I'm mixing the batter when I feel a pair of arms around my waist, pulling me back to a toned chest as a surprising shriek escapes me.

"Morning, love." He kisses my neck and a smile takes over my face as I feel the warmth of his body against mine.

"Good Morning." I beam, "You're up early."

"No, actually, you're the one who's up earlier than usual, sleepyhead." He comments before parting away and going behind the island so he's across me. "I didn't feel like working out today."

"Mmm, it'll take me some time to get back to quality sleep." I say before moving to add choco-chips in the batter. "Mrs. George won't be here for another half an hour and I was hungry, my appetite's catching up to me since last night."

"I wonder why." He smirks, his chin resting in his palm as he stares at me, making a blush erupt. "You need to stay healthy."

I nod, knowing that he's absolutely right. My body feels a little drained because of how little I have eaten since past few days and to combine our late night activities with it, it's been asking for some intake. James and I had late dinner last night and stayed up talking about our relationship.

It's safe to say that I'm done crying for at least a month as I had another breakdown last night because of how vulnerable I felt, but not once did he make me feel like I was being too overly-emotional. He just asked me to voice my thoughts and be honest about my emotions, and in return he did the exactly same. I could feel our relationship progressing if this is the path we were going to follow in the long run.

"What do you want to have for breakfast?" I ask, turning on the stove as I move, looking back at him.

"What are you making?" He points to the bowl on the island as I put pan on the stove before putting a little butter on it.

I hesitate a little, sighing as I turn around to look at him. "Pancakes, but I can make anything you want, just name it."

He stares at the bowl, looking a little lost in his thought before focusing his gaze at me, "Pancakes."

His words make me freeze as I look at him in pure surprise, commanding my brain to actually close my parted lips. He continues to stare at me, gauging my reaction as I blink at him, still trying to process.

"James." I begin, not really sure what to actually speak. "I can make you french toast, eggs, waffles, anything you want."

He shakes his head, his forefinger coming to rub the skin under his lip. "Pancakes it is."

"Are you sure?"

He nods, and I sigh, turning to actually make pancakes for the man who hasn't had them for almost two decades now. It makes my heart ache a little for the child in him, who stopped eating a specific food because of how much it reminded him of his mother. In a way it also makes me want to make the best pancakes in the world because I know how much this means to him.

After I'm done making them, I put a plate in front of him as I take a seat across him on the island, setting maple syrup and Nutella in the middle. He looks down at his plate and then back up at me as he picks up the fork and knife. I sit in anticipation, my body refusing to do anything else as I stare at him pour syrup and then cut into a part of it, his eyes away from mine as he takes a bite.

His eyes immediately close as he starts to chew before opening them and meeting mine with so many emotions swirling behind them. He just gives me a small smile that's enough for me to let out a sigh of relief as I lean over the island and he helps by doing the same, placing a peck on my lips.

"Can I ask you something?" I say as I cut into the food and he looks at me, nodding as he finally settles down and eats. "Hale mentioned you have a cabin outside town and you go down there in July every year?"

He nods, "Yeah, it's an old cabin Dad bought but never much used, so I go down every year. I bought it from him after completing my first year at the company and saving up enough money."

"Every year in July, is it related to her?"

I'm a little hesitant with my question and he looks at me surprisingly but nods nonetheless. "Yeah, it's her death anniversary and I can't really visit her in Birmingham, you know? So I take some time off for solitude."

I nod in understanding, focusing back on food. A part of me already expected that answer but he talks so little of her, I really want to know if he has grieved her without holding onto the negatives because I know there can never be a day he wouldn't miss her.

"Are you able to miss her in peace?"

"Most times, yes. But some days when things are really tough, I just get angry because there are some things only a parent can help you with, right? My father isn't one for emotional conversations but Mom since I was a kid told me to let me express my emotions, to not build a wall around me."

"She sounds amazing." I tell him honestly, because how many children are taught to actually be in touch with their feelings?

He smiles at me a little. "She really was, but I was so angry about her death, I was angry at her for dying, I couldn't really process a lot of it as a child. So in order to rebel, which sounds really immature and stupid, I built invisible walls around me and stopped expressing, unless it was anger."

I nod in understanding, a lot of it making sense as I gesture for him to continue. "What changed?"

"Therapy." He shrugs a little, leaving me stunned. "I was an angry teenager, and I wanted to work on myself after the Chloe incident. So I reached out to my father, and tried a few therapists."

He stops talking like that's it and I gape at him. "And?"

"And, nothing. Some were really shit, Lil. I think the people who are in it just for the money are usually the ones who turn out the worst but then I met Dr. Wilson."

"Is that how you knew about her?"

He nods, "Yeah, she knows me, like really knows me. I was in therapy for years, sometimes on and off."

"She never mentioned it to me." I blink at him. "Wow, she must really have a good perspective of things between us if she was your therapist too."

