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His masculine presence wrapped around me like a, making my breath hitch.

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When I looked up at Edward, there was a sudden spark in his eyes, filled with possessiveness and longing.

Back then, I was so afraid of him, I couldn’t even look him in the eye.

But now, I could calmly raise my head and meet his deep, intense gaze.

Maybe when you’re someone’s favorite, you really do feel untouchable.

“It hurts…” I whimpered.

His big hand instantly loosened its grip on my shoulder, and Edward gave me an exasperated look. “You’re always acting weak.”

“It really does hurt,” I shed him a smile. “Mr. Jennings, you sure know how to spoil a girl.”

“What did you just call me?” Edward crossed his arms, took two steps back, his presence almost

overwhelming. “When you want something, it’s ‘Edward.’ When you’re not happy with me, it’s ‘Mr. Jennings.‘ Victoria, that’s not how you do business, is it?”

I blinked innocently. “I’m just showing you respect.”

“Cut the act,” Edward turned and nced at the fireworks bursting behind him. He walked to the window, his tone casual. “I didn’t expect Jane Leigh to show up too. You’re not jealous, are you?”

I quietly walked over to stand beside him, watching the sea light up with the sparkle of fireworks. “I’m not jealous. You and Jane Leigh have a daughter together–no matter what, you’ll be tied together for life.”

Edward narrowed his eyes a bit. “Are you talking about you and Jared?”

“Exactly, I chuckled. “Once you have kids, even if you get divorced, you can never really cut ties for good.”

Edward nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Jane Leigh and I both think that whoever Nora wants to be with, we’ll be happy for her. We won’t interfere with any of her choices.”

“Oh. The thought made my heart sink a little. I wasn’t as at ease as I pretended–after all, I was the one who chose to give up custody of Yvonne.

Edward‘ voice softened. “Nora’s a really thoughtful kid. She’d never interfere in things between her mom and

me.”

I paused. “I met herst time. She really is bright and cheerful–such a sweet kid.”

Edward reached out and drew me into his embrace. “Have you been busy these days?”

“Yeah, thepany’s growing so fast, there’s just so much to handletely,” I nodded.

:.

That familiar pine scent on him always woke up every nerve in me.

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Edward seemed a bit heated too, his fingers tightening around my waist as if he couldn’t help himself.

Edward’s voice was low and a little rough. “How much longer are we going to watch the fireworks?”

“Let’s enjoy it a bit more,” I slipped out of ihis /iarms, settled onto the couch, and poured him a cup of tea. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”

Edward sat down across from me with a helpless sigh. “Are you just messing with me on purpose?”

Honestly, I was. After alli, /iyou have to push a man’s buttons a few times if you want to know where his boundaries really are.

Fireworks filled my eyes, but in Edward’s, there was only me.

At eleven o’clock, we headed downstairs. The crowd had thinned out a lot by then, and cars could finally drive in.

I mentioned to Edward that I’d spotted Jane Leigh with Joel Sinir earlier that morning.

Edward said. “Let’s not stay at that hotel. Why don’t youe back to my vi with me?”

I was momentarily surprised, then remembered he actually had a ce here.

“Sure, I agreed. I really didn’t want to run into Jane Leigh again.

Edward took me to his vi, and that’s when I realized the beach view he’d sent me that morning was actually snapped from the second floor here. Even at night, the distant sailboats and yachts made it obvious this was a seriously exclusive neighborhood.

Standing at the door, Edward said, “I barely make it out here a few times a year. I just had the housekeeper swing by to tidy up.”

I looked around at the massive vi, realizing it basically sat empty all year.

But for someone like Edward, always jetting around the globe, no matter how many ces he owned, he could only eat three meals a day and sleep in one bed at night. So it was only natural most of his homes stayed empty.

“Want another drink?” Edward asked.

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