Michaela WFive days later hen the elevators to the executive floor open, I st ep out, my eyes glued to my screen. “Unbelievable.” I re-read the jaw-dropping headlines. I shouldn’t walk and read at the same time, but I can’t help it. ‘RIPLEY MADIGAN UNDER INVESTIGATION ON SEVERAL FRAUD CHARGES’ ‘DIRTY OLD MAN: RIPLEY MADIGAN’S HAREM OF YOUNG LOVERS EXPOSED’ ‘KING KÖNIG’S EMPIRE TO SUE RIPLEY MADIGAN’S’ ‘SHOCKING SCANDAL IMPLODES INSIDE KING KÖNIG’S KINGDOM’ ‘MICHAELA KÖNIG’S EVIL ST EPMOTHER UNDER SUICIDE WATCH’ That last headline is the most shocking one of them all. I hate everything about that manipulative woman, but I feel for her. The backlash has been brutal. The media has stoned Thana to death with their less than flattering exposés. You brought this on yourself, dear st epmonster. I was in a lunch meeting with the director of an art gallery when the shit hit the fan. One minute, I’m enjoying a delicious salade niçoise, the next, the name König is breaking news on the large flat screen TV behind the bar. I had to cut the lunch short and rush back to the office. With my eyes still transfixed to my phone, I type in the code to my
office with my free hand. I’m still reading as I walk into my office. As I close the door, my thumb swipes across the screen. ‘MILLIONAIRE POTTER MACCAAK ARRESTED AT THE MEXICAN BORDER’ An evil grin splits my lips. “They caught you, asshole.” “They did,” a voice says. I jump in fright. My eyes meet Phoenix’s. “What are you doing in my office?” “I needed to see my wife. Since I have the combination, I let myself in,” he says. “Next time, give a girl a heads up. You almost gave me a heart attack.” He responds with a cocky grin. He’s sitting behind my desk, as comfortable as if this were his office. With his hands interlaced together, supporting his chin, he resembles a ruler pondering the fate of a disloyal subject. Since he isn’t wearing a suit jacket or a tie, I’m going to guess he came to the office straight from Soren’s house when the news broke. Suit or no suit, he looks good enough to suck. “Make yourself at home, why don’t you,” I say. “I already have.” I smile despite myself. “Did you miss me, kitten?” I could be cheeky, but what’s the point? “I missed you a lot.” He stands up and comes to sit in front of the desk. He licks his lips, as if he were a predator about to devour me. Yes, please. “Get over here,” he says. I close the space between us and come to stand between his parted legs. I toss my phone and my handbag on the desk and peer into his gorgeous blue eyes. “I’m here.” He runs his index finger from my wrist to my shoulder. I shiver. He reaches out and grabs me by the back of the neck, bringing our foreheads together until they touch. “I missed you too.” I take a st ep back and cross my arms across my chest. “Oh yeah, prove it.” So much for not being cheeky. “I will in a minute,” he says, placing his hands on my shoulders. His expression turns serious. “But before that, I want to give you an update on a few things.” The past five days have been intense. The König men have been bouncing from their lawyer’s office to my father-in-law’s mansion, strategizing a plan of
attack. To say they were angry with Ripley Madigan and his puppets would be putting it mildly. They were breathing fire. As a result, Phoenix was out the door early in the morning and he wouldn’t come back to the penthouse until late. As much as I missed him, I didn’t complain. The enormity of what he was dealing with was all-consuming. “I haven’t opened up much about this shit fest because I was protecting you.” The sincerity in his words is touching. “I understand,” I say. “Dad, Slate, Wilder, and I are going for the kill. Roman supports our decision.” “You’re going to sue them?” “We’re going to annihilate them,” he says. “We have the best lawyers money can buy on our team. We’re going to sue the hell out of Ripley, Potter, Brock, and Mrs. Pisier-Litoris. By the end of this ordeal, those crooks won’t have much left to their names. Ripley might still have a cushiony stash of cash, but he’s going to learn the hard way, he isn’t untouchable. Contrary to popular belief, not all publicity is good publicity. Our PR company will play an important role in his demise. With enough bad press, Ripley will be exposed for the callous monster he is. I’m not sure it’s enough to crumble his kingdom, but the blow will peg him down by several notches and damage his r eputation. All that bad press will trickle down to his hotels, and ultimately, his wealth. That should wipe the permanent smug smirk off his fucking face for good.” “I’m sure a lot of people will think twice before choosing one of his hotels.” “Let’s hope so.” Once the security guards detained an infuriated Potter, they called Phoenix and the police. The three König brothers arrived on the scene like warriors ready to declare war. Phoenix was so enraged, he lunged at Potter, pure hatred shinning bright in his eyes, fists flying, and cursing up a storm. Both Slate and Wilder had to hold their older brother back. Giving Potter leverage would be detrimental because the asshole would find a way to turn it to his advantage. There’s no way out for him. He’ll have to pay for his crimes. The recording from my phone was too faint to make out much of Potter’s
