Caspian's standing behind me. I can feel him watching me. His gaze lingers on my neck. I hold my breath, aware of how close he is.“Do you like our room, Cherry?” he says, his warm breath brushing against my skin.“It’s beautiful,” I reply.Actually, beautiful is an understatement. But I'm at a loss for words at the moment, so beautiful will have to do.Caspian moves closer. “Not as beautiful as you,” he says, and I blush. Gosh, this man. How does he do that? With just a few words, he makes me feel flustered and special all at once. It's a wonder he never got married, with his sweet tongue and all. Someone should have snatched him a long time ago.I clear my throat and change the topic, to regain control. “Are my things still in the car? I need my toiletries and stuff to freshen up.”Before I can blink, Caspian’s hands are on my shoulders, gently turning me around to face him. His expression is unreadable, but there’s a glint of amusement in his eyes, as if he’s enjoying how flustered
“A show?” I ask.“That’s not how you shower, is it? So slow and sensual.” His eyes darken, tracing the path of my hands as they glide over my skin.Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I roll my eyes, trying to play it off. “Please, Caspian. I’m just trying to get clean. Not everything is about you.”“Maybe not everything, but this? Definitely about me.” He steps closer, the water streaming down his chest, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to reach out and trace the droplets with my fingertips.“I think someone’s a little full of himself,” I say, but my voice wavers slightly, betraying the bravado I’m trying to hold onto.He smirks, inching even closer until our bodies are almost brushing. “Not full of myself, Cherry—just very aware of the effect I have on you. And if I’m being honest, the way you’re moving right now? It’s having an effect on me too.”I swallow hard, torn between wanting to retreat and the undeniable pull that makes me want to lean in. My mind races, telling me to
Someone's arm is around me.I slowly open my eyes, trying to remember where I am. Everything is so strange. The soft bed. The spacious and fancy bedroom. A strongly built person is sleeping behind me, his arm roping me to his chest. And he's hard—very, very hard.Oh, my god. Did I just have my first one-night stand?But as I look around, memories from yesterday hit me.Caspian. My husband. We got married yesterday. I remember everything—how quickly it all happened, the tour of his mansion, and that intense shower.“Caspian,” I say. He doesn't reply.I think about slipping out of his grip, but even in his sleep, he’s holding me tight, like he doesn’t want to let go. I check the clock. It’s early, just a hint of sunlight coming through the curtains. I could wake him up, move away, and get some space, but something stops me. There’s something comforting about the way he’s holding me. It makes me feel safe, even in all this craziness. I attempt to lift his arm, but, good lord, how heavy
Caspian's POVI'm the luckiest man in the world, no question about it.My wife—my Cherry—thrives on challenges. And I intend to give her one she won’t forget. The thought of challenging her sends a thrill through me, making me restless as I pace outside the bathroom door. How does a man go about seducing his own wife when she’s hell-bent on keeping him at arm’s length?“Are you almost done?” I ask, knocking for the fifth time. I can't believe she locked it.There’s a pause, then the sound of running water stops. “I’m not in a hurry, Caspian,” she replies coolly from the other side. I swear I can hear the smirk in her voice. She knows exactly what she’s doing, taking her sweet time and leaving me out here, waiting like some lovesick puppy.“Really? You’re going to make me wait?” I knock again, this time with a little more insistence. “You do realize that door is only temporarily keeping me out, right?”“You’re not breaking down the door, Caspian. Don’t be ridiculous.”I grin at that. “
Desiree's POV“How many staff does one need in a house?” I mutter under my breath as yet another person steps forward with a polite “Congratulations.”So far, eleven people have come to offer their good wishes at breakfast, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea that all these people work in this house. It’s like I’ve landed in a Downton Abbey episode.Caspian leans closer, a slight grin tugging at his lips. “And this is our chef, Douglas,” he says, gesturing toward a short, stocky man who steps forward with the confidence of someone twice his height.Douglas barely reaches four feet, but his presence is anything but small. His sharp eyes scan me with an unsettling mix of curiosity and something else I can’t quite place. Maybe I’m imagining it, but there’s a flicker of interest—or is that desire?—in his gaze. I blink, unsure if I’m reading too much into it.“Nice to meet you, Douglas,” I say. “The meal was incredible.”“It’s nothing,” he replies smoothly, puffing out his
I barely need the encouragement. I hit the gas, and the car surges forward, smooth as silk, gliding out of the driveway and onto the open road. The wind whips through my hair as we speed up, and I can’t help the wild laughter that escapes me.As we weave through the streets, Caspian’s eyes remain on me, a mix of admiration and something deeper in his gaze. For a moment, everything feels perfect—no doubts, no worries—just the pure thrill of freedom.“Looks like I married a speed demon,” he says, raising an eyebrow.I glance at him. “I thought you already knew I was a little wild.”“Oh, I knew. I’m counting on it,” he replies.I take a sharp turn, the car hugging the curve effortlessly. I’ve never felt so alive, so in control and yet so completely swept away by the moment. It’s a new feeling, one that I could get used to.“Where are we going?” I ask.Caspian leans back, a faint smile on his lips. “Actually, you're driving me to work. If you look in the rearview mirror, you'll see my ent
