GWEN

"Let's get you comfortable," Tom swoops me up, and I clutch at his shirt.

I have to be dreaming. He lays me on the black leather couch and removes his shirt. My eyes take in his torso, tan and smooth, and I'm surprised how flat his belly is.

"Do you exercise?" I ask foolishly.

Ugh, what is wrong with me? It's like I can't even process my thoughts anymore.

Tom draws a thumb over my cheek. "Uh-huh."

Instinctively, my fingers reach up to graze his skin, he catches them, planting warm kisses that send heat rises beneath my flesh. One of the perks of being red-haired is that I can't hide it: I flush like a traffic light.

Tom straddles me carefully and kisses me, and the sound of his groan of excitement fuels my urge.

My breath hitches as he drags a callused palm between my legs.

"Oh," I whisper.

His chestnut eyes turn to mine, heavy with seriousness. "Red, I want you to be sure. Say the word, and this is done. But God, I hope you don't."

"I'm not...complaining." I croak. "I'm just out of breath."

A flash of teeth, his arrogance melts through. "Good, because I want to see all of you."

I grab the hem of my shirt and start to lift it over my head, unashamed. I lick my lips, watching him keep a stern look at me.

How is he doing this?

Thirteen months ago, I wanted to find him and rip out his throat; now I'm under him, fighting for my sanity.

My breasts feel small under his large hands, and he begins to knead them. I chew on my lower lip and moan with ecstasy.

"Your skin feels like silk," He mutters. "How does mine feel? Tell me, Red."

Reluctantly, I trail my hands down his back and grab his ass. "Firm like leather."

The chuckle he makes is low and just right. "Hell, I'm going to take that as a compliment."

His fingers part the curls covering my heat and running up and down in deliberate movements.

"Oh yes." I sigh from the pleasure bubbling in my stomach.

"You like that?" He asks.

I nod through a small whimper, shaking as he continues plucking. I part my legs wide and raise my hips higher.

"I'm going to make you come so hard you won't feel a thing in the morning." He growls. "Is that what you want, Gwen?"

I wound my hands around his neck, twisting from the sweet sensation shattering my nerves. "Ah, that feels so good...Tom."

In the end, I come apart in his fingers, dropping my hands over my head.

Shame keeps me from opening my eyes as I pant heavily, but his mouth brushes my cheek, followed by an arm draped over my belly and his heartbeat throbbing against my shoulder.

Sleep comes easily.

* * * * * * * *

I woke up with a strange certainty that someone was in the office with me.

I managed to pry one eye open, and a terrified yelp broke out at the sight of Diana, all dressed in a navy pantsuit and pearls, giving me a dry look.

"Eek!" I exclaim, dragging the blue blanket over my chest.

Outside the office windows, sun rays splashed against the glass, but my mind struggled to get past the strain in my muscles. "Bloody hell. How long have you been standing there?"

"Enough to know you sleep like a horse," Diana replies. "What are you doing in my son's office? Don't you English girls know how a bedroom works?"

I groan and squeeze the back of my neck, watching Diana turn around to gaze at the office.

"We know a thing about manners," I mumble to myself.

Diana turns her head to me. "What was that?"

Rolling my eyes, I reach for my nightshirt on the floor and tug it over my head. God, take me back in time, I'll do anything.

"I asked you a question, Gina." Diana's voice breaks through my thoughts.

I let out a breath of discomfort. "It's Gwen, and I'm sorry, but it's really hard to concentrate while I'm still naked."

Diana's face crumples into pure horror. "You and Tom...Holy Virgin!"

My fingers reach for my lips.

"Are you on the pill?" Diana demands angrily. "At least let me know you're a little intelligent. Ugh, how could you be so stupid? This is a sin!"

My eyes brighten with surprise. "A what?"

Diana looks as if she's going to vomit. "Your sister... and Thomas...but my grandson-"

I yell at her. "Oh, come off it. This isn't incest!"

Diana shouts again. "It doesn't make any of it right. Show some respect; this is a business venture, not a college party. Did you even read the contract, or was the glitter of the jewelry store too distracting for you?"

This time, I jolt to my feet, my entire arms shake with fury. "I won't have you speak to me like this. I'm not a property!"

"Yes, you absolutely are. You are just the face of that thief, and like the contract states, you'll perform every social bidding we ask."

"Like a mindless performing monkey? I don't think so!"

Diana is a foot shorter than me but her presence is a little intimidating. I don't move an inch anyway.

"Honestly, I know my boy is better than this. He wouldn't read that contract and violate the terms. So I'm guessing it was you who took the first step." Diana says coldly, enough for me to recall last night.

I blink with terror. This is worse than the morning-after regret. Diana's condescending stare makes it seem as if I'm a conquest.

"Yes, the women always come to him." Diana nods gravely. "That damn wedding ring separates you from every cheap model Tom has been with."

My eyes burn with tears, and my teeth chatter with hurt.

Diana continues. "Know your place. Now, I want you to do an emergency pregnancy test. I'll order the kit. We don't want to risk another baby. Give me the results when you're done."

She inhales deeply and turns on her heels straight for the door. Once she's in the hallway, she yells. "Esme, come clean up the office!"

As the door shuts hard, I flinch absentmindedly and grip my arms. All the gossip articles about Tom's flings, the pictures of the girls flood my mind.

Me, his latest victim.

I've risked my dignity, my sister's baby, for one flimsy night of pleasure.

What have I done?

GWEN

Hot water streams down my skin as I scrub off the memory of last night in my bathroom.