conversation with Ripley. I was devastated my efforts were in vain. It turns out, it didn’t matter. Millions of dollars’ worth of art require a high-tech includes security system that twenty-four-seven video surveillance with sound. The second Potter started talking, every word was recorded. There’s no way he can dispute that kind of proof. Same for Ripley. “It’s going to be a long legal battle ahead, but I’m confident things will turn in our favor,” Phoenix says. “I have no doubt they will.” “Have you talked to your father?” I nod. “Yes, we talked this morning before my lunch meeting. Thank you for doing that. You’ve been so generous, but this takes the cake.” “Thana handed us everything we needed on a silver platter. The hotel needs a publicity campaign to ward off any potential bad press by association. It’s irrefutable, your father and you had nothing to do with Thana’s pedophile enabler lover. Plus, now that the public knows you were jilted by her callous and criminal actions, they have sympathy. No one will dare to cast the first stone.” “Daddy is so grateful––and elated––we get to ke ep the name intact. So am I. The Villiers Grand Hotel lives on.” Thank God. “Just the way it’s supposed to be.” I shake my head as emotions bubble up. “A little less than six weeks ago, Daddy and I were on the verge of losing everything.” I let out a loud sigh. “And now, there’s hope. Mom must be throwing a big party up in heaven. Our family hotel gets a happy ending after all.” “Speaking of happy endings, I need to show you how much I’ve missed you these past few days,” he says. “That’s an abrupt change of subject.” “Not really. It falls right in line with our conversation.” I shoot him a quizzical look. He reaches and grips my chin. He stares into my eyes as though he’s peering into my soul. “So you missed me, kitten?” “I’ve confessed that much.” “Just checking.” “It was hard to fall asle ep alone in your massive California King bed.” “It was hard falling asle ep next to your warm, sexy body, and not wake you up.” “Why didn’t you?” “I knew it was a temporary situation and it wouldn’t have been fair to wake you up at three in the morning for sex.”
He taps the tip of my nose with his finger. I smile. “I have a gift for you,” he says. “What’s the occasion?” “Do I have to have an occasion to buy my wife a gift?” “No,” I say. “It’s unexpected, that’s all.” Something dangerous veils his eyes. “Lucky for us you’re wearing the perfect outfit for the gift.” I frown and glance down at my pretty, feminine white blouse and hot pink midi skirt combo. “I don’t follow.” He gives me a onceover. “Pants would’ve made things a lot more... complicated.” “I get it’s cocktail hour somewhere in the world, but surely you’re not drunk.” I laugh. He doesn’t. “No. I’m not drunk.” That pantie-melting look again. My senses tingle. “What are you up to, Mr. König?” “It will all make sense in a minute, Mrs. König.” “Okay.” “I got you this.” He shifts on the desk and grabs something behind him. “What’s—” I stop midsentence when he produces a small bottle of lube and a small cone-shaped object. “Is that what I think it is?” “I don’t read minds, kitten.” “Is that a butt plug?” “It is,” he says, a wicked grin stretching his lips. I let out a shuddering exhale. “Oh, okay...” I hesitate. “You bought me a toy, and you came to my office to announce we’re going to have some kinky fun later tonight at home to make up for the last five days?” “No. I came to your office so we can give it a test run,” he says. My jaw drops. “Now?” “Yes, right here, right now.” “Have you lost your mind?” “Five days without fucking you, Michaela? Yeah, you could say that.” “Shouldn’t we wait?” “Why?” I tilt my head to the side. “The location...” “The door to your office is locked. The rest of my afternoon is clear and so is yours. I checked your schedule with your executive assistant.” I stare at him, dumbfounded. “You can deny it all you want, but we both know you came so hard you forgot your own name the last time we had some fun in my office. This is no different.” It’s not like I can deny it. He knows the illicit nature of office sex is kind of a turn on for me. I remain silent. “I’m horny as fuck and I want you so damn much, I can’t think straight, kitten.” He sweetens the pot. There’s nothing but lust in his hazel-blue
