"How did you feel about Natalie making a move on you?" Andrea asks, her eyes fixed on me.

"She apologised profusely about the assumption, and I think I really appreciate that, considering the past events," I say because today we talked about Richard.

As much as I didn't want to, my anxiety had been on the peak this entire week due to my thoughts. So I knew I had to bring it up, much to my displeasure. I repeated the incidents of the night to her and she patiently listened to me, asking the questions only when needed.

Then I went to tell her about my anxiety attack when Chloe touched me, followed by the incident that took place with Natalie. Are therapists always such good listeners? I know she's just doing her job but I feel like there's no sense of judgment that's coming from her side. There wasn't even a single moment where she had pity in her eyes.

"Just to work through things on a basic level, Lillian, I would like you to practice deep breathing any time you start to feel anxious. You have to remember that deep breathing doesn't just mean taking long breaths, but rather focusing on your stomach as you breathe, focus on the movement of your belly because you're ideally supposed to breathe like that." She tells me, drawing a wave on the notepad in front of her to explain to me the process better. "The breathing will start from this low here, go upward, and start to come down again while you continue the process."

"Yes, I understand. Thank you." I nod at her words, registering them in my head.

She gives me a small smile, "Can you tell me what is your diet like?"

"Three meals a day, sometimes two in case I skip dinner or lunch," I tell her honestly.

"See, you can't do that now. You have to take three full meals, it's good that you don't skip breakfast at all. Make sure you're having something every two hours, our body and brain both need the energy, I'm not saying have full meals but maybe fruits, cookies, anything works, just light amounts. When you deprive your body of food, it is bound to become restless." She explains and somehow it makes a lot of sense so I nod along with her.

For the rest of the session, she tells me that I should start with my evening walks again because I mentioned that I used to do that every day but it's been on a pause now for a while. I can always go in the morning before lecture because I know she's right, I do need to get back on that routine.

When I drive back the mansion, my mind goes to James. I feel like we have taken two steps backwards ever since that conversation in his office on Monday. I haven't a stepped foot in the building since that day because I honestly felt a little insulted even though he apologised.

We have barely spoken to each other because I didn't know what to say to him over dinner and he didn't try either. He has been stressed about this deal of his and I want to be supportive, which is exactly what I was trying on Monday, but I'm afraid of it backfiring.

After parking the car in the driveway, I make my way inside the house. To my surprise, James is in the living room, his phone attached to his ear as he's sitting in a pink button-down with grey slacks. The sleeves are rolled up till his arm and his elbows are resting on his knee as he seems to be rubbing his chin with the freehand. He looks stressed like he has looked stress since the last couple of days and I feel a little guilty for not going easy on him.

I sigh as I walk towards him. He notices my presence, pointing towards his phone as he gestures me to wait and I nod, taking a seat beside him. He seems to be discussing logistics on the call so I wait for him to finish.

"Yes, mail me the documents before midnight so I can go over them. I know it's Friday night, I really appreciate it." He sighs, his shoulders are still stiff. "Yes, alright."

James hangs up after a second before he turns towards me, his eyes reading my face. "How was the session?" He asks, leaning back in the couch and now I have to crane my neck a little to see him.

I turn sideways on the couch for better convenience. "It was good. How's work?"

"Stressful." He says, his eyes fixing on his phone again as he starts typing and I have to practically stop myself from snatching it from his hands.

"You have to establish a work-life balance. It isn't healthy for you to carry the burden on your shoulders all the time."

"Easier said than done."

His voice is clipped as he's still focused on his phone and I take a deep breath as I rub my temples. "I know it can't be easy for you, but you have to at least try. Being this stressed isn't going to convince your client to finalise the deal, you know?"

My hands move to his shoulder as I start pressing my fingers into his tensed muscles. He locks his phone at my actions, throwing it aside as he cocks his head a little, studying my face.

"You're still pissed at me, aren't you?" He asks, his fingers coming to wrap around my free hand.

I shake my head, "I've just been worried. I don't want to invade your space."

"It's not very good to lie, Mrs. Clark. You haven't visited office ever since, even though you're at home the entire day." He remarks.

"That's not true. I visited my friends two days back, went to meet Jer yesterday after his school and I've been at home because I still need to study to get a degree." I remind him and he studies my face to see if I'm being honest with.

