SARAH I flip the pages of the printed report on my desk as my new personal assistant, Luke, reads out the rest of my tasks for today. “…and lastly, there’s the charity gala by 8pm tonight. Red carpet starts at seven.” I heave a tired sigh as I sink into my seat and take off my glasses. I place it in the case and scratch both eyes with my index fingers. “You know I totally forgot about that.” “Then I assume you haven’t informed Mr. Connor yet.” Luke adds, and I frown at him. Aaron Connor is my husband. Yes. I never took his last name even after we married. I don’t say anything, but he understands. Apparently, someone in the office had filled him in on everything that happened before he came, and why he was the first male assistant I was hiring in the six years of Wellspring Insurance. “You are mandated to bring a plus one, madam.” I can see the sympathy in his eyes as he speaks. It makes me sick to my stomach. “Can’t I just…I don’t know, skip it?” “You can,” he smiles. “But the board wouldn’t be happy about that. They’ll be very pissed off if they’re not represented properly. Wellspring is a family insurance company, and has family and love at the core of its values. Besides, you’ve attended this event every year for…” “It’s alright.” I cut in, waving him off with a smile. Luke Warner had told the manager Wellspring had been his dream company since he was fresh out of college. That should explain the passion. “Send a message to Aaron. Let him know he should be ready by seven.” “What about you, ma’am?” I pick up my glasses once more, and turn my seat to face my laptop. “Get me a dress. Purple, long, classy. Find a makeup artist as well. I’ll be getting ready from work.” I reply without looking at him. I do not want to spend one more second than I should with Aaron. By seven pm, I’m fully dressed and seated in my car, waiting for Aaron to come out. I decided it was best we attended the event together. Durmont blogs are sure to have a field day tomorrow if we don’t. And frankly, Wellspring Insurance is still too young for any tabloid drama. Aaron steps out in a black suit, and a curvy blonde in his right arm. I watch him walk her into the taxi parked in front of our house. He pays her fare and waits till the car drives off, before he turns towards mine. I swallow hard to keep myself from speaking. With everyday that passes, I find myself wondering what I ever saw in him. I had so many men to pick from, and I chose him? Fuck my life. He gets into the car and sits beside me. We do not say a word to each other, and the driver starts the car. I’m quiet until we arrive at the venue. Aaron is about to step out when I catch his left knee, pulling him back. He glares at me, and I reply with an equally stern look. “You do not give a shit about me, and that’s fine, but do not embarrass Wellspring. Do you understand me?” His gaze drops to the hand I have on his knee, and travels up to my face. He doesn’t say a word. I pull away and turn to the window, plastering a smile on my face. The cameras are in front of our car now. We just have to get past them in one piece, and everything will be okay. Aaron opens my door for me like the perfect gentleman, and I smile at him. I try my best to look as “in love” as possible. If we’re going to survive tonight, they have to believe we are as in love as we were the day our engagement was announced. He takes my hand in his and ushers me out of the car. I flinch as Aaron wraps his right arm around me. It’s the kindest he has been to me in months. I place a kiss on his right cheek, and the cameras eat that pose up. “One more for the camera please, Mrs. Wellspring.” God. As if the first time wasn’t torturous enough. When the pictures are done, the reporters push to the front lines with microphones in our faces. “Mrs. Wellspring, what do you have to say about critics who have spoken against you for not taking your husband’s last name?” “What do you have to say to those who claim Mr. Connor married you for your money?” “Do you believe the infidelity allegations against your husband, as reported by your former employee, Debbi Rose?” I blink in shock. Once. Twice. Aaron keeps his gaze away from mine. What the fuck are they talking about? Infidelity allegations? One of his tramps is messing with my business? Fuck this. I keep my head high and squeeze Aaron’s arm gently. “They’re all rumors. Nothing but baseless and false. And our team is working hard to make sure that…” I’m cut off mid sentence when a black Ferrari pulls up behind us. One reporter catches sight of the car and rushes towards it. As if on cue, they all follow behind her, leaving Aaron and I standing there. Utterly embarrassed. “Who the fuck do they think they are?” Aaron hisses, turning to the car. It takes everything in me not to slap him across the cheek. “What the fuck did they mean by infidelity allegations? And Debbi? Is your slut messing with Wellspring’s reputation?”Aaron rolls his eyes. “She just wants money. That’s all. Give it to her and it’ll shut her up.” Is he fucking serious? “Aaron, I…” “Mr. HawkThorne!” I freeze mid sentence. HawkThorne? The HawkThornes are here? I tilt my head in the direction of the black car, and that’s when I see him. Ronan HawkThorne, standing six feet and almost seven inches tall, clad in a dark purple tuxedo. His hair is slicked back as always, beards neatly trimmed. He has barely looked at me, yet he has my pulse racing. Did he know I was going to be here? Of course not, that’ll be silly. I have attended every annual gala for five years, and he’s never been to anyone. But now? Come off it, Sarah. He can’t possibly be here because of you. Can he? I’m sweating profusely despite the fact that my dress has no sleeves at all. Is it the gloves? I mean, they’re net like, but… “Sarah,” Ronan calls out to me, ignoring the paparazzi around him. Fuck. Even the sound of my name from his lips turns me on. I press my thighs together and force a stiff smile. He appears in front of me before I can turn to him. “I thought that was you.” He smiles at me. “How are you?” Ronan stretches his right hand out to me. I’m skeptical. He’s ignored Aaron’s entire existence. What would taking his hand mean? What would not taking his hand mean? I’m a mess, and it doesn’t help that my clit throbs anytime he fucking smiles. I place my hand in his, watching as he raises it to his lips and presses a kiss on my knuckles. Ronan HawkThorne maintains eye contact all the way. I think of all the things his mouth has done with my pussy, my nipples, my asshole. Fuck. I’m so horny I want him to bend me over and fuck me right there, in front of all these people, in front of my good for nothing husband. Aaron clears his throat, and the sound brings me back to the present. “Mr. HawkThorne,” I manage to speak. “This is my husband, Aaron Connor. Aaron, this is Ronan HawkThorne. He’s one of Kevin’s best friends.” Aaron looks star struck. Of course, he will. The HawkThornes are a force to reckon with in the business world. The mention of their name could get you into places you could only dream of. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. HawkThorne.” Aaron is flushed as he extends his hand for a handshake. “I’m a big fan of your family’s work.” Ronan’s gaze drops to Aaron’s hand, then shifts to my face. I take a deep breath, anxious to see what he’ll do. Will he really shake my husband’s hands after all the filthy things he’s done to me? As if hearing my thoughts, Ronan takes Aaron’s hand in his. My breath hitches in my throat. The dirty fucker. “The pleasure is all mine.” I notice how his eyes darken as they rest on Aaron’s face, but there’s a smile on his lips. What kind of man is he?