Chapter Seven
Eddie
I’m glad I didn’t deny Lawliss. This is everything I wanted and more. The moment I took off her dress, I knew I was fucked. There was no way any other woman would ever compare to her. She’s shown me how resilient yet vulnerable she’s become and I’m proud to make her mine.
Her body is everything and more and I know I can lose myself in her forever. Every moan and sound that comes out of her mouth has been engraved in my heart. Being with her—she tastes everything—beats every fantasy I had.
We’re on a sex marathon with this being the fourth round. I thrust into her hard as she requested. Taking over. I no longer hold back. At this moment, she is mine. Nothing is keeping her away from me. Not my demons, not my uncle, and certainly not her insecurities or even her ex-husband.
She meets me thrust for thrust. “Harder,” she begs and I do. I thrust harder giving my all and I watch her shudder, drinking in the way she responds to my every touch. The sight of her, vulnerable and open in a way she’s never been before, makes something primal stir in me.
This is a hunger I know I’ll never get enough of. And as I take her deeper, I know I’m engraving this moment into both of us, etching her surrender into my memory, into my very bones.
I pull out slowly, staring into her hazel eyes. I take my time observing her at that moment. Her curls are sprawled out on the pillow, against the white pillowcase, her breathing heavy. Her breasts rise and fall at a fast rate.
I pull her closer, feeling her warmth surround me, feeling every tremble and hitch of her breath as I push her to the edge once more. Her eyes meet mine, wide and unguarded, and I see that same need reflecting on me, a craving that only seems to grow, consuming us both.
“Just let go, Lynx,” I murmur, my voice rough with restraint. “Let me have all of you.”
My movements become stronger, each thrust pulling a gasp from her lips, each touch deepening the connection between us until we’re both on the brink, teetering on that edge together. Her hands grip my shoulders, her fingers digging in as her body tightens around me, and I know she’s close, her breathing sharp and uneven.
And then she shatters, her release washing over her in waves, her body arching beneath me. The sight of her coming undone—of her surrendering so completely—pulls me over the edge with her. I bury myself deeper, a raw groan escaping my lips as I finally let go, feeling the intensity crash through me.
For a moment, everything is quiet, the world fading away as we’re left in each other’s arms, breathless and spent. I press my forehead to hers, both of us trying to catch our breath, still tangled together in the aftermath.
“You’re a vision. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this,” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face. My voice is softer now, the possessiveness replaced by something deeper, something I can’t quite name.
“Like a damn goddess.” My hand trails down her spine, soft and reverent, and she shivers beneath my touch.
For a long moment, we just lie there, wrapped in each other, our breathing slowly evening out as the world settles around us. The intensity fades, replaced by a quiet warmth, a contentment that feels like a discovery all its own.
“Thank you,” she murmurs as she drifts off to sleep. I watch her for a moment, my heart strangely full, then I quietly slip away to the bathroom to get a clean towel. I dampen it and return to gently clean her up. She stirs slightly under my touch but stays asleep, her breathing deep and peaceful.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
The persistent ringing of my alarm wakes me up. I stretch, then hit the snooze button. I haven’t slept like this in years. Last night was… different. I felt lighter, maybe even happy—which is rare. Ever since my parents died, that part of me, the one that used to be carefree and full of life, died too. But last night, for the first time in years, it felt like a piece of that old me was back.
I stretch again, patting the side of my bed, only to find it empty. Lawliss scent lingers around but there’s no sign she is around. I spot a note on the side table and I know instantly that she’s gone.
Thanks, Ed, Till we meet again…
Xoxo Lawliss.
The content of the letter confirms my suspicion. My plan for the day was to spend it with her and indulge even for a day before it all went down. I was going to have breakfast, lunch, maybe even dinner, and then somehow coax her into bed with me again.
There’s no way she can avoid me, even if she wants to.
I sigh, put the note in a drawer, and stand, heading to the minibar to grab a glass of wine. I pour the wine, swirling it absently as I stare out the window. The city’s waking up, but my mind’s already running a mile a minute. If I want to win her over, I’ll need a plan. A damn good one.
She likes pottery, if I remember correctly. A little museum visit wouldn’t hurt. Something private, something intimate. Or maybe... maybe I’d paint something for her. I haven’t touched a brush in forever but for her, I will. Maybe she will prefer something that feels spontaneous. I make a mental note to call the concierge and see what they can set up on short notice.
Every detail has to be perfect. I know she’ll try to push me away. Lawliss isn’t the kind of woman who gives in easily. But I’m ready for that. I’ve waited years for this moment, and I’m not about to let it slip through my fingers.
My phone rings and I go to answer the call, putting it on speaker.
“So, I did what you asked,” Josh’s voice comes through, skeptical as ever. “Called in some favors and…”
“And what, Josh?” I ask, keeping my tone steady.
“I see someone’s in a mood today. Well, your marriage certificate will be ready soon.” He says in a clipped tone to match my response.
“Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you.” Josh likes to say we’re best friends, and I can’t even argue with that. We’ve been tight since the day I first landed in London, and the way we met was… well, comical.
I still remember that night. I was walking down a dark alley when some guys jumped me. Out of nowhere, here comes Josh, who wouldn’t hurt a fly but somehow thought he could take on five guys all by himself. In the end, I had to save his ass and somehow, that whole mess turned into a friendship. Despite coming from a wealthy family, he still insists on working for me as my assistant.
“You sure about this?” Josh pulls me back to the present. “I looked into her, you know. Not only does she come from a powerful family, but she’s also known as, and I quote, a no-nonsense lawyer.’”
I rub my temples. “Yeah, don’t I know,” I mutter more to myself. Getting Lawliss to sign those documents is a risk I was willing to take.
I know she’s not going to be thrilled when she finds out. I also know there’s a storm waiting for me, brewing just under the surface of those pretty hazel eyes. The Lawliss I remember isn’t one to take betrayal lightly, and I didn’t just cross a line—I blew it to pieces.
I’m not sure how her family will react to this. Her old man will probably be disappointed in me and her mother is going to have my neck. No Dua is going to like the fact that I married Lawliss without her knowledge. I should know—I used to be like them, strong on morals.
They’re exactly the kind of people who could make my life hell if they wanted to, because no matter how much I’ve changed, I can’t do anything to them because that would be ungrateful of me after all the support they gave me.
Moreover, I’ve never backed down from a fight, and I’m not about to start now. I’ll deal with it as it comes. Hell, I’ll deal with anyone who tries to come between us. Because there’s no going back now. Lawliss will be mine, one way or another.
“What are you up to Eddie? I know you’ve had these marriage documents wherever you go. I also know you kept updating it but why did you use it on her? She didn’t even look at the document when she signed, which was weird to begin with. Did you drug her?” I down the drink in one go.
“Josh, since we’ve known each other, have I drugged someone who didn’t deserve it?”I ask, my voice laced with danger but that doesn’t face him. He goes on.
“Ah, I see. So she deserves to sign her life away without knowing. That poor girl, tsk tsk” I can feel him shaking his head.
"Well, I did warn her that I wasn’t the same guy she knew so there is that,” I reply.
“Wait, what do you mean? Is she… wait, is she—OH MY GOD.” There’s a pause on the other end, as if he’s trying to process it all. Then he practically shouts, “She’s the one, isn’t she? The girl who got away. The one you’ve been pining over like some tragic hero!” I can practically hear him pacing, his tone turning from shock to frustration.
“Goddammit, Edmund! Are you serious? You should have tried to win her over like a normal person, not… sneakily marry her. Do you realize how insane this sounds?” He lets out a sigh. “This is not going to end well, and you know it.”
I’m not a saint. Hell, I’m the furthest thing from it. But this? This was different. This was… necessary. Lawliss has always been the one thing I couldn’t control, couldn’t bend to my will. And that’s exactly why I need her. Because if I can make her love me—if I can earn that—I’ll know I’ve won in a way I’ve never won before. “Do you realize how insane this sounds?” Josh’s words echo in my head, but I push them aside. People like him wouldn’t understand. To them, love is neat, clean, and orderly. But love isn’t like that. It’s messy and ruthless. And sometimes, it means doing whatever it takes to make sure the one person who matters never slips away.
“Tell me about it,” I belatedly reply, running a hand through my hair. It’s not that I didn’t know what the consequences could be. “But since when have I ever let something or someone slip through my fingers once I’ve decided I want them?” I say instead of telling him my true intentions and plan. Moreover, it’s true. No business I’ve wanted has slipped through my hands.
“You do know the possibility of running into her when we go back is high, right? You also know she’s probably going to tear you apart once she figures this out,” Josh says, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“You think I don’t know that?” I snap, though there’s a smile pulling at my lips. “She can try, but I’m not about to let her go that easily.”
“Right, because trapping her into a marriage is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You don’t get it, Josh. This isn’t about romance. It’s about making sure she doesn’t walk away.” I pause, my tone softening. “She was always the one who could just… slip through my fingers. And I’m done letting that happen.”
“Yeah, well, good luck with that, Romeo.” Josh laughs, but there’s an edge to it. “Something tells me she’s not going to see it your way.”
I down the last of my wine, feeling the familiar weight of determination settles over me. “I’ll make her see it my way. One way or another.” I pause to change the topic, “Is everything ready for the move?” I ask.
“Yes. The office is ready. The staff that wish to move have. The press released it out and your grandfather explained everything”
“I bet he said I’d taken over already.”
“Yeah, the same thing he said to the Board.”
“And I’m guessing I need to finally show my face?”
“You got that right. We hired the best PR firm to take care of that when we get to Louisville,” I nod, although he can’t see me.
“When do we leave?”
“Tonight”
Tonight… from tonight onward I face my past and my wife.