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3 - Aurora
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2025-02-23 10:41:423- Aurora
I wake up before dawn too excited to be near the ocean to sleep more than a few hours. After some thought and pacing in my room, I decide it is probably a safe bet that everyone drank far too much last night and I should be able to run on the beach as the sun rises this morning. My boss and her daughter are never up this early, I can only hope the Westfield guys are the same type of night owls. I need to get out of this room and move.
I shoot an email off to Gabriel, letting him know how everything is going. With the time change and the schedule Lady C likes me to keep, I probably won’t have an actual conversation with him the three days I am here. I sigh as I scope the hallway before walking out towards the elevators. I don’t know where any of Westfield’s team is staying and I don’t want to be caught in my workout gear by any of them. Lady C would lose her mind. If there was access to a service elevator, that is what I would use.
Once I’m safely hidden away heading down to my morsel of freedom, Gabriel comes back to the forefront of my mind. We’ve gone more days than this without talking or seeing each other when I’m at home in the city. He doesn’t seem to mind. His schedule is almost as packed as mine. He knows of Lady C through family connections and likes that my working for her helps bring him closer to people in the upper society circles.
His job is similar to mine, but not as high profile. He’s always aspired to be a part of that upper echelon group, I'm not sure why, it’s a bunch of fake rich people one-upping each other every chance they can get. He says the connections will allow him to create a better life for us later. I don’t know what that means, since Lady C probably doesn’t know who he is , or cares. Whatever. It’s not like he is struggling financially, his family is among the rich, but not the super rich and that’s where he wants to be. I’m not going to stop him from chasing his dreams any more than I let him dictate my life.
One more deep breath and I start my run on the beach, the view is beautiful. The crystal teal water draws my eye out to the horizon where the pink and yellow haze begins to show the sun’s ascent into the sky. I can smell the salt in the air and I feel light and happy for the first time in a long time. I have been so caught up in my position with Lady C’s company and making a name for myself in the marketing world I haven’t really stopped to take a breath and enjoy my accomplishments.
Just as I finish my thought, I run into a solid wall of a person, bounce off and onto my ass on the hard water packed sand.
“Oh my God, I am so sorry.” I sputter from my heap on the ground. “I was so caught up in the sunrise I didn’t think to stop and admire it.” I get up awkwardly as I grab the hand stretched out to help me up. Embarrassed and still not making eye contact, I brush the sand off of my butt and legs.
“Not a problem.” a deep husky voice says and my eyes fly up to meet his. Light green eyes framed with thick dark brows look at me with concern. ”Are you ok, that fall looked a bit rough.” He chuckles.
He looks at me, head tilted, crooked smile getting wider and I realize I’m staring and he asked me a question that requires an answer. I shake my head to get my brain to function enough to speak. “My ego is more bruised than anything really, but when you run into a guy who’s built like a brick wall, not much else can be expected.” I look up at him smiling, taking in his whole form.
He’s got to be the biggest guy I have ever seen. At least six foot four and 300 pounds of muscle wearing a white sweat soaked t-shirt with the arms cut off and part of the side open to reveal very defined side abs and a scripted tattoo on his left ribcage. Black Basketball shorts on his tanned, toned legs and running shoes complete his outfit. His hair is sweaty, like he’s already been running for hours. Somehow he makes sweaty post-workout look hot, while I probably look like a hot mess.
I check my watch, just to give me something to do other than stare at this adonis. “I really should get back, I’ve got a meeting I need to prepare for.” I say pointing a thumb over my shoulder.
“Me too actually, where are you staying?”
“At the Grand.” I say as I start to turn around to finish my run back and live in my mortification alone.
“Me too, let me jog back with you. It’s rare anyone else is up to run with. It’ll be a nice change. Copyright ©️ 2025 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions
“Ok.” I give him a small smile and we head off. It’s a comfortable silence running side by side. Conversation is not needed with the views surrounding us. The pace is slow so it takes about twenty minutes to get back, but it feels like we come upon the hotel too soon.
“Can I get your number? It would be nice to have an early run again.”
“I’m only here for one more day, and I don’t know how my boyfriend would take to me handing out my number to strange guys while I’m on business trips.” I say with a smile, trying to let him down gently, squinting up at him in the bright morning light. I have never had to do this before, guys don’t ask for my number.
