*Shelby*“Shelby, what happened?” a familiar voice asked me. I looked up to see Jerrick staring down at me with a worried expression on his face.“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to run into you. I just had to get out of the classroom,” I said, pulling myself away from him, even though a part of me wanted to stay enveloped in his warm arms.“Shelby, you don’t have to lie to me. I can tell something’s wrong. Just tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help,” Jerrick offered.“I just got the results back from the internship applications. I didn’t get the one I wanted,” I explained simply.“Oh man, Shelby, that really sucks. I’m sorry, to tell the truth, I found out this morning about my results. I didn’t get the one I wanted either, so it looks like I’ll be working for my dad’s company. I know it won’t be so bad, but part of me wanted to break away a little and show him that I was capable,” Jerrick explained. I remembered how Lin told me about Jerrick w
*Shelby*I got into the black SUV, and the new driver shut the door behind me. It was strange to see someone other than Lance, and I hoped to myself that he was okay. I found out at the hospital that his surgeries had gone well, but he would need to stay in the hospital a lot longer to make a full recovery.“Excuse me,” I said to the new driver.“Yes, Miss Hatton?” he responded. I noticed the little gray wisps of hair sneaking out from under his hat.“I was wondering if Bruce told you anything about the security team keeping an eye on my roommate while I’m gone. I don’t like leaving her alone,” I said.“Bruce always has someone on watch out here,” the driver said with a smile through the rearview mirror. He reminded me slightly of my grandfather.“Thank you,” I said in response.I was slightly startled by the news. I didn’t know that Bruce had our apartment guarded still. It made sense now that whoever sent the get-well card didn’t just tape it on my
*Michael*Shelby set a light green envelope down on the table in front of the FBI agents. At first, I thought it looked like a birthday card, but as Agent Gatlin pulled the card out, I noticed the big blocky letters on the front said get well soon. “I’m done with this,” Shelby said, folding her arms in front of her. I looked back at the card, confused, as a small polaroid picture slid out and landed face-up in front of me on the table. I saw Shelby’s face clearly, and my chest tightened to see a young man leaning down as though he was about to kiss her. They looked cozy together and comfortable.Anger seared in my chest at the sight of the picture. I looked up at Shelby for an explanation, but she met my gaze firmly, revealing nothing. I had to remind myself that I had no right to be angry with Shelby for spending time with other men. I had no one to blame but myself and my sorry excuse for a half-brother. I took a deep breath to gain my composure before I g
*Shelby*Eventually, Michael convinced me to sit down and talk about everything. However, I was so angry I didn't want to sit at dinner with him; I didn't want people or the media to watch us fight in public. Michael promised he had someplace more private we could talk. He led me back down to his car, and we pulled away from his office building.The ride could not have been more awkward. We both sat in the backseat, not speaking, the middle seat creating a gap between us that felt nearly a mile wide. We pulled up to a townhouse that had obviously been recently renovated. The old red brick was softly whitewashed and accented with black shutters. A wrought iron fence enclosed the front yard with an intricate gate opening to the front pathway.Michael held the door open for me as I walked inside. Plastic tarps were draped over cabinetry to protect them from the painting that was currently underway. New appliances sat waiting to be installed. The townhouse obviously be
*Shelby*We were wrapped in each other's arms before I even knew what was happening. We kissed passionately, running into walls as we made our way down a hallway and into another room.Michael pushed me backward onto a feather-down comforter and slipped his shirt off before I had time to catch my breath. I watched him undress as I unbuttoned my jeans and slid them off. Michael climbed on top of me with such a strong desire that it made my core burn with the need for him. He slid his hands up my waist and under my shirt, slipping it over my head and tossing it, forgotten, onto the floor. This was a Michael I hadn’t seen before. He was usually so meticulous, making me want him more with each slow touch, but the anger from our fight was fueling our passion in a completely different way.With a quick flick of his fingers, my bra fell away, and Michael took one of my breasts in his mouth, circling the peak with his tongue. I let out a moan and grabbed the back of his ne
*Shelby*“Yes,” I said urgently.Michael slipped the gorgeous diamond ring onto my left hand. I couldn't help but admire how it looked on my finger. Michael pulled me in for a kiss as tears streamed down my cheeks.“I can't believe any of this is real,” I whispered into his lips.“I love you more than you could ever know. And you've made me the happiest man in the world,” Michael said, kissing me again.“I love you too,” I said with a smile.It was hard to believe that the night before, we’d spent yelling at each other, and now we were here. I got up, slipping Michael's shirt over my naked body.“Where are you going?” he said with a laugh.“I thought I’d make us breakfast. If I'm going to be your wife, I figure I better start practicing now,” I said with a teasing grin.I found my way back down the hallway and into the kitchen. Everything was still covered in plastic sheets. I opened the fridge, which unsurprisingly was lacking in much that
*Shelby*“Shelby, what are you doing here?” Giani asked me.“I’m just exploring the area a little. My boyfriend bought a townhouse just down the road, so I thought I’d take the day and get to know the neighborhood,” I explained as Giani pulled me into a hug.“It’s so good to see you. Is your boyfriend who I think he is?” he asked me with a raised eyebrow.“His name is Michael,” I said simply.“Not just any Michael,” Giani said with a smile. “Aubrey told me all about him. You are dating Mr. Michael Astor, arent you?”“Yes, that’s the right Michael,” I said with a smile.Giani and Aubrey had been dating for years, and I’d come to love him like a brother. He had a rather rough-looking exterior, the classic bad-boy look. However, he was one of the most kind-hearted and well-mannered men I knew.“What are you doing here?” I asked, bumping his shoulder playfully.“My family actually lives around here. We’re having lunch at the deli next door, and
*Shelby*Michael and I were seated at a table near a small pond filled with koi fish swimming lazily in circles. The Chinese restaurant smelled amazing, like spices and ginger. My stomach growled in anticipation of our meal.“I’m so excited to try all of the different restaurants in this area. It’s fun to think about how one day we will have our regular places we love to go to, just minutes from the townhouse we share together,” I said with a smile.“I’m excited for us to start that next chapter of our lives,” Michael said with a smile, looking over the menu at me.I studied my own menu, catching a glimpse of my ring. I’d be sad to lock it up in Michael’s bank deposit box, but it would be nice to keep the engagement under wraps until we were ready to share the news. “So, what were you up to today while I was at the office?” Michael asked me.The thought of my conversation with Giani rushed into my memory. I knew I needed to tell him about Blaine being in