My numb fingers gripped the fork as I poked at the salmon. Samuel had been the perfect gentleman the entire time, making jokes, encouraging me to eat more and asking of my well-being after my brother died. “Samuel-” I began to say but he cut me off. “I do not want to do this either. Us marrying, I am not interested.” Sighing in relief, I said, “I am sorry for dragging you into this mess.” “It’s cool. Neither of us would have imagined me being curious about you would result in an arranged marriage. My father is adamant about it.” “Mine too. I just want to shake him and let him know I just want to live my life the way I want.” With a wide smile on his face, he chuckled and raised his glass of water to his lips. “I know what you mean,” he said once he set down his glass. “Do you think they will ever hear us?” Thinking of my father, his drastic measures and his uncaring reaction to Adam’s death, I replied, “Probably not.” “Neither of us wants this. What do we do? Continue to play
“The McCallum will cancel on the marriage.” “Wonderful. Can I leave now?” “Leave? You messed up all my plans by getting involved with that Paxtons' child and getting pregnant.” “I am not pregnant.” “You think the media will buy that? You think I buy that after seeing you coming out of that place?!” “Does it matter? Just fix ix it. Isn’t that what you do best? Fix everything so you will be in control and the reputation of the great Delmont family will not be in the mud.” “I dislike that tone of yours,” wagging his finger in my face he said. “Do you think getting rid of the things I put in your office has given you some sort of leverage?” “Of course not, how dare I?” “Brianne, you will respect me!” “What an interesting choice of word. Father, you always say respect must be earned. I do not think you have earned that. Now that the chit chat is over, can I go to bed?” “You will regret this!” “What is the worst you can do? Blackmail me with Hardin and family? I am past that, Fat
I cannot believe him. Stepping into the private room my father had prepared, I blinked back horrified tears. I was not going to show him how shaken up I was. “Good afternoon,” I greeted with a nod and a smile. The Paxton family was already seated at the table with my grinning parents. “Finally,” my mother said. “You look more dashing as the days pass, Mrs Paxton,” I said, settling into the chair next to my father and opposite Paxton. “You flatter me, Brianne.” My gaze flitted to Edward who looked like he would rather be anywhere else. “Hello, Edward.” “Hello, Brianne,” he gritted, gripping his glass of wine. “I am glad our families will be one after all.” The parents continued to chatter as though Edward and I were not present. Edward occasionally glanced at his phone and swiped its screen. Should I get going? It was beginning to tire me out and the close proximity to my father made my skin crawl. Stabbing into a cut of apple, I put it in my mouth. “Oh, did you hear a
“You are the best asset manager I know, Dan. I need your help.” Sitting in his living room, I crossed my arms nodding at the bank account statement between us. “I need your help managing and guiding my finances.” “This is only out of respect for old times' sake. I heard about what you did recently,” Dan replied, eyeing me warily. “Why are you doing this? If you need my help, you have to tell me what you are planning.” Looking down at my open palms, I said, “I am seeking your confidentiality on this, Dan.” At his nod, I explained to him everything. *** “You look so beautiful,” Mrs Paxton praised. “Don’t you think so, Mrs Delmont?” I heard my mother give a small grunt in reply. Swishing the long skirt of the white bridal lace I wore, I cannot help but admire how striking I looked as I stared at myself in the mirror. Remembering how I promised to Victoria to design my wedding dress, I gave a silent apology. “This is the one,” Riana commented. She is the ‘highly-recommended’ we
The mansion has been bustling with activities as everyone prepared for the wedding in a week. My father resigned to his study and received visits from rugged men. My mother generally ignored my presence, hosting parties and gossip meetings. Evelyn never spared a moment to glare at me whenever I stepped in a room within her sight. It was not impossible to say she was not bitter about me firing her from work. At least, she did not whine.If she could wait just a bit longer while I gather resources-"Are you not supposed to be at work?" My mother stepped into the quiet tea room with an insincere concern.“Would you like me to work till I drop?” Placing down the fashion magazine I read, I raised my head to meet her cold eyes.“I would like not to see you around the house as much as this.”“Likewise. You may use the door.”“This is my house. You should get out while I am being civil, Brianne.”