"Not convincing enough."

"That's too bad." I pout funnily and he smiles at me, warming my insides because I haven't seen even a single trace of smile on his lips in past days. "Do you think we can manage to go out tonight? I know you have work to do but I really think you need to take a break."

A month back I would've never suggested going out with James, but I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone with him, because if we both remain confined to our shells, this bond will stay stuck.

To my surprise, James leans in as he presses a kiss against my lips, making me realise how much I've missed the taste of his lips against mine. We haven't kissed since the day in pool, and I've honestly missed it but didn't want to initiate it myself. Now that he's waiting for my move, I lean in his body, my hands coming up his shirt as I kiss him back.

My fingers trace his jawline as his body relaxes against mine, easing my sense of worry. His tongue just meets my lips when someone clears their throat, making James part away as he begins to be pissed off at our source of interruption before he looks at his sister and his eyes soften a little.

"Sorry." She smiles at him, not even remotely looking apologetic. "I was just heading outside. I just wanted to let you know that I'll probably stay the night at a friend's place."

James nods, "Be careful."

She smiles at him before crossing the living room to leave. James looks at her retreating figure before focusing his eyes back on me as he begins to lean down again but I shake my head, making him scowl.

He doesn't push though, he immediately creates distance between us as he stares at me with a questioning look on his face. I sigh before speaking up, "We are not making out in the living room." I tell him, the finality in my voice makes him give me a look.

"It's my damn house, love. If I want to make out with you, I will." His eyes are filled with determination and heat rises in my cheeks from the way he's looking at me. "Alright, fuck, fine!"

He stands up, looking down at me as he offers me his hand and I frown. "What are you doing?"

"Taking your suggestion, I'm taking a break. We're going out." He tells me as he leads me down to the hallway to elevator. "You can get ready in twenty minutes, right?"

I grin, happy that he remembers the conversation from our honeymoon. "Yup." I say as we step into the elevator.

"I'll see you then, I just have to take a shower. Wear a dress, nothing fancy." He kisses my forehead when we get out and he steps in front of his bedroom.

I make my way to mine before rushing to the bathroom first to wash my face. Thankfully James doesn't enter by the time I'm done. Later I decide on a super light sea-green summer dress that has a lacy pattern of flowers all over the fabric with noodle straps. It's one of my favourite colours to wear so I immediately change into it from my jeans and t-shirt because I already took a shower before the appointment.

After letting my hair loose from the ponytail, I run the hairbrush through it and just decide to put a very thin line of eye liner above the lid. As soon as I'm done I realise that it's just been ten minutes.

I really do get ready super quickly. It's a good thing. Just when the clock strikes six thirty, there's a knock on the door and James steps in wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt.

"Ready?" He asks and I nod, not missing the way his eyes linger on my body.

I keep my phone in the sling bag I decide to carry with myself before he takes my hand in his own. I have realised that James mostly drives himself, and Mark usually helps Chloe and Carrack getting from one place to another. If I had a Tesla, which basically drives itself, I won't need a driver either.

"I hope this doesn't mess with your study schedule." He says as he opens the car door for me.

When he slides in, I turn a little in his direction. "It doesn't. I like spending time with you."

He smiles at my words, taking my hand in his as he starts driving. My hand remains in his grasp for the rest of the drive as I let the radio play, not wanting to leave his hand to change the music. The drive is of fifteen minutes before he enters a basement parking space, making me wonder where exactly are we. But I haven't been to this part of the city before, so I remain mostly clueless.

After we get out of the car, he leads me to the elevator, pressing the tenth floor button and there are only thirteen from the looks of it. I turn to him with a questioning look but he just smirks at me, making my curiosity peak more.

When the door slides open, he takes my hand and it opens upto a foyer area which is spotless, completely empty and makes me frown in confusion because this has just left me bewildered. We walk towards the door and James pulls out a pair of keys before fixing them in a doorknob and opening the door.

"Where are we?" I finally ask, waiting for the answer and his face is mostly blank when we step inside.

