13
My first thought was that Parker had taken it.
The thought was mortifying. Last night, we’d been closer than ever, and now he knew I’d been planning to leave him. I couldn’t even imagine what he must think of me.
I decided to face the music. After getting dressed, I drove to Parker’s company.
It was my first time visiting Sterling Corp, but the receptionist recognized me instantly and personally escor- ted me to the CEO’s office. His executive assistant told me Parker was inside and that I could go right in.
I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to interrupt his work. But then I remembered: I’m his wife. I can interr-
upt whatever I want.
I knocked twice, then pushed the door open.
Parker was there, but he wasn’t alone. His friends were sprawled on the L–shaped sofa. The moment I enter- ed, all heads snapped in my direction.
When his eyes met mine, the calm mask he always wore wavered. He stood and walked toward me.
8/13
13.07
1302
Chapter 2
“What are you doing here?”
All the speeches I’d prepared on the car ride over evaporated in the face of his gentle tone. If he’d seen the papers, surely he’d be angry, right? Maybe he hadn’t seen them?
“Well, since Nora’s here, we won’t bother you guys,” one of his friends announced, and they all stood up in perfect sync. As they filed past me, they gave me strange looks. The kind of look you give a woman who’s cheating on her devoted partner.
It made my skin crawl. After they left, I got straight to the point. “This morning, when you left, did you happen
to see anything on my vanity table?”
Parker was pouring me a cup of tea, his lowered eyelids hiding his expression. He was as calm as ever. “Did you lose something?”
I studied his face, searching for any sign of a lie. Nothing. Maybe the housekeeper had moved it by mistake.
I shook my head and changed the subject, asking him out to dinner.
After dinner, we went home, and once again, I found myself confined to the bedroom.
I’d initially been skeptical of his claim that he was afraid of scaring me. But over the last few days, I’d gained a very… thorough understanding of his “kink.” We moved from room to room, and just when I thought my body would give out, he’d find a new wave of energy. He was even more vigorous than that first night, but now his passion was tempered with an unmistakable tenderness.
As I drifted in a haze of pleasure, I remembered my first meeting with Parker. My sister had just left the cou-
ntry, and I’d been thrust into her place to discuss the marriage alliance. I had laid all my cards on the table, making it clear this was a business arrangement. To my surprise, Parker agreed to the marriage that very night. I’d assumed he was just tired of his family nagging him. If it weren’t for his secret blog, I never would
have known he was in love with me.
Parker was a master at keeping things bottled up.
As the thought crossed my mind, I decided now was the time to pry open that stubborn mouth of his. But before I could speak, I heard him ask, his voice hoarse, “Nora… are you happy being married to me?”