“Thank you,” I said as the attendant placed a cup of coffee on my table. The chair in front of me screeched across the floor as someone settled in it. “Did you wait long?” Nursing the steaming styrofoam cup, I shook my head. “Thank you for taking your time, Edward and thank you for the other day.” He smirked a little, leaning back in his seat. His jet black hair had been curled and he resembled a model I could not seem to remember properly but I did know I loved his hair. And his eyes; his grey eyes reflected mischief but were also smooth and magnetizing. Sipping my coffee, I looked away wondering why I never noticed that. “You are not in your usual get-up either.” He had on faded khaki and a white top. “Huh?” “Your suit ensemble.” Rolling his eyes, he scoffed. “Brie, I have a question for you?" He reached for my coffee and took a sip. ”why are we here together at this coffee shop?“ ”To keep up our image as a couple and I need a spy.“ ”A what?“ ”A spy.“ ”I heard you the fi
Words overlapped with screams as several guests hurried in the room. “Congratulations!” “You look so beautiful.” “Lovely dress.” “Gorgeous bride.” “Congratulations, Brie!” My friends drew into their warm embrace as the dress swished around my legs. The day of the wedding arrived. Everything went according as planned. Woken before the sun rose, I was taken to the hall where the wedding ceremony would take place, then pampered in a private room and dressed for. In the bustle of visiting guests, I spotted Evelyn watching me with a sour look. As the number of women in the room died down, I walked up to her. “Evelyn." ”I suppose this is where I say congratulations.“ ”Why, thank you.“ She rolled her eyes and turned to leave, her hair flying over her shoulders. ”Wait,“ I called out. Surprised when she stopped, I turned to the others in the room and said, ”Could you all give my sister and I a moment?“ ”Sure,“ they said and shuffled their feet out of the room. ”Whatever you
The private yacht Edward had prepared was his idea of an honeymoon. I guess it was the thought behind it that counts. Away from the paparazzi, as he put it in his words. I changed out of my wedding dress into a more comfortable short dress and waited outside the room for Edward to change. “Come. He is waiting for us,” he said when he stepped out of the bedroom. “Who?” I looked up from the boat magazine I read. “The captain.” The captain? Why would he want to see us? What was Edward up to? I followed him out of the cabin to the open sky, sweeping salty air into my face. “Where are we going?” He ignored my question and continued on to the wheelhouse. The smell of fried chicken hit me when he opened the door. “You are eating without us?” Edward asked, stepping into the wheelhouse. “I could not wait.” I watched in shock as Hardin came into view, eating a chicken drumstick. “What are you doing here?” “Sorry to crash in on your honeymoon.” He rose up and shook hands with Ed
And I was right. Gripping the edge of Edward's desk as he thrust into me from behind, I arched and panted from the intense pleasure. I was riding from an intense orgasm when my phone lit up in front of me with a text from my Father. I groaned with frustration. Not only was he ruining my mood these days but the few moments I get to be thoroughly fucked by my husband? Why did he like to pop up at the wrong moment? "You good?" Edward kissed my shoulder as he pulled out. "Yeah. It's just Father." Edward made a strangled sound and sat in his seat. Flushing, I straightened and adjusted my dress. If anyone told me a couple of months back that I would be fucking Edward Paxton in his sacred office, I would have laughed in their faces. He wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me back to sit on his lap. Placing a quick kiss on my lips, he gave me a warm smile. "What did he say?" "He's going to give me all his shares," I said, enjoying the feel of our juices seeping from my core a
After cleaning up, we returned to the hall where everyone watched the fireworks from the large balcony. Red in the face, I held hands with Edward. Every slight gesture from him turned me on. I wanted him as soon as we returned home, and it seemed like he had the same thoughts."Where were you two?" Victoria chuckled on seeing us. "You almost missed out on the fireworks.""There were more interesting things to do," Edward answered with a smirk."And see." I remembered gawking at his size earlier in the bathroom. My lady parts down south were a bit sore."Uh huh." My friend and I exchanged a grin. She is so going to tease me about this later. Waking up the following morning felt like going into a battleground. My body ached from the previous night's... activities. Lying on my side, I pressed my back against his solid, smooth chest. Feeling Edward's thumb lightly tease my nipple had me blushing. "Good morning, Brianne.""Good morning, Edward," I breathed, wondering if I had morning b
If Edward noticed how awkward I behaved around him, he said nothing. He asked nothing of my private matters or Jenna and I told him nothing. Our routine of being the perfect happy couple remained the same. I was beginning to feel it was true but reminded myself that Edward and I shared nothing but a beneficial relationship. The day of Hardin's birthday arrived. I spent a while, preparing since Edward brought in a professional makeup artist. After I had changed into a white gown, I met with Edward. "You look better than I imagined," he praised, clapping his hands. "Thank you," I beamed. "Really. And you look you are out to steal some hearts." "As I should." He spread out his arms and gave a little twirl. "Hold up," I chuckled, walking up to him. When he stopped his cute antics, I reached up to adjust his tie. My hands hovered a bit when I realised how close we stood. It was hard after that day at the office to stand close to him. I felt like I was losing my mind, wishing for