“I’m not the one running while looking in another direction, if anything you are the strange one.” He chuckles “And I don’t mean any harm, really, I just enjoy running early and it’s rare to find someone else that does the same. Most people don’t know when to shut up and just look around, it’s the only time I get any real peace. It‘s nice to share.
I roll my eyes, “Fine, give me your phone. If I can make my schedule work we can meet up in the morning.” I say sticking my hand out. He hands me the device with smiling eyes. I roll mine. He clearly is used to getting his way. I plug in my information and send a text to myself then hand it back. “So who’s name am I putting in here?” I say, not trying to flirt, but it definitely came out that way.
He chuckles again. “Nathan.”
“Nathan? That’s it?”
“Yep. There’s no complications if there’s no last name.” He winks at me.
“Well that would have been nice to know before I gave you mine.” I say with raised eyebrows as we begin to head to the elevators.
“I know, Aurora Montgomery.” He says with a sly smile.
“You know that’s not fair. You can g****e me, but I can’t return the favor.” I half yell at him as he enters the special elevator that goes to the high end suites in the hotel. So fancy you need a special keycard just to activate. He’s one of the VIP guests, interesting.
“I’ll see you later Aurora.” He says, giving me a smoldering look and chuckling as the elevator doors close.
Damn I think the temperature just went up like ten degrees. I’m sweating again like at the height of my run. My legs are weak and my core is throbbing. He did that with just one look. Gabriel can’t even do that with hours of foreplay. I am so glad to be leaving tomorrow otherwise I would be in so much trouble right now.
Miss LThank you so much for reading! All constructive comments and gems are appreciated. I can’t interact here. If you would like to join in the conversation you can find me on the socials, the clock app is where I frequent and the Fbook is where I post publishing updates. Miss. L. Writes. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact Miss L Writes.
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The Last Minute Bride 4 - Nathan
4 - NathanI knew the moment she hit the ground she was Lady C’s assistant. There was no mistaking that body, even though she tried to hide her body under her pantsuit. It was fitted and yet oversized. Clearly, she is not supposed to detract from Mallory during a meeting. Unfortunately, Mallory has nothing on this woman. She looks even hotter all sweaty in mismatched workout clothes. She didn’t dress to impress, she dressed to get the job done.I couldn’t help teasing her when we got back to the hotel. She said she had a boyfriend, but I did not miss the way she eyef*cked me after I helped her up from the beach. Whatever her boyfriend is doing, it’s all wrong and she’s not satisfied. Maybe while we are here I can remedy that for her and blow off some of my own steam. It would be a win-win for both of us. This whole merger is my grandfather’s thing, so I will probably never see her again after this anyway. Now I just have to figure out how to keep Mallory away from me and all will b
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13The Last Minute Bride 5 - Nathan
5 - NathanMe: What are you up to?A: Seriously? Shouldn’t you be down at dinner or a club? You don’t strike me as a sit-around-with-no-plans kind of guy.Finally, an answer.Me: No, and I could say the same thing about you. We both have better things to do with our time than clubbing. What are you up to? Clearly, your boyfriend isn’t doing his job well.A: What’s that supposed to mean?Me: If you were mine, you would be too busy to text another guy.A: What do you mean busy? Besides we don’t like talking on the phone.Me: That’s his first mistake, you shouldn’t be able to talk. You should be screaming.A: Definitely NOT having this conversation with you.Me: You’re not having this conversation with anyone…and that seems like a waste of an evening.A: We are in different time zones. He’s probably still working.Me: Why does that matter?A: He’s not going to stop in the middle of his workday to have phone s*x.I hit the video call button, hoping she’ll answer. This conversation needs t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18The Last Minute Bride 6 - Aurora
6 - AuroraI left for the airport a couple hours later, determined to not think about Nathan or that incredible night again. I am going home to my boyfriend who has been with me through so many things. Gabriel is in this for the long haul, where Nathan is just looking to fill his time to avoid boredom.Although I will never deny that it was time well spent, I will hold onto that night for a very long time. I may not be able to follow through with the not thinking about him part, but I definitely blocked him. I have no reason to actually keep his number. That would be disastrous. Especially if Gabriel found out and saw the things Nathan said to me. That betrayal would be unforgivable. I can’t bring myself to feel guilty about the pleasure I gave myself at his instruction though. The logic that it isn’t cheating if I didn’t let him see me and I touched myself is flimsily hanging on. I will also not say anything about the additional org*sms I gave myself while letting the whole experie
