I took a deep breath and opened the first drawer. There wasn’t anything interesting—a few boxes of new pens and some business cards, along with what I assumed was a phone book, which was weird because no one owned those anymore. But it wasn’t exactly surprising that Alton was a bit... old school. The second drawer was more boring than the first, with paper clips, notepads, and a photo that did have me pausing. In the picture was a fit middle-aged woman with the same ginger hair as Alton, wearing a yellow sunflower dress. There was a barn in the background. Alton was next to her, one of his arms around her shoulders while the other was wrapped around a muscular man with a shaved head. I guessed these were his parents. I liked the photo because it was cute and showed a softer side of him. He was actuallysmilingand looked happy.
Sighing, I slipped the framed picture back into the drawer and opened the final one. There were only two things in there, and I didn’t need a closer look to know what they were. I’d seen the very same business cards in my dad’s office. I reached down to grab the stack before I took off the rubber band and shuffled through the glossy black cards. On one side in shiny gold writing was “The Courtesan Hotel,” and on the other side it appeared blank. I reached in for the small black flashlight, which looked like any other, but it was different because its sole purpose was for these cards. I pushed the button and a blue light flashed from the bulb. I faced the glow toward the back of one of the cards. The name “Bliss” lit up in glowing letters, along with the words “Male. Brunet. Blue eyes. Slim. 5’6”. Prefers to bottom. Kinks include roleplay and light BDSM. Will change hair color for a fee of $800. Hourly rate of $350, day rate of $8000.”
Each card had a different name and stats on it, and he had so many, I didn’t think I could bring myself to count them. But the more I shuffled through them, the sicker I became. Maybe he and Dad weren’t so unlike each other after all.
The door shot open and I startled, the cards in my hands flying across the desk, some falling to the floor. My heart pounded and I glanced at the doorway, ready to see an angry Alton standing there, but he wasn’t. It was Antoine.
As he stepped into the office, he raised his eyebrows and looked as impeccable as Alton usually did, in a gray-striped suit and shiny black shoes. “Why are you in here?”
I swallowed and stared at the scattered cards. There was no way I could talk my way out of this. “I wanted... to get to know my husband better.”
Antoine made a sound close to a harrumph as he shifted farther into the room, closing the door behind himself. “Would it not be better toaskMr. Bouchard questions rather than rifle through his belongings?”
I laughed quietly and waved at the mess. “I don’t think he would have told me about these.”
“You know what they are,” he said, not as a question but a statement.
I swallowed around a lump I hadn’t realized had formed in my throat. “My dad knows the Courtesan Hotel well.” I showed him the flashlight. “And I learned about this trick through him.”
“I see.” He held out his hand, and I passed him the flashlight, raising my chin.
“I have the right to know who I’m married to, especially if he plans on cheating on me.”
He gave me a condescending look and smiled, and it didn’t sit right on his face. “Did you not have an agreement with the boss that neither of you would be sleeping with other people while married?”
“I know men like him,” I whispered, gritting my teeth. “Men like my dad. They always want something better.”
“Mr. Bouchard isnotyour father, Noah,” he said, so gently it surprised me into widening my eyes. I didn’t think I’d ever heard that tone from him, and he certainly hadn’t ever said my first name. The expression on his face softened and he moved until he stood in front of me. “Before you came along, the boss was very busy. He had no time for dating, but he also needed torelax. The Courtesan Hotel offered privacy that no other company could. Alton is many things, but he has standards when it comes to relationships.”
“Even fake relationships?” I asked bitterly, staring down at the black cards still scattered across the desk and floor.
“How fake is it?” Antoine crossed his arms and that cold look passed over his face again. “You sleep with each other. You don’t hate each other. From where I stand, you get along fine.”
“I’ve known him for a week. That doesn’t warrantknowingsomeone yet,” I snapped.
“Does sneaking into his office and searching it help you get to know him?”
Guilt swirled in my gut and I rubbed it. “I guess not.”
“Do you want out, Noah?” Antoine raised his eyebrows again. “Because if you want out, I can make you disappear. I know people. I can give you a fake name and send you out of the US. Would you like to live in Australia?”
I blinked at him. “What?”
“If you’re truly unhappy I can help you leave.”
I stared at him carefully, but he didn’t seem to be lying. He was serious. I swallowed and shook my head. “I don’t... hate it here.”
He hummed. “Mr. Bouchard can be impulsive, but he is not purposely cruel. I’ve worked for a lot of wealthy people, sir, and he is the best. He comes from a humble background, and when you visit Texas next month for Christmas, you will see why. His parents are hospitable.” He cleared his throat and straightened. “Now, you should leave. Mr. Bouchard will be home soon. I need to tidy up his office so he doesn’t know you were sneaking around.”
I licked my dry lips and nodded, opening my mouth to thank him, but he waved his hand at the door. I grabbed my sketchbook and left him there, feeling like a real nitwit. As soon as I made it back to the kitchen, the sound of the front doors opening met my ears.
“Little mouse, where are you?”
I glanced at Tucker, who raised his eyebrows at me, and answered, “I’m here, husband.”
Alton came into the kitchen and smirked when he saw me, opening his arms. I smiled, tossed my sketchbook on the island, and stepped into the hug he gave me, which was surprisingly warm and welcoming. I snuggled into him, and he kissed me on the forehead. “I have a present for you.”
My gaze shot to him. “What is it?”