eyes. “Waiting until later isn’t a consideration.” Oh. My. God. It’s unfathomable how he feels about me. No one has ever wanted me with this much intense fervor. He reaches out and brushes the back of his fingers against my breast. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you.” God, the man’s raspy voice has an effect on me. I release a harsh breath, but it doesn’t have anything to do with tr epidation or nerves. Not even close. I should be ashamed at how fast my body––and mind––switches gears. How can I crave him this much? “I want you. I need you.” He pushes off the desk and crushes his lips against mine. Good God. The smoldering kiss intensifies, kicking up a storm of low moans from both of us. When he pulls away from me, I claw at him because I don’t want this kiss to ever end. Phoenix spins me around. “I want to fuck you on your desk—my cock pumping your sweet pussy and your ass full with my new gift.” He grips the back of my neck and presses my body down until my breasts touch the desk. I gasp, stumbling on my heels, but he steadies me. “Do you trust me?” I’m thrown off by this new level of supreme alpha badassness. His dominance is my drug. I want him to stick his big, fat cock de ep inside me while he explores my ass. And, by God, I don’t want to wait. I drag my tongue across my lips, clenching my ass cheeks in anticipation. “Yes, I trust you.” He kicks my feet apart. His hands drift down to the hem of my skirt before lifting it and exposing me in the middle of my office. I draw in a sharp breath when he yanks up the fabric to my waist. I shiver all over, trembling from the yearning skittering up and down my body. His fingers find what they were looking for––my lace thong. He brushes his languorous fingers across my pussy. “Fuck. Me. My beautiful wife’s pussy is dripping. My filthy, perfect wife.” “You make me so wet, I can’t stand it.” “Hearing that makes me even harder.”
Phoenix curls his fingers around the fabric of my thong and rips it apart, granting him full access to my needy pussy. I gasp. Dear God, this is kinky. “I can smell your desire, kitten. You’re desperate for my big cock.” Fuck, I’m getting off on this naughty play. “I am.” I wiggle my ass against him as he holds me down, gyrating my hips like a bitch in heat. He’s so hard, so mouth-wateringly hard. I grunt. “Patience, kitten.” His gruff voice rolls across my skin. “You’ll get my cock soon enough.” He lifts his body off mine, and already I miss his warmth. “Don’t move.” “Okay.” The hiss of Phoenix’s zipper sounds ten times louder in the quiet office. The cool air caresses my exposed, bare ass, but it does little to lessen the raging inferno burning inside me, the hammering beats of my heart, making me anticipate his touch—and his cock. He caresses my ass cheeks and takes a de ep breath. When his finger rims my asshole, my body writhes on the desk. “You’re not going anywhere, kitten.” He clamps his free hand against my back. “You’re about to find out what it’s like to be fucked with both your holes filled.” A rush of juices floods my pussy, trickling down my thighs. He grips my hips and pulls me down, lining my hipbones flush with the edge of the desk. He coats my asshole with lube. I welcome the cool sensation of the slick liquid. Lining up his cockhead, he slides the tip between my pussy lips, teasing me mercilessly before delving into my slickness. I hold my breath and close my eyes. He tortures me like this for a few blissful long seconds before pulling his cock out, tapping it against my ass. “Nice and easy.” He eases the butt plug inside my ass. I squirm. “Relax,” he says. I continue to shake as he pushes past the tight ring of my ass. This is much bigger than his fingers. The length of his hard-like-steel cock rams into my pussy, his fingers digging into my skin. Surprise washes over me when he inserts the last few inches of the butt plug into my ass. Jesus. The pressure knocks the air out of me and it takes everything in me not to writhe on the desk. Pain and pleasure course through me at lightning speed. Nothing
could’ve pr epared me for this ecstasy. My mouth is wide open, but my scream is silent, my heart thundering against my chest. “Christ. You’re so tight with the plug in your ass, I may never want to pull out.” Blinding pleasure takes over when he dominates me, fucking in and out of my pussy like a man possessed. I clench my ass muscles around the toy, drawing it in even de eper. Phoenix responds by fucking me harder. And harder. And harder. At this rate, this desk isn’t going to make it. There’s no stopping my husband as he takes me fast and furious, plunging his cock in with full abandonment. He ratchets up this hedonistic fuck by spanking my ass with every third thrust, a reminder he controls this ride. His hunger is savage. Almost barbaric. I fucking love it. “Oh God.” I jerk up, taking several ragged de ep breaths. Phoenix had his finger in my ass before, but being double stuffed like this is different. The way his huge girth stretches my desperate pussy while the toy fills my ass is sinful. I’m so aroused, I swear my juices must be coating the desk. In and out. In and out. My desire spins out of control. I’m nothing more than a mess of small pleas and low moans. He leans into me, pressing his chest against