Natalia briskly passed by him a bit annoyed of how much he was gawking at the woman, and felt a twinge of jealousy which she quickly ignored. She had no right to feel this way anyway.

And as she suspected it was no other than her client.

"Ms. Whitlock! What a wonderful surprise. I didn't know you'd be joining us this morning."

"Oh darling, I've told you countless times to call me Arielle, and I had to make sure you were all right. In all those years of us working together I don't remember you ever taking a vacation."

She glanced over at Henri, who was still standing in the doorway almost frozen.

What was going on with him!

"Could this handsome gentleman be the reason why you are positively glowing my dear? "

"Oh Ms. Whitlock please." She protested blushing furiously.

"Let me introduce you.

Henri Beausejour, this is Ms. Arielle Whitlock my all time favorite client"

"It is wonderful to meet you Ms. Whitlock."

She giggled and gave him a limp hand almost as if she was expecting him to kiss it. But he grinned and shook it gently.

It was impossible for a man of his stature not to be aware of who she was. Although he had never met her before.

She was the sole heiress of her tech genius father Anthony Whitlock. But before he made his first millions with whatever he's invented in his bedroom, he was already a billionaire's son from a family with old money.

That thought had his blood starting to boil but he hid it behind a fake smile, not wanting to spoil things for his kitten.

He observed the two ladies talking and couldn't help but compare.

Arielle looked to be in her early forties but it was obvious that she was a beautiful woman.

Average height, but still looks to be on the short side standing next to kitten's 5'11.

Pale skin to warm olive skin toned.

Long straight dark blond to big, long and very curly dark hair which he wished he could have his fingers in right about now.

Natalia finished explaining to Arielle what her plans were about the condos moving forward, when she turned to him as if she's forgotten he was still there.

It was obvious she enjoyed her job and It'd probably be best if he'd leave and let her get to it.

But he was selfish, and still had 20 minutes he could spare with her, so he was going to stay there until the last second.

"Henri, I'm going to run in the dining room and bedroom and move things around a bit. My team, I'm sure did a good job setting things up last night when I emailed them to, but I always find some last minute changes that needs to be fixed." She said apologetically.

" Of course beautiful. I'll look around a bit. You never know I might like it enough to buy it. "

She sent him a glare that had him chuckling in his throat.

He watched her vanished and as soon as she did, Arielle's gaze was still transfixed to where Natalia disappeared to.

"I don't think I've ever seen her smile so brightly... Ever." And then she turned towards him and looked straight into his eyes.

Any other time, he'd be elated to hear how others were able to recognize the positive changes that she'd gone through since they've gotten together.

But right now, was not the right moment to think about that. Right now he could only focus on those Hazel globes that are currently fixated on him, and that smile of hers.

"Whatever you are doing Mr. Beausejour, I'd beg of you to continue. She looked genuinely happy."

" I intend to...

You seem to care for her Ms. Whitlock."

"I-I g-guess I do, it's hard no to. She has been my realtor now for years and..."

"Are you going to tell her Ms. Whitlock?

Are you going to tell her that you are her Mother?

The one who abandoned her as an infant while she continued to live a life of luxury while her daughter got passed around from home to home, to get abused in the most horrifying ways. "

His voice remained calm, but he was everything but. He almost whispered the question to her, and grew no satisfaction watching the woman turn even more pale than before, all colors drained from her face.

Her eyes were bulging out of her sockets, and he could hear her heart racing. But she took a deep breath and her face was suddenly blank and void of any emotion.

"You don't know what you are talking about and who you are talking to."

"Oh I know EXACTLY who I'm talking to, and you still haven't answered the question. Are you or are you not going to tell her, and be quick with it before she comes barreling out of here.

He was seething and so was his animal side who was currently pacing in his head dying to take control. Usually he'd love and almost worship the woman who gave birth to his soulmate, but this female gave up the honor in rasing his amazing mate, and by proxy was the reason why Natalia suffered so much growing up.

" How could you possibly...? "

" Don't worry about how I know, just understand that I do know. And as you said, she looks happier since she's met me it's because I've quickly realized, Ms. Whitlock, that if my sole purpose was to only make this wonderful, smart, gorgeous, feisty, brave daughter of yours smile for the rest of my life than I'd be happy. So... Trust when I say.... if you don't tell her I will. "

" So... You are in love with her."

" It's hard not to. "

A brief moment of silent stretched between them as she looked beyond the windows at the view they provided. Than she began narrating.

" I was 16...

I got pregnant at 16. "

Her voice was nothing but a whisper, but he could hear her as clear as if she was shouting.