There is a huge empty room, spotless like the foyer with not even a table in sight on the marble floors that cover the entire area. On the right, there is a long island and cabinets attached to the wall of what looks like the kitchen. There is a staircase on the side of it, leading upstairs, adjacent to which a hallway is running on the right. The left side is completely glass door with the evening light pouring in. I can see the balcony space out there with what looks like a beautiful view of the skyline of the city. Another narrow hallway is going down in the middle making me look at James with nothing other than confusion lacing my features.

"What is this?" I ask, a little dumbfounded. I know it's a penthouse apartment, but what the hell are we doing here?

My first thought is that it must be another real estate deal he could be investing in to give out on lease but then he looks at me with that weird look in his eyes, as if waiting for me to react but I don't know what am I reacting to.

"I bought it six months back, around the same time Dad started pestering me to get married because he wanted to step down. It has been under renovation since then, and I just never thought we'll ever get along enough to move here, but essentially it's supposed to be our home."

His words almost knock me out as I process his words. "What?" I whisper, my eyes roaming around the huge apartment again and he comes to stand besides me, taking my hand in his as he rubs circles on my knuckles, sending immediate warmth to my stomach at his touch.

"We don't have to move in, I know we have a certain living arrangement back at the house, and you can have your separate room here as well if that's what you want. If you agree to move in." He offers, making me gulp at the suggestion because the sudden realisation that I don't want to have a separate bedroom hits me.

It might be too soon, but I'm comfortable around him, and I can't think of a better way to start my mornings by seeing his frowned and handsome face.

But I don't say a word as he leads me down the hallway on the right and it leads to two doors on each side. He opens the first door and it's empty room with glass windows, evening light peeking in the room, "I was thinking this could be a good space for gym? What do you suggest? I'm just going to tell you what I had in mind, rest you can decide. I want you to be honest with me."

I nod, not uttering a word as he moves to the door opposite to it and this space is smaller, more like an office space and I turn to James to know what he has in mind.

"Surveillance room." He states and I frown.

"We need a surveillance room?" I'm so confused.

"We have one back at home too, it's for security purpose. You do know I handed over the tape of him following you that night to the cops, right?" He scowls at me as if not sure himself.

"You mentioned it when Officer Dave cross-questioned about Jeremy finding me, but I didn't know if you actually sent it over and I had no idea there's a surveillance room. That house is huge." As is this apartment. Even the mention of that night makes me shift uncomfortably on my foot and James must sense it because he brings up my hand to his lips, pressing a soft peck on my knuckles.

"I must've forgotten to mention it, I did send it over for proof."

I nod, not wanting to talk about it anymore. It looks a good enough space for surveillance room so James pulls me out to another door. It's another empty space but with no windows, much like a bigger version of the room we just saw.

"Tell me what you have in mind." I ask, my eyes roaming around the off white walls.

"I was thinking we could set up pool table and foosball table as well, along with other things. Hale would have hell of a time being here." He look around and the fact that he wants to create a space where he can spend time with his best friend makes me smile. "The next two rooms are the same, more like bedroom spaces. Come."

He takes my hand and shows me both the rooms which are just on the opposite sides but are very similar, I think they will make nice guest bedrooms and one of them can be given to house help. He leads me to narrow hallway, turning right and I can see a door right in the middle, and a door on the left wall. He opens the door on the left and it looks like a bedroom space like I have back at the mansion, just a little smaller.

There is wooden flooring and white walls covering it with little wooden shelves built on the wall opposite the entrance door with a window on its left.

"It can be anything you want, guest bedroom, a study room that can also be used as an office, really I haven't given anything a thought." He tells me and he almost looks nervous which amuses me a little.

"Can you show me around more?" I ask, not being able to keep in the excitement that has started to shoot through me.

He smiles a little, nodding as he takes me away from the hallway, making me think about the door we left behind because I really wanted to see it too. "We missed a door." I tell him and he smirks.

"I want you to see upstairs first." He says and I nod, following his steps as we move up the stairs. It's barely even a full storey, more like a duplex as it leads to a hallway of its own with two doors on the right and one on the left.

He leads to the one on the left, opening it and as soon as I step in with absolutely no windows and darkness, I look behind me to find James. "Electricity isn't yet connected in some rooms because they just finished renovating few days back." He whispers against my ear, sending a shiver through me as he pulls out his phone for a flashlight.

"Theatre room?" I ask, looking around and he nods, his face lightening up as he looks under the flashlight of his phone.

