“I’m surprised you don’t have a personal chef or something, Mr. President,” I remark, sliding onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island as I watch him line up the ingredients and put a pot of water on the stove to boil.Arthur shoots me a sidelong glance, then gestures around the kitchen with
IrisThe spell is quickly broken when I realize just how close we are. I nearly fall off my painting stool in my attempt to put some distance between us, sending the entire stool clattering to the floor.My cheeks flush as I stoop to pick it up, getting even more paint on the sleeve of my cardigan i
“Hello!” I say cheerfully to a woman who’s passing by. “Can I interest you in a—”The woman ignores me, her heels clicking as she hurries past.I sigh, but shake it off and turn to the next person. “Can I interest you in a Flora original? Just three hundred dollars!”The man, wearing a leather jacke
Iris“Hello, Iris,” Selina says, flipping a blonde curl over her shoulder with a manicured hand. “Fancy seeing you here.”I freeze in the doorway to the living room, suddenly feeling out of place in what was once my own home. Arthur is sitting in an armchair across from Selina, who is perched on the
I suppose it doesn’t matter at this point if I back out or not, since that clause will still prevent me from leaving the country with Miles for a year regardless. Unless I get legal help, of course. Which I will. Once I earn enough money.Still, I have no intention of using Arthur’s money for anythi
IrisArthur leaves after that, which is both a relief and a disappointment for reasons I’m not sure if I’m ready to admit. Miles is happily playing in the guest bedroom, so I leave him be and head straight to my studio, ready to get to work.Over the next couple of hours, I slip back into my groove.
“But Augustine—”“Go away, Selina!”I blink, surprised. She thinks I’m… her? I don’t think I sound like Selina at all. “I’m not Selina,” I reply quickly. “It’s me, Iris. Open the door and see for yourself.”There’s a pause, and I think she might finally oblige. But she doesn’t. Rather, I just hear t
IrisArthur’s arms are warm and comforting around my body. He holds me with such ease, the curve of my waist fitting perfectly against his chest. For a moment, we just stare at each other, and he doesn’t put me down right away.To say that I feel attraction to Arthur right now would be an understate
He shrugs and goes to pick up the glass again. “It’s just how it is.”I shake my head and move the glass out of his way. “No more of this tonight. You’ve had enough.”Arthur pouts, actually pouts, which confirms my suspicion that he’s drunker than he’s letting on. “But how will I sleep?”The questio
IrisThe baseball bat connects with the wall with a sickening crack as Arthur ducks just in time, letting out a surprised yelp.“Holy shit!” I shriek, the bat slipping from my hands and clattering to the floor. “Arthur! I almost took your head off!”Arthur straightens up, his eyes wide in the dim li
I glance at Arthur, who shrugs. “I’d love to,” he says, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “Just one story, though. It’s past your bedtime.”I leave them to it, Arthur’s deep voice following me down the hall as he begins to read one of Miles’ favorite books. Something warm unfurls in my chest at
IrisArthur turns to me as we pull up to my apartment building later. “They seemed to like you.”“Your parents?” I ask, glancing at him. “Yeah, they were nice. Especially after that awkward first meeting.”He makes a noncommittal sound, staring out the windshield for a moment before turning off the
I feel a flush of pleasure at his praise. “Thank you.”“And you have a son together,” Wendy states, leaving behind the subject of my career. “Miles, is it?”I nod, dragging my lower lip through my teeth. I feel like I’m being grilled, one question after another in quick succession.“He’s five,” I sa
Iris“You’re sure you can handle this?” Arthur asks, his hand resting on the small of my back. We’re standing just outside the ballroom entrance, about to make our reappearance.I take a deep breath, smoothing the front of my new black dress. It’s simpler than the emerald gown—a sleek, form-fitting
“I’ve missed you,” he breathes against my skin. “So much, Iris. You have no idea.”I thread my fingers through his hair, tugging him back up to my mouth. “Show me,” I whisper against his lips.His eyes darken further, and he captures my mouth again in a kiss that makes my eyes roll back with pleasur
IrisThe jacket slips from my shoulders, falling to the carpet with a soft thud. I feel my face heat as Arthur drags his gaze over the tattered remains of my dress, lingering briefly on my exposed breasts, hips, and belly, but I don’t try to cover myself again.“The scratches don’t look that bad,” h
“They marked your face,” he says quietly. “They were trying to—”“I know what they were trying to do,” I interrupt. “Make you not want me anymore. Make me too ugly or damaged for you to keep as your mate.” I laugh bitterly. “Like your attraction to me is solely based on my looks.”Arthur’s hands sti