nly veiled curiosity about Connor's sudden marriage mingled with a quiet sen

r responded, "That won't be necessa

eplied, "Alright, then I'll w

red simply,

d an awkward stillness that seeme

e made no effort to ease the mood, instead grabbing

the subordinates muttered under his breath, "Samuel, that woman really

replied coolly, "You seem to have too much fr

.

the once-deserted mansion had un

e, infusing it with an unexpected warmth. With Nicole moving through the rooms, the

ent household expenses with Connor, her explanations ord

port these things to me anymore. Since I've handed the money to you,

motionally exhausted. Connor's effortless generosity, along with the trust behind it, warmed her in a

the table and heading straight fo

had been renovated, shelves crowded with brightly col

ignation settling in. Despite her meek appearan

out of the steam, wrapped in a pink to

moved closer, hands lif

nvisible pull, Connor

his clothes were shed, a lean, powerful frame was revealed-firm muscle shaping his tors

me, a flutter of unease tightening her chest. Her gaze snagged on the hard bulge at his gr

perately, that his condition made him harmless; had he been h

the subject with easy indifference. "We'll be visiting my family

he lifted her chin and answered with quiet seriousnes

reply, the words stalling somewhere

nce at the screen wiped away her composure, her gaze sharp

. "Nicole, you didn't forget my birthday, did you? I'm h

Nicole back to that suffocating humilia

s taken pleasure in stepping on them, using Nicole's discomfort as a

return the favor, Nicole showed no hesitation

a man's voice drifted through, i

e got to go-Jerald wants me again. He never seems satisfi

kly cut the

it slide. Keeping his tone casual, he pressed. "You seem pretty shaken. What'