"Confidentiality, love. She wouldn't have been able to talk about it even if she wanted to." He reminds me and I nod in understanding. "Does that mean you talk a lot about us in therapy?"

I shrug, a small smile on my face, "The usual stuff. How you can be an ass sometimes."

"An ass, huh?" He smirks, making me smile wider as I nod, taking another bite of the pancake as he finishes his. "Well, you love this ass."

"That I do, Mr. Clark."

He shakes his head at me, clearly amused. "You make good pancakes, Mrs. Clark."

"Are you just saying that to keep my heart?" I ask, genuinely curious and he raises an eyebrow.

"No, I wouldn't lie about it, not about this. It's really good, I'd like it if we can have it some time, but only if you make it."

I grin at him, nodding. "You got it."

This has to be the most progress we've made in our relationship, taking so many steps forward since last night. There isn't a thought that crossed my mind in last few days that he doesn't know about. My people skills might be bad, but I'm not letting the best thing in my life right now slip away because we cannot work on our communication.

Mrs. George steps in the kitchen just as I'm about to do the dishes after James has gone to take a shower. She looks surprised to see me but her face immediately lights up with a huge smile.

"I'm so glad to see you back."

I beam back at her. "Right back at you, Mrs. George. I got the kitchen, though. We had breakfast already."

"Am I late?" She frowns and I shake my head.

"No, absolutely not. We just ate early, that's all."

After assuring her that I want to clean the dishes on my own, she moves to clean the upper floor while I move to take a shower. When I enter the closet to pick out clothes, James is standing there, buttoning his shirt with his hair a little damp. I move to pick out a formal dress for a change because I'm tired of wearing skirts.

"We're leaving together, right?" He asks as I'm about to go take a shower.

"Yes, if you don't have to leave early."

He shakes his head, "No, we still got some time."

I rush to take a shower and try not to get lost in my thoughts. After I'm out, James is already completely suited up and is going through his phone while sitting on the chair. He looks up from the desk where his elbows are resting and his eyes meet mine, his gaze lingering on my body that's wrapped with the towel. The familiar heat rises in my stomach as he continues to look at me.

My feet remains glued as he gets up and makes his way to me while I continuously instruct my mind to move to the closet. His hand comes up, the back of his finger graze my cheek, making me gulp from how such a light touch can induce so many feelings in my heart.

"If I knew I was going to see you like this, I wouldn't have dressed up."

His words make me meet his eyes, the emerald swirling with the similar desire that I yearned for since days. I stand a little on my toes as I lean up to place a peck on his lips, my breathing fanning over his. "You can always undress."

He parts a little and raises his eyebrows, a smirk taking over his feature as I bite on my lip, realising the extent of what I just said. I have never felt the need for physical intimation, but with him it's a never ending craving. His hand moves down to my neck, as fingers go to the edge of the cloth before yanking it away, making me gasp from surprise.

"James!" I shriek and his smirk just widens further.

"I can't get undressed, but you can. No touching, so just bend over the desk." He instructs, my eyes widening from the realisation that he's dead serious.

Fuck. What the hell have I just started?

Without any argument with the heat in my belly tracing down to the very core, I do as he says when I see him removing his jacket in my peripheral vision until he stands to come behind me. I feel his palm meet my ass, making me yelp from surprise as he spanks me again, the need in my body for more just increasing.

His finger trace the evident need between my legs, making me raise my back up until I feel his other hand on my sides to keep me down, a moan leaving me.

"Shh, I know you want more but for now this will have to do."

He rams two fingers inside me, making me moan loudly until he starts moving them, one moan after another leaving me as my grasp on the end of the desk turns tighter, with his hand's movements picking up. He's right, I do need more, so much more but as his palm meets my ass while he adds another finger and his thumb starts moving in circles right at the spot, I feel my eyes shutting close and giving in completely to him.

"James, more, please." I manage to breathe as my end builds up and he steps away completely, leaving me shocked from the empty feeling. I get up, my body in severe need for closure as I gape at him. "What the hell!"

"Sit up." He points to the desk and I do as he says as he moves my knees apart and I start to move for his buttons but he swats my hand away, shaking his head. "No touching, Mrs. Clark."

I pout at him which only makes him lean down and press his lips against mine, making my insides wash with calm as our tongues meet until his fingers slide inside again, making me arch my back as my hand moves down to his groin, palming him and he groans in my mouth, parting away.

He wraps his free hand around my wrist before placing it on the table and I scowl at him but then he starts moving his lips down to my breast and rolls his tongue around my erect skin, making me moan loudly.

"If you touch me again, I'll tie you up and fuck you so hard." He looks up, the intent in his eyes so strong that it makes me gulp that it almost makes me finish on his fingers. "Good, now stay still."