my back. “You. Belong. To. Me,” he says near my ear, thrusting into me with each word. His shirt is unbuttoned and feeling the warmth of his chest heightens all my senses. “I belong to you.” “Don’t you ever forget it.” “I won’t.” “And I belong to you.” I’m caught off guard. My heart stops for a beat. I soak in his words, relishing them. “You belong to me, Phoenix.” “Fuck, yeah, kitten.” I fight a smile threatening to cross my face. “Now give me what I want.” Sweet Phoenix just left the building. My demanding, domineering husband is back. If I thought he was fucking me hard before, I was wrong. Phoenix transforms into a power machine. I feel every inch of his long, thick cock as he slams inside me so hard, I’m shoved up the desk, my feet leaving the ground. Oh. Oh. Oh. What a beast. And if I don’t love every second of it. With every savage thrust, I become a little more delirious.
“Take me. Take all of me.” “Damn right. I’m taking what’s mine.” I said that out loud? He bites the back of my neck. My pussy tingles as anguish turns into sheer ecstasy, and another intense round of electricity skitters into every part of me. Phoenix curses low in his throat, driving into me with determination while he presses my face against the desk with more resolve. The cold metal sensation of his titanium wedding ring against my cheek makes me wetter. My husband, the consummate lover. I arch my back, jutting my hips up. I’m there. Oh, fuck, I’m there. I squeeze my legs together. Trapping my swollen clit between my pussy lips, I choke on a breath. Stars now float in front of my eyes, and I shudder as my orgasm rips through me. “Yes, oh, yes—” Phoenix places a hand over my mouth, muffling my climactic cries. I clench my pussy hard around his cock, forcing him to dive off the cliff with me. He pumps once, twice, three times into my quivering pussy, and he lets out a de ep grunt as his body jerks forward. Hot cum spews de ep inside me, filling me. Branding me. Claiming me from the inside out. Marking me as his. I clench my pussy hard, and I come again, my juices flowing down my legs. God, each orgasm ke eps getting better and better. How is that even possible? He places his forearms against the desk as he drops his weight on top of my body. I place my hands over his as an anchor. Phoenix’s hot, labored breath tickles my skin, causing my pussy muscles to clench again. I try to speak, but I can’t. I can only focus on breathing. For a few long beats, neither of us moves as the scent of raw and unbridled sex permeates in the office, filling my nostrils. “I’m glad we never used condoms,” I say after a long while. “Why’s that?” “Feeling your cum shoot inside me is the hottest thing ever. Ditto for the way you grunt like a beast as you drive inside my pussy in punishing thrusts. The filthy sounds of your cock fucking my soaked pussy is so hedonistic. And, the sublime sensation of clenching hard against you, begging for more... God.” He lets out a breathy little chuckle. “It’s amazing that hot-as-all-fuck rough sex gets you off like
that.” “Until you, I didn’t know those things turned me on,” I say. “I didn’t know I needed a man to take charge of all of me.” Another long silence stretches between us. “You were fucking made for me, kitten.” I open my eyes. “I love you, Phoenix.” My brain is as foggy as my vision. That’s the only explanation for allowing that confession to es cape from my lips. No sooner do the words leave my mouth, I panic. Shit. Shit. Shit. What have I done? I needed to ke ep my big mouth shut. He doesn’t say a word. Oh, God. This is horrible. Things were going so well. I fucked everything up. Sure, we’ve agreed to explore things de eper, but blurting out those words is the kiss of death. It’s not like I can take them back. Tick. Tick. Tick. Long seconds stretch between us. My anxiety grows to paralyzing proportions. “I—I mean, I love the way you fuck me.” My pathetic attempt to save face is laughable. In one swift movement, he pulls out of me, removes the butt plug from my ass, tosses it on the floor—where it lands near my destroyed thong— stands up, flips me over, and forces me to my feet. My skirt falls into place, hiding any signs of misbehaving. He yanks up his pants and boxer briefs before zipping and buckling up. His black shirt is still open and his hair is a beautiful tousled mess. “What did you just say?” I bring my arms to my chest, crossing them at the wrist, almost as an armor. “I love the way you fuck me.” He narrows his eyes at me. “No, smart ass, before that.” I swe ep a hand in front of my face. “I wasn’t thinking.” “So, those words were meaningless?” Err... I avert my gaze. “Michaela, I asked you a question.” “Post-coital hormones took over my brain.” I let out a nervous laugh. “Don’t mind me. I was being silly.” “So, you don’t love me?” I open my mouth to lie and tell him he misunderstood, but nothing comes out. “I guess I shouldn’t tell you I love you, too.” My gaze snaps up to his.
