I frown. Who is he, and why is he tagging along? He wasn’t introduced to anyone, yet here he is, strolling behind Mabel like he's part of the bridal party. No one else seems to notice—or care.Helena must catch my confusion because she leans in and whispers, “Do you know him?”I shake my head. “Not a clue.”Helena glances at the guy, her eyes narrowing for a second. “Weird. He’s been lurking since I got here. Maybe he’s some friend of Mike?”“Maybe,” I say, though I’m not convinced. Mike runs in a completely different circle—this guy doesn’t fit. His casual demeanor and constant focus on Mabel feel... off. And the way Mabel keeps stealing glances at him tells me there’s more going on here than just a wedding dress fitting.As we all shuffle into the dressing room, the space feels suddenly too small. Mabel is in full bride mode, chatting excitedly with the seamstress while the rest of us settle in around her. But my eyes keep drifting back to the stranger. He stands off to the side, le
The room goes still. All eyes turn toward me. The stranger straightens up, not a trace of surprise or discomfort on his face. He’s almost amused by the question, like he’s been waiting for someone to ask.Mabel’s smile tightens, and for the first time, she looks a little uneasy. “Oh, this is Aaron. He’s... a friend of mine.”A friend? Right.Aaron doesn’t miss a beat. He offers me a charming smile, the kind that would probably win over most people. “Nice to meet you. I’ve known Mabel for a long time.”A long time? That doesn’t make this any less strange. If anything, it raises more questions. Why haven’t I heard about this guy before? Why is he suddenly showing up now, right before her wedding?Mabel quickly jumps in, trying to smooth things over. “Aaron’s just helping out with some last-minute wedding details. He’s really good with fashion and design.”I narrow my eyes, not buying it. “And where’s your fiancé? Shouldn’t he be here for this?”“He’s tied up with work.”Of course, he is
There’s a naked man in my living room.Okay, he’s not completely naked, but boxers and flip-flops hardly count as fully dressed. I freeze, feeling like a stranger in my own home, waiting for this half-clothed intruder to acknowledge me. But he doesn't. He didn’t even hear me come in—he’s got AirPods in his ears, his eyes are closed, and he's lounging like he owns the place.I realize standing here like a stalker isn’t getting me anywhere. I have to be the one to break the ice."Hi," I say, stepping forward, trying not to sound too awkward.Nothing. He doesn’t flinch. Not even a twitch. Great. I move closer, hesitating just a second before I reach out and tap him gently on the shoulder.His eyes snap open. Wide, unblinking, and... strange. His irises aren’t round—they’re vertical, like a cat’s. I nearly take a step back. Contact lenses, maybe? Whatever it is, they’re unsettling.He stares at me for a moment, not moving, just... staring. Then, after what feels like an eternity, he fina
Fiona’s eyes meet mine, and it feels like the ground has been pulled out from under me.“Desiree?” she says.It’s her. My younger sister. The one who disappeared without a trace, leaving me with nothing but questions. The one I thought I’d never see again.And now, she’s standing in my living room, acting like all these years apart were nothing. Like I hadn’t spent countless nights worrying if she was even alive.“Oh my God,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “Fiona... is that really you? Where the hell have you been?”She smiles like it’s no big deal. “Around the world.”I’m frozen, torn between wanting to hug her and wanting to slap that smile off her face. Around the world? That’s her excuse after all this time?“You never called,” I say, my anger rising. “You never texted. You just disappeared.”Before she can answer, Paul jumps in, looking confused. “Wait, you two know each other?”I turn to Paul, feeling even angrier. “I should be asking you that! How do you know Fiona?”Paul looks a
