Page 188 of In Love and Revenge

‘Over coffee?’ Aurora bites her lower lip, her eyes twinkling.

Her father’s interviewing for the board job that Dominic held. It’s a weird twist of fate, and I asked George if he was sure that’s what he wanted. But he insisted that if he’s going to prevent things like what happened to him happening to other people, then he needs to be at the top, where he can make changes.

I might have thought I hated the man once, but now I can’t deny the amount of respect I have for him. What he and Aurora have been through has only made him stronger and more determined. Just like his daughter.

‘And biscuits, if we’re going to be specific.’

Aurora grins. ‘Oh? Biscuits. Mm-hm, I see.’ She presses a lingering kiss to my lips. ‘Should I find it weird how well you and my father get along?’

‘We have lots in common,’ I muse, curling my fingers around the back of her neck and pulling her to me for another kiss.

‘Like what?’ she breathes against my lips.

‘Loving you,’ I murmur.

She giggles. ‘You’re so smooth. How did I never notice it?’

‘Because I was an arsehole before,’ I reply, claiming her lips again.

‘True.’ She smiles against my kiss. ‘But now you’re my arsehole. And you’re going to make me late.’

‘I’ll drive you.’

She moves back. ‘I’ll get the Tube.’

I fix her with a look that has her rolling her eyes.

‘Fine, you can drive me. But I need to leave in the next ten minutes.’

She hops up from my lap and I drink her in hungrily as she crosses the room to my wardrobe, where she now keeps her own sets of spare clothes. And panties. Lots and lots of spare panties to replace the ones I’m in the delightful habit of ruining whenever she comes and visits me at work.

‘This lady’s another friend of your mother’s,’ she calls as she slides open the drawer containing her lingerie.

‘She has good taste,’ I comment as Aurora holds my eyes and wiggles a pair of white lace panties up her legs.

Aurora’s now followingherdream of blending fashion with helping people, by starting up her own personal styling business alongside her vlogging. I know it took a lot for her to give up on the idea of the internship she’d worked so hard towards before her father went to prison and accept the fact she was never going to work in the wardrobe department for TV or film. But it’s like she confessed to me one night: that was her mother’s dream, not hers. And she can still honour her mother’s memory and keep her legacy alive by doing what’s right for her. By being a daughter her mother would be proud of. One who’s making her own destiny and is happy and thriving as a result.

The white lace slides over her perfect pink pussy, making me frown as it’s covered from view. I rise from my seat, stalking towards her, but she holds a palm up, laughing.

‘No, you don’t. We don’t have time.’

‘I always have time forthatwith you,’ I purr.

I reach for her, but she sidesteps me, moving into the bathroom and grabbing her hairbrush.

‘Rafael Francis Fairfax.’ She lowers her voice. ‘I already came on that big, beautiful dick of yours before you went down on me on your desk.’

‘I recall.’ I smile wide at the memory, making her blush.

‘So now I have to get back to work.’

I lean against the doorframe, watching her straighten herself out and touch up her lipstick.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ I breathe. ‘And so goddamn talented,’ I add.

She looks at me in the mirror above the sink, and the way she smiles makes my heart swell. She doesn’t just make me feel good. She makes me feel like I’m goddamn flying.

She’s already got a waiting list to work with her after my mother helped introduce her to some of her friends who were eager for help, alongside some clients Kate sent her way.