IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY. Long beams of sun slash across the path in front of me as I walk through the field, listening to the birds chatter in the branches above. It rained last night, so there is a nice dewy smell in the air that is super refreshing.

It's a few days since we returned from Manhattan and although Kade stayed in the house, he usually disappeared inside his home office and didn't come out until late in the evening. I know he's now paying off for the months he's been away to extract his revenge. Although, he woke up every morning ready to conquer the world, but he usually starts his domination between my legs as if to make up for the time that he would be away from me.

My heart is filled as I think about his little gestures. Like the way he always puts me on top when he comes to bed at night. How he make sure Gemma prepares my favorite breakfast when I wake up. How he runs baths for me in the morning before he went to his office. And although I missed him so bad, I told myself it shouldn't kill us to spend a couple of hours straightening out other parts of our lives, even if we hate doing it.

This is why I decided to focus on the things that I've been putting off for a while now. I checked my emails yesterday, and sure enough, there are several unread messages from my literary agent asking for update regarding my book.

I reach an area where the greenery is cleared where a giant shade tree sits on top. From here, I can take in the view of the valley and the outdoor pool that's now below me. It looks spectacular. And it just calls to my creative soul. I go over to my bag and slide out the laptop that Kade had given me a few days ago. I set it on my lap and open it before bringing up the document I'm working on.

And I start to write. It's like the floodgates have opened. I don't know how long I sat there, my fingers typing on and pouring onto the page in rush. I'm so lost in the moment that I'm completely caught by surprise when I hear something.

"Hey,"

I turn to see Gemma approaching, one hand carrying a basket and the other holds a tumbler of cold beverage.

She walks over to me. "Mr. Sinclair wants to make sure you've eaten."

"Oh shoot." I glance down the time and surprised to see it's already past noon. "I'm sorry for this trouble. I wished you could've just called me to come over."

"It's fine." She smiled and proceed to set each food on top of the outdoor picnic mat.

"Thank you, Gemma." I smiled at her, really appreciating her kindness. "Please join me, you've brought too much food." There were grilled chicken, peach salad and fruits.

Her face flushed. "I've already eaten, but I can keep you company until you're finished."

"Yes, please." I patted the space beside me and she settled herself on it.

"How long have you been here?" I asks, as I took a forkful of my salad.

She took a moment before answering.

"Three years."

"Hmm. This is a huge place to look after. Where do you work before coming here?"

When she didn't respond, I look over my shoulder to see her worried face. My eyes widen.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

She shook her head, biting her lip, before letting out a sigh. "You must've learned about Mr. Sinclair's sister, right?"

I froze, "Yes."

She looked far ahead, and I can tell she was remembering something. "I was kidnapped when I was fifteen. Mr. Sinclair has been looking for people who took her for years and while he was doing it, he was able to rescue women who suffered abuse and hardship."

I placed down my plate and squeeze her hands, hating how my questions must've brought her painful memories back.

"Mr. Sinclair have become the trafficker's worst nightmare. He brought every bastards who did it to justice and he let the women go back to their families. But there are also some who suffered horrible abuse and needs to stay in a mental institution. I stayed here on my own accord." Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled. "And I'm glad I did. Because I was able to get a second chance in happiness when I found my husband."

My eyes widen. "You're married?"

"Yes," she said, nodding at me. "I've met Silas a year after I come to work here and we got married a few months later."

"Oh, my, I had no idea," I said, surprised. Then I remember what happened, and I wonder if she'll hate me when she finds out that she almost lost her husband because of me.

"I'm really happy for you, Gemma. I can't imagine what you've been through all those years and I'm sorry that my nosiness brought back those memories..." I said, my voice hoarse.

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "It's okay. I won't tell you that I already move past it, because I didn't. I think no one will ever be. At some point, we all just learned to forgive the people who did it, but we never really forget everything that happened."

When she faces me, it's with a renewed type of interest. "Enough with me. I'm happy that things are working out well with you and Mr. Sinclair."

I blush, remembering how she caught us in the hallway on the day we arrived from the city. Kade was carrying me on his arms, boneless and utterly exhausted, his cock still lodged deep inside me, my legs wrapped around his waist as he stride towards our bedroom. We we're still clothed and Kade only bother to cover my lower body where we're joined, with his suit jacket but someone with a working mind would figured out why the hell it was there in the first place. True to his promised, he fucked me throughout the night and unto the early morning until I couldn't move and he had to maneuver my body into a position he liked before sinking into my body once again.

I cleared my throat, shaking off the intimate images that flashes through my mind. "Yeah, I'm really happy too."

