Julie wanted to be there when her office arrived. Because she wanted her things so she could work. An office. That’s what Michael saw when he’d been at the apartment. But Julie really didn’t need all that much. For the last hour, a group of packers and movers packed up the guest room until the room lay practically empty. They vacuumed the flooring as well, even though the floor wasn’t dirty. Now the movers brought in new furniture and assembled it. A Murphy bed, so guests would have a bed to sleep in, but it didn’t take up most of the floor every day. What got her attention away from hovering, watching them, came when the lead mover reported to Michael. Beck stood there and between his unhappy face and Michael’s surprised tone. “What do you mean, her desk didn’t make the trip? What happened to it?” “Mr. Baron. We’re very sorry, but the desk’s condition was not the best. It was on its last legs and all but held together with duct tape

“Good girl. That’s very good. Now come here and show me how much you want it.” Michael tore his shirt off and stood before her with his desire on full display. His cock thrust toward her, straining for her slick thighs and ready pussy. His hand thrust into her hair as she came close, and he smiled in triumph down into her face. “Now we’re going to find our happiness together.” Michael pulled her head back and laid kisses from her lips down her throat. His other hand teased her nipples before he took her core in a possessive grasp. The heel of his hand rubbed against her clit as he opened her up to excite her further to the next level. “Look at you. So responsive, I love it.” He slipped a finger into her as her instant response had her stiff as her breathing became rough. “You like it when I finger you. That’s it. Breathe and focus on what I’m doing to you.” He slipped in a second finger, and she moaned. Her eyes closed even as her hands moved toward him. “Don’t make me res

“Why’s there a woman coming here to teach me servant duties? Michael wanted that. Leon, we have money and can hire someone to do that. Why are you doing this? Haven’t you punished me enough? Now you want this, and you want me to apologize for whatever slight people think I gave them. If I hurt them, it’s their own fault.” “You think you can reason and guilt your way out of this Aria, don’t you? Well, I hate to inform you that you can’t. You are running out of choices, Aria. Your father won’t help you and doesn’t want to talk to you. Michael has Juliette back where she belongs and won’t welcome your intrusion. I have said what I expect from you. Feel free to use the door and never return. Here’s the thing. Your agency dropped you, so there’s no one there to catch you. You're jobless, homeless, and broke. So, are you going to be homeless? Or start learning to be a responsible adult?” “So, what? You want me to cook, clean, and look after everything? Oh, and you e

Aria’s thoughts on the last few days, and as she changed her clothes, she makes some decisions. She’s really not happy and she can’t understand why she can never be happy. Are Leon and Michael, right? She’s the one ruining everything and everyone isn’t out to get her. She’s the one ruining everyone’s lives. It couldn’t be all her fault. Marriage. That thought scared her out of her ever-living mind. Could she marry Leon? This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned marriage. Before this, every mention went nowhere afterward. She thought about it. She’d been the one to call off any marriage preparations by doing things to ensure they stopped the preparations dead in their tracks. Would this time be different? Or could she go to extremes again? Would she have to go to extremes? Did she have an aversion to marriage but lying to herself about it? She didn’t feel like she could think straight to make sense of this, and it hurt to think she might be the problem. A genuine problem an

“As far as I got with thinking about it would surprise you. One, I wanted to wait until our fifth wedding anniversary approached. Then we’d negotiate new boundaries and perhaps rewrite our prenup agreement. Two, what had me hesitating on extending the length of our marriage was a nonexistent issue. I received information about a rumour that you had a lover on the side. I had the divorce papers created because I was hurt. I’m selfish, remember. You were mine and only mine. Despite not being an actual marriage initially. It felt like one.” Michael spoke frankly as Juliette watched him. Had her actions made a difference with him? Or was that wishful thinking on her part? “Why didn’t you just keep looking for someone else to replace me?” “With Aria here in the condo, nothing changed. I wasn't expecting to see Aria so early in the morning. Upon leaving the shower, I instinctively thought of calling your name for a towel, not hers.” Michael glanced out the large win