bChapter /bb678 /b

I didn’t say a word, just looked up at him, my eyes full of longing, making no effort to hide it.

Edward let out a helpless, indulgentugh and gave my waist a teasing squeeze. “So, who’s the real liar here?”

“Me!” I confessed right away, grinning without a hint of shame.

Edward’s eyes sparkled with even more amusement as he pinched my chin. “Honestly, I just can’t win with you.”

I leaned in and pressed a kiss right on his Adam’s apple. That was clearly his weakness–he shuddered all over, and in the next instant, he flipped the script, pinning me down with that irresistible,manding energy of his.

An hourter, after a wild, intense session, I was lying in the bathtub, the warm water wrapping around me like a cozy nket, my body and mind blissfully rxed.

I was so wiped out that I didn’t even want to move my fingers. I just let my arm rest on the edge of the tub, leaned my head back, and let my long, dark hair spill softly down.

Edward finally found my hair tie on the bed and walked into the bathroom, wearing a white bathrobe.

He crouched down behind me and, with the utmost tenderness, tied up my long hair for me.

“Are you done with your bath?” Edward asked softly.

“I’m gonna stay in here a little longer,” I said, savoring the peaceful moment.

Edward kissed my forehead gently. “Alright, just holler if you need anything.”

After he left, I reached up and touched my head, realizing he’d actually been super thoughtful, tying my hair into a loose bun.

I spent a long time soaking in the tub, just thinking. If Edward really wanted to give me this house, I’d take it in a heartbeat.

Money sticks around way longer than love ever does. Only naive women believe love is too pure to be mixed with money.

I thought it over. Edward was already sessful, just turned thirty, and what he needed now was a woman who could bring him emotional value–someone to have fun with, keep himpany, and satisfy him in bed. And I just happened to show up at exactly this stage of his life.

With that in mind, I stopped overthinking it. Marriage wasn’t for me, but having a good time? That, I could definitely go for.

With a guy like Edward–handsome, rich, and at the top of his game, right in his golden years–if I’m not the one keeping himpany, he’ll just find someone else to fill the spot, right?

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Doesn’t matter if it’s three months, three years, or a whole lifetime–if he wants me for life, I’ll stick around for life. If he only needs me for a few years, then a few years it is.

After I finished my bath and came out, I saw Edward out on the balcony, talking on the phone. He looked pretty tense.

I didn’t bother him–just flopped onto the couch and checked my phone.

I wasn’t neglecting my studies for tomorrow either. While I had some downtime, I reviewed a few notes.

Edward hung up the phone and came back inside. Seeing me quietly sitting on the couch, he sat down next to me and said in a low voice, “Mariah wants me to fly back home for a bit. She said she wants to meet you.”

I was caught off guard, feeling a bit uneasy.

Edward put his arm around my shoulders and whispered, “Mariah’s a really open–mindeddy. Don’t worry, she won’t give you a hard time.”

Honestly, his reassurance didn’t do much for me.

Sure, every mom likes to think she’s open–minded when ites to her own son.

But when ites to a woman who might actually marry into her family? That’s a whole different ball game.

“I’ve still got sses, and I need to finish up and get my diploma,” I said, using it as an excuse to get out of going back with him.

Edward nodded. “That’s exactly what I told her too. She was cool with it, didn’t make a fuss.”

My heart skipped a beat. ‘Is Mrs. Sterling using this as a test for me?‘ I wondered.

‘If I

go

back, it means I’m taking meeting her really seriously. But if I don’t go…‘

‘With just this little test, she might think I’m challenging her authority as thedy of the house.‘

“Edward, what am I to you?” I asked, my tone suddenly turning serious.

AD