I'm not a religious person. In fact, there’ve been very few times in my life when I’ve actually prayed. But today? Today might just be one of those days. God, please get this bitch out of my sight.“Isn’t this cozy?” Mabel sneers, her eyes sweeping over the designer clothes draped across my arm. “Playing dress-up, are we?”Mike’s gaze follows suit, his eyes narrowing with judgment. I know exactly what’s running through his mind. He’s probably trying to figure out how I went from scraping by to standing in a boutique this grand. But there’s something else in his expression too—something that looks an awful lot like jealousy. Or is it regret?I square my shoulders, refusing to let them see even a flicker of anxiety. “I’m exactly where I need to be,” I say, lifting my chin. “What about you two? Came shopping for the big day?”I can play nice. We can all pretend this is just a casual, friendly encounter. Like I don’t want to smack the smug grins right off their faces.Mabel steps closer,
Caspian's POVI never imagined there’d be a day when I’d be itching to go home. But it’s been hours without Desiree, and it’s driving me insane. I always thought the whole honeymoon idea was overrated, but now I get it. Maybe newlyweds need that time together, not just to enjoy each other but to get all the obsession out of their system. Maybe then, they won’t spend every waking moment distracted, counting down the hours until they’re back together.But I doubt a month—or even a year—would be enough to satisfy my craving for that red-haired girl. “And as you can see, the chart here highlights a significant surge in sales across previously underperforming regions. Here’s Texas, for example—”I barely register Linda’s voice droning on about projections and market share. This presentation has been going on for what feels like forever, and all I can think about is getting out of here and back to Desiree. We get it—the company’s thriving. There’s no need to keep hammering it in.I force m
I nod, my throat tight. “You better be.” The doors to the delivery room swing open, and suddenly, I’m surrounded by bright lights, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and the calm, authoritative voices of nurses. My mind is racing. My body, however, is focused on one thing: the relentless, excruciating contractions that feel like my insides are being wrung out like a soaked towel. “Breathe, Desiree. You’ve got this,” a nurse says, guiding me onto the bed. Caspian bursts through the door moments later, his hair disheveled, his suit jacket gone, and his sleeves rolled up. He looks like a man ready for battle. And, honestly, that’s what this feels like. “I’m here,” he says, taking my hand again. His grip is warm, solid, a lifeline in this sea of chaos. I glare at him through the pain. “You did this to me.” He leans down, brushing a kiss against my sweaty forehead. “I know, baby. And you’re doing amazing.” “Amazing? I feel like I’m being ripped in half!” I shout, my voice cracking wit
~~Months later~~ My best friend, Jessica, decided to organise a baby shower for me. She rented a penthouse. I know Caspian's involved in this. Who else is paying for the penthouse? The penthouse is everything Jessica promised and more—sleek marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the city, and enough floral arrangements to make a florist weep. There’s an extravagant dessert table with a towering cake. And, of course, the unmistakable Caspian touch—a champagne fountain. I take it all in, my eyes narrowing suspiciously as I glance at Jessica, who’s currently trying to pass off the event as “modest.” Modest my ass. “You’re sure this wasn’t Caspian’s idea?” Jessica flashes her most innocent smile, which is about as believable as a politician’s promise. “I mean, he may have helped. But you deserve this! Come on, Dee, when was the last time we celebrated you?” I snort, adjusting the sash draped across my belly that reads Mom-to-Be. “You mean besides the
Desiree's POVWe're at a press conference.Cameras flash like lights at a club, and the buzz of reporters fills the air like a swarm of relentless bees. I hate it. Every second of it. But I stand tall, my hand resting in Caspian’s, my knuckles white from the grip. He doesn’t seem fazed—his jaw set, his eyes gleaming. He’s in his element.Me? I’m a bundle of nerves hiding behind a tailored dress and a painted-on smile.The tension in the room is obvious. Every gaze is pinned on us, every microphone is pointed in our direction. There’s no escaping it.Caspian steps forward, adjusting the microphone. His presence is magnetic. Commanding. He could announce the end of the world, and people would believe it was for their own good.He clears his throat, and the room falls silent.“For weeks now, CypherEdge Dynamics has been under siege,” he begins. “An individual named Mabel Blackwood infiltrated our company. She blackmailed board members, manipulated shareholders, and attempted to undermine
