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I was about to kiss Andrew again when there was a knock at the door. Aiden entered before I could say a word. “Thank God you’re still fully clothed and there are no bodily fluids being exchanged,” he quipped.
“You’re a cockblocker, Aiden. Get out,” I joked. Sort of.
“Wish granted, since I’m ready to catch my flight home. I’ll reach out personally to your media team in London. And get your other paperwork in order. Let me know how your conversation with Lionel goes. Are you sure you’re ready to talk to him one on one?”
“Yes.”
“Alright then. Please lay low for a while.”
I rolled off the bed and walked over to Aiden, giving him a hug.
“Stop with the unseemly displays of affection, Rowan. It makes my skin itch,” he grumbled but slapped my back.
“Thank you for everything,” I murmured, and he nodded in reply.
“Goodbye, Andrew, best of luck with this one.” Aiden pointed to me.
“Don’t worry, I can handle him.” Andrew gave me a sultry smile and wink.
I looked forward to that, but I kept my mouth shut. My dirty grin was the only response needed.
TWENTY-SIX
ANDREW
Six months later…
I lay on my side, staring out at the cerulean waves that surrounded us. The only blip in the morning quiet was a nearby boat that kept circling, likely curious onlookers trying to take a photo of the ship. It reminded me of many months ago when the news of our love story erupted, and Rowan and I were inundated by phone calls and texts and paparazzi in speedboats. His uncle had been furious about the attention, but in the end, it all worked out. An actual celebrity scandal broke, and we were old news.
We’d settled into a routine of sorts over the past months. Rowan and I would sit up on the sundeck and work. Me on my laptop, setting up my business, and he on his, working on a philanthropy project. He decided to take a year’s leave of absence and focus on a charity venture. The project involved sustainable housing for low-income individuals, and Rowan was thriving with new energy. Even his blood pressure had reduced dramatically. I had a feeling he wanted to work on this venture full-time and would eventually resign as CEO but retain his shares and a seat on the board in Carter Enterprises. Whatever made him happy was good with me.
In the afternoons, we would work until three and then take a dip in the water or ride the tender to an unspoilt beach. We’d settled easily into our secluded living arrangement. Of course, we’d bypassed the usual dating timelines that I’d initially proposed, but neither of us cared. We were in love, and every moment together was better than the last. Given Rowan’s money and position, normal was something we would rarely experience, and I’d take him any way I could get him.
My folks had been inundated with calls and emails from journalists, and I’d worried I put them through undue strain. But, after two months, the constant media chatter quieted. The press had other targets to focus on. With Rowan’s support, I got through it, and my anxiety was under better control. It probably wouldn’t be the last time we’d deal with the press, but Rowan’s patience and dedication meant the world. He was the lover and partner I had secretly longed for, and some days I woke up and pinched myself to make sure this was all real.
“Good morning, love,” Rowan murmured as he rolled over and spooned me. He peppered my neck with hot kisses and languid licks, then teased my sensitive neck with his scruff.
“It looks like another perfect day.” I murmured. “Calm and peaceful.”
“Let’s enjoy the quiet while it lasts because our respective families are about to descend on us and then there will be no rest.”
“Are you nervous about meeting my parents?” I asked, but I didn’t need a verbal answer. I felt his body tense up.
I turned in his arms to face him and propped my head on my hand. “What it is?” I asked as I looked into his dark blue eyes, swirling with trepidation.
“I worry that your mum and dad will wonder what the hell you’re doing with me given everything that’s happened. All the attention and the media hounds. You won’t have a nice, normal, quiet life.”
“If I wanted that life, I would’ve gone back to Atlanta. I don’t want normal or quiet. I want you.” I pushed him down on the mattress and proceeded to kiss the worry out of him. An hour and two orgasms later, we both lay panting and sweating, staring at each other with stupid grins on our faces.
Rowan’s phone pinged, startling us both.
“It’s Rafe,” He murmured and showed me the message.
Rafe:Looking forward to visitingyou and your beloved. I knew that if Julia and Hugh survived the Hollywood press, you would too. Have you replaced Captain Crunch yet?
“God, we’re going to have to referee another fight between those two.”
“Don’t you see what’s going on?” I asked, and he looked at me with his brow furrowed.