I don't move as he starts pushing his fingers again, and his lips start tracing down on my body, moving every inch until he leans down in front of me and his replaces his thumb, almost making me lose myself then and there, my hand on instinct going in his hair.

He parts away, arching an eyebrow, "That's it."

"James." I stare at him wide-eyed, "I—"

"Shush, now."

He removes his tie and I already know what's coming next from the way his eyes are moving around every bare part of my body. True to his word, James keeps his promise for the next while until I'm screaming his name and he's leaving numerous marks on my skin.

When we step out of the car outside the office building, I turn to him, a little annoyed. "I can't believe you made me late for work."

"Who couldn't keep her hands away?" He smirks at me, taking my hand in his hand as he brings it up to place a kiss on it. "It's a good thing we had early breakfast, otherwise we would've arrived much later. Five minutes don't make a difference."

I don't miss the way we receive looks from people around us because this is the first time we're together ever since the media went crazy, and it's also surprising for James to show any affection at all.

"It counts when you're an intern." I remind him as we wait for the elevator and he shakes his head at me.

James has been extremely amused by the fact that having sex made us late for work, because that's never been the case for him ever before. It's actually adorable to look at that cute little smile on his face but I really don't like being late, at all. When the elevator reaches my floor, he just gives my hand a small squeeze before I begin to step out.

I roll my eyes as I lean up from the side and press a peck on his cheeks, taking advantage of standing at the back. His smile only widens at my actions as I move out.

Yash looks up from the desk, "It's very unlike you. Are you alright?"

"I'm just five minutes late, it's not a big deal." I say as I put down my stuff and he looks at me suspiciously. "Yes, I'm good."

Amazing. I feel amazing today, and I know I thought that it would take some time to recover from the hurt, but things between James and I are so damn good that every step has felt like a way to recovery and healing.

David comes to our table five minutes later and looks at us. "You both have done well with the training so far, only few aspects are left but Elena would start assigning you some real work from now on, if you've got any issues, you can approach either of us."

"Thanks, David." I smile at him and he nods at me before setting four files in front of us.

"Go through each of these and I need a full report by the end of the day, individually."

We nod at him while Yash asks a few doubts he has. After he's gone, both of us get to work with a minimal talking here and there. The blonde today seems to be avoiding my gaze, along with her boy-toy. One time I ran into her at the photocopy machine but she immediately averted her gaze before walking away.

"So, my girlfriend's going to visit me." Yash starts as we are getting ready to head to the lounge room for lunch.

"Wait, you've got a girlfriend?" I ask, a little surprised because he has never mentioned it before.

"Yes, we started dating in high school back in Australia, and then I moved here for graduation." He explains as we start to move for the elevator. "Long distance has been tough as hell, man."

"Since high school, damn!" I look at him with sudden admiration. "And I can't imagine long distance, mostly because I've never been in a relationship to begin with, well except now, but it can't be pretty."

"It's tough." He shrugs, pressing the elevator button as we wait. "I think it's been going a little well because we already had our rough years behind us which included trust issues and fights. By the time it was time to come here, we had a pretty tight bond."

I nod in understanding, because it makes sense. The base on which the relationship is built is solid, the rest of the years do tend to become easier because you don't have to continuously work towards identifying the unhealthy patterns and break them.

"So, when's she coming?" I ask as we enter the lounge room, the buzz going on because the entire company is so huge that at some point or other, there are employees here.

"Next weekend. She's amazing, you'll like her if you guys meet."

We take a seat by the window table as I pull out my lunch from the bag and he does the same. "I would love to, we can make a plan!"

"Really?" He looks surprised. "Wouldn't it be weird since I don't know, you're my boss's boss's boss's wife."

I give him a look, shaking my head. "No, I'm his wife, not him. That marriage doesn't define me, you know?"

"That's not what I meant." He gives me an apologetic look. "Of course, it doesn't. Otherwise you would've directly taken a job but even for this internship you went through a fair process, not everyone does that."

"Thanks." I smile at him. "Yes, so we can plan to meet up, if that's okay with you. I don't want to put you in an awkward position."

He immediately shakes his head. "You're not. I don't make friends very easily, man. I barely talk to my roommate, so it's a bit of a surprise that we get along as well as we do."

"Really? Because, same! I lack people skills but I made pretty good friends this year at college. Oh, they do throw parties so if you wanna take her to a cliche college party over here."

He laughs at my words, "Yeah, no. I think we'll pass that, it's so not our scene. She hates that stuff."

"Ay, me too." I smile at him, suddenly liking the sound of his girlfriend. "What's her name?"

"Leanna."

Yash and I talk more about his relationship over the lunch as he tells me how he always had a crush on Leanna but was too afraid to approach her, until they became lab partners for biology and developed a friendship that eventually led to a relationship. It sounds too adorable to hear, especially because I never was involved in a high school romance, for which I'm extremely thankful.