Paul is laughing, clearly enjoying himself. “You’d make a perfect sculpture, Desiree. The height, size, and weight are perfect.”“Are you insane?” I snap, still dangling in his grip. “Put. Me. Down.”Paul doesn’t move immediately. His grin widens. “No, seriously,” he continues, ignoring my protests, “you’ve got that whole elegant-yet-dramatic look going on. You’d be the centerpiece of any gallery.”“I don’t care,” I growl, swatting at his arm, “I’m not your art project! Put me down before I—”Before I can finish my sentence, the front door swings open, and Caspian walks in. Oh, shit.I freeze. I didn’t even hear his car pull into the driveway. And now, here I am, in the middle of the living room, cradled in another man’s arms—his brother’s arms, no less.The color drains from my face as I catch Caspian’s eyes. His eyes are narrowed. His usual calm demeanor shifts into something darker. Tension floods the room instantly. He doesn't say a word, but the expression on his face says enoug
Caspian's POVGod, I’m so angry right now. Having a stressful day at work and coming home to my wife in another man's arms is not how I planned my day.“The hell did you just say to me?” Desiree says, her fists clenched.“You want him too, don't you? Maybe the three of you can have a threesome,” I spit out.I know I’m being childish right now. But I can’t help it. I just want someone who’s mine, completely. I chose to marry her, yet now it feels like everyone wants a piece of her. And the worst part? She doesn’t even seem to notice their flirtations. It’s driving me insane. Well, if she can’t see it, I’ll make her see it.“I don’t want you in the kitchen,” I say firmly.“Oh, really? Why? You think the chef bends me over the counter?” What the hell is wrong with her? I try to shake off the image, but now it’s all I can see—Desiree and Chef Douglas, together. The thought makes my blood boil.“You’re not going to the kitchen. That’s final,” I say.Desiree throws her head back and laughs
I can’t let her walk away without knowing what’s going on in her head. She’s shutting me out, and I don’t know why. What changed? What did I do?I catch up to her as she reaches the hallway. “Wait, Desiree. What are you saying?” I sound more desperate than I mean to, but I don’t care. “You don’t think so? What does that even mean? We’re married. You’re mine—I’m yours. That’s how this works.”She stops, but she doesn’t turn around. Her back is stiff, like she’s trying to hold something back. For a moment, I think she might finally answer me. But when she does, her words are cold.“That’s the problem, Caspian. I’m not something you own. And right now… I’m not even sure I want to be yours.”Her words hit me hard. My heart feels heavy, and I can’t think of what to say. Before I can respond, she keeps walking, disappearing down the hallway. I can’t just let her go. Not like this.I follow her. She’s climbing the stairs quickly, as if she’s trying to get away from me. I push myself to catch
Desiree's POVAll the color drains from Paul's face. His easygoing grin vanishes. Even my sister, Fiona, looks uncomfortable, her eyes wide as if she’s just witnessed a car crash.And honestly, that’s exactly what Caspian’s words feel like: a car crash. I blink, trying to wrap my head around what just happened. He couldn’t possibly mean what he said, right? Did Paul really do that?I can’t help it—I have to break the silence. “Paul,” I say, my voice shaking a little. “You didn’t actually sleep with Caspian’s girlfriend, did you?”Paul doesn’t answer. He doesn’t even look at me, which only makes my stomach sink further. His silence says more than words ever could, but I still need to hear him say it. I need to be sure.“Is that a yes or no?” I press, my heart pounding in my chest.Paul sighs and throws his hands up, like he’s tired of hiding. “Fine. We were young, okay? I was wild, Gladys was wild, and Caspian was… tame. It’s not my fault she found something in me and hooked up with m
“Oh, thank you,” my mom purrs, her tone suddenly ten shades warmer. “It’s nice to be appreciated.”I roll my eyes. “Are you two done? Or should I leave the room?”Caspian waves me off, his focus entirely on the call. “We’ll get the drives analyzed as soon as they arrive. If there’s anything incriminating, we’ll find it.”“I expect nothing less,” my mom says. “I’ll overnight them to the house. And, Caspian?”“Yes?”“Don’t let my daughter bully you into downplaying this. It’s important.”I groan. “Mom!”“I mean it,” she says. “You married into this family. You should know we fight dirty when we have to.”Caspian laughs, low and amused. “Noted. Thank you.”“Good night, Caspian. Desiree, call me tomorrow.”“Yeah, sure. Good night,” I mumble, snatching the phone back as the call ends. I toss it onto the coffee table and slump into the cushions.“She’s insane,” I say, more to myself than to him.“Insanely effective,” Caspian counters. “You have to admit, it’s a brilliant move.”I narrow my