"Imagine the horror when my parents find out. I knew I was young, but I didn't think their reactions would be so visceral. Especially when they've found out who the father was.

I never forgot him. But he probably doesn't remember ever meeting me.

We met in Haiti. He was the son of one of our new drivers. Poor guy lost his job because of me, and never even knew why.

I had shamed them and was threatened to be disowned. They sent me away, far from our inner circles, to have the baby. No-one was to know I had gotten pregnant. Abortion was not an option given that I've found out about the pregnancy too late. Adoption would leave a paper trail, so I had to give her up to be accepted again and pretend like nothing happened.

But I never forgot her.

Please... I will tell her. But not now."

"And why not?"

Just the idea that his mate might not have been born because of their selfishness sickened him.

"She will get upset and not finish selling the condos. I don't care about the money but she will miss out on the commissions."

So that's how she thought she could make amends, by helping her in her business. But that's not what she needs. She craves to be loved

"I can take care of her, she will never need of anything material again."

"If you know her then you should also know she's very stubborn and proud. There's no way she would just stand by and have someone 'take care' of her."

Before he could give her an answer, Natalia entered the room. She could sense the tension between them and gave them a weary smile. But Arielle recovered quickly, flashing a brilliant smile that couldn't reach her eyes, and let her know she had to leave immediately and just wanted to make sure she was OK. She turned to him with that well rehearsed smile plastered on her face, and extended her hand to him.

He took it and squeezed it just a little bit more than he would have done before, pinning her with an icy glare reminding her of his words.

She softly tugs at his hand to set hers free, and cleared her throat trying to compose her flustered self back into her normal poised self.

Natalia was looking at him with wide eyes and a what-in-the-world-was-that-about look.

"It was nice to meet you Mr. Beausejour, I'm glad to see our wonderful Natalia is in good hands" she says as she turns towards the latter and takes her by the shoulders dragging her down to her height and giving her two quick air kisses on both cheeks.

"We will talk later darling about some other other projects....um...but I must get going for now. Let me know how the open houses went today."

"Of course Ms. Arielle, you already know how I work, so you have nothing to worry about. Thank you for choosing to work with me again."

She smiled softly but there was a new look in her eyes that Natalia couldn't understand. It was a mixture of sadness, guilt and indecisiveness.

Was she pondering not to give her the listings anymore?

Did something happen between Henri and her when she was out of the room?

In all of those times she's worked with her, they've naturally clicked and she had become one of very very few people she was comfortable around.

"Are you OK Ms. A....."

Someone phone rang.

Saved by the bell. She took this chance to bid her goodbyes and haste out of there like a ghost was chasing her.

Henri had stepped away a few feet speaking to his assistant again, then hang up and walked back up to her hugging her tightly.

She didn't know what that hug was for, but he was such an amazing hugger she instantly melted against him and relax. His strong big long arms completely enveloping her around her waist pulling her in fully against him, helping her feel and bask in his Greek god like hard body....Mmm and he smelled heavenly, spicy and uniquely Henri.

She loved how she perfectly fit in his arms, like she's always belonged there.

She's never belonged anywhere, and she has been OK with that. She fought for her life and everything she has and told herself she only needed her, herself and she to be and to feel complete.

But danm it she was human after all, and in that short amount of time together, he's managed to destroy years of her meticulously built walls. He came in like a cyclone and ravaged her heart and soul.... And now she feared she was going to get hurt again.

He kisses her forehead softly. She leaned in on the kiss feeling the tension rising between them.

"Walk down with me" he says jolting her out of her thoughts. She shook her head yes. The open house would not start not for another 15 minutes, they had plenty of times.

He took her hand in his and walked towards the elevator. She looked at their intertwined hands and suddenly knew what she wanted without a shadow of a doubt, and she had to tell him before he made his way to the airports.

But... There was something else going on, she could sense he was nervous. He kept passing his fingers over and over again in his hair.

Finally when they've reached the front of the building, she spoke.

"You are going to grow bald if you keep this up."

The corner of his lips perked up giving ways to his dimples to make their delicious appearances.

Seriously, one day she will lick them even if it's weird as hell.

That is of course if they will have another day.

" More"

He suddenly said.

"What?"

"I want more Natalia."

More what? Days, weeks of their arrangement? She didn't think, after her epiphany, that she could take more just for her to then go back home more lonely than ever.

"More of what Henri?" she asked cautiously.

"Everything."

"You are not making much sense."

He let go of her hand and she felt cold. He was agitated and pacing which got her worried.

Henri did not get agitated.

"Henri..."

"I'm messing this up aren't I?

