ROSE “It’s just a bruise. I’ll get you a neck brace. Don’t strain your neck too much and the bruises will go away in a day or two.” The doctor closed his bag. “Are you sure?” Rum pointed at my neck. “One of her vessels ruptured!” And the doctor cast him a deadpan look. “You’re welcome to get a second opinion. All her vessels are intact. Her throat looks fine—.” “But you didn’t even use those machines to scan her throat!” “Look here, buddy. You need to start extending your trust beyond machines. I've done a thorough check on her: her throat isn’t swollen; her voice is weak but solid; she can talk without any sign of pain or discomfort. So her neck is well." Just as Rum opened his mouth to rebut, the doctor swiftly added, "Except for the bruises, of course. So a neck brace is my prescription.” The doctor maintained his frown at the displeased superstar. “Regardless of what you think, your assistant is in no life threatening danger.” With that, the older man disappeared behi

RUM What the fuck is so funny about what I just said? Jesus Christ… can she leave now? Rose is alone with Ambrose and I can't focus on what they were saying because of the yapping inside here. "Are you sure you don't want to use my team of specialists? They can do a much better job. I mean, they're medical specialists. Highly regarded in the field." The heiress smiled sweetly. Fuck. Now she wants me to go back to work? Didn't I just say that it's nice to take a break? I smiled back with the same sweetness. "I'm good, Miss Sparks—." "Goldie!" She screamed, her eyes spitting fire. And I went silent. Goddamn it. This is all Dan's fault. Why did he even agree to this? This bitch is crazy. Money. It's all for the sake of the fucking money. Deal with it, boy. That old geezer's voice echoed at the back of my mind. ARGH! I want a morning with Rose—not this… fucking hyena! "Goldie," I began, mustering a nice smile. "I hope this break gives me all the rest I need. I'll giv

ROSE ‘Ambrose?’ A giant wolf of the blackest night shot out from the side of the window—its blue eyes in the sharpest glow… of anger. ‘Open the fuck up,’ a deep voice growled. As soon as I did, it pounced in and—PHWOOP!—turned into the most gorgeous man in the U.R.T., whose head is almost touching the ceiling of my room. ‘Did I ruin your rendezvous with him?’ He stepped closer. In the glow of the moon, he looked twice as sexy—that damp hair combed back, some loose strands falling carelessly over his angry forehead—those thick brows knitted in fury—the white shirt sticking to his biceps and chest, its collar wide open for me to feast upon the form of his muscles, forcing me to recall the feel of them underneath my fingertips…. ‘Answer me, Rose,’ he demanded in a jealous rage that made my heart flutter like a crazy butterfly. ‘Are you having a secret meeting with Ambrose?’ ‘No.’ I held his gaze. ‘Don’t you dare lie to me.’ He gritted his teeth. ‘I’ve warned you… if you e

ROSE I stared at my reflection in the mirror. This is the fifth day since I left the penthouse. I haven't returned there since then. Haven't seen Goldie Sparks. The swell in my cheek had long subsided. But I couldn't stop thinking about her. Everyday I wondered what she would be doing with Rum. All those hours that she's been hovering around him like a fly. What do they do to pass time? And every night, when Rum appeared before me, in my room, I got my answers. 'I slept. Or at least that's what I made her think I was doing.' 'Had lunch with her. Then she read some stuff to me. I think it's the script of the movie I was in. I nearly died. She said we would reenact some of the scenes if I weren't on bedrest.' 'She sat beside me and we chatted a little.' It was always him pretending to sleep. So did she watch him while he slept? She watched him for the whole day?! That's fucking weird. I should be satisfied. But I wasn't. I don't like him spending all those hours with

ROSE Rum's not here— it's already one in the morning—he's usually here by midnight—or slightly after—where's he? Did he finally get sick of my tantrums? He's decided to cut me loose. Phone. Messages. My fingers were shaking as they moved across the screen. Blood was rushing the messaging app to come up quick. Please. Please don't fire me. Please, let there be no text from Dan. Thank God. Nothing from him. None from Michael. Nor Rum. I finally exhaled. I could feel my body again. I returned to staring at the window—the opening that has become Rum's personal door to my room. Is he not coming tonight? He must still be mad. But so am I! Why did he bring up Goldie Sparks? Did he think it would appease me? No, it won't! I'll keep thinking about them, whether they're holding hands, kissing, or worse, rolling about naked in bed—. Jesus Christ…. Get a grip of yourself, Rose! Didn't Rum made a pact with you? As long as you don't sleep with any other guy, he won't sleep with that