The entire time I feel gaze of people on me, or passing me pity looks which reminds me of the scene yesterday but I don't want to pull that here because it's not like I see these people daily. Half of them must've got to know about me from the recent media gossip because it's mostly James who's in the news, or Carrack.

Just as his thought crosses my mind, I see him enter the lounge room with another man about the same age with silvering hair. I try not to meet his eyes or come into his notice because it's one thing to be married to CEO of the company, but completely another to have the Chairman himself address you. I don't want that kind of attention.

But my attempts are futile when I see him approach me from the peripheral vision and immediately stand up to greet him. "Lillian."

"Hey." I try to put a smile. "How're you?"

"Doing good, girl. The house feels too empty since the two of you moved out, and now Chloe is off to New York for some shoot, it's too weird to live there alone."

I freeze a little when he mentions Chloe but I notice how he really doesn't have any idea about her actions. It makes me take a breath of relief but also feel sad for him, because he really is alone in that huge mansion. I can't imagine living there alone ever in my life.

"I miss running into you too, although I do hope you're eating more at home." I remind him and he chuckles, nodding.

"Of course, dear. Pamela has been on my case regarding it, wouldn't let me have more than two meals out per week."

"Ah, Mrs. George, the saviour." I grin at him, noticing how few people are just shamelessly staring at us, including Yash but he just looks too surprised with his lips parted. I try not to laugh at his reaction. "Also, this is my co-intern, Yash."

He immediately stands up and shakes his hand, "Good to meet you, Sir. I've read great things about you."

"Aah, the lies papers tell." Carrack jokes, making me smile. "It's good to meet you too."

After shaking hands, the man who entered with Carrack joins us while Yash scurries himself off, making me glare at him for leaving me alone. But I turn to the man and smile at him.

"Lillian, this is Ashton Morris, he's on the board and former CFO of the company." He turns to the man. "This is my daughter in law, Lillian."

"Ah, the woman who made James settle down. It's good to finally meet you, sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding."

His words make the colour rise in my cheeks because James didn't settle down because of me, he did it because both of us didn't have a choice. I shake his hand and I'm about to address him when I'm cut off.

"Stop harassing her, Morris."

I turn to my left to see the man who has my heart, his face lit up with his classic smirk.  Ashton laughs at his words, "Just kidding, James."

James's gaze meets mine as I turn to Ashton, "It's nice to you too."

He nods at me, before turning to Carrack and James, "Everyone's waiting inside the private room for lunch, join us whenever."

"Yes, right behind you." Carrack tells him.

As they leave, I frown at the mention of private room. Wait, do they have a private VIP lounge room here where only higher authorities hang out? Damn! As I follow my gaze to him disappearing down a hallway by the corner, I figure that might be it.

"Did you sign the Texas contract?" Carrack asks James who nods at him.

"Yeah, the man was a dick but I did it this morning, saved us a good amount too."

He almost sounds proud of it but Carrack only gives him a look, "Don't sound too cocky, son, especially given your recent behaviour."

"Sure, Dad."

James rolls his eyes as he steps closer to me and wraps his arm around my waist, surprising me because we really do have eyes on us and I'm hating this attention but loving his touch. Carrack looks pissed at him, almost disappointed but he seems too casual to care. His father then turns to me and gives me a small smile before turning to walk away.

I immediately turn to James, "What the hell was that about?"

"He's pissed about the media, believed what everyone else assumed."

That makes sense, I mean, it can't be good for the company to have their CEO accused of cheating all over the news. People do hate adultery. "Everyone's staring at us and your father's pissed, why are you so chill about it?"

"Chill?" He chuckles, looking surprised at my choice of words. "Well, I'm chill because it's only what you think that matters to me."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh." He smirks, his gaze moving down to my lips and I can't help but almost involuntary trace my tongue on the bottom lip. "How are your thighs?"

"What?"

"You know what, love."

Immediate heat  rises in my body as I gape at him, "James! Not here."

He laughs at my reaction, like really laughs at my reaction as he pulls me closer, his eyes flickering to my lips again. Before I can even comprehend, he's leaning down and pressing his lips against mine momentarily before pulling away.

"What are you doing?" I gape at him, processing what just happened.

James has never kissed me in public, ever! I'm still trying to take in the fact that he just gave me a kiss in public when he parts away, immediately making me miss the warmth of his body as he starts to walk away backwards. He smirks at my reaction, followed by a wink.

"Giving people something else to talk about. Have a nice day, Mrs. Clark."

•••

i have never gone this long without updating this story and i apologise for it. no excuses, i've genuinely been in a state where i couldn't write. so i'm hoping to get my shit back together because this is one thing i absolutely love. so during times of distress, i don't force it. i don't want to taint it with any sort of negativity.

hope y'all are doing good! sending love your way.