ELOISEThe lights dimmed in the event hall as we took our seats at one of the tables, and silence enveloped the crowd. A spotlight illuminated the first item to be auctioned—a centuries-old painting named "Whispers of the Wildwood" by the artist Edmund Harlowe, donated by a businessman. It's a landscape painting that transports viewers into a serene forest scene, lit only by fireflies. The painting portrays a deep, lush woodland with untouched beauty. The auction's proceeds this evening will be distributed to orphanages, children with illnesses, and homes for the aged.The auctioneer, Jack, a charismatic man in a tailored tuxedo, stood beside the artwork. He began narrating the painting's history, its importance in the art world, and the artist's masterful technique.Wealthy collectors, art enthusiasts, and investors in the room raised their paddles, each bid raising the price higher and higher. I moved closer to Adam. "Aren't you going to tell me what's going on? What business do y
ELOISE The event had transformed into an open party, with lively music filling the air, encouraging people to dance and enjoy themselves for the rest of the night. I found myself on the dance floor with Adam as the night wore on. "Can't you give me something? Anything, just so I'm not kept in the dark?" I asked him, our bodies swaying in time with the music. "Okay," he began, glancing around cautiously before fixing his gaze on me. "Let's just say this is my way of trying to figure you out." "To this extent? You'd even do business with a man you barely know when you could just ask me? Why would you even do this and waste your time?" His eyes gleamed mischievously. "Darling, you asked for my help, right? This is how I do it. To this extent, as you said." "I asked for your help yesterday, but it seems you've already made your moves even before that." He pulled my waist closer so that my chest was pressed against him. A soft gasp escaped my lips. "I like being one step ahead. It
ELOISE "Here." Adam offered me a cup of hot tea when we entered the suite he was staying in. The place was well-lit and warm, just like him. He took a seat in front of me, gently tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear as he observed me. I took a sip of the tea, and relief washed over me. "I'm sorry I got you involved in my issues. He grunted. "Anyone would get involved if they witnessed that. I told you he's lucky I left him alive." "You're not a monster like him." His pupils darkened. "Oh, you have no idea." “How did you know he followed me in the restroom?” “Your friend saw him.” Oh, Nina. She had already saved me so much. I glanced around his spacious suite. "This is a nice place. Thanks for bringing me here.” "You're welcome." He kissed my forehead and stood up again. "You can use the bedroom whenever you feel like resting. I have the bathroom ready too. Did you want anything else?” I shook my head. "Maybe a snack? Thank you.” “Anytime.” He walked to the kitche
ELOISE After I showered, Adam was pretty much refreshed as well. He was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Mm," he hummed, studyin me. "That looks good on you." I looked down at the PJs he lent me. "I thought you said you don't take advantage and I need a rest?" I wiped my hair with the towel. I could smell a hint of his scent on my body. It must be the soap and shampoo. It felt as if he was embracing me, and I liked it. "Are you sleepy?" I shook my head. "Why don't you sit here so we can talk a bit?" He smiled seductively and tapped his hand on the space next to him. I guess he was back to being the sexy, playful Adam Sebastian after all that drama. "About what?" "About this. What did you tell them about what we were?" I sat on the other end of the bed. "I told the baron you're my boyfriend, which, of course, you're not. Fine, you win this time. I need your help with whatever plan you're trying to plot for my dad tomorrow." He said he didn't need a reason to do this. He told
ADAMI woke up to my ringtone in the late hours of dawn. I had finally been enjoying a good night's sleep, knowing the red-haired angel was safe in the bedroom. I was worried as hell, and my knuckles stung from pounding on the fucking baron's face earlier.I checked my phone, and it was only three o'clock in the morning, with Zoey's name displayed on my screen. I frowned; she never called me unannounced.I answered, "What is it, Zoey?""Why would you do this? I… I just don't understand, and I'm so confused. I want to be honest with you all the time. I'm sorry for intruding. You can punish me if you wish, but how did it come to this?""What are you talking about? I had no desire to punish you, Zoey." Not anymore. Honestly, I had no idea what to do with Zoey right now. She was the least of my concerns.She moaned. "It's because of her you've lost track of our plans."I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair. "Hold on. Where are you? Have you been drinking?""I'm at the bar..