I blow a hard grunt of humiliation. Tom used me like I meant nothing to him.

Well, it won't ever happen again.

After walking out of the shower cubicle, I throw a large white towel around my body and step into my bedroom.

The first thing I see is a pregnancy test kit lying on my bed.

"Alright," I hiss. "This is just too ridiculous!"

Ten minutes later, I barge into the terrace lounge where Diana is currently having coffee and reading from her tablet with round glasses crooked over her nose.

Diana barely glances in my direction as I stomp over to her.

Finally, the elderly matriarch lifts her eyes to me, unbothered by my temper.

"Let me have it."

I tighten my lips and hold the sealed box to her. "If you must know, it was only foreplay and nothing more."

Diana blinks with relief and leans back into her chair. "I need to call Tom to confirm this."

I throw my hands up as my entire face flushes. "Did you not hear what I just said? And besides, I don't plan to bring another poor child into this...family!"

Diana scoffs, her mouth tugs into a smirk. "Is yours any better? Tell me."

My body becomes still. "You would know if you'd actually care to meet any of them."

She returns her gaze to the tablet. "I don't care about your immediate family. I've learned all I need to know from your criminal sister. Now, don't you have a store to run?" she replies softly.

A short huff comes out of the back of my throat. She really is impossible to reason with. I want to grab her tablet and send it over the edge, but instead, I straighten my blazer and head straight for the door.

Mikey is fully awake in the nursery. The nanny, Carly, shakes a small blue stuffed bear over his cradle, then she turns to me with a smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ciccotelli." Carly sings.

I can feel my left eye twitching. "Ugh, please call me Gwen." I correct, to which Carly just looks confused.

"How's the little one?" I reach for Mikey and lift him. He makes a soft, excited babble.

"He's got a lot of energy," Carly replies meekly. "I was thinking of taking him out for a stroll."

I nod while covering the back of Mikey's head. "That's fine, I suppose some sunshine in the park will do him good."

Carly squints at me. "Actually, I meant at the grounds here at home. Signora Ciccotelli wouldn't allow me to go that far."

"Are you serious?"

She was.

Well, I guess the world revolves around my eloquent mother-in-law.

After kissing Mikey goodbye, I head straight for work.

It's unbelievable how I can have my very own silent driver that doesn't go on about how the New York tourists are always ruining everything.

"Thank you, Leo," I wave at the car window before strolling into my store.

Inside, I'm greeted by the new staff, about five of them watch me nervously. I know the feeling of pleasing the man in charge.

There's also someone unfamiliar: an average man with brown hair and white at the temples, scanning a set of ruby earrings.

My old manager was completely dreadful. Always thinking I was out calling my boyfriend, when it was the daycare center. He even said something about me being 'over-protective.'

"Good morning, everyone," I say sweetly. "Please step into the boardroom for a quick meeting."

They head for the room while I move to the customer's side.

"Sir, I'm completely sorry," I begin. "Can you check back in later? I promise to offer you a complimentary discount."

He shrugs and speaks in a rich Brooklyn accent. "I don't mind. In fact, I was just about to join the meeting."

My mouth folds back, and I stare at him, dumbfounded. My legs tremble.

He can't be thick-headed, right?

I absolutely cannot handle any more surprises this morning.

"I love meetings." He smiles in a charming way that doesn't calm the panic growing in my chest.

"Who are you?" I ask.

He throws the heel of his palm to his forehead. "Sorry, I haven't introduced myself." He brings his hand to me. "Matthew Bertinelli, your assistant manager. You can call me Matt."

My mouth hangs open.

My what?

Matt stretches his hand behind me, but it doesn't connect to my back. I'm compelled to walk with him towards the room.

Then I pause to a stop and swing my head to him angrily. "If this is some kind of a joke, I'm not in the mood. I want you to-"

"I was hired by the management last week." Matt interrupts. "I got the training and everything."

"I think you have the wrong store."

"Gemini Jewelers is kinda hard to miss on the map-Hey!"

He stumbles behind me as I grab a handful of his shirt for the exit. The security guard approaches us with a firm stare.

I point a finger at Matt. "Please, escort this strange man out of the premises."

"Whoa." Matt's eyes pop wide. "Look, they said it was okay to resume as soon as possible. Can you at least make a phone call?"

I place my hands on my hips. "And who might 'they' be?"

Matt grins. "Your mother-in-law and uh, your husband approved my employment."

Instantly, I groan in surprise, half-baked with anger.

The meeting didn't go as well as expected. Matt quickly marks his territory by casually interrupting every word I say. It's a miracle I didn't pull my hair out.

Afterwards, I rush into my office and ring Tom's.

A feminine voice answers smoothly. "Ciccotelli Enterprises. Who am I speaking with?"

"Gwen O'Brien. Could you please put me through to him? His cell phone seems to be switched off."

There was a long pause.

"Hello?"

A small chuckle comes through, almost derisive. "Oh my God, Mrs. Ciccotelli? I thought I was being pranked by the last British girl he-"

That comment almost sends my head spinning like a Frisbee. I'm about to ask for more information, but she coughs, rather conveniently.

"Actually, Mr. Ciccotelli is currently unavailable."

"Doing what? He can spare a few minutes for me. It's important."

"But-"

"Listen, I am very cross right now and I need to speak with my husband immediately."

She puts me on hold for a few seconds until I hear a click.

A familiar voice comes through. "Hi, Red."

I have so many bitter words to say to Tom, but the warmth from the sound of his voice reduces the anger in me. It forces something I've never dreamed of telling a man.

"So darling, am I British girl number three or seven?"