Briana POVPer usual, Noah drowned me with his kisses.He sucked my lower lip like he could not get enough of me.I responded with equal ferocity.Noah pulled me closer to his body. He rubbed his palms up and down my back while he continued to assault my lips with his kisses.I heard a moan and very nearly died in shame when I heard the sound of someone clearing his throat.Noah pulled back his face, but his arms hung loosely on my waist.“The room was just at your back. Why don’t you take it there?” Charles suggested, looking embarrassed.My face grew warm as I glared at my brother.“Woah! Did we miss something?” Flint asked flippantly.He screeched to a stop, staring at Charles, and then at me.“You don’t want to know,” Charles replied before walking along the hallway toward the room he shared with his wife, Jenna.Marcus had this knowing look on his face that added to my growing embarrassment.Then, Rowan passed by.He snagged my attention when he did not continue to his room but
Briana POVWith four faces staring at me expectantly, I could not decide.It made sense. It was practical, but it was sudden.There are things we need to settle yet.The indecision made me falter.I looked at the expectant faces of Noah and the triplets and felt like I wanted the floor to swallow me.“It’s what I wanted, too.” I started.Noah’s smile widened, and the children raised their hands in glee, along with their shouts of hurray.I don’t want to ruin their happiness, but I can’t lead them on. As early as now, I needed to set things straight to avoid misunderstandings in the future.“But not now,” I added, watching as the good spirits of the four people around me slowly sank.The rejoicing went down, and four pairs of eyes shot me a look of disappointment.I felt uneasy that I had to explain.“We still have so many things to settle, Noah. We can’t just move in together without fixing those things.”I wanted to blame him. His question caught me off-guard. We just agreed to take
Noah POVBriana avoided my gaze when I said that. Maybe because she still has yet to believe me. Though it dampened my spirit a little, it made me resolve to prove to her that I was here for the long haul. The drive to the restaurant where Briana was supposed to meet Luke was silent. But that is alright. At least I got my way. At first, Briana rebuffed my effort to drive her to their meeting place. "I have my own car. I can manage." She told me when I opened the passenger door to my car for her."I told you I wanted to be there." There was no brooking my tone. “Are we really going to fight about this?” She asked crossly, but I maintained my cool.“Not if you will let me have my way.” Then, I winked at her.For a moment, Briana looked like she would like to argue with me, but then I saw a ghost of a smile on her face, which she quickly masked by faking a cough.“Okay. Have it your way.”Briana sighed exasperatedly before getting in.I whistled after shutting the door. Briana's co
Noah POVBriana looked stricken when I pulled her to my side so I could protectively wrap an arm around her. “Are you alright?” I asked in concern.I tilted her face up, seeing her eyes growing wide as she took in Luke Bennett’s bloodied face.He lay limply on the floor while the waiter and other customers attended to him.“Briana?” I asked, panicking when she did not respond.I shook her body. It was then that she got back to her senses.“I am fine.” She said with a slight tremor in her voice.I don't know what Luke said earlier, but whatever it is, it undeniably left her shaken.Without waiting for Luke Bennett to recover, I gently guided Briana out of the restaurant and back to our car.“It’s alright. He is not going to hurt you anymore.” I said, referring to Bennett.I drove away quickly and stopped at the nearest convenience store.
BrianaI lifted a hand to pound on his chest when he teased me like that, but Noah caught my hand and very suavely pulled it to his lips to kiss the knuckles warmly.He stared into my eyes, and it brought butterflies to my stomach when he said that.“I am not a man without you.” That brought tears to my eyes.I often thought that part of the reason why he so desperately wanted me back was because of the children. Still, as he gazed into my eyes, I could feel his love overflowing.My old Noah is back. I could feel it through the way he stared at me.So when he brought me to his chest to wrap his arms around me, I returned his embrace.We sat like that for a long time before Noah let me go. Then, his arm reached for the backseat. It looked like he was searching for something, and when his hand reappeared, he was now holding a single-stem rose.“Where did you get that?”My eyes sparkled in delight as I took the rose from him.“I saw an old lady selling in the parking lot. I needed someth
Briana POV“The Bennetts are stirring trouble for the Fords. “ I told Noah after ending the call with Marcus.“You looked worried. Was it because of breaking the marriage-merger agreement?” He asked, grabbing my hand and placing it on his chest.The steady rise of his chest comforted me, allowing me to think.“Yes. The Bennetts are warning the business community against us. They said that as businessmen, we shouldn’t back out on our words.”“Did you sign any contract with the Bennetts?” Noah asked, frowning.“Not yet. Marcus had exploratory talks with Luke before we met and agreed to date.”“It’s alright. Don’t worry too much.” Noah must have sensed how this new development had affected me, so he tried to comfort me, taking me into his arms.I snuggled close to him, and we sat there for a while like that.Then, Noah’s phone started ringing nonstop.He did not want to answer the call at first because he did not want to leave my side, but I persuaded him.“Answer it.”Reluctantly, he let
Noah POVBriana looked like she was geared for battle earlier, but upon hearing my statement, she wilted like a day-old flower.A ghost of a smile laced my lips, knowing how my words affected her.It was not just talk on my part. I can and will do anything to protect her and the children. They are my life now.Briana excused herself. She wanted to go to the bathroom.I showed her and waited outside.“Chris, get all my files on Luke Bennett,” I instructed my assistant when he answered my call.Chris has always been a capable assistant. He manages the fort while I am away. I heard some rustling of papers and knew he was putting away whatever paperwork he held to attend to my orders.“I put it in one file, boss. Where do you want me to send it?”“My email.”“Done, boss,” Chris said before I received a notification on my phone alerting me of a new message.I checked the files and nodded in silence.“Thanks for this, Chris. Also, arrange for a meeting with Luke Bennett within two hours.”