We heard a splash of water in the distance and we both look over the outdoor pool. There, gliding through the waters perfectly is, none other than, Valerie. Gemma must've caught the sour look on my face because she nudge my shoulder gently.

"Don't worry about her."

I picked up my drinks, looking at her. "Does she come here often?"

Gemma shakes her head, "No. This is the second time she visits. Although the first time, she was with Kade's grandfather."

We watched her climbed the steps and pulled herself out of the waters. I hate that my insecurities flare inside me when her perfect body came into view. She was wearing a very skimpy two piece yellow bikini that showcased her body beautifully and she looked like a Gazelle striding towards the lounger to pick up her towel. She turns her head and catch us staring, a smug smirk gracing her face.

With one last look over her shoulder, she sashayed her way back to the house and disappeared from the view.

"You can't let her get to you, Ayla." Gemma said.

"I won't. I promised." I said, and I hate that my voice doesn't held the same conviction I had in my mind.

Later that day, I returned to the house, took a quick shower and settled on the bedroom for the night, but I changed my mind. I got up from the couch where I'd been trying unsuccessfully to read a book and padded down the hall to his home office.

I found him frowning at whatever he was working on, his fingers flying over the keyboard. He sat in the semidark room, looking beautiful, alone and powerful behind the soft glow of the monitor. As he always did while working, he looked solitary and unreachable.

For the first time since I've known him, I felt lonely just looking at him. I knew how busy he was, but still, I felt abandoned and needy, which told me I was developing a really bad habits.

I was ready to bolt from my post in the door when he looked up and pinned me with his gaze. I watched his focus shift from work to me. His eyes slid over me, lingering on my legs, which were mostly bared by my silk robe.

"Am I neglecting you, Butterfly?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

I flushed, wishing he couldn't read me so well. "I'm sorry to interrupt."

Pushing the papers aside, he patted the empty space on the desk in front of him and wheeled his chair back. "Come here."

My stomach quivered in excitement because he was making time for me, which made me feel giddy. I hurried over, making no effort to hide my eagerness. I hopped onto the desk in front of him and smiled wide when he rolled his chair forward to fill the space between my legs.

He cupped my hips and squeezed. "You missed me?"

I bit my lip, nodding, and draped my arms around his neck.

His eyes glittered in a way that made me impossibly aroused, it's the same look he had when we first met—scorching and possessive, filled with dark threats of ecstasy.

"How long will you be here?" I ran both hands through his hair, nuzzling my cheek against him.

"Another hour or two. I'm crammed up. Sorry, baby." He said softly. He nibbled my jaw, then moved to my chest, nudging my neck to to tilt upward with his lips. "How's your book?"

"Halfway through it." I said, already breathless from the feel of Kade's lips against my skin. "Your sister doesn't seem to like me."

He tensed. "That's because she doesn't know you."

"Is it because of my family?"

He pulled on the strings of my robe, untying the knots, and revealing my lace underwear, which earned me a slow hiss through his clenched teeth. He threads his fingers into my loose hair and his gaze travels to my flushed breasts. My nipples harden under his intense scrutinising.

"Stop worrying," He murmur against my stomach, his breath was hot, and stirring my blood.

"I think she likes you more than a sibling." I gasped as the tip of his teeth grazed my nipple, tempting me with the promise of a touch he deliberately withheld.

His head fell back, his gaze narrowing. "She's my problem. I'll deal with her."

"Are you going to talk to her?"

"I'm going to ignore her. Now grip the table with both hands." His mouth curved in a wicked smile. "Don't let go for any reason. Understand?"

"But the door is open," I panted. But I already feel the thrill rushing through my veins and hunger coiled tight inside me with heated anticipation.

His mouth curved in a slow, wicked smile. "So?"

Before I start analyzing the situation, I did as I was told, so turned on I thought I might come from just looking at him. I wish it's only due to the fear of getting caught, but it's also due to the sick kind of desire shooting down my spine.

"Good girl." His hand reached up and tugged my panties down below the curve of my butt and past my knees until it disappeared somewhere on the floor. Kade pulled my hips to the very edge of the desk with my legs on either side of him, exposing my sex to his gaze. "So tell me what's got this pretty cunt so greedy today."

"You."

"Excellent answer." he murmured, his head lowering.

I grasped desperately at the desk beneath me, my stomach tightening as his tongue licked leisurely through my slit. As if that isn't enough, he adds a finger to the mix. I let go of the desk and grip his hair, my fingertips digging into his skull. He held me open with his thumbs, his tongue lashing over my throbbing clit. My back arched with a cry,

Oh, God.