“Edward?” I stepped in the house, cautious and still unable to remove the fiery building imprinted in my mind. It awed me to think Edward had something to do with it. I knew he was thorough when it came to dealing with people in his way but I did not expect this. This was beyond everything I had seen him do while working under him. “Dinner is ready,” he stepped into the living room, a wide smile on his face and wiping his hands. “We need to talk about Mr Lennon. Did you do that?” “I had a plan.” “It involved fire.” “Exactly. Is there a problem?” “Of course there is a problem. What if the cops find out it was you?” “They won’t. Why don’t you go clean up?” I pursed my lips and took in a deep breath. My head kept swimming but slowly calmed. Avoiding his gaze, I left him to freshen up and change into a more comfortable clothing. “Are you mad?” He softly asked when I turned to leave the bedroom. Edward leaned against the door, playing with his wedding ring. I thought about h
“Here.” I looked up from the papers at the chocolate dessert Edward prepared. Giving him a warm smile, I picked up the bowl and ate a spoonful. “Delicious as always,” I commented then sucked on the spoon. It had become an unspoken tradition of his to prepare dessert for me himself every evening before bed. But I might not even be able to sleep tonight. I didn’t have the heart to reject it either because it made me sleepy. He settled beside me and took a look at the papers. “That’s a lot of paper companies.” “I know, right? I did wonder how he continued to make tons of millions after monopolizing the perfume industry; money laundering.” The paper companies were fake companies that were licenced under the Delmont's name but served only as a means to launder money. It really amused me how much father was my never caught by the law. There were false bank statements but the legitimate ones were few of excessive cash deposit moving from one bank to another. “Cox District,” Edward
“This is a surprise,” Mr Lennon said, crossing his legs once he settled into his high seat. “Miss Delmont. Oh, I’m sorry. I suppose I should call you Mrs Paxton now.” “Sir.” I mirrored the way he sat. “I am sure you know I’m not here to bid good tidings.” “Exactly why I am considering dialling your father and letting him know where his precious daughter is.” Setting my purse beside me, I tilted my head to the side and gave him a small smile. It irritated me beyond imagination that I happened to be here. If I had not fallen for Edward's puppy eyes, I would have remained at work. After two weeks of scheming, Edward had me driven secretly to Mr Lennon’s casino. With a trusted bodyguard at my side, we sauntered into his building which was disguised as a gambling pit for elites. I spotted a couple of familiar faces, cheering on their wins or throwing a tantrum over their loss. Thank goodness for my sunglasses and large hat.
Wrapping the towel around me, I stepped out of the bathroom. I spotted Edward bending over and picking up something black. “Does this belong to you?” He asked, pulling the fabric. I flushed when I recognized the lace panties as mine. Why was it on the floor? I was pretty sure I placed it on the bed. “Yes.” As I approached him to collect it, Edward smiled slyly, in a way that hints all kinds of hidden depth. “Thank you,” I said, tucking it behind me. “I will be outside while you change.” As soon as he stepped out, I groaned unable to stop replaying the scene in my head. That was so mortifying. How did it fall? I was sure I left it on the bed. After drying my wet hair, I changed into a night dress and stepped out into the living room. Edward nursed a rosé while he focused on his phone. “I am done.” “Oh?” He glanced at me and nodded. “Oh.” “The day has been really quiet. How long
The private yacht Edward had prepared was his idea of an honeymoon. I guess it was the thought behind it that counts. Away from the paparazzi, as he put it in his words. I changed out of my wedding dress into a more comfortable short dress and waited outside the room for Edward to change. “Come. He is waiting for us,” he said when he stepped out of the bedroom. “Who?” I looked up from the boat magazine I read. “The captain.” The captain? Why would he want to see us? What was Edward up to? I followed him out of the cabin to the open sky, sweeping salty air into my face. “Where are we going?” He ignored my question and continued on to the wheelhouse. The smell of fried chicken hit me when he opened the door. “You are eating without us?” Edward asked, stepping into the wheelhouse. “I could not wait.” I watched in shock as Hardin came into view, eating a chicken drumstick. “What are you doing here?” “Sorry to crash in on your honeymoon.” He rose up and shook hands with Ed
Words overlapped with screams as several guests hurried in the room. “Congratulations!” “You look so beautiful.” “Lovely dress.” “Gorgeous bride.” “Congratulations, Brie!” My friends drew into their warm embrace as the dress swished around my legs. The day of the wedding arrived. Everything went according as planned. Woken before the sun rose, I was taken to the hall where the wedding ceremony would take place, then pampered in a private room and dressed for. In the bustle of visiting guests, I spotted Evelyn watching me with a sour look. As the number of women in the room died down, I walked up to her. “Evelyn." ”I suppose this is where I say congratulations.“ ”Why, thank you.“ She rolled her eyes and turned to leave, her hair flying over her shoulders. ”Wait,“ I called out. Surprised when she stopped, I turned to the others in the room and said, ”Could you all give my sister and I a moment?“ ”Sure,“ they said and shuffled their feet out of the room. ”Whatever you