Noah POVWhen we reached Luke Bennett’s office, he pretended not to notice our arrival as he continued reading from the paper he was holding.He was trying to stall us. He was making it appear that we are at his mercy.I cleared my throat to get his attention.When he raised his head, it was to meet my impatient gaze.He did not smile as he acknowledged our presence.“Hunter, come in.” He said, referring to me and ignoring Briana purposely.I knew he was trying to make her uncomfortable, but Briana was holding her fort. I could not be prouder at the way she was holding herself. Proud and beautiful.I stepped inside. Briana followed close behind me.I itched to hold her hand to stake my claim, but that would demean Briana’s power in the eyes of our host.“I did not come here for chitchat,” I told him before throwing the folder Chris handed me to his desk.“What’s this?”Luke Bennett asked as he picked the folder from the table.I waited for his reaction when he opened the file and was
Brent POVBeth looked so starstruck that I had to flick my hands before her face to get her attention.“You like Noah Hunter?” I asked, feeling a surge of the green-eyed monster unexpectedly. Beth laughed. “Are you jealous, Mr. Anderson?” She asked in a rare display of coquettishness. I glared at her. “What if I am? What are you going to do about it?” I said in a challenging tone. Beth looked happy. There was a glow in her eyes that was not there before.She dropped my hand suddenly, which made me halt in my tracks in surprise.Fear slowly spread all over me. I shook my head. “Don’t you dare chase another man, Beth? Noah Hunter is so very in love with his wife. He worships the ground she walks on. You don’t have a chance.” Beth’s smile grew wider. She was eyeing me with a glint in her eyes which made me uneasy. Did I offend her?Was she p*ssed?Would she slap me for speaking my mind?“You already promised me to work on our relationship. Don’t dare break that promise, Beth.”
Beth POVThe genuine happiness on Krizzie’s face was one I did not often see. “Are we going to live in one house from now on?” She asked hopefully. I met Brent’s gaze over Krizzie’s head, and the silent question splashed over his face. I turned to our daughter, realizing that I had failed to give her a happy home. “Don’t.” Brent mouthed when our gazes locked, seeming to know what was happening inside my head.I nodded, but could not help the sadness that crept into my heart.“Would you like us to live under one roof?” I asked our daughter. I did not have to wait. Krizzie’s resounding yes filled the air. She let go of our hands to clap them together. “Yipee! Mommy, Daddy, and Krizzie are going to live in one house.” She cried, her eyes glowing.When we reached the parking lot, we saw the Hunter triplets. They were Krizzie’s friends. “Riley! Brixx! Mason!” She called them. The three simultaneously looked in our direction.I had to laugh at the same expression plastered on th
Beth POVI was speechless. I didn’t know where I found the temerity to think so lowly of myself when Brent had been openly worshipping me like this. “I am so sorry. For a moment, I thought…”I tried to explain myself, but Brent quickly placed his index finger to my lips, preventing me from speaking further. “I understand. Jealousy is a b*tch, right? Now, you know how I feel every time that doctor is around you. It hurts so much here.” Brent took my hand and placed it at the center of his chest to emphasize his point. I was deeply chastened that I could not look Brent in the eye. “It s*cks!” I admitted.Brent laughed and pulled my head toward his chest. I buried my face in his chest to avoid meeting his gaze, feeling ashamed of myself. “Sweetie, it’s alright. No harm done. Next time, tell me what bothers you.” Brent released me to fetch the cup from the cart and offered it to me. I cupped my palm around the cup and sipped, nodding approvingly when I found that it was my favor
Brent POVI left Beth’s room feeling like the rug had been pulled under me.I could not pinpoint what went wrong, but I intend to find out.Earlier, I wanted to knock my head, thinking it was the wrong move to bring Beth to the office.Beth is a gentle soul, and my office might come off as a dangerous place for her.But I knew my people. No one would have the audacity to come to her to confront her or anything.They were all afraid to earn my wrath.I am a good boss, but I treat people accordingly. I reward and punish them if they earn it.My feet carried me to the kitchen.I walked to the fridge and took out a bottle to guzzle some water.Then, I sat on the dining chair, waiting for Pablo’s report.I did not have to wait long.My phone beeped a notification sound. Pablo sent me a link, and I immediately opened it.&nb
