LINDEN I made my promise. I fucked her. Then I made love with her. Just when she was about to wake up, I ate her again and gave her another two orgasms. Right now, she was moaning as she had my omelet for the first time. “Will you stop it?” I put a cup of freshly brewed coffee before her. She took a sip and gave me that look— the curiosity and impressed look. “What do you have in this coffee?” “I’m afraid it’s just a regular coffee.” “Are you sure?” “I have enough compliments coming from you that could last a lifetime. It’s just coffee, Estelle. I roasted it myself, ground it, and there you have it.” “Really?” She stared at me in disbelief. “Yes, Estelle. I thought you rich people have sophisticated coffeemakers at home.” “You’re being humble.” She shoved another forkful of my omelet in her mouth. “This is so good. I could eat this thing every morning.” She was even talking with her mouth full, making me chuckle. “I told you.” She raised a finger to stop me. “No, Gabriel.
ESTELLE “I’m glad you could make it, honey.” My father kissed me on the cheek before he went to my mother. Of course, I didn’t come alone. I needed someone I trusted as my plus one for tonight’s dinner. Gustav Bladwyn, the Chairman of Connect Technology and E-commerce Company, or CTEC, to everyone who had a fortune of three billion dollars as of tonight. He was always dressed to impress. Even women as younger as my age fell for him. “Cut the formality, Dad. I know exactly what this dinner is all about.” I went to the chair to his right. Then I realized he was alone. I expected to see Klayton and Tyrion, but it looked like they were fashionably late, or this was supposed to be a family affair. “Am I missing something?” Mom sat across the table and asked Dad. “Don’t tell me our guests are late?” “No guest. It’s just us, as a family,” my father replied as he placed the table napkin on his lap. “We are not together. Are we really calling this family when it was over years ago?” “It
LINDEN “You didn’t even touch your beer. That’s a first.” I dipped the fries into the ketchup, ignoring Kye’s eyes on me. “Boss, are you okay?” “I wish everyone could just stop asking me the same question.” Kye and Sax shared a look as if they might notice the exhaustion in my voice. “Okay, fine. Is everything all right, mate?” Sax turned sharply his head to Kye, blinking. His British accent was on point, making me chuckle. “You’re not sleeping with Brit, are you?” “Well, I can’t ask him if he’s okay. I’m just concerned with our buddy here.” He tipped his chin at me. “He seemed not himself lately.” “Whoa.” My eyes widened a little. “I’m fine, really. I haven’t gone to the gym in days. My ass was stuck in the office for the whole week because I had to finish the paperwork I left before I went to Italy.” “And you had wine and dine with Terzo fucking Siciliano.” If I didn’t know Sax, I thought he was jealous, but he knew he had nothing to worry about because my loyalty remained
ESTELLE Going with him wasn’t a part of the plan. In fact, I wanted to run away from him, but here I was, throwing away any doubt out the window, or out rather out of his window, kissing him all the way back to his room. Never had I ripped off my coat so fast, kicked my shoes off, and tossed carelessly off my clothes on the floor while Linden did the same on his last sock. We barely caught our breath. We were back on each other as I hopped back into his arms. He caught me quickly, and I wrapped my legs around his waist as we kissed like we hadn’t seen in years. I admired his reflex, though. Linden sat me down carefully on his well-made bed. His lips moved slowly down my jaw to my neck, nibbling, sucking, licking the spot. My hands went to his head, fisting handfuls of his hair. Then he went to my breast as if he couldn’t get enough of it, his free hand on the other, cupping, kneading, rolling my nipple between his fingers, making me squirm under him. “Gabriel, I want you now,” I
LINDEN Goddamnit! I had no idea it was goodbye. After blowing my mind and sending me to faraway heaven, she fucking left. She didn’t even have the guts to tell me face to face. She waited until I fell asleep before she left. Who would do something like that? When she came with me, I thought she would at least try hard to fight for what she felt about me. I guessed I was wrong, it didn’t matter to her, and I didn’t know her that well. In absolute despair, I read the message, again and again, to make sure she didn’t miss a word or I read it wrong. Gabriel, I’m so sorry, but this is the last time we see each other. I hope you will find someone strong enough to fight for you. You deserve better than me. Estelle “Fuck you.” I crumpled the piece of paper and tossed it into the bin. “I don’t want anyone else.” I went back to my bed, where we made love, and I could still smell sex. My chest felt a sudden emptiness. Even the bedroom somehow felt cold and dark. She took all the energy
ESTELLE “Estelle.” A snap of fingers on my face brought me back to reality. “Hey. Are you okay?” Micah’s eyebrows were drawn together, then pulled back. “Yeah. Sorry.” I blinked. “I’ve been calling your name, but you seemed in deep thought.” I looked down at the shade of lipstick I was trying to mix. It came out candy red when what I wanted was vermilion. “I think you need a break. Should I book you a spa?” I shook my head and began mixing again. “I’m fine. I have to reset my eyesight. I’ll be just outside.” I quickly stood up. Suddenly everything spun around me, almost knocking me off the ground. I might have found my butt on the floor if it weren’t for Micah. “Hey, hey. Deep breath. Close your eyes for a few seconds.” I did as she said, shutting my eyes close and everything around me and doing deep breathing. “You’re pale. Have you been sleeping well lately? I think you might just lose a few pounds.” I cracked my eyes open. “I slept well. My appetite is good, and I don’
LINDEN “Do it again!” I yelled through the microphone from the upper deck. I was disappointed. They had been doing it since morning and still couldn’t perfect the simulation, and one or two of them could still be dead. “They need a break,” Sax said. “No. They do it to save their asses when what they should be doing is working together. They’re a team, and they haven’t realized that. Jesus.” I glared down as they came together and talked about another strategy. “Then tell them.” “No. They need to realize and figure it out themselves.” Sax eyed me. “I think you’re throwing your anger to your men.” “Do you think this is about me?” I glared at him. “I hadn’t had a good sleep in a week, and it made me cranky, but they need to learn. The training isn’t just about rescuing or protecting. It’s about saving their teammates’ lives and getting all home safe and sound to their loved ones. Do you know how it feels knowing they trusted their lives on me and got out there to the most dangero
ESTELLE “Tell me, Dr. Scott. Am I dying?” Ominous, I asked. I went to his office personally as soon as he said the result was ready. “No, dear. You’re healthy. All you need is Iron and folic acid supplements.” “Supplements?” My heart skipped a beat. My gut churned. “Yes. Congratulations. You’re pregnant.” He beamed at me while I was struck with a myriad of emotions. I didn’t know what to do with them. “Oh, my God.” I stared incredulously at my doctor while my hand flew to my abdomen. It was still flat, but a tiny human was growing in there. “I am pregnant.” I choked back the bile rising in my throat as I shook my head in disbelief. I was quick on my feet and stormed out before I could throw up in his office. I found myself in the restroom, wanting to throw up, but nothing came out except for dread settling in my stomach. I washed my face and mouth and stared at myself in the mirror. My gaze dropped to my abdomen in my dress. Devastation hit me. “Hey. Are you okay?” Micah asked