Heat pulsing through my blood from the point where his tongue and fingers was driving me mad. My leg flexed against his grip, urging him closer, my hands cupping his head to hold him tight as I rocked into him. His tongue rubbed over and over the clenching entrance to my body, teasing me, making me grind shamelessly into his working mouth. He knew just how to get to me, knew what I liked and needed.

"Oh, God, don't—"

"Hmm, Butterfly?" The rumble of his husky voice against my most intimate part nearly throws me over the edge.

My eyes roll to the back of my head. I barely register the sound of footsteps approaching in the background and when I heard her voice, I visibly froze.

"Grandfather wants to talk to you. It's urgent." she said harshly, and I can almost feel her eyes digging holes behind my back. I can feel my cheeks heating from embarrassment and I sighed inwardly when I realized I still had my robe draped over my shoulders. Someone might see it as simple as me just sitting on top of the table. Except it's not. And Valerie knew that.

Kade, who seems to give zero fucks about the situation, lifts his head. A wicked grin animates his devilishly handsome face when he looks up at me. He licks his glistening lips. My breathing crackles.

"Tell him I'm busy." He said hoarsely. When he thrust a finger inside me, I gasped and tried to recoil, but there was nowhere to go. Kade had a death grip on my legs, his body blocking any possible exit.

"No," I mouthed the word at him, hoping to stop his ministrations. But the devil only smiles at me.

He scissors his fingers inside me and bend down once again to flicks my clit with his tongue over and over. And over. My voice catches in my throat when he nibbles on the sensitive skin. He tugs at it with his teeth. Sucks it into his mouth. I'm a goner. An absolute goner for the orgasm he's wrenching out of me as my hips pumped onto his mouth, my mind far beyond shame or shyness.

He didn't stop when she yelled, not even when the door slammed behind us, or when I'm begging him for god knows what because he was eating me with an intensity I was helpless against.

When I came down from the high, my body is still shaking, my eyelids heavy as I sagged against him. "You corrupted me."

With few final licks, he finally lifts his head and his devilish smirk greets me. "Damn right, I did."

He stood and carefully sets me on my feet. He placed a tender kiss to my lips. He murmured against them, "Go back to our room. I'll be with you when I'm done here."

I stayed. It wasn't to make a statement, I just didn't think my legs could work.

"Butterfly?"

I nodded. "I can't walk."

He chuckled as he pulled on the strings of my robe, tying it back in place. "I'm afraid I can't take you there now. We both know I will never be able to leave you if I did."

"Okay," I whispered.

My eyes caught and held his. My hand fell to his chest, and it stayed there, feeling his heart. He tilted my head back and pressed a kiss underneath my chin as he murmured, "Good girl," Another kiss. "Now hurry up, Butterfly." He playfully smacked me on the ass. "Before I spread you over this table."

I squealed and hurried to the door, blowing him a kiss before exiting the room. I made my way back to the bedroom, feeling happy and satisfied. The door was ajar and I frown as I stepped inside only to find Valerie standing in front of the dresser.

"What are you doing?"

Clearly unbothered that she had just been caught snooping, she glances at me over her shoulder and continue opening the drawers. "Oh don't mind me. I'm just looking for my necklace. I think I left it here last time..." her voice trailed, "Oh found it! Ah, thank God. Kade gave this to me years ago, I thought I lost it forever," she held out a familiar looking necklace in front of her and my hand immediately reach up to touch mine to check if I'm still wearing it. I am.

Valerie's eyes meet mine, gleaming with mock condescension, "I can't believe he gave you a duplicate. This is from his mother by the way."

Pressure builds behind my eyes, but I refuse to let her see the effects her words have on me. I smile and for some reason, I think it comes out convincing. "I don't know what you're trying to achieve here, but I'm tired. Actually no, I'm beyond exhausted I can barely feel my legs anymore, you know..." I let my words trailed and Valerie's face turns red with anger. Part of me are beyond embarrassed for what she had to witnessed earlier but the other part, the evil one, wants to gloat with all her might.

"Your nothing." Valerie grinds her teeth. "Know your place."

"So you love him?"

"I do." she didn't miss a beat. Then she laughs, "What? You thought I was gonna deny it? Oh, sweetheart. If you only knew my place in his life, you're gonna wish you didn't gloat this hard on me."

She leans in to whisper, "Just because he's fucking you hard doesn't mean he's not keeping secrets from you. But what's new, right? He does it the first time, he can always do it again." She straightens and tucked her hair over her ears. "Enjoy it while it lasts, I guess."

She pushes past me and waltzes to the door like a queen to her throne, slamming the door behind her. The sound echoed in the room and through my heart.

~~

A/N: I couldn't thank you all enough for making this story hit #1 in dark romance! 🥹 xx