"Come on, I'll show you the rest." He pulls onto my hand leading us to the door opposite to it.

It opens into a bedroom space and I immediately know it will make a good guest bedroom. To my surprise there is a queen sized bed sitting against the wall opposite to entrance with a window on the back. However it definitely needs more furnishing. There's a door on the right wall which I presume must lead to the bathroom.

"The entire apartment needs to be furnished." He tells me as we move to the other room.

It's like the space downstairs, pretty much the replica and it can also make into an office or a study. However I think the room downstairs is better suitable to be an office for James in case he has clients visit at home. Also this one also has a bathroom attached to it, so much better for a guest bedroom.

"Okay, that's it." He breathes, "What do you think?"

He looks almost nervous but I still want to see the door we missed downstairs. "I still have to see that last room." I tell him and he nods, leading us downstairs.

When we get down, I notice that there's a door behind the stairs and make my way to it. It's a large sized bathroom with black surface surrounding it and white equipments all over. I close the door behind me, James outstretching his hand to me as we move to the last door.

I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't a huge master bedroom space with glass doors on the opposite wall, giving pretty much the same view that the living room has. But that's not what surprises me the most. There are fairy-lights surrounding the room, with cosy blankets on the floor, light around it. With it almost being dark out, the entire space looks beautiful and I turn around to see James.

"When did you do that?" I ask, stepping forward as I take in the beautiful view.

"I had to make a call." He shrugs, moving to switch on a few buttons and I realise he sets the temperature for AC.

It's not much, it's really not but it's the thought that matters. It looks beautiful and I stand in awe as I feel James's presence behind me. I turn around to see him because this looks like a perfect date.

"Thank you," I tell him, trying not to cry as my voice croaks because suddenly I feel so overwhelmed.

He has gone from a man who left the responsibility of breaking off the engagement over my head to surprising me with gestures that leave me in nothing in awe of him. I might've been too harsh in my judgment of James Peter Clark because he's definitely something that will take time figuring out.

"Hey, why are you crying?" James asks, stepping closer as he brings his thumb up to my face to wipe my tears.

"I just like it so much, thank you." I manage to get out.

How do I tell him how incredibly hard it gets for me when we don't get along? It's not supposed to bother me, but it does. I've never cared for anyone's attention in my entire life, but when it comes to James, I feel the need to be enough for him.

He doesn't say a word as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest and I take in the smell that only belongs to James and calms my nerves.

"What made you bring me here?" I ask, resting my head against his shoulder as I wipe my tears.

"Well, to begin with, I really do want to kiss you without interruptions." He says and when I part away from him a little, he's smirking.

"How charming of you." I roll my eyes, making him chuckle. He removes his shoes and I do the same with my sandals as I step onto the wooden floor.

He leads me to the soft blankets as we both sit down and he pulls me between his legs, my back against his chest as I take in the view. It honestly looks amazing but then I turn around to see James who's looking at me intensely while also looking deep in thought.

"What are you thinking?" I ask, turning a little to face him as I lean my weight against his leg. His arms comes around my waist as he leans down to place a kiss on my hair that makes me smile.

"There's a lot I've been thinking about, certain things I need to apologise for." He begins, sighing which makes me frown because James apologising in itself is a huge deal.

"James." I begin to speak but he shakes his head, eyeing me.

"If I don't do it right now, I won't ever be able to. So just hear me out, okay?" He says, looking at me eagerly so I nod. "I've been a brat pretty much my whole life, handed things on a silver platter and it doesn't boast well for me, I know. But I have to be honest with you, Lil... I didn't want to get married, I don't understand stupid things like in order to be successful you have to be a settled man."

His words sting a little but I know how they are, because I agree with him. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have married him either.

"My father looks at everything from perspective of business, and that's what I've been taught too. For me, getting married was an investment I needed for a better future. So I agreed, because I was out of options. But it wasn't fair to you, I know how much you care for your family, I've seen it and I know if you had a choice you would've probably divorced my ass the night we got married." He takes a pause, studying my features but I just wait for him to continue because he isn't wrong, I really would have divorced him.

"I am glad you didn't. You drive me nuts, Lil. You have no idea how much you get under my skin since the day I've met you. You have this know-it-all face which makes you look so much more mature than your age, and it just made me feel like you had a better handle on this than I did, which didn't go down very well for my ego.