ADAM I took a moment to admire her proportioned and flawless bare body and beauty as if she were a goddess awaiting some lucky mortal to fuck her. Her red hair gracefully cascaded down her shoulders, and her emerald-green eyes sparkled with need. "Spread your legs," I commanded. I wanted to see her vulnerable, all for my pleasure. She blushed and hid her rosy cheeks in embarrassment, but slowly, she parted her thighs while still seated on the counter. Before me was her pink and tightly wrapped vulva, looking incredibly snug and dripping with her own juices. Damn. I felt like I was about to cum. "That's a pretty pussy." I brought my thumb to her clitoris. "Look at me, Eloise. I want to see your eyes." She gasped, probably because of my vulgarity, or maybe it was because I had started to massage her clitoris with my thumb. I circled it gently, as it was very sensitive and so pink that I didn't want to hurt her by being too aggressive. But eventually, I knew I wanted to be aggress
ADAM One week ago… I sat in Rafe’s office on the day I decided to follow after Eloise. Something about her that always drew me in. Holding the background investigation check papers in my hand, I now knew she wasn’t just an ordinary person with a decent job in New York. I couldn’t explain why, but I always felt this overwhelming urge to uncover every piece of her story. It was almost as if logic took a backseat as I now held my passport. “As if you don’t know,” I smirked, “you’re going to ask me why I used the services of your private investigator.” He raised an eyebrow inquisitively. “Dad has been inquiring about Generations. And although you’re doing your job well, I know you’re up to something again. So, who is this Eloise Walker?” I knew well that he would read those papers before I had the chance to. After all, he was the one who delivered them to me. “It doesn’t have anything to do with Generations. She simply works there,” I said with a shrug. I knew exactly where this co
ELOISE “That’s better,” Adam whispered in my ear. His hot breath on my neck made me quiver. “But we can talk about that another day.” “So, is it a deal?” “I asked, barely able to catch my breath. Shit. I was basically asking him for a convenient relationship with casual sex. I just hope I was ready for this, although it was too late to back out. “Deal,” he replied casually as if we hadn’t just had that conversation. “And as my part of the bargain, let’s discuss what we should tell your family.” Also, why did he always speak so intensely? *** We arrived at the mansion before evening. Nina replied she hadn’t mentioned anything to the viscount but informed him I would come tonight. I wore this long red dress that Adam got me from Louis Vuitton earlier, and it totally shimmered under the hallway lights, like I was ready to take on anything. It was a shame I hadn’t brought anything Bonnie had prepared for me. Her dresses were stunning and fit me perfectly. But boy, my date tonight w
ADAMTwo Months LaterI stared at the array of takeout containers at the dining table.Chinese. Pizza. Sushi. And what looked like... pancakes?I glanced at my wife, rummaging through another bag of food with a look of utter dissatisfaction on her face.She sighed heavily, dropping back into her seat with a huff.“This isn’t what I wanted,” she muttered, poking at a container of stir-fried noodles with her chopsticks. “Why do they always mess up the order? I specifically said no onions.”I bit back a smile, sipping water to hide my amusement. She’d been in a mood all evening—no, all week. She snapped at the delivery guy, rearranged the table three times, and now complained about the food. It wasn’t like her to be so... irritable.“Do you want me to order something else?” I offered, keeping my tone calm.She groaned. “No, it’s fine. It’s not your fault. I’m just... hungry.”“Alright,” I said, taking a bite of sushi as I watched her pick up a slice of pizza. She inspected it and then pu
ELOISEThe news was everywhere.“BREAKING: Adam Sebastian Takes Charge as CBS Undergoes Major Changes.”The TV screen in the corner of Adam’s—I meant our—living room displayed his gorgeous face as the anchor discussed his triumphant return to CBS. I sat curled up on the plush leather couch, my bare feet tucked beneath me.The move to Adam’s penthouse had consumed our week, but things felt more real for the first time since our whirlwind honeymoon—more tangible than they had a couple of weeks ago.“Following the high-profile arrest of former CEO Christopher Jackson on charges of fraud and embezzlement, CBS has been acquired by Sebastian Pictures,” the reporter announced.I glanced toward Adam, who sat in the adjacent armchair. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and he held a glass of scotch.His hair was slightly tousled, as though he’d run his fingers through it one too many times. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes—those piercing ocean blues—held a flicker of satisfaction that only
ADAM The music shifted again, this time to something bolder—a sign that the night’s main event was about to begin. The guests settled at their tables, and so did Eloise and I. Servers glided through the crowd, topping off glasses with champagne, some served canapés. Christopher then stepped onto the stage like a man who believed the world bowed at his feet—because, for now, it did. I smirked. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his tone booming through the room. “Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate our annual holiday gala and another year of extraordinary success at CBS.” Polite applause followed. His smile widened. “This year has been one of tremendous growth, and we owe that to our investors, our partners, and of course, all of you.” He gestured broadly to the crowd. “But tonight, we celebrate more than profits. We celebrate vision—the vision that built this company into what it is today.” The applause grew louder, but Christopher held up a hand, silencing them. “An
ELOISEThe Astoria Royale buzzed with the presence of celebrities, influential politicians, renowned news anchors, and prominent CBS journalists, all gathered for tonight's grand event.Towering glass chandeliers bathed the grand ballroom in a soft, golden glow, and the scent of vanilla and champagne lingered in the air with some faint traces of expensive perfumes and cigars.It was intoxicating. Dizzying. I still wasn’t used to this, not even after all the lavish parties back in Scotland.I stepped onto the red velvet carpet leading into the ballroom, the click of my emerald stilettos barely audible beneath the hum of conversation, the smooth notes of classical jazz, and bursts of laughter.The crowd stirred when Adam and I entered. Cameras flashed from behind us, and photographers called out for us to turn and pose.The flashes were blinding, but Adam’s warm, steady hand at the small of my back grounded me. I glanced up at him.God, my husband was breathtaking tonight.Adam wore a s
ELOISEThe night was unusually calm for New York—no sirens, no distant honking horns. It was just the quiet hum of the city beneath us and the distant shimmer of lights stretching to the horizon.I leaned on the balcony railing of my house, my fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic of my coffee mug, while Adam stood beside me, resting his weight against the edge.His face was hard to read tonight—calm but calculating. The kind of expression he wore when his mind was turning over something too heavy to leave unspoken. I’d grown used to the layers in his looks, but tonight, there was something sharper.“Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or do I have to pry it out of you?” I teased, though my voice came out softer than I intended.Adam’s lips quirked into the faintest smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re getting good at that—reading me.”“It’s not hard. You practically radiate tension.” I leaned closer, resting my head against his shoulder for a moment. “Talk to me.”