My jaw drops and my eyelashes flutter so fast, I’m surprised I don’t start floating. He rubs his thumb across my lips. “I love you, Michaela.” The conviction in his words breaks me. “You do?” He nods. “I love you, kitten.” “Really?” It’s crazy to ask that question when this gorgeous man r epeated his declaration three times. “Really,” he says. “Somewhere along the line, this fake relationship became real for me.” He offers a warm smile. “You said the words first, but it doesn’t mean I don’t feel the same way you do.” “This is surreal. We’ve only known each other for a short time.” “So?” “So...” I bore my eyes into his. “I’m happier than I ever thought I could be with a man I hated at first sight.” He chuckles. “Same here, kitten. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be with a hellion.” I smile, my cheeks reddening. He bursts out laughing. “What?” “A month ago, you came barging into my office, spewing fire, swearing up and down you’d never become my wife, then you bolted out of here, leaving a trail of flames behind you. I’m surprised firefighters didn’t show up.” I giggle. “Look at you now, my little dragon. In love and all...” “Guilty as charged.” His expression turns serious. He pulls me into his arms. “So we’re clear, I’m not letting you go, Mrs. König.” “I can live with that, Mr. König.” He presses his lips against mine in a scorching hot kiss, our tongues tangled, thrusting against each other. It’s everything I need. He’s everything I need.
Epilogue Phoenix TFive months later he König clan and extended family are gathered in beautiful, snowy Aspen, Colorado. My father, brothers, and I spend Christmas here or at the family house on Catalina Island. It’s our first Christmas together, and since Michaela has never been to Aspen, it was a logical choice. Dad owns a cabin here, Slate and Wilder share one, and I bought Barron’s cabin to ke ep it in the family and because I always loved his place. All three cabins are in close proximity of one another. It’s the same for our cousins’ cabins. Dad is chilling at his place—no doubt nursing a glass of smooth whiskey in front of the fir eplace while enjoying a gripping crime and thriller book. Slate and Wilder headed straight from the private jet to the ski slopes upon arrival this morning. Roman should arrive in a few hours. He’s still wary from his surfing accident, so for the first time since he was three years old, he’s not hitting the slopes. I’m skipping skiing. My wife doesn’t ski. I suggested the kiddy slopes, but the flash of panic glinting from her eyes had me changing my mind. Lucky for her, there’s no shortage of other outdoor activities to enjoy in Aspen. “I dread snow, but out here, it’s so beautiful,” Michaela says, shaking off the snow as we enter the cabin. “That’s because New Yorkers are pussies when it comes to a little snow.” “True.” She removes her pale pink cashmere hat, matching scarf, and mittens before shrugging out of her puffy white down coat. She runs manicured fingers through her hair, her wedding ring and band glimmering under the light. I’ve grown accustomed to seeing them on her finger, but it doesn’t lessen the pang of pride that hits me every time. This gorgeous, feisty, vivacious woman is mine. She spikes the
end of her hair for style. “I must look like a wet cat.” “No, kitten, you look hot.” She offers a bright smile. She’s still sporting jet black hair and her trademark pixie cut. She considered growing it out, but when I told her how much I loved her hair short––and the easy access to her slender neck––she reconsidered. She toes off her boots. I follow her lead and shrug out of my winter clothes. “Snow in Aspen two days before Christmas. You can’t ask for much more,” she says, entering the living room. I follow right behind her. “I love California and I would never live in Colorado year-round, but snow on Christmas Day is magical.” She rubs her hands together. “I second that.” I grab them into mine, bring them to my lips, and drop a kiss on her soft skin. “You’re still cold?” The temperature has been unseasonably low in Colorado this December. “‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’.” She sings the bridge to the icon song. I chuckle. “The wind was biting. Not to mention, it was a long walk.” “It was, but I’m so happy you took me. What an incredible, pictur eperfect winter wonderland.” “Nothing compares to Aspen at this time of the year.” She trembles, her teeth chattering. “Let me light up a fire,” I