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20The Last Minute Bride 7 - Aurora
7- AuroraWhen I get home Gabriel is there to greet me. Well, he’s sitting on the couch working on his laptop. He’s not in his suit, he’s dressed in what he calls business comfortable—tan dress pants and a navy pullover, like a younger, smugger Mr. Rogers.“Hey. You’re back.”I drop my bag by the door and toe off my flats. “You didn’t answer your phone.”Still typing. “Yeah, I had a call. Thought you were taking a car anyway.”“I tried calling you first.”Pause. “Well. You made it. That’s what matters.” He hasn’t looked back up at me. I don’t respond. I’m too tired to pick a fight I won’t win.We moved in together about a year ago. Not all at once—it was a slow drift, one overnight bag at a time until suddenly, half his wardrobe was in my closet and we were sharing a lease. It made sense. We both work in high-stress industries, we’re both ambitious, and if we didn’t share a roof, we’d probably never see each other. After college we both landed lucrative jobs that are really demanding
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Last Minute Bride 8 - Aurora
8 - Aurora“Yeah right, you were off with the Corleone’s. So it still counts as vacation. You were in the tropics. Everyone knows Lady C uses her business trips to vacation. And you got to hang out with Lady C and her walking Instagram filter.” He says, setting his laptop on the coffee table and opening his arms for me to join him back on the couch.“Ok, you’re not totally wrong, she does have a system for her business trips, but we did actually contract a business deal, this time anyway. This was my first trip with her, I am usually remote handling the numbers and information she needs for negotiations. We happened to finish the details for the deal earlier than expected. I wasn’t needed after that so Lady C sent me home. That’s all.” I shrug. I don’t mention that I think Lady C needs to look over the fine print of the contract. I don’t think she is getting the deal she believes. But, she never wants my unasked for opinion so I keep it too myself. And I am still waiting for him to a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25The Last Minute Bride 9 - Nathan
9 - NathanIt has been 2 years and I still can’t get her off my mind. The one girl who didn’t chase me down, doesn’t respond to my messages or calls but sent me to cloud nine and I didn’t even touch her. Ugh. I rub my face after another seemingly endless board meeting. My grandfather sits more like a relic than a leader across from me. The problem is he’s a dangerous one. The kind who remembers everything and forgives nothing. He doesn’t need a vote to control the room. He only needs his voice—and the fear he’s spent a lifetime earning. Sullivan has spent the last two years reminding me of my grandmother’s, his wife’s, will and the legacy stipulation. I have been doing my best to ignore him, but it’s getting increasingly difficult.And then there is my uncle Preston. The snake in Brioni. The man who smiles like a benefactor and moves like a politician. Where Sullivan uses dominance, Preston uses suggestion. He would never take a knife to my back—he’d pay someone else to do it, and o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26The Last Minute Bride 10 - Nathan
10 - NathanMy grip tightens around the folder in my hand. I don’t recall the woman they’re talking about, but the implication is clear—they’re arranging a marriage behind my back…again.“What happens when he refuses?” My grandfather is smart enough to know that is the probable outcome.“He could care less; he will f*ck anything with a pulse. He is going to marry and he will gain full access to the company with an heir or we let the will run it’s course and he misses the deadline, forfeits the inheritance… and the board will have no choice but to vote in someone more compliant. Someone loyal to the legacy. That woman died a conniving b*tch. She managed to make it impossible for us to gain access to all of the funds she has stocked away, and I can’t figure out how to get around it without him being married with a child. Besides, unless he asks, I don’t see any need to disclose her age.”Oh, this is going to be interesting.I step back silently, rage flaring cold in my chest. I don’t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27The Last Minute Bride 11 - Nathan
