- Kieran - 

Even the night couldn't dull her shine. 

Her pale skin seemed to glow, the icy silver of her eyes were like molten mercury and her touch was warm. 

At least this was fulfilled, walking under the stars with her. 

It was almost painful to leave the comforts of her bed after sating our needs for two hours. But I wanted to do this and she seemed happy to oblige. 

"It's probably been years since I stepped into the garden. Much less take a walk around the estate," she squeezed my hand and I registered that touch to memory. 

"Why is that?" 

She tensed slightly and I brought her hand to my lips, kissing each knuckle lightly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't pry." 

Her gaze flicked up to me, the gentleness she contained was overwhelming. 

Lucy's words rang in my head. 

She's as broken as you are.  

"I miss this, the cool night air and the stars. The expanse of the night sky is so, comforting," she whispered. 

She looked up at the sky, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.  

I wanted to hold her, tell her I would be here for her. But I couldn’t, I only have one day to go.  

I ran my fingers through her hair and she looked at me, the vulnerability back in her depths. 

“You can tell me anything you know? I’m sure that’s part of the husband deal,” I assured her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

She giggled lightly, “Are you sure you’ve not taken up this role before? You seem to be doing extremely well.” 

I wasn’t. I wasn’t doing well. 

We continued walking, “I’m pretty sure I wasn’t anyone’s husband before.” 

“You got along with my dad, even with his direct verbal attacks.” 

“I handle difficult people all the time darling." 

"That's the part of you that you wouldn't want me to find out right?" 

Her gaze pierced me and I knew what she was getting at. The very reason we couldn't commit to one another was because of the darkness of our pasts keeping us apart. 

It seemed to click then, my rightful place. 

An unloving person like me could never be with her. 

"Some things are better left unsaid, don't you think?" 

She nodded, "Agreed." 

We rounded the side of the huge mansion and I finally decided to ask her, "Why did you leave?" 

"I'm sorry?" 

"Why did you leave Hawaii?" 

She didn’t make eye contact, just looked away and back up at the sky, “I didn’t see a need to stay.” 

“We had an agreement.” 

“I have a company and a convention to return to.” 

“You could have told me.” 

“And then what Kieran? Have you fucking some other girl while you waited for me to return to our temporary paradise? Or have you follow me back and take your dreaded place as my fake husband?” 

“Alina-” 

She took a deep breath to stable herself and stepped away, “I’m sorry. The stress of having a company weighing on my shoulders is getting to me.” 

This definitely wasn't because of the company. 

I could see her crumbling in front of me. I couldn’t take a step forward because she would take one back. I could hold on but she would only push me further away. 

This was the same girl that stormed into my office and gave a speech in front of a huge corporate audience. 

The same fiery and confident girl that only seemed to break down in my presence without even realising it. 

How long has she been keeping this façade up? 

I held a hand out for her to take and she looked at it warily before meeting my gaze. I waited for close to a minute before she finally took my hand. 

I pressed my lips to the back of her hand, “Just so you know. For one, I’m not a big fan of infidelity. And two, I would have accompanied you back to your convention and given you as much space as you needed if you didn’t want us to be seen together. But the roses, I would have given them to you regardless of the situation, it’s my job to support my wife.” 

A flicker of hope crossed her silver orbs and she let my hand go, only to wrap her arms around me. 

The band around my chest instantly became tight, it was hard to breathe. And it wasn’t from the force of her embrace. It was suffocating just thinking of our parting. 

“Thank you honey.” 

I held her against me, committing the feeling of her body to memory. Two pieces of a puzzle. 

One more day Kieran, one more day. 

When she pulled away, she looked serene, relaxed. 

She placed her hands on my chest, playing with the buttons on my shirt, "And just so you know, I enjoyed having you by my side throughout the whole event. Six hours of business chatter in four-inch heels can really drain a girl out." 

My heart actually warmed. 

"Glad to be of service." 

Now I knew why she was holding onto me so tightly at the convention. 

I took her hand and started walking back to the house, “Let’s go back, my Sleeping Beauty needs her beauty rest.” 

She laughed softly and the glimmer in her eyes returned. 

That’s it. Keep smiling darling. 

So much for beauty sleep. The moment my butt hit the sheets, Kieran’s hands were on me. 

His kisses were gentle and full of purpose, tasting and ravishing my lips. His hand slipped up my nightgown and left burning trails of pleasure on my skin. 

I was breathless when his lips finally left mine to travel down my neck, nipping and sucking. Marking me as his. 

He pulled my nightgown over my head and I helped him out of his shirt. He claimed my mouth and massaged my clothed breasts in his huge hands before getting rid of my bra completely. 

His mouth latched on to my hardened nipples, I nearly screamed. 

Good Lord this man was sin. 

One hand travelled down to my naval and finally reached my awaiting heat. 

I heard the sound of fabric being ripped and I shivered from the coolness of the air against my dripping pussy. 

