"I canāt stand to share you with anyone else. The thought of another man touching you makes me insanely jealous." Stuart lowered his voice to a faint whisper and put his lips to her ear. "Iām completely obsessed with you. Youāre all I ever think of, all I ever want. If I had my way, Iād never share you." His lips dropped from her ear to the pulse of her neck. He softly kissed the faint throbbing there and felt it speed up.
Softly, Edie sighed and murmured, "Stuart, I promise you, I will not leave you for anyone. I love you and only you and will forever." Her tangled lashes swept up to see Stuartās dark, handsome face only inches from hers.
Stuart framed her face with his strong hands and lowered his mouth to hers. His spicy scent filled her nostrils as she savored his warm, slightly salty lips. She savored his taste, still fresh on her mouth, and secretly wished for more. Edieās lips burned as Stuart slanted his mouth to taste more, sliding his tongue deep into her mouth.
"Can I take your clothes off? I want to feel your skin against mine," Stuart whispers. "Youāre so beautiful," he says. Edie doesnāt have the strength to answer him back. He slowly took her shirt off and put her on the bed. He thumbed her chin upward. He pressed another kiss to her waiting mouth, one that left her unsteady and yearning. She wanted more of it. More of him every day.
Stuart was about to take the rest of Edieās clothes off when there was a knock on the door. "Mr. Yates, Lady Brittany is here to see you," Ivan said.
Edie gently pushed Stuart away and started to get dressed. "The dressing.....is done," she said. Her voice is quivering from the excitement.
Stuart stood up and took several deep breaths. He is desperately trying to suppress his anger and organize his thoughts. "Ivan seems to always show up at the right time," he says sarcastically.
Suddenly the door opened, and Edie came out. "Hello, Mrs. Yates," Ivan said. Edie never said a word, only nodded her head, and left. "Whatās wrong with her?" he said, looking confused.
Stuart walks out and looks Ivan right in the eye. "Donāt you have anything better to do than to interrupt me. You always seem to show up at the wrong time," he said in a cold tone.
Ivanās mouth dropped open. "What did I do?" Then he realized what happened before in Stuartās office. "Iām sorry," he tried to apologize, but Stuart was gone.
Edie was on her way downstairs when she felt her face blush as she began to think about her desires. āStuart kissed me, deeply, sweetly, and wrapped me so tightly against him. It was hard to breathe, let alone think. Let alone protest.ā She could feel her face getting warmer. The thought of him made her tremble and feel hotter than she already was. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
Suddenly, Edie heard a crisp female voice say, "Are you, Edie? Stuartās wife?" She tilted her head, curiously to the side.
Edie looked at her and recognized her from the family photos. It was Stuartās cousin, Brittany Yates. "Hello, Lady Brittany," she said in a low voice. Edie had no idea what to call her, so she just repeated what Ivan called her.
Brittany waved her hand in the air. "No, no," she said, laughing. "Please just call me Brittany. Youāre family. Iāve been waiting a long time to meet you. Iām Stuartās cousin, and itā so nice to finally meet you."
Edie felt very comfortable around Brittany. She was friendly and approachable, and they quickly struck up a conversation. "Are you looking for Stuart?" Edie asked. "Iāll go get him for you."
Brittany politely said, "No, Iām not here to see Stuart. Besides, he doesnāt like being around women. He never lets me go near him." She started to laugh. "I came here to see you."
"You came to see me?" Edieās tone reflected the baffled expression on her face. "Why?" she asked as her face became a mask of sudden confusion.
Brittanyās golden blonde hair hung over her shoulders in soft waves, she tucked her beige clutch under her arm, taking her sunglasses off and smiling at Edie. Brittany laughed, grabbing on to Edieās arm. "You and Stuart have been here for quite a while, but Iāve been so busy. I didnāt have time to come any sooner, but today my schedule is free," she said excitedly. Then her tone turns serious. "Rumors are going around about what happened between Stuart and Aaron. It was said that Stuart was willing to give it all up for you. He must love you very much." Brittany liked Edie, of course, admired her, sympathized with her, at the present moment she pitied her. "Is it true, Aaron kidnapped you?" she asked curiously.
Edie didnāt know how to answer her questions. She didnāt know how much she actually knew about the incident. All Edie knew was that Stuart didnāt want her to breathe a word to anyone. "I...donāt know....if I should....be talking to you about this," Edie said as she stumbled over her words.
"Well, I heard from a reliable source that Aaron kidnapped you? Were you hurt?" she asked with concern. "Stuart was also injured. Am I right?" Brittany said, lowering her voice. "Let me put your mind at ease. Iām not a reporter and an undercover agent. I wonāt breathe a word to the old codgers. Honestly, itās okay if you tell me," she persisted.
"Uncover agent?" Someone with that much authority could be involved. Edie was utterly confused. "What would be happy if the family finds out?" Her heart started beating uncontrollably. She took deep breaths, telling herself to calm down. "Everything will be fine," she mumbled."I thought everyone knew about it because even Donald, who isnāt a close family member, found out? I donāt understand. I need more details." Edie was starting to feel a little pressured that the family may find out and take it out on Stuart.
"Thereās nothing to tell. I talked to my mother about the incident, and she didnāt say much. Only that Aaron, Stuart, and yourself were hurt. You donāt need to worry about it. The family will take it." Brittany said, trying to comfort her. "You have Stuart, and thatās all that matters. Oh, I almost forget. I brought you a gift."
No matter how innocent and pure Brittany seemed to be. There was another side to her. She grew up in the Yates family, and Edie knew how rich and powerful they were. Brittany was smart and didnāt reveal anything in front of Edie. She briefly discussed the matter and changed the topic quickly. Brittany was fully aware of the fights within the family. They were by no means to be taken lightly. Since Edie only arrived in Britain, Brittany wanted to keep the darkness of the family away from her or at least for now.