Caspian chuckles. “You're welcome.”He kisses me with an intensity that takes my breath away, and I kiss him right back. His lips taste of me. I moan softly into his mouth, our tongues intertwining in a passionate dance. I am his, he is mine, and nothing else matters at this moment. He pulls back to gaze into my eyes, our foreheads pressed together as if we're the only two souls left in the world. His eyes are filled with an emotion I have never seen before, a dark, primal hunger that scares and thrills me all at once. At this moment, I am his. His to control. His to use. His to love. I am his plaything, his toy, his possession. In the charged silence, I can feel his grip tighten on my hips."Please," I say. "Make love to me."He smiles then, a slow, predatory grin.“Want more, Cherry?” he asks.I nod in reply.He lifts me up as if I weigh nothing, my legs wrapped around him, and places me against the cold, hard stone of the nearest wall. My back meets the icy surface and I cry out,
“Every last one of them.” He shuts the door with a soft click. “You missed the dramatic exits. Jessica and Uncle Bruno had a showdown over the last cupcake. Bruno won, of course. By sheer brute force.”I chuckle, imagining Jessica’s indignation. “She’ll never let him live it down.”“Probably not.” He loosens his tie, and I can’t help but watch. There’s something almost hypnotic about the way he unwinds, each movement shedding the polished image he wears in front of the world.“You didn’t have to throw that party,” I say, my fingers tracing invisible patterns on the blanket. “It was too much.”“Too much?” He smirks, stepping closer. “You’re carrying my child. There’s no such thing as too much.”My cheeks heat, and I roll my eyes, though a smile tugs at my lips. “Still. It was sweet. Thank you.”He shrugs off his jacket, draping it over a chair before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Don’t thank me yet. I might’ve used the opportunity to have a little strategic meeting with the board. J
The entryway is packed with people—family, friends, even a few faces I don’t immediately recognize. Balloons and banners hang from the ceiling, and a massive sign reading “Congratulations, Mom and Dad!” stretches across the living room.“What the actual—”I turn to Caspian, who’s standing beside me looking calm, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, a slight smirk playing on his lips.“Surprised?” he asks.“You planned this?”He shrugs. “Guilty.”“You—” I gape at him, words failing me. “When? How?”“While you were busy arguing with your mom about leaving,” he says. “I made a few calls. Mike helped.”I don’t even have time to process my rage before Uncle Bruno barrels toward me, arms wide and voice booming.“Oh, Dee Dee, this is huge!” He scoops me up in a hug so tight I swear my ribs creak. “A baby! Just when I thought you couldn’t surprise us anymore.”“Uncle B, put me down before I suffocate.” My voice is muffled against his chest, but he complies, grinning from ear to ear.Je
I try to dodge her attempts to smother me, but it’s impossible. She pulls me into a bone-crushing hug, and I swear I hear Caspian chuckling behind me.“Mom, you’re—” I can barely breathe. “You’re squeezing me.”“Oh, hush. You’re pregnant. You’re invincible now!” She pulls back, her hands gripping my arms as she stares at me like she’s just been handed the Holy Grail. “We have to celebrate.”“No,” I say. “No celebrations.”She ignores me, her mind already racing ahead. “We’ll call your siblings, of course. And your aunt. And the cousins. Everyone has to know. Oh, we’ll have a big family dinner—”“We’re leaving for New York today,” I interrupt, my voice firm. “There’s no time for any of that.”She frowns, her face falling in a way that tugs at my heart. “But this is huge, Desiree. You’re having a baby! My grandchild!”“Which is precisely why I’m not ready for the entire family to descend on me like vultures,” I say, trying to keep my tone light but firm. “Mom, I love you, but no. We’re