“Kieran-” 

He raised his head to gaze at me, “What is it darling?” 

“Please-” 

The idiot chuckled, “What do you want from me?” 

His fingers ran down my slick folds, teasing my clit. 

I could combust from his gaze alone, much less his ministrations. 

I shoved against him but he caught my hand, taking my fingers into his mouth while his other hand thrust his digits into my heat. 

My moans were soon muffled by his kiss, his fingers curling and pushing further into me. My walls tightened and my muscles clenched, I came undone with a final stroke. 

I screamed his name and I rode out my waves of pleasure. When he finally withdrew his fingers, the tent in his pants seemed tight enough to split his zipper. 

My turn. 

I ran my fingers down his chest, feeling his length through the denim of his jeans. 

His eyes burned with a ferocious intensity, as he let me unbuckle his jeans and pull his zip down. 

I pushed him off me gently, switching positions and shrugging his pants off at the same time. Both his underwear and jeans joined the heap of clothes on the floor. 

I reached for his throbbing length and he groaned as our skin made contact. 

“Fuck- Alina-” 

I grinned and stroked his full length, licking his tip as a tease before going down on him. 

He moaned into the empty space of my room with his hands tangling in my hair, guiding my movements to intensify his pleasure. I matched his every push, feeling his tip hit the back of my throat with every thrust. 

“Fucking hell,” he muttered and pulled me back up, his lips meeting mine in a frenzy. 

He reached over to the bedside table and pulled the drawer open, ripping a condom hastily and sheathing himself. 

My mind was hazy from his kisses and I moaned when I felt his cock drive into me. 

He groaned as he pounded harder and faster into me to the hilt. Our panting and heated breaths warmed the whole room further with every stroke. 

He held my face in his hand, never losing his rhythm, “Come for me Alina.” 

My body seemed to snap at his command, my screams sealed with his lips. I shuddered as I came hard and he moaned lowly, his length pulsing inside me from his own release. 

I heard him sigh contently when our lips parted. He looked at me and I gazed into his eyes, a wild abandon flashing in his orbs. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead before shifting myself to roll off him. He caught my hips before I could do so, his eyes suddenly hard. 

“I think I’m addicted to you darling,” he breathed out heavily. 

My heart pounded in my ears, “Addiction is a serious condition.” 

He sat up, my heat shivering with delight with him still inside me, “It's a dangerous condition.” 

“Too much of anything isn’t good for you Kieran.” 

“I'm too far in to stop.” 

“We have to.” 

“Not yet, we have one more day. Let me in you for one more day. Give me all of you and I’ll return it all back once it’s over.” 

Easier said than done. 

His warm gaze and masculine scent overwhelmed my rational thinking and I leaned into him, letting him take me. 

- Kieran - 

Nothing felt better than waking up next to her. 

Nothing. 

Her body moulded against mine. It made me feel full, content. As if I didn't need anything else with her here in my arms. 

How will I ever sleep without her again? 

We had our breakfast and were running through our emails on our own iPads when Wilson came up to me, "Would you like coffee or tea Mr Knight?" 

"Give him a black coffee," Alina called out, still scrolling through her work. 

I smiled and nodded, "A black is nice, thank you Wilson." 

I set my iPad down and watched her typing furiously onto the detachable keyboard with a poker face. 

"Is your father still in bed?" 

She shook her head, "He has a bunch of activities lined up for himself. Apparently, he planned an itinerary during his stay at the hospital. Something about enjoying his freedom the moment the doctor gave him the 'okay' to be discharged." 

She smiled at that, and I did too.  

I will always be thankful to Alexander for bringing Alina up. The graceful yet powerful energy she had brought its own unique spark into my life. 

I will cherish our time together, our last day. 

And here we are working. 

This won't do. 

Wilson set down my dark coffee and I quickly finished it before taking Alina's hand. 

Her curious eyes looked up, "Where are we going?" 

"Disneyland." 

"What?!" 

I grinned and pulled her up from her seat, she wore a white, cropped, off-shoulder top with a casual pair of high-waisted jeans.  

Perfect for a day in the happiest place on Earth. 

My black Mercedes was sitting out front and we quickly got on. 

I instructed my chauffeur to drive us to our destination. I got an arm around Alina's waist and pressed a kiss to her temple, feeling her body lean onto me. 

I dialled Lucy's number and got her to purchase tickets for us so we could enter the park immediately. 

By the time I hung up, Alina was giving me an odd look. 

"What's wrong? You don't like Disneyland?" 

She giggled and hugged my arm, resting her head on my shoulder, "I didn't take you for a spontaneous one." 

"Only for you and there's more where that came from." 

"I'm not sure I want anymore." 

"You gave me all of you Alina. As a businessman, it's only contractually appropriate for me to give myself to you too. I'll expect your face to be numb with laughter by the time we're done." 

She was quiet after that and I wondered if she dozed off. But judging from the way my sleeve was getting soaked with the warmth of her tears, she was far from getting any shut-eye.