AURORA MOON
The problem with having a rich, powerful, gorgeous husband was all the little bees buzzing around him like he was the only flower in the garden.
In her previous life, Aurora hadn't paid attention to other people in Kellan's life. Her energy and time had been spent trying to get away from him. She wasn't so blind not to recognize that Kellan's intense, possessive love benefited her in many ways. For a man well known for being ruthless, cold, and unmerciful, he would happily bend the knee for her.
So, when she awoke from her nap on the couch, Kellan's jacket draped over her, smelling smoky sweet like sage and vanilla, Aurora found herself witnessing a bee attacking her very own flower.
The woman was blonde with a thin waist, long legs, and decent looks. She knew how to use makeup to highlight her facial advantages. She wore a short skirt, tight top, and shiny jewelry.
This particular bee leaned in close to Kellan, her blonde hair falling between them like a shimmery curtain. Her hands with their long, red nails were too close to his as they studied the report together.
Barefoot, Aurora marched to the desk, squirmed between them, and crawled onto her husband's lap. She stared at the whore trying to get Kellan's attention and bared her teeth.
"Naughty kitten," whispered Kellan. "What are you doing?"
"What are you doing?" she asked. "Trying to find a concubine on the first day of our marriage?"
Kellan's eyes went wide. "What? Who?"
"Princess Penelope over there," she said, pointing at the woman who was scowling at her.
"She's my secretary," said Kellan. "You are ... upset?"
She narrowed her gaze. "You're not usually this dense."
"Aurora." Kellan put two fingers under chin and lifted. He studied her expression. "Are you jealous?"
"Duh." She grasped his hand. "Do you want men around me? Perhaps one that's mere inches from my face, his fingers touching mine?"
Kellan's expression went flat. "I would kill any man who dared."
She tilted her head, brows raised. "Do I need to get my stiletto and teach her a lesson?"
Sudden understanding filled his eyes. He waved off the secretary. "Miss Garrett, you're fired. Please collect your salary from the HR department."
The woman's mouth dropped open. "You're firing me? I've been your secretary for three years. Who do you think can replace me?"
"I will," said Aurora.
"I'll sue you for breach of employment contract."
Kellan turned his cold gaze to Miss Garrett. "Go on then," he said in a low, deadly tone. "Sue me."
The woman paled. Then she tossed the file onto the desk, and hurried out of the office.
"You can be really scary," said Aurora approvingly. "Now you know that you're mine. We're married. You don't need her. You have me."
"It seems that I do," he agreed softly. He brushed her hair back from her face. "It's nearly lunch time. Where do you want to eat?"
"I'm not hungry," she said, crossing her arms and looking away from him. "Besides, my husband doesn't love me enough to feed me."
Kellan scooped her up and strode to the couch. He laid her down and put one knee between her legs, lowering himself until he was a breath away from her lips. "I can feed you," he said.
Aurora turned her head.
"I see my wife needs coaxing." He kissed the dip below her throat. "Do you want a new bag?" He pressed his lips against the side of her neck. "More jewelry?" He gently nipped the underside of her jaw. "What about an island?"
She glanced at him. "What kind of island?"
He chuckled. "Do you forgive me?"
She fought the urge to smile. "Maybe."
He barely brushed his lips across hers. Her heart was already pounding so hard she could feel the pulse of it in her ears. She pressed a palm against his chest. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"Behaving exceptionally well," he said. His hand grasped her hip and brought his mouth to hers again. This time the kiss was a little longer. A little more pressure. Aurora felt the breath rush out of her lungs.
"Kellan..."
He closed his eyes. "You say my name like that again, and we'll have our wedding night right here."
"I forgive you," she said. She put her arms around his neck. "Let's go to lunch."
***|***|***
DEIDRE HANOVER
Deidre Hanover fumed as she cleared off her desk. Five years at the company. Three of those as Kellan Ward's secretary. And with one pout from that intolerable bitch Aurora Moon, she'd been fired!
Deidre had spent the last seven years of her life trying to get close to Kellan Ward. He'd never had eyes for anyone other than Aurora, but Deidre had been sure she was making progress. She knew that her passion and commitment to Kellan would eventually lead to her ultimate goal: The title of Mrs. Ward.
Tears crowded her eyes as she put the last file into the box and closed the lid. Everyone in the secretarial pool pretended she was already gone. It wasn't like she'd made any friends here. They all hated her. They were jealous of her beauty and her closeness to the boss.
"Did you hear?" came a whisper from two colleagues gossiping nearby. "Mr. Ward got married!"
"What? To whom?"
Deidre could feel the eyes on her. The back of her neck went warm with embarrassment.
"Do you think that's why Miss Hanover is leaving the company?"
Deidre kept futzing around the desk, hoping to hear the rest of the conversation. If these dolts believed she was the next Mrs. Ward, then let them believe it.
"It's not her," came another voice joining the conversation. "Did you look at the company forum? Jingyu announced that Mr. Ward got the certificate with Aurora Moon. And Mr. Ward posted pictures on his WeChat Moments."
Shock stalled Deirdre's movements. She quickly accessed WeChat on her phone and scrolled to Kellan's profile. She looked at the pictures of the smiling couple and felt a pit open in her stomach."
Then she remember what Aurora Moon said in the office: "What are you doing?Trying to find a concubine on the first day of our marriage?"
Deidre tightened her fist, nails digging into her palm. How dare she! Kellen Ward is mine.
She grabbed her box and marched to the elevators. Aurora Moon would not win. Deidre would get rid of that scheming bitch ... permanently.