11 - Nathan“She is young enough to be taught and molded to our lifestyle. Also, if you are as good in bed as rumors proclaim she will be less likely to cheat on you and have illegitimate children provided we train her properly. That we need to prevent at all costs.” I don’t even know what to say to my grandfather’s words. Now, I need to seduce her and be good enough so she doesn’t cheat on me, but train her to deal with me sleeping with other women because I am allowed to be unfaithful, but she isn’t. That's his biggest concern for this 18 year old child.“She will be well provided for and her father’s business will be taken care of for the foreseeable future, it’s a win for all of us.” Again, my uncle chiming in with his fake sunshine and rainbows as if his opinion matters in the slightest.“Do we know how she feels about this whole thing?” I can’t explain why I care, but I do. She’s barely an adult. “How long will I have to get to know her and propose?” I’m barley entertaining
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28
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The Last Minute Bride 26 - Aurora
26 AuroraWe stepped up to the limo and Nathan handed me in helping me with my dress. Mia looks completely confused when we all pile in together.Once we are all comfortable and acquainted we use the 30 minute drive to get each other caught up on my break up with Gabriel, how Mia and I met and the plan Mia and I came up with to get her out of getting married.“So how are we going to play this out when we get there?” Brandon asks. “I don’t feel like your grandfather cares either way, really. He just wanted you to get married and have a kid in a hurry.” He looks at Nathan. “I think he liked the idea of having someone young to mentor and guide a bit, but that was probably an added benefit for him pairing you to someone as young as Mia. No offense Mia.” He adds as an afterthought.“We expected some kind of drama no matter what. I should be the only one to walk down the aisle, my veil was designed to obscure quite a bit and hopefully all of the focus will be on me until I get to you all
The Last Minute Bride 25 - Nathan
25 - NathanWhen the photographer tells us she has all that she needs Aurora pulls away from me quickly not making eye contact. Maybe the moment I thought we shared was just for me. She focuses on the photographers camera when she speaks next. “How do we want to do this, because I’m sure your grandfather is going to have a lot to say and so will Mia’s mother.” She grimaces, finally looking up at me. “I know it was risky to make her my bridesmaid, but right now she needs to be protected from all of this. She needs to be near me until it all blows over.”“Wait, she’s here?! Now you know someone is going to try and force her and I to marry right?” I run my fingers through my hair as my heart drops again and this time it isn’t a good feeling. My grandfather with try and force the situation to his benefit, which is Mia as my wife. He wants to control her, that much is a given with this situation.“I thought you had a mind of your own and could choose for yourself?” She bites back, she’s ea
The Last Minute Bride 24 - Nathan
24 - Nathan“What the hell?” The question ghosts out of my mouth. I am frozen in shock and my heart dropped into my stomach, but not in a bad way. I have been looking for her for 2 years and I find her looking like a knockout in this wedding dress and no one else in sight. “Is this a joke?”“Are you supposed to be getting married today?” She asks in a calm business-like voice. I nod, still confused. “Do you know who you were supposed to marry?” Her sassy tone irritates me. She’s not happy to see me the same way I am to see her. I lock in my feelings. Clearly, our time together was not as memorable to her as it was to me.I take a deep breath and shake my head. “My grandfather arranged this whole thing. The only thing he mentioned was that she would be eighteen, and I know you are definitely not eighteen. Care to explain?” I let my cool business negotiation voice take over. She’s a part of this and nothing makes sense. My instinct is to trust no one.“I didn’t think it was right for
The Last Minute Bride 23 - Nathan
23 - NathanI am getting ready with Brandon and Sam. We have done everything together, including taking over family businesses and sending Brandon down the aisle a few years ago.Sam is a little salty because he can’t go and meet my mystery bride, but he’s faking his enthusiasm well. I was told my bride made a stipulation that I could only bring one groomsman to the first look and like the adults that we are, they played rock, paper, scissors for the honor. When I found out that the one person rule applied to everyone, including her parents and my grandfather and uncle, I was happy. My bride at least has shown a sense of intelligence. I’m not sure if we have met and the first time should not be at the end of the aisle. It crossed my mind that Sullivan is keeping her identity a secret because it’s likely that I do know her and don’t like her. But this last minute request tells me otherwise. No girl attached to my grandfather would care about meeting me first, and most certainly would
The Last Minute Bride 22 - Aurora
