I scratch my chin. It must be Aurora. I thought Maxim was making this ruckus and asking for parole to take revenge against her, but if it’s because he wants to see her, there’s a problem.

He wouldn’t just want to see her. Someone like Maxim will always want more. He and I are similar on that front. The need for more isn’t a luxury — it’s a biological need that cannot be stopped.

It’s power.

For him, it’s the fake god-like power that comes with controlling someone else’s life before eventually ending it.

For me, it’s the rush of control and the fact that I have so much ahead of me rather than behind me. The more I acquire, the more doors open in my way.

“Have you heard anything from your contact with Tristan?” Harris asks.

I down half my glass in one go. “Not yet. Tristan says Kyle does everything his way. It’s a game of waiting now.”

“How long are we supposed to wait for this Kyle to bring in results?”

“As long as it takes.”

“We don’t have as long as it takes.”

“Your impatience is your weakness, Harris. School it.”

“We have work to do. I’ve cancelled three important meetings since you left.”

“Three meetings aren’t the end of the world.”

“With all due respect, it is, sir. I’ve never had to cancel such important meetings before.”

“You didn’t cancel them, you rescheduled them.”

“Same effect. I’m getting anxiety attacks.”

“You don’t even know what an anxiety attack means.”

“I do now. I googled it.”

“Stop whining, Harris.”

“If you come back, we can hide Aurora and —”

“No.”

“You didn’t hear me out.”

“Any option that includes putting her life and mental state in jeopardy is declined.”

“Levi is right to say you’re smitten,” he mutters under his breath.

“Since when are you friends with that punk?”

“He gives me free football game tickets.”

“You don’t even like football.”

“They’re still free tickets.”

I shake my head. “Let me know if there are any changes.”

“Let me know when you decide to finally return.”

“Won’t be happening in the near future. Do you have anything on Jake?”

“I’m close.”

“Good. I need him to pay. I don’t care which methods you use.” The accountant who stole Aurora’s hard-earned money doesn’t get to live his life as if nothing happened.

He might’ve given me the opening to sneak into her life, but he, like anyone who hurts her, won’t escape my wrath.

The door opens, and I pause with my drink halfway to my mouth. Aurora comes inside wearing a light blue summer dress. Her hair is loose and falls over her shoulders and down her back. Judging by the peaks of her nipples, she’s not wearing a bra.

That’s a sight I can become accustomed to.

She’s been freer lately, wearing as little as possible and getting rid of the clothes whenever she sees fit.

Not that I’m complaining.

In the past few days, I’ve fucked her in all positions possible. It doesn’t matter if she’s trying to read a book or cook or exercise, whenever I get the chance, I seize it.

Then sometimes, she’ll take my hand and we’ll go on long walks at dusk or dawn. She’s revisiting her passion of hiking and discovering. I’ll never get used to the way her eyes shine whenever she witnesses some picturesque scenery. It’s like she stops breathing and gets lost in the moment.

I’ve never found things beautiful, per se. The first and only thing I think about concerning the outside world is whether it’s useful in my end goal or not.

Aurora is different. She stops and stares. She appreciates the little things and doesn’t take anything for granted. And, in a way, her strong passion about living life to its fullest has been rubbing off on me.

Or perhaps it’s because I get to see the spark in her eyes and the brightness in her features that haven’t been dimmed by her past.

The contradictions in her persona are fascinating. On one hand, she’s so sure of herself that she started her own business. But on the other hand, it seems as if she’s still a toddler when it comes to the world.

The number of things she’s said are ‘her first’ is higher than I would’ve thought. I use it to my favour, though, and make all those firsts happen so that I can watch her face light up in wonder.

Like the plane, the island, and everything in between. I’m taking that woman to every corner of the world so she can live her life as she was always meant to.

But for now, I’m keeping her occupied here by the exotic views and hikes. Aurora also loves swimming in the night, but she holds on to me, afraid something will catch her in the dark.

Despite her adventurous nature, Aurora still tosses and turns during her sleep. She still shivers whenever I touch her scar and tattoo. She still can’t purge the past from her head, no matter how hard she tries.

“Won’t be happening in the near future,” I tell Harris and hang up.

Aurora stops in front of me, and I turn the chair so I’m facing her. “What won’t happen?”

“Nothing you should worry about.”

If hiding the truth will keep her temporarily safe, then I’m ready to buy more time.

“Tell me.”

“I’d rather do something better than talking.” I wrap a hand around her arse and pull her so she’s standing between my legs.

A smile grazes her full lips as she clutches me by the shoulders. “Jonathan, stop it.”

“Are you wearing the plug?” I’ve been making her wear different butt plugs for the past few days, and while she whines, she hasn’t taken any of them out unless I tell her to.

She bites her lower lip. “What if I’m not?”

“Then I’ll punish you.”

“Punish me?” The subtle arousal in her voice as she says the word ‘punish’ gets my dick hard against my trousers.

“Disobedience gets you in trouble, so yes, Aurora. I will.”

“How?”

“How do you think?”

“You’ll spank me?”

“Amongst other things.” My voice drops. “By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll scream the whole house down.”

Her breathing visibly hitches and her nipples turn as hard as pebbles against the dress. I sink my teeth around one over the cloth and tug. Aurora’s nails dig into my shoulders as she moans, her chest thrusting into my face.

“Bend over,” I order.

She pulls back and gulps a few breaths. “J-Jonathan, w-wait…”

“There will be no waiting. Bend over and show me that arse. Let me see if you’ve been a good girl today.”

“Jonathan. Please.” Her nails sink deeper into my skin, and it’s obvious that she’s fighting her arousal.

The desperation and anxiousness in her dark blue gaze stops me. That’s an expression I don’t ever want to see on her face again.