“Mr. Hart,” Aaron’s voice oozes through the line, smug and infuriating. “I trust you’ve been thinking about my offer.”“More like thinking about how to kill you,” I mutter under my breath, then louder: “I’ve considered it. But I need proof Desiree is alive. Now.”A pause. Then, Desiree’s voice, faint but there. “Caspian, please…”It takes everything in me not to lose it. “I’m here, Desiree. Hold on.”Aaron returns. “Satisfied?”“Barely,” I say. “You’ll get what you want. But not a second before I see her safe.”“Fine,” Aaron agrees. “Bring the drives to the location we’ll send you. Alone. And no tricks, Hart. Or she dies.”The line goes dead.Antonio is already moving, giving quick commands into his headset. “They’ll never see us coming,” he promises.I grip the phone. “They’d better not.”Because if they do, I’ll burn the entire city down before I let them take her away from me.---I park a block away from the designated warehouse, my pulse thudding in my ears. I sit there for a mom
The tone sends a chill down my spine. Calm, too calm, like this is a business deal and not—“Where is she?” I say. “If you’ve touched her—”“Tsk, tsk,” the man interrupts, almost amused. “Let’s not start with threats. You’re not in a position to make them.”I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles white. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”“Don’t I? Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Hart. Ruthless. Powerful. But none of that matters here.”My free hand balls into a fist at my side. “What do you want?”Finally, he gets to the point. “You’re going to deliver something to me. Two things, actually. First, the drives you took from Mabel’s mother’s house.”My mind races. How does he know about those?“And second,” he continues, “your shares in the company. Sign them over. All of them.”I laugh, sharp and humorless. “You think I’ll just hand those over? Do you know what they’re worth?”“Oh, I know exactly what they’re worth.” His voice drops. “I also know what she’s worth to you.”The a
Caspian's POVIt’s been over two hours since Desiree disappeared, and the hospital has called the police against my wishes.I’m pacing the waiting room like a caged animal, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead doing nothing to quell the pounding in my skull. Every passing second feels like an eternity, a loud and unrelenting reminder that she’s not here, that I don’t know where she is, that I failed to protect her.“Mr. Hart,” one of the officers starts, her voice too calm, too measured, like she’s asking about a lost cat. “Let’s go over this again. You’re sure your wife didn’t… leave voluntarily?”My fist clenches so hard my knuckles crack. I whip around, staring at her like she’s grown a second head.“Voluntarily?” The word leaves my mouth dripping with venom. “You think she just decided to disappear in the middle of a goddamn ultrasound?”The other officer, a man with a face so nondescript I could forget it in seconds, clears his throat. “We’re just trying to establish all possi
Desiree’s POVI wake up feeling like my head has been split in two.Pain radiates from the back of my skull, throbbing with every heartbeat. My mouth feels like I’ve swallowed sand, and the metallic tang of blood lingers on my tongue. I try to move, but my arms won’t budge. Cold metal digs into my wrists, and the sharp edge of panic slices through the fog clouding my mind.“Welcome back.”The voice is smooth, almost polite, but it sends a chill racing down my spine. I force my eyes open, blinking against the dim light until the blurry figure in front of me sharpens into focus.Aaron.He leans casually against a table, his arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face. He looks like a villain from one of those old spy movies—too polished, too composed, too damn pleased with himself.“What the hell,” I croak, my voice raspy. “What is this, amateur hour? I thought kidnappers were supposed to wear masks.”He chuckles, slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring my sarcasm. “You’re in go
Caspian's POVDesiree has been gone for too long.I glance at the clock on the wall, tapping my fingers on the armrest of the chair in rhythm with my heartbeat, which is getting louder and faster with every passing second. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe this is one of those “pregnancy bladder” situations everyone warned me about. But how long does it take a pregnant woman to pee? Five minutes? Ten? I’ve lost track of time, but it feels like hours.I shift in my chair, trying to shake off the gnawing sense of unease creeping up my spine. The ultrasound pictures are still in my hand, slightly crumpled from where my grip has tightened.“She’s fine,” I mutter to myself. “She’s fine.”But the words don’t stick.Standing abruptly, I glance toward the hallway leading to the bathroom. The corridor feels longer than I remember, its sterile walls closing in like they’re mocking me. Every instinct in me screams that something isn’t right.Dr. William steps out of an adjacent room, looking surpr
Dr. William turns to us, his smile widening. “It’s a girl.”For a moment, the world stops. A girl. We’re having a daughter.“A girl,” I repeat, the words tasting foreign and magical on my tongue. Tears spill over before I can stop them, and I press a hand to my mouth, overcome with emotion.Caspian is silent beside me, his gaze fixed on the monitor. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough, as if he’s struggling to keep his own emotions in check. “A girl,” he echoes. Then, with a soft laugh, he adds, “God help her if she inherits your stubbornness.”“Excuse me?” I glare at him, though the tears streaming down my face probably ruin the effect. “She’s going to be the perfect combination of both of us, thank you very much.”“Let’s hope she leans more toward your good looks than my temper.”“Let’s hope she doesn’t inherit your ego,” I shoot back, though my voice is choked with laughter.Dr. William chuckles, stepping back to give us a moment. “I’ll print out some pictures for you two. T