Caspian tilts his head, pretending to think about it. “Technically, yes.”“Technically?!” I say, grabbing the sheet to cover myself even though he’s seen everything. “Oh my God. She’s going to know. She’s going to know! I’m going to have to move to another continent. Maybe Antarctica.”He chuckles, too relaxed for someone who’s just committed a cardinal sin. “I’m pretty sure you’re overreacting.”“No, I’m not!” I slap his chest, but he just grins, his hand reaching up to catch mine. “You don’t know her! She’ll bring this up every Thanksgiving for the rest of my life. My life, Caspian!”“She’s not going to bring it up,” he says, sitting up now. “And if she does, I’ll handle it. Relax.”“Relax?” I throw the sheet off dramatically and scramble off the bed. “I cannot relax! This is a disaster.”He watches me, amused, as I grab the first piece of clothing I can find—his shirt—and pull it over my head. It falls halfway to my knees, but it’ll have to do.“You’re adorable when you’re panickin
“Caspian!” I hiss, my hands flying to his shoulders. Before I can protest further, he captures my lips in a kiss, his tongue thrusting into my mouth as if he's trying to brand me as his own. "I can't get enough of you. You're mine," he says, the possessiveness in his tone making my heart race with excitement and fear. I shiver at the dark promise in his words, my body already slick with need for him. He pulls back to trail open-mouthed kisses down my neck and collarbone, nipping and sucking at my sensitive skin as he frantically works the buttons of my shirt—his shirt, actually—ripping it open to expose my lace-covered breasts to his hungry gaze. I moan and arch into his touch as his calloused hands palm my bare breasts, thumbs teasing my aching nipples. I can feel the wetness dripping from me, already anticipating the feel of him filling me. I watch him through heavy-lidded eyes, my body trembling with barely contained need. Once he's done undressing me, he takes a lustful look
“No, it’s not,” I say, though my voice is a little too high-pitched to be convincing. “She knows what we did to get you pregnant, Desiree. She’s not going to be shocked by some creaky bed springs.” I smack his arm, my mortification complete. “Caspian!” He bursts out laughing, and despite my best efforts, I can’t help but smile. His laugh is infectious, the kind that makes it impossible to stay mad. Still, I cross my arms, glaring up at him. “You’re the worst.” “And yet, you married me.” “Poor decision-making on my part.” He reaches down, pulling me up from the floor with an ease that’s both annoying and impressive. Before I can protest, he’s dragged me onto the bed, his arms wrapping around me as he shifts us into some semblance of comfort. It’s a tight fit, but somehow it works—his body warm and solid against mine, the faint smell of his cologne grounding me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed. “This isn’t comfortable,” I grumble, even as I relax into him. “Sure it is,” he mu
“I’m trying to fix this!” I say, my voice rising. “You think I wanted to come back here? You think I wanted to face all this again? I’m doing this because it’s important—because it’s the right thing to do.”She laughs again, bitter and sharp. “The right thing. That’s rich.”“Mom, please,” I say, my voice breaking despite my best efforts. “I need you.”She softens, just a fraction, and for a moment, I think I’ve gotten through to her. But then she shakes her head, turning back to the stove.“I don’t know anything,” she says quietly. “Even if I did, I’m not getting involved.”“Why not?”“Because Elaine’s dangerous,” she says, her voice low. “You don’t know her like I do. She’ll ruin you if she thinks you’re a threat.”“She’s already ruining people,” I say. “And if we don’t stop her, she’ll just keep doing it.”Mom hesitates, her hand resting on the counter, her gaze distant. Finally, she sighs, the fight seeming to drain out of her. “What exactly do you need from me?”Relief floods thro