Page 43 of Broken Truths

If she was under my thumb, I wouldn’t have to worry about her. But a marriage with a man as old as myself would be frowned upon.

There is another arrangement, though…

I wish there was a different grandson to bestow the honor to. Someone less reckless. Someone more like myself. But once she becomes a Jarvis, we all know who runs the entire family. Leonardo would provide the title only.

“Might I offer you another direction, Mrs. Astor?”

Her lashes fan out as she peers at me. I choose my words wisely, deciding to go the route that makes it seem like she would be doing me a favor and that perhaps we would both get something good out of it. Women love to be helpful. It’s their downfall.

“As you know, similar to your Eden, I’ve had quite the time with my grandson Leonardo. Like you, I’ve been wondering what kind of family might take an interest in him, despite his last name. I’m happy to report that he’s changed a lot these last few months, and I also suspect there’s a budding relationship with your daughter already... You saw them at Vincent’s engagement party, as did I.”

Mrs. Astor tilts her head. “Go on.”

“Perhaps we can arrange something between our families. You said yourself that Eden doesn’t want Keegan, and I’m not boasting when I say the Forbes name is a good one but it is not the Jarvis name. We’re far superior. In both business and money. My Leonardo has the backing of the Jarvis family, and he can well maintain and grow the Astor holdings.”

I spy a spark in her eyes, and I already know it’s a done deal. I don’t even have to try that hard.

“Plus, I think you and I deserve a little peace when it comes to the difficult ones of the family. If we make them think they want this anyway, we can both sleep with a little less stress in our lives.”

Mrs. Astor grins, her white-blonde hair glistening under the light of the chandelier. “I would very much like that. Alistair was always better with our youngest than I ever was.”

I hold out my hand. “Should we shake on it, then? Make it official?”

“There will be the pesky problem of the Forbeses...”

“I’ll worry about that, Rebecca. You can go back to grieving, my dear.”

With each of my words, her poker face crumbles little by little. Mrs. Astor isn’t strong. She’s only playing the part of leading lady.

I’ve got her now, though, I think as she shakes my hand.

Power thrums through my veins. The Astor name is old, possibly even older than Jarvis. They carry prestige, not to mention the financials to back it up.

This will be a great match indeed.

15

Eden

“Fuck!” I scream out my orgasm, Alaric’s tongue against my clit providing the perfect moment I needed not to think.

“Good girl,” he smirks, his chin wet with my juices. He has me spread out over his bed, my fists clenched in his sheets. There’s no more classroom or office play, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pretend. “Why don’t you come sit on your professor’s lap and tell him why you woke him up in the middle of the night?”

He has a daring look in his eyes, and I’m never one to back down from a challenge. He sits on the edge of the bed, and I pull myself up, straddling his bare thighs. “Because I missed you,” I tell him. His father’s been adamant about him returning to the office, and... “Everyone’s been treating me with kid gloves.”

His lips pull into a thin line. “We’re just trying to do what’s best for you.”

“What’s best for me,” I say, my mouth twisting into a grin as I lift to my knees and position myself over his hard cock, “is another orgasm.”

I slide down his length, basking in the pleasure spiraling through me.

He lets me take my time, keeping his palms firmly on the bed as he leans back, letting me control the narrative of our encounter.

Sweat drips down my back while I move against him. His pectorals jump as he watches me ride him. I thrust my chest out, and he licks his lips.

I get why they’re handling me this way, but I need normalcy back. It’s been weeks.

Leaning forward, I grip Alaric’s hair in my fists and pull him into a fierce kiss. He groans into my mouth, and I break the kiss to slide my lips along his jaw, taking his ear into my mouth and nibbling. “I want you to fuck me, Alaric.”

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