Page 120 of Perfect Satisfaction

Even as I pull back, his hand sinks into my hair. His eyes are closed, lips parted. “Come here and kiss me right, wife.”

If my heart’s going to hell, it might as well go down in scorching flames. Laying my hands on his shoulders, I nuzzle his nose. Then I brush my lips against his until his breath catches. Dragging my tongue over the seam of his lips, I’m utterly unprepared for the arm that tightens around my waist—hauling me against his very hard erection.

Soon, we’re exchanging kiss after kiss, each one making us slightly more breathless than the last. Then a ping on my phone alerts me of the time. I jerk away from his embrace—the last time I expect I’m going to feel any sort of warmth in the next few hours. “I have to go.”

“I know.” I gather my briefcase and phone, but as I’m about to step out of the common area, Arek’s words stop me. “But, Sula? I’ll be right here when you come back.”

I frown. “You’re not going to work today?”

“We have some things to settle.” The way he says it sets my stomach quivering, not in a good way.Great, I think sardonically.Because I wasn’t wound up enough about today.

With a flick of my hand, I call out, “I’ll be back when I’m back.”

It might be my imagination, but I think I hear him say, “I bet it’s sooner rather than later.”

“Mr. Ronan sought his own representation,” Heythrop reiterates, nodding at Carys. “She presented our office with a most unusual request. After reviewing the will over and over.”

“And over,” Newham interjects, earning her a scathing look from Heythrop.

“Yes. In any event, we determined there is nothing which precludes this... modification. Ms. Burke, if you please.”

JB reaches for my hand on one side, Brendan on the other. They squeeze my fingers in tandem.

Like me, they were both outraged when Carys sauntered into the room, announcing she was representing her newest client—my husband. My feelings of betrayal are overwhelming. That is until the lawyers begin talking.

Now she stands to read the amendment Arek added to the codicil.

“I, Arek Edward Ronan, do of my own free will enter into the following decision. Having previously signed the original codicil drawn up at the behest of West Moore, enacted by his solicitors after his death, with no modifications, it is at this time I elect to modify the agreement.

“It is my intention to fulfill the spirit of the behest—to reside with my wife, Ursula Kayla Moore. Those terms of the original agreement stand as stated.

“However, without knowing who the recipients will be, I have the right to refuse the monies attached to the original request. Signed in front of the below witnesses, I am formally renouncing any monies associated with this request.” Carys stops talking to let the impact of the words sink in.

If they mean what I think they do, I might faint.

“What the hell does this mean?” JB shouts.Thank you, brother, for asking what I cannot.

“It means he gave up everything. Everything but Sula.” Brendan’s face holds a look of admiration.

“Can you please repeat that?” I ask faintly. My eyes fly to Carys’s to ensure I’m not imagining what she just read out loud.

She gives me a tiny nod in support that goes unnoticed by everyone else, but it’s enough to know this is happening.

Arek just gave up the money.

For time.

With me.

“Although not required as part of the renouncement, Mr. Ronan wanted to express some personal thoughts.” Carys reaches into her bag and pulls out a letter.

It’s in Arek’s handwriting.

She breaks the seal.

I hold my breath and squeeze the hands I’m already crushing.

She clears her throat.