say. “It’s not warm enough in the cabin.” I took Michaela on one of my favorite trails. It offers enchanting scenery of the area, but it’s a good trek through the snow and the trees. As we were ending our discovery walk, we spent another hour doing rugged outdoor stuff—making snow angels, throwing snowballs at each other, and attempting to make a snowman. That got cut short when the wind picked up and snow started to fall hard. Since Michaela couldn’t feel her fingers and toes, we retreated to the cabin. By the time we reached the door, snow had blanketed our footst eps. “Thank you,” she says. It doesn’t take me long to get a fire going. “Nice and toasty,” Michaela says. “I still can’t get over the magnificent penthouse in Los Angeles or the mansion in Malibu, but this...” She opens her arms out. “The obscenely rich have a different definition of the word cabin. This is the lap of luxury.” “It’s cozy.” “Right.” She nods. “As cozy as the
yacht, private plane, chauffeur, personal chef, cleaning lady... and the list goes on.” “There’s nothing wrong with living well, when you’ve worked for it, kitten. And, don’t forget, you get to enjoy all of this coziness as well.” She offers a dazzling smile. “I’ve said it before, the life of a billionaire’s wife is nice work if you can get it.” We both laugh. Six months into this marriage, and she’s still a fascination. She appreciates the life I offer, but she never takes it for granted. Thank God she hasn’t transformed into one of these obnoxious-stuck-up-entitled women who ride on their husband’s fortune. She doesn’t have to work, but she shows up every day. And, every morning as she strolls through the lobby on her way to the executive floor, she makes it a priority to greet guests and employees with a huge smile. She says it’s something her mother instilled in her, something ingrained in her DNA. I respect that about her. “It’s getting warm in here now.” She fans herself. “Too warm?” “Nah, I’ll remove some layers.” She pulls the powder blue cashmere sweater over her head before removing her insulated pants. There’s nothing provocative or overly sexual about the way she removes her clothes, but my cock stiffens. She’s now dressed in a form fitting white camisole and black leggings. After six months in LA, her creamy white skin is now sun kissed. She’s a true Los Angelina. My eyes brush down the length of her sexy ass body. One glance reveals she isn’t wearing a bra and I don’t see any panty lines. I approve. God, my desire for this woman is off the Richter scale. No matter how many times I fuck her, it’s still not enough to satisfy the insatiable pit inside me. She folds her clothes with care, walks back to the foyer, and drops them on the wooden bench before reemerging. “We’re going to have a copious dinner at Dad’s cabin in a few hours with the whole family, but there’s always room for a treat,” I say. “Kahlua hot chocolate and homemade cookies?” “Like I’d say no to that?” “Make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right back.” I head to the wall-mounted i Phone dock in the hallway that controls the multi-room
system offering surround sound throughout the cabin. I place my phone there and strut to the freezer. I pull out an assortment of frozen cookie dough, place half a dozen balls on a cookie sheet, and then slide them into the oven. I get to work on the hot chocolate. I’m no wizard in the kitchen, but Mom taught all her boys how to pr epare kickass spiked hot cocoa. Seventeen minutes later, I return to the living room, a large tray weighed down with sweet treats in hand. My wife’s eyes are huge. “You’ve been hiding things from me, dear husband.” “Not really. I needed the perfect setting.” I drop the tray on the coffee table. “Drinking hot cocoa in LA makes no sense. In Aspen, it’s a necessity on a wintery day like today.” “You have a good point.” I hand her an oversized mug. Her eyes grow wide. “Thank you. I expected a splash of booze, but this is a work of art.” I sit next to her on the sofa before grabbing the second mug. “Marshmallows slathered in salted caramel and a drizzle of melted chocolate finished with a touch of the flame from a blow torch go a long way.” She cradles the mug with both hands and takes a long sip. “Mmm.” She closes her eyes and moans. “This is delicious.” She shoots me a side gaze. “You, Mr. New CEO, have some wicked skills.” She’s impressed. “Granted, you just discovered my talent for pr eparing kickass hot chocolate, but I was a CEO when you met me.” She shakes her head. “You were an interim CEO,” she says. “Now, you run the show.” “I do. And it’s a pretty fucking amazing feeling. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goal without my wife.” “Glad I could help.” She lifts her mug. I clink my mug with hers and wink. She takes a small sip of her drink, careful not to burn her tongue. “Oh, you could get drunk on this.” “By the time you finish your drink, you’ll be pretty mellow,” I say. “Two of those back to back, and you’ll be knocked out.” “Noted.” She drops her mug on the coffee table and reaches for a cookie. I do the same. “These are as scrumptious as the ones from the Pompadour,” she says around a bite, pointing at her white chocolate and macadamia nut
cookie. “Please tell me you didn’t pr epare these.” “I didn’t. I made a special request to the head pastry chef at the Pompadour.” She’s addicted to them, but I won’t point that out. “You’re a good man, Mr. CEO.” It’s her new favorite word. It also happens to be mine. It’s official. As of yesterday, six p. m., the board of directors named me CEO of König Imperial Holding. What an amazing Christmas gift. I didn’t count my chickens until all the votes were in. You never know. With Potter out of the picture, there was no opposition. The votes were unanimous. The other board members always felt I was the man for the job––not because of my last name, but because I’ve worked damn hard to earn the title. I was elated and relieved. So were my father and my brothers. Slate and I made peace a long time ago over the outburst that created a rift between us. He even went as far as to apologize to Michaela. Even with that, he took me aside right after I was appointed and apologized again for ever doubting I could pull it off and have the girl. After an impromptu office party, my gorgeous wife showed me her enthusiasm over the joyous news in the most unforgettable way. She lured me to my office and gave me the ultimate gift––her naked on her knees, cupping her tits as an offering. I eagerly titty-fucked her until I jetted my cum all over her chest and face. Then, I showed her my appreciation by eating her out spread open like a sumptuous meal on my desk while fingerfucking her de ep until I hit her sweet spot and her juices came gushing out with force. I came from the thrill of watching her dissolve like that under my tongue and touch. I didn’t even need to touch my cock. It was that powerful. Damn. Between furtive glances, we polish off our hot chocolate and eat half a plate of warm cookies. Michaela leans back against the seat and rubs her stomach. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to eat a bite at your father’s place later.” “I’m sure you’ll manage. Trust me, it’ll be worth the effort. Tonight’s dinner is catered by one of Aspen’s top chefs. Dad booked him five months ago.” She lets out a
dramatic sigh. “Oh, well if you twist my arm, then I guess I’ll have to.” “You’re taking one for the team?” “Something like that,” she says. “Speaking of taking one for the team... what should we do until dinner?” The suggestive tone in her voice doesn’t go unnoticed. Neither does the way she stares at me with hungry eyes. God, I want to pull her on my lap and devour her, but not yet. I stand up. “I have something for you.” I throw that over my shoulder as I rush up the stairs. “Give me a minute.” “You can’t give me my Christmas gifts two days before Christmas.” She shouts that from downstairs. When I arrive in the bedroom, I change into jeans and a t-shirt. I grab what I need and race back to the living room. “It’s not your Christmas gift.” A pair of confused green eyes drops to the large envelope I’m holding. “What’s that?” I head to the i Phone dock, open the music app, do a quick search until I find the song I downloaded specifically for this occasion. I press play. I turn around to face her. She frowns and then her beautiful face contorts in a grimace. “I know you’re older, but you’re not that old.” “You know how old I am.” “So, what’s up with the dated music?” “It’s circa nineteen-seventy-two.” I approach her doing this little dance reminiscent of the era. “Dated,” she says. “Who’s singing?” “Al Green.” “Who?” “Al Green. He was a R&B and soul hit singer from the early seventies—” “There’s nothing else on your playlist that’s more contemporary? Heck, the top hits from the last two decades will do. I can roll with that. No need to go that far back in time.” She does a classic disco move. I grip my chest, feigning outrage. “That hurts, smart ass.” “Please tell me this song wasn’t part of your r epertoire during your boy band days. If so, I’ll have no other choice but to tease you mercilessly until the end of time.” I roll my eyes. “No, it wasn’t.” “Then, why are we listening to it?” “Are you even listening to the lyrics?” Her eyes shoot up to the ceiling. “‘Let’s Stay Together’” She sings the words to the title of the song out loud, but it doesn’t seem to