" Henri... Please what's on your mind. "

He looked at her with admiration. He'd already fallen in love with her. Head over heels in love.

But her words kept echoing in his mind warning him about her not needing nor wanting a relationship.

But she was his.

So fuck that.

" I want more of you Natalia, I want... No scratch that... I need more of you.

I need you.

I want us to forget about this arrangement, and I want you to tell me that you are mine and will wait for me. Because there is no way I can get on that plane if you don't say those words.

I won't survive it. "

" W-wwhy? " she needed to hear it. Why would he need her? There was nothing special about her.

He took her chin between his fingers and graze her jaw with his thumb.

" Can you really not tell ma belle? I'm crazy about you....

I love you kitten. "

To say she was shocked was an understatement of the year.

But this was the happiest moment of her life.

He loved her....

Like actually, properly, in love with her...

He wanted to be with her...

He needed her to be his...Just as much as she needed him to be hers.

And as she was about to shout it out to him, a throat conspicuously was being cleared to get their attentions.

He quickly crashed his lips onto hers giving her a quick nonetheless searing kiss leaving her breathless.

"It's OK kitten, you don't have to say anything back yet if you aren't ready. But just tell me..."

"I'm yours Henri...all yours."

He lifted her up off the ground giving her a good squeeze making her laugh out loud.

She was definitely doing that more often lately, and him his cat couldn't help but being elated to know they were the caused of that.

And now he was definitely running late.

He put her down and reached inside his coat pocket and handed her his Rolls Royce key fob.

"My driver is here to drive me to the airport kitten, take my car will you and stay at my place please." he said giving her his most adorable puppy eyes, batting his eyelashes.

She couldn't stop from giggling. It really wasn't fair how a man could have such luscious eyelashes.

" Can't really say no to that face can I." she said against his lips.

" Good" he whispered " I'll be in a better head space to deal with everything at home knowing you are safely tucked in on my bed every night."

He gave her one last hug, buries his nose in her hair and inhaled deep and long.

He didn't want to go, and the mate bond was not helping in the matter. Just the thought of leaving her behind was beginning to make him ache all over. His animal side was more instinctual than him and it was all about being near his mate to protect and dote on her. But there was also that other side of him who needed to go and protect its pride from danger.

But her acknowledging that she was his had definitely lessened his urges to stay and continuously claim and mark his territory.

"The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back to me again handsome. I know it's your private plane, but you are making them wait too long."

He purred in her neck, and the sound went straight to her core making her instantly wet.

"How do you do that? How can you purr like that?"

"Shhhh" he said putting his index finger on her lips and looking around like he was a spy undercover. "Don't divulge my secrets woman. Only you has the privileged to hear me in that state."

She giggled again.

God he loved that sound. It was music to his ears.

He put his forehead to hers, still holding on to her tightly.

"This is me going."

"Mmm...yep I can see that." She wasn't helping neither since her also wrapped tightly around his neck.

"I'm going."

"You haven't moved." she said snorting holding in a laugh.

"I don't want to..."

Then the strange throat got cleared up again a little louder this time. She tiptoed slightly to look above his shoulders and noticed a very well dressed, tall, dark skinned silver haired man, waiting and looking at them with an obvious glint of amusement in his eyes.

"I apologize sir, I'll be right with you."

Must be an early bird possible buyer.

They reluctantly disengage from the hug. Henri gave her one last quick kiss on her cheek.

"Things might get hectic, if I can't reach out don't worry I'll get back to you as soon as possible OK."

"It's OK handsome, I understand. Have a safe flight."

"Au revoir mon amour" (bye my love)

She waved him goodbye with a sudden knot on her chest, but she ignored it. She had work to do.

"I apologize sir, have you come for the open house? Please follow me."

"No no miss it's all right. Young love is beautiful. Reminds me of the good old days..." he said with a large grin and wonder in his eyes.

"But Miss Whitlock sent me. I am her driver Joseph. She is waiting in the car for you, she wanted to speak with you quickly before people started showing up."

"Oh my goodness of course, I'm sorry I made you wait."

He opened the limo door for her, and true to his word, Arielle was quietly waiting for her.

She still had that same strange vibe emitting from her, which made Natalia really nervous.

"Ms. Whitlock, is everything all right? Is there anything you need my help with? I'm sorry I made you wait, I thought you were long gone and... " she was rambling. She knew it. But she couldn't help it. She's never seen Arielle this way before and...

Arielle: "You look just like him."

Natalia: "I'm sorry.... What? Who?... What are we talking about?"

Arielle:" Your father... You look just like him.

But you've got my eyes."