Morton. Half of these profiles read like badly written dating app bios.” He turned the tablet around, displaying a black-and-white photo. “This one, for instance. ‘Born to command the stage’, yet his only credited role is as Tree Number Three in a community theater production of Macbeth.”The man's smile flickered but held still. “Ah, yes, well, Marcus is still developing his portfolio, but his raw talent—“Colin slid the tablet back to himself. “It’s about as raw as sushi that's been blowtorched. Listen, I'm not here to invest in potential. I'm here to invest in proven marketability. Though I have to admit that your photography team does excellent work.”“Perhaps we could focus on some of our more established talents? Page twelve has—““Already there,” Colin interrupted Morto
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Back in the day
“Are you lost?” Gianna asked, and when the boy nodded slowly, she pursed her lips slightly.She reached out slowly, telegraphing her movement before gently patting his shoulder. “Hey, it's going to be okay. Would you like to come with me? We can go to the police station, and they'll help us find your parents.”Tommy took a half-step back with uncertainty.“Mom says not to go with strangers.”Gianna smiled, nodding approvingly. “And she's absolutely right. But right now, you're out here alone, and it's not safe.”She then pulled out her phone to show it to him. “Look, I can call the police right now, and you can talk to them yourself. Would that make you feel better?”He considered this with his small face scrunched in thought. “Can...you show me your badge first?”“My badge?”“Like the police have. To prove you're good.”Gianna stifled a chuckle. “I'm not a police officer, but I have my driver's license. That's like a badge that says I'm allowed to drive. Would you like to see it?”
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract On Darkened Streets
Click, clack, went Olivia’s heels as she approached. She was dressed in a peach colored gown whose length was barely past her ass. When she spotted Mason where he sat ahead, she smiled predatorily and twiddled her fingers in a coy wave at him. She slid into the seat opposite Mason.“Cool spot,” she purred as she crossed her legs. Now, her dark eyes swept the conspicuously deserted space which looked like some sort of cafe, but it had been emptied of anyone save them.“Without wasting my time, how much do you want?” Mason asked icily.Her eyes twitched subtly, amusement playing at the corners of her mouth. “For what?”“To shut your mouth."Oh?" She leaned forward and rested elbows on the table.“So we're going to stick to keeping secrets?” She whispered.Mason kept his srare arctic and unmoved. The muscle in his jaw ticked visibly.“Don't do that,” Olivia chided, as if scolding a child. “All cold shell on the outside, but we both know how warm you are underneath.”Her tongue darted
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Shopwork
“A tale of forbidden love and ancient curses,'" Gianna read aloud from the dust jacket as she wrinkled her nose. And then she cleaned the book before wedging it between two equally dramatic-looking tomes on the mahogany shelf:Gianna shifted her weight on the rolling ladder.The next book in her stack had a more promising premise— something about time-traveling archaeologists. “Now this seems interesting,” she murmured, adding it to her mental might-actually-read list before finding it a home in the sci-fi section.Dust motes continued to dance around in the afternoon light streaming through the tall windows, to give the whole scene a dreamy quality. The scent of old paper and leather bindings mixed with the cinnamon-apple candle Sonia had lit earlier.Speaking of Sonia... Gianna shot a glare towards her best friend's office. Sonia had called Gianna on the phone that morning, claiming she wanted to take her on a treat. Gianna was also eager for the date because she thought it woul
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Dilemma
THUD.Mason forcefully slammed his fist into the punching bag. The impact reverberated through his wrapped knuckles like an echo of the chaos in his mind.‘Tell her,’ came a voice in his head.THUD. THUD.‘Keep your mouth shut,’ said another voice.CRACK.The bag swung wildly as he continued jabbing; sweat dripped from his chin, dropping down to the rug under his feet. He could see his own reflection in the wall-length mirror, with chest heaving, muscles coiling tight and face twisting in a grimace.He looked exactly like what he was: a man being eaten alive by his own secrets. The bag took another punishment as he drove his right fist into it. The chain rattled overhead like mocking laughter.‘Don't tell her, and let Olivia hold the sword over both your heads. Let her play puppet master until she gets bored or cruel or both,’ the voice in his head warned again.“Fuck!” Mason bellowed from his lungs as he landed a last hook. The bag swung back at him like a pendulum of judgment, and h
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract A Hit Near Home
“You're Martha Winters, right?”The old woman's fingers stilled on the counter, her eyes tracking Gianna's hand like a cat watching a mouse hole. “Yes…. Is there some problem?”Digging a hand into her handbag, Gianna replied, “Not exactly…”She then took out a piece of paper and placed it in front of the woman. “I received a package recently. The sender used this phone number, which, according to my sources, belongs to you.”Martha regarded Gianna more skeptically now, patting her dress pockets for her reading glasses. She wiped the glasses with her dress before putting them on. As soon as the rims were on her nose, she bent forward to examine the paper.Gianna studied the woman's face intently the whole time. Could this woman be closely related to Finn? And if not Finn, the imposter? Gianna tried grasping onto too many things at the same time.Martha straightened, pushing her glasses up into her silver hair.“I think there must be some kind of mistake. I haven't sent any packages t
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Crazy Dealings
“You're a crazy woman, Olivia,” Mason answered with disgust. “You need psychiatric help. And this is your last warning to stay away from me.”A soft, malicious laugh trickled through the phone. "“Or what? I'll tell your precious Gianna that her dear husband spent the night at my place. How do you think she'll take that news?”Mason's hand clenched around the phone until his knuckles nearly blanched white. The pressure in his chest built until he thought his ribs might crack from containing it. His jaw worked silently as he stared straight ahead through the windshield, watching a pair of sparrows dart past the morning sky with an almost painful intensity. Seconds stretched like pulled taffy. His left eye twitched—once, twice.The silence must have made Olivia nervous because her voice came again, softer this time and almost conciliatory. “I will keep this a secret on one condition.”“Don't run from me….Don't refuse me. Let me prove my love for you. I’ll prove I'm better. I can show
