LOGIN"No. I won't even consider marrying her. Ever." I smile, realizing his face holds the fire i feel for Eleanor."So, there's someone worse than your bride-to-be.""Excruciatingly worse," he admits coldly. "They were sworn enemies, in fact.""I see you have a penchant for vile women."He laughs, the tension breaking. "She's not that vile. I think I'll survive, sir. And it's not that bad of a deal. I'm getting the commercial building for free.""Marriage isn't an easy feat, especially if your partner rivals Montana in evil." He chuckles loudly and pushes himself up, stretching a gloved hand down toward me. I reach out, gripping his wrist, and let him pull me to my feet."Thank you, Mr. Banks.""I'm here if you still plan on absconding. Tell me the help you need. In the meantime, assign a few extra guards to yourself in preparation for the wedding.""It won't be....""You're getting married in less than a week. I'm sure he has an evil agenda." He stares at me, weighing my words, then no
BANKS POV"You asked to see me," I tell Carlton and he straightens with a rigid stance, his throat bobbing as he stands before my mahogany desk looking utterly drawn out, scared and tired. His shoulders tense beneath his tailored suit. I drop, my pen onto the leather blotter and look up at him. "Speak." Instead of answering, he reaches forward and drops a white envelope onto the desk. He retreats a step while I warily open it. Inside, crisp cardstock catches the ambient light of my office."A wedding invitation?""Yes, sir. I'm getting married." I pull the card out and scan the calloused, silver lettering. Every alarm bell in my head rings as my eyes land on the name of his bride."I didn't know you were acquainted with the daughter of Massimo Davis.""We met at a tech party, sir." I am not married now, but I was once. Looking at Carlton, I see the exact same shadow in his eyes that I wore when I began questioning my own marital decisions—the same haunting doubt I carried when my en
ELEANOR POV"So, are you signing it?" Catherine's question hangs in the warm, scented air of her boutique. I lean back against the custom plush velvet of my armchair, my fingers tracing the rim of my crystal glass as the weight of the decision settles on my shoulders."Banks didn't say explicitly, but I know he doesn't like Dean," I admit, voicing the main source of my hesitation. Catherine’s expression turns serious, and she leans forward. "Eleanor, the issue here isn't Banks. This is your business and your future. Are you signing the deal?"I hesitate. Outside of Banks’ personal distaste for Dean Jiang, I have no valid business reason *not* to sign. The offer is incredible.Catherine leans forward, the subtle scent of high-end tuberose drifting from her skin. "If you harbor this much reverence for your boyfriend's boundaries, then you ought to surrender to his empire and accept his investment." My eyebrows arch, a bitter twitch hitting my lips."However," she adds smoothly, "if y
BANKS POV "I still fail to comprehend your need to be down here," I haul her flush against my chest, entirely dismissing her words. "I am certain you don't," I counter softly. Her gaze locks onto mine, her wide eyes flecked with brilliant amber light and an open, breathtaking affection that threatens to dismantle my restraint. My private elevator chime echoes softly as its doors slide open "Banks, listen to me," she whispers, her breath warm against my neck. "I can simply hand the perfumes to Carlton and allow him to distribute it to the floor staff." I pivot abruptly, my fingers sinking into the soft curve of her waist. In one swift, fluid motion, I press her back against the cool, brushed-steel paneling of the elevator and crash my mouth down onto hers. A sharp intake of air catches in her throat before she surrenders, her arms looping tightly around my neck. I shift my grip, my palms anchoring beneath her ass to haul her body completely off the floor. Our tongues become a tang
I cannot remember the last time I was ordered what to do, but I yield to the command, closing my eyes. The rustle of heavy, textured paper fills the quiet expanse of the office."Open them." I open my eyes to find a deep grey, matte-textured display squarebbox bound with a rich, blood-red silk ribbon. Before I can even touch it, the air shifts. The sharp, potent tang of a familiar red wine bleeding into raw leather hits my senses, instantly triggering a visceral memory that causes the blood to thicken in my veins. It’s impossible. A slow, involuntary curve touches her lips."I apologize for the delay in its arrival," she murmurs, her gaze dropping in a quiet, captivating display of vulnerability. I take the huge box from her hands, keeping my eyes locked entirely on her face. My heart hammers against my ribs, recognizing the gravity of what she’s done. My perfume. "Anor.""Unwrap it," she coos, before hiding her face directly against the lapel of my shirt, her palms covering her eye
ELEANOR POV- SAME HOUR. The persistent vibration of my phone echoes against the glass counters of the formulation lab. I let out a long, heavy breath, staring at the screen before finally sliding it open."Hello, little thing.""Who is this?" I question, though the smooth, slightly mocking tone and nickname is unmistakable.A dramatic sigh travels through the line. "I am deeply wounded to be so entirely forgettable. It’s Anthony.""How did you even obtain my call line?""I orchestrate the digital architecture alongside your possessive partner, little one." I roll my eyes. "Such arrogance. Wht did you call?" "Because of your partner, why else?" My heart rate ticks upward, the sterile scent of the lab suddenly feeling distant. "Is he alright? Has something happened? Why are you calling me, Anthony?""Physically? Impeccable. Temperamentally? He is currently tearing my sanity to shreds.""Anthony, speak clearly.""Why haven't you presented him with his fragrance yet?" I pull the devi
BANKS POV She is sitting, eyes darting everywhere except me.Still refusing to sign so I switch tactic. “You bleed heavy.” Her head lifts sharply at my words and I hold her gaze: steady and unhurried. A dare dressed as an observation.“How did you know that si....master?” The correction comes qu
Banks is leaning against his sofa; relaxed and expecting. I should sign but all I can think of is WHAT LED US HERE? WHY ME? WHAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER? WHAT WENT WRONG... Or is it right? "Sign," he orders like it's a statement and I look at him. I sit back on the chair, the folder right on my lap wa
ELEANOR POV Fucking a man is a humiliation ritual unless he’s worth something: beauty, money, influence... or a good dick. Banks has it all and he's quite good with them. All. My request for "time to think" isn't because I’m looking for a relationship. Men like him don't do "girlfriends." But being
I just came apart without penetration. Really felt my whole body shake. “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘧𝘶𝘹𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶?” My ex-boyfriend says multiple times. I lift and look up at Banks, tears threatening to drop. “Thank…” I