ELOISEWhen Adam and I first entered my place to meet Jenna and grab a few things, my best friend was already standing by the door, hands on her chest.She looked at us with disappointment written all over her face, but I knew it had more to do with the fact that I hadn’t told her I was getting married.“You traitor,” she mumbled.I sighed, not wanting to disappoint her further. I immediately hugged her.“I’m sorry. I have no excuse. But can we please sit inside so I can explain?”“You told me I’d be your maid of honor!”She glanced at Adam and scowled.“Another traitor.”“Hi! Jenna, right?” Adam flashed his sweetest smile.Jenna’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly looked away.“Just come in.” She stepped aside.We entered the living room while Adam looked around, taking in the space.“You do have a nice place here. Maybe we should stay?” he teased.Jenna gasped and rushed in front of us.“Are you guys—kicking me out?”I laughed. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just kidding!”We sat down
ELOISEThat evening, while I was showering, Adam joined me. He wrapped his arms around me from behind while his lips placed soft kisses on my shoulder. I moved my hair to the side and looked back at him. Even after everything, it still felt surreal. Adam was my husband now.Just a few weeks ago, I met this man because of a simple mistake on a blind date, and he became someone who supported me. But there was still so much I had to learn about him, many things we needed to resolve and discuss.Under the shower, we stayed silent, savoring each other’s presence. Words became unnecessary with each kiss on my shoulder, neck, and back. I surrendered to the surge of emotions, my body burning with every touch of his fingers on my skin.Adam’s lips traveled down my back to the space between my buttocks. I moaned, arching my back as his tongue slid through. I gripped the wall; the only sounds were the splashing water, my rapid heartbeat, and my heavy breathing. His fingers traced my slit, and my
ELOISEWhen the doctor left, Adam and I watched Davina sit beside Malcolm’s bed, her hand never leaving his face.The doctor told us he didn’t know when my brother was going to wake up, but he should still be able to from his temporary coma.Davina was the first to speak. “How… how could Callum do this to me? After everything…”Dad was standing by the window with his hands folded across his chest when he finally broke his silence. “Callum did it because I let him. Because my ambition and greed blinded me.” There was a long pause before he turned to face us. “I did this. I did this to our family... to Malcolm. I was too focused on making sure the Cunningham name stayed strong. I was one-sided.”Davina’s eyes flicked, and her lips pressed tightly together. “You can’t blame yourself for this. I asked you to—”“I can blame myself,” Dad cut her off. “I’ve seen the signs. To think that I almost gave away my only daughter.” He waved his hand towards me.My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure
ADAM Eloise and I continued to move through the crowd, accepting congratulations and well wishes from the guests. I kept glancing around the room, scanning the crowd for any sign of Jonathan, but he had taken the initiative and was now talking to Callum. He had probably slipped away during the ceremony to begin his part of the operation. Now, all I could do was wait for him to make contact. Eloise chatted with her relatives near the buffet table when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I stepped away from the crowd, keeping my movements casual. I checked the message. It was from Jonathan: We spotted the ambulance, but one of my men outside hit a small complication. I glanced around again, making sure Callum wasn’t watching, and I remained calm. I moved toward a secluded reception corner, pressing the phone to my ear as I dialed Jonathan’s number. Jonathan gestured to Callum to wait a moment as he answered my call. “Jonathan, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice low but urgent. “I’m sor