Beth POVWhen we arrived at the underground parking, Brent helped me inside the back passenger seat, much to my confusion, but I did not say a word, thinking it was better.I need to step back a little. We agreed to give our relationship a try, but right now, I feel that the years put a huge wedge between us. I don’t know him anymore.He has become unreachable for me. Then, my confusion turned to surprise when Brent slid beside me. “Who's going to drive…” my voice trailed off when a man in a black suit took the steering wheel from Brent. “Rico will drive us,” Brent informed me, providing an answer to my unfinished question. We reached the downtown area. Rico parked the car outside a convenience store and got out. A few minutes later, he returned.Brent opened the car window and took the package Rico handed him. He opened the package and took out a bottle of water and a tablet. “What is that?” I asked, staring in distaste at the tablet in his hand. “Pain reliever. I thin
Beth POVBrent gave me a tour of his building. From time to time, I could feel the long stares. They were sizing me up, like people were judging my suitability for their boss.It made me uncomfortable, and for a moment, I realized the disparity in our standings regarding wealth and influence. He was up there, and I was left down here. But Brent’s hand wrapped around my waist, or the way his eyes lingered on mine, ignoring everyone else, gave me the courage to dispel the negative thoughts away. Brent's success shouldn't be an issue in our relationship. Of course, in this world, Brent is the boss. He is the man on top, and anyone who closely associates with him meets people’s scrutiny. “Are you alright?” Brent asked, sensing my discomfort. His attention was all on me, fending off people who wanted to approach him. “I am fine.” I tried to wave him off. When we exited one department, and on our way to another, I asked for a reprieve. “Can I go to the restroom?” Brent walked me
Brent POVDo you know what heaven feels like?It was having the love of your life wrap her arms around your massive frame and hold on to you like she did not want to let go or part from you. That was heaven for me - being held by Beth like this was my new definition of high. Before, what made me high was dodging bullets and trying to outwit Hades from the door of death.I used to live in the thrill of danger, but no more. That’s the reason I built BASS Incorporated frame by frame. For my own protection.I already cheated death once, and I am not sure I can do it again. I released her and cupped her chin. Then, I leaned my head in to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. At first, I only pressed our lips together and pulled back. Her tongue darted to worry her upper and lower lips, and I became excited.I pulled her again, and this time, I took her lips in a searing kiss.I took control of the kiss, nibbling and chewing on her lips before I let my tongue slide over the seams, wai
Brent POV“You are a billionaire.” She uttered in a daze, and I nodded my head. BASS Incorporated is a renowned surveillance and security company.“Why didn’t you tell me?”“As you mentioned earlier, your desires are simple. There is nothing about my company or wealth that could impress you.” I told her bluntly. “Still. It’s one piece of information you kept from me. I was supposed to know because I was your wife.”“At the time, the BASS was not this big. I started as a private investigator. My reputation grew with the help of Noah Hunter. He threw work my way. I specialized in corporate espionage. I unravel many cases of economic sabotage and stealing company trade secrets. Then, the Fords also gave me jobs.” “Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” Worry etched on her face, and I leaned forward to smoothen the folds it created on her forehead. “I am doing administrative work nowadays. Before, I used to handle cases that took me weeks, sometimes months, to finish.” The creases on her foreh
Brent POVI held out my hand and anxiously waited for Beth to take it.When she placed her hand on mine, I closed the gap between us to pull her to my chest and wrapped my arms around her.“Thank you.” I closed my eyes and sighed.Beth pushed at my chest and self-consciously looked around.“People are staring.” She whispered shyly.But I was not concerned about that. What matters is that Beth agreed to give us a try.“I don’t care about them. I only care about us.&rdqu