22 - Aurora“What if he knows what I look like, then sees you and he calls the whole thing off and shuts down my family’s whole operation?” Mia asks. She has been asking some version of this question since her dad took the amendments back to the groom’s family and we haven’t heard a thing from anyone. I think it has helped having her panic, because I have had to remain calm to keep talking her off the crazy train. I love that her worry isn’t for herself, but her family and their employees. She is so mature for her age.“Remember, we asked to meet him beforehand so we could have a moment. Your mom thought that was the greatest idea.”“Yeah, she was hoping to get reveal pictures, right up until you told her she couldn’t be there, along with everyone else who wants to meddle.” Her eyes lit up at the memory. She called her parents on a video call and I stayed just off screen. We were hoping to find out about the contract changes, but with no answers. I came up with the meet idea on the
The Last Minute Bride 21 - Aurora
21 - Aurora“We need to tell my dad.”“What? Why? Isn’t the idea to not tell your parents until it’s too late for them to stop anything?” We sit on my couch with laptops and papers spread all over my living room.“Yeah, but that is more for my mom’s sake. She doesn’t really understand what is going on, or at least that is what she is pretending to do. She is really good at sticking her head in the sand, only resurfacing when the problem has been handled.” She rolls her eyes at me. “She’s not a bad person, just lazy by design. Her and my dad were matched up kind of like what they are doing to me. They are lucky though and I think they eventually fell in love, or something like it. But, my dad needs to know in case sh*t hits the fan and we need help. You also asked to see the marriage contracts. He ocan get those for us, be our go-between.”“I mean, if you’re sure. I just don’t want this to turn into a battle or for him to try and change your mind.”“He won’t say anything, because it’s a
The Last Minute Bride 20 - Aurora
20 - AuroraAmelia smiles and looks as nervous as she probably really is as we wander among the open racks. She’s running her hands over the different soft fabrics.“Are you sure you've never done this before? How did you know what to ask for?” Amelia asks over her shoulder.“I have been here a couple times with friends. I never drink here. First of all the champagne is nota great brand and will leave you with a raging headache. And some of the more shady attendants try to get wealthy women a little drunk so they just keep adding things to their orders. It’s actually a really good marketing tool. The problem is, these types of clients come in often and change their minds so many times that not many of the upsells stick. If attendants thought through the upsell and maybe went for less items that might cost a bit more…” I shrug, “and fit what the bride really wants, the sale is more likely to stick.”“You should do trainings for them and really become a consultant. You are amazing
The Last Minute Bride 19 - Nathan
19 - Nathan“Nathan! How can you be so rude? She was my guest in my home…”“I’m going to stop you right there.” I hold my hand up and pausing my retreat. “At some point in the last few years, you and Preston have forgotten that you are guests here. Eleanor left the house and the business and everything to me. My grandmother, your wife, left it all to me. She may have loved you and cared about your well-being, but she sure as sh*t didn’t trust you to maintain her legacy. You have been provided for and yet you still live here, with me, on my dime. It is time you remember that. I don’t know what you and Preston are up to, but you need to settle down.” I growl the threat and walk away.I talk to the kitchen staff and move to my wing of the house. Here I don’t have to worry about anyone but me. I let my grandfather stay in the master he shared with my grandmother and renovated the wing opposite, and furthest away from him. When my uncle and cousin ‘needed’ to move home to be closer to the
The Last Minute Bride 18 - Aurora
18 - AuroraWe get back to my apartment and I show Amelia around. She starts asking a thousand questions. “Wow! You pay for all this by yourself?”“Yes, but I sacrifice a lot too. I don’t have many friends that I still talk to on a regular basis. My boyfriend of three years decided to cheat on me with my boss’ daughter because he thought I spent too much time working and not enough with him. Even though he paid for nothing and really enjoyed the lifestyle that my very inconsiderate job afforded him.” I roll my eyes and she laughs.“Well at least I know that this is still possible.” She waves an arm dramatically around my apartment, which is in Gabriel mode and disgusting by my standards. He hasn’t been back to get his stuff in the hours that I have been gone. I wonder if he thinks I will do it for him, if he decides to not show up, like the servant he seems to believe I am. I’m tempted to recruit Amelia to help me bag it all and toss it out by the dumpsters. I shake my head of the