"I know I've said some horrible things to you, treated you way more harshly than I should have because I was pissed that you didn't break off the engagement. I'm sorry for all of it."

He finishes with eyes filled with guilt. I know words don't mean much, but his actions lately have been trying to make up for his mistakes as well, so I know he really means it. I can't help as I turn around completely before moving to wrap my legs around his waist as my hands move into his hair.

Who would've thought that the rude-ass bastard could have a heart that felt guilt?

I don't respond to him as I lean to take his lips in my own, possibly initiating anything between us for the first time and he sighs against my lips, his breath mixing with my own as my body hovers over his. My hands roam around his neck, on the edge of his hair as we move our lips against one another.

His hands come around my back, holding me in place before they move down to my ass, and I try not to moan when he gives them a light squeeze. My lips part a little as my tongue runs across his lips, tasting him, tracing it in my memory as he allows me to coax to his tongue, his mouth tasting better than I remembered.

There's warmth building in my stomach as he pushes my body against his more, and I start to feel him under me, growing harder by the second as I move my hips against him, the sensation making me back off with a loud moan. He presses my hips harder against his, making my core rub against his member and I wonder how good would this feel without the barrier of clothes.

"Baby, you have to tell me if you want to stop." He whispers against my lips and I open my eyes to meet his dark ones, filled with both passion and need.

"Please don't." I literally beg, making him press his lips against mine only momentarily before he backs away.

"Lie down." He instructs and I have to painfully part my body away from his as I move from his lap to lie down on the blankets.

My chest is heaving up and down from panting when his body begins to press above mine, his weight resting on his elbows as he studies my face, pressing a kiss on my lips before he moves to my jaw and then further down to my neck. He places feather like kisses, going further down until he stops above my breast, his eyes meeting mine and he presses his lips there, a shaky breath leaving me.

"All you have to do is say stop." He reminds me, making me groan as his fingers lift the hem of my dress until he stops at my waist and looks at me again, waiting for my approval.

"God, James. Please." I plead, making him chuckle as he nods, pressing his lips on my belly.

A shiver runs through me at his action as his fingers trace the line of my panties before he moves his face near mine again, pressing a kiss against my earlobe, making me sigh from pleasure. My hands move on his back before they meet the hemline of his t-shirt and I pull against it. He seems to take notice as he parts his body away a little before throwing his shirt off.

God, he looks perfect.

For the first time I notice a small tattoo on the left of his chest, right where our hearts are supposed to be. It's two years which are mentioned. I make a mental note to ask him about it later as my hands roam his perfect body and his fingers finally find their way to my folds, making me arch my back at the impact and my thoughts taking a different turn.

"Fuck." He breathes, his eyes darkening as he studies my face, "You're soaking."

A panting moan leaves me as his finger traces the middle of my folds, playing around the entrance that has me going insane with need. The need to kiss him increases as his finger slowly, almost like a torture slides in and my head rolls back, not being able to contain the pleasure that fills me as a loud moan wrecks through me.

"I had a feeling you would be loud. You see why I needed to bring you here?" He teases, his smirk uncanny as he brings his mouth closer to mine.

I pull myself up a little to press my lips against his and he kisses me back with the same hunger that's running through me. His lips are fast against mine, trying to devour me with need as his fingers pick up the pace, making me move against his hand.

"James." I groan into his mouth as he adds another finger, very slowly, making my breath rise and fall like I just ran a marathon.

"Relax, love." He whispers, his lips ending up to meet the skin on my neck just below the jaw as he starts moving his tongue on the skin, his teeth nibbling along and it's all too much of pleasure for me.

Too much until his thumb meets the most sensitive spot on my body, making me tug on his hair and his movement just picks up. He draws out his fingers before pushing them in deeper, his thumb moving in torturous circles making my legs shiver as I meet my end from the impact.

He parts his lips away from my neck as he meets my eyes, his green orbs so dark and I gulp, studying his face as I try to catch my breath. He slowly removes his fingers, almost making me whimper from the loss before he presses a kiss on my lips.

"You okay?" He asks and I nod, my fingers tracing his jawline.

"When can we move in?" He laughs loudly at my question before moving to kiss me again.

•••
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