register. “Wait.” She frowns. “‘Let’s Stay Together’” This time recognition shines bright in her eyes. A huge smile stretches her lips. By George, I think she’s got it. I take a seat next to her and hand her the envelope. “What’s that?” “Open it and you’ll find out.” She does. She scans the contract. Surprised eyes snap up to mine. “Phoenix...” My name comes out in a whisper. “Oh my God.” With her mouth gaping, her gaze bounces from mine to the papers she’s holding. “Is this for real?” “It is.” I nod. “I don’t understand. When we discussed this arrangement, I thought it was two hundred million dollars in exchange for me becoming your wife for a whole year, at which point the Villiers Grand would become ours again. It’s only been six months. Are you renegotiating the terms?” “You could say that. I don’t want anything between us.” She furrows her eyebrows. “What do you mean?” I point to the ceiling. “The song selection isn’t by accident, kitten. That’s hours searching for the right one that says everything I feel here.” I tap my heart. “Oh.” “If you notice on the last page, there are blank spaces in front of and after your first name.” She flips the pages. “Why is that?” I run my hands through her hair and grip her by the back of the neck. “I want you well past the one-year mark, Michaela.” “Oh.” “I want you to want me—just for me, as much I want you—just for you. I don’t want to hold anything over your head, and I don’t want you to think I have any leverage over you. That’s why I’m handing over control of the hotel back to you. The Villiers Grand is debt free and the new management we have in place will remain, regardless of your decision...” “My decision?” “Yes.” I run my thumb over her lips. “You can let me know if you want to continue our journey together by telling me which name goes on the contract. Miss Michaela Knight Villiers or Mrs. Michaela König Knight Villiers?” A heartbeat of silence pounds between us. She shakes her head, and smiles. “Had you not prefaced your declaration with that little musical flash from the past, I might have been inclined to think you
were serving me with divorce papers,” she says. “After all, you got what you wanted. You’re CEO—” “That’s not all I want, Michaela. I want you, too. I want you in my life forever.” She responds with a huge smile. “To answer your question, Mrs. Michaela König Knight Villiers goes on the contract.” There’s not a shred of hesitation in her answer. “We’re staying together, kitten?” She tosses the contract over her shoulder before grabbing a fistful of my t-shirt and pulling me to her. “Damn right we are, König.” “My wife.” I smile wide. “Fuck, I love you, kitten.” “I love you so much.” She wraps her arms around my neck as my tongue swe eps into her mouth, and I kiss the living daylights out of her. The fire crackles and sparkles in the background as I pull her onto my lap, our passion burning hotter than ever. I groan taking her breast in my hand, groping it with avarice. Needing more, I lift my pelvis, grinding my hard cock between her legs. She moans into the kiss. She pulls away from me when the next song starts to play. “Back Door Santa.” Shock is evident on her face. Well, that was a stroke of genius. “Is that a message, Mr. König?” I don’t remember downloading the song, but I’ll run with it. “Not long ago you were inquiring about what we were going to do until dinner.” I allow for a pregnant pause. “Now, you have your answer, wife.” “Please be gentle,” she says. “I’m not going to make promises I’m certain I’ll break.” Lust flashes bright in her eyes. “Filthy girl.” She grins. “Let’s go upstairs to the bedroom, Mrs. König. There’s a bottle of lube with my wife’s name on it.” I stand up with her in my arms. Her legs straddle around my waist. She doesn’t balk. She doesn’t protest. She doesn’t even whimper. She snakes her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. “I can’t wait.” She murmurs those sweet words low in my ear. My perfect, dirty wife.