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Gin & Tonic
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2024-10-09 01:43:38Related chapters
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Family Dinner
A normal evening, like any other, Evelyn was playing catch with her little boy, Colin, when the front door was opened, and in walked Arthur Caldwell. He wasn't alone. Clutched in his hand was that of a little boy who looked no older than five. Evelyn's eyes darted between the child and her husband, and as soon as she saw the uncanny resemblance, she knew.This was Mason, Arthur's son from a previous relationship; a child he'd only recently discovered existed after his mother made sure to send him to his biological father before she died on her sick bed. Arthur had not only brought home his illegitimate son, but he had broken something in their family— according to his wife.For Evelyn, a new son for her to mother, and Mason, a new family was thrust on him without warning or choice.Soon enough, the Caldwells saw that Mason was different from the others. While other children laughed and played around with themselves, he would be by himself in a corner, observing. His piercing eyes woul
Last Updated : 2024-10-09A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Step-Brother-Hood
Beep. Beep. Beep.He sat on the visitor's chair, and all he did was stare at the figure lying dwarfed by the tubes and wires snaking all around his pale skin.Mason’s relationship with his father could be likened to a study in emotional distance. Arthur Caldwell was a man who viewed fatherhood as a series of obligations to be fulfilled and not a bond to be nurtured. So he provided amply for all his children's material needs— the best schools, luxurious vacations, every advantage money could buy, and whatnot.But when it came to emotional sustenance, Arthur's cupboard was decidedly bare.To an outside observer, Arthur seemed to treat all his children with the same cool detachment. Yet there’s always been an unspoken understanding between him and Mason. The boy was a lot like him in the sense that they both had the ability to compartmentalize their emotions in pursuit of their goals.Arthur gradually started maneuvering Mason into position, and he did possess a natural acumen for busine
Last Updated : 2024-10-09A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Him or Him(1)
The first thing her eyes saw the moment she awakened was Mike headed for the bathroom, and then the sound of running water followed.Olivia stretched in bed again and yawned.To begin with, it didn’t seem like a good morning, just like the previous ones had been feeling off lately. Something was going on with Mike, but she wasn’t sure what. She didn’t want to be the woman who suspected every little thing about her man, just because things didn’t feel right.She rubbed her eyes as she got out of bed, walking to the mirror to stare at herself. She then ran her hands through her hair and massaged her scalp for a bit before grabbing a tissue from the nearby box to wipe away the dried up remains from last night’s sex off her thigh.After discarding the tissue, she threw herself into a robe and began gathering their clothes that were scattered all over the ground. As she picked up Mike’s jacket, something fell out of the pocket.Olivia curiously picked up the small, transparent sachet which
Last Updated : 2024-10-10A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Him or Him (II)
Arguing was pointless, Olivia knew that. But she made up a plan to meet with the so-called Sinclair heir just to tell him to his face that she wasn't interested in the alliance. Maybe he would understand and break it off himself.She arrived at the hotel suite that day and had her speech rehearsed and determination set. But she walked into that room and saw who the man was…Mike Sinclair was not what she expected.He was extremely tall. Gorgeous. Perfectly sculpted in all the right places. He had the darkest features, but the most gentle green eyes that seemed to see right through her. The man, was her type, exactly how she would have had it on paper.“You must be Olivia,” he greeted first.Jeez, his voice.“I have to say, the pictures don't do you justice.Olivia tried not to blush or grin too wide.“Mr. Sinclair,—““Mike, please,” he interrupted, finally stepping aside to let her into the room. “I think we can dispense with the formalities, don't you?”He ushered her to sit, pouring
Last Updated : 2024-10-11A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Legs go where they want
The legs go where they want Gianna's sudden drunken chortle was so loud it made some others in the bar turn their heads. The past few weeks had a series of bonding moments with her brother. They did anything and almost everything together, went on shopping sprees, touring, spent hours in coffee shops and just doing stuff to fill in the blanks of each other's lives. She even got Finn a new car and apartment…of course, she could afford to. On this day, after their outing together, they made a final stop at a bar before they would part ways again. Gianna wasn’t a drinker, so a few glasses of cocktails had already gotten her slurring and staggering on her stool as she laughed at a comment Finn made, which wasn’t even that funny. Her eyes were bright and glazed over. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was slightly mussed. Finn chuckled, holding her arm to steady her. “Oops…thanks,” she gave him a goofy grin. “I think it's time we get you home,” Finn said. He then helped her off the
Last Updated : 2024-10-11A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Nursing a Hangover
Gianna squeaked like a rusty hinge, stretching in bed like a cat on catnip. There was a faint buzzing in her head. Her hand floated through the air as she aimed for the alarm clock that wasn't where it should be.Wait a minute.She opened her eyes and looked around.This wasn't her room.This wasn't her bed.Gianna sat up quickly and darted her eyes around the room. Then she noticed that the bathroom door was ajar and she could see Mason. He was standing at the sink scraping away at his jaw with a razor.She blinked against the ache in her head again because she really didn't understand what was happening. Why would she wake up in his room?Now, she started recalling the events from the night before. Drinking with Finn, stumbling home, crawling into bed with Mason…Gianna quickly lifted the bedsheets to check herself.“What do you think happened?” Mason asked from the bathroom.Suddenly embarrassed by herself, she quickly leaped out of bed and headed out of the door.While nursing her
Last Updated : 2024-10-11A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Done Deal?
She blinked skeptically, but complied.“Okay...?” she ventured. “What's this about?”“I once read your file and it says you used to be a masseuse,” he stated matter-of-factly.Gianna seemed caught off guard by the non sequitur, but she brought up a cold-sounding,“So?”But her mind already was able to piece together cues, as to why he must have sent for her.“I want to hire you.”A disbelieving scoff escaped Gianna's lips before she could stop it.“Excuse me? Did you send that woman away just so you could proposition me?”She shook her head with a mixture of incredulity and something dangerously close to intrigue.“Who hires their wife to be their masseuse?”“Technically, you're not a real wife.”For some reason, there was an unexpected pang in her chest as soon as she heard that.“I’m not interested,” she answered firmly.Mason wanted to ask her how much she wanted him to pay her, but then remembered she didn’t like it when he did that.“Is there anything I can do to change your mind
Last Updated : 2024-10-12A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Not Today
“Then he said, ‘do it again.’” Sonia listened with glee where she was perched on the edge of her seat behind the bookstore counter and she let out a squeal. Sonia fanned herself dramatically. “And then what happened? Did you jump his bones? Please tell me you jumped his bones.” Gianna rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide a smirk. “No, you perv.” She intentionally didn’t mention the rest of the story after that, otherwise Sonia wouldn’t give her a break about it. She leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. “But seriously. Do you really not feel anything for him? Even a tiny bit?” Gianna busied herself rearranging a stack of romance novels, pointedly avoiding Sonia's gaze. “I mean he’s not,” she stretched her lips, seemingly unimpressed under the guise of being impressed. “But that's all there is to it. He isn't someone I'd want to fall in love with.” “Never say never,” Sonia sing-songed, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. “You know what they say about hate and
Last Updated : 2024-10-12
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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
