Niamh didn’t put up a fight–hot even when Jonathan practically shoved her into one of the Grand Riverview’s quest rooms
It was, after all, the company’s annual gala No matter what had blood exister between her and Jonathan, the last thing she wanted was to become the punchline of office gossip.
But now, in the quiet of the hotel room with only Jonathan for company, her nerves prickled all over.
Jonathan eyed her, an amused curve tugging at his lips, as if she were a porcupine bristling with quills
“This dress of yours is worth three hundred thousand?” he asked, his gaze sweeping her up and down.
Jonathan wasn’t unfamiliar with the ZM label. But as far as he knew, their gowns
rarely went for more than thirty grand.
Niamh could practically read his mind.
She and Lana were both wearing ZM’s limited edition, just–released collection tonight. She hadn’t exaggerated the price.
“What, Mr. Thomas? Don’t tell me you’re balking at three hundred thousand.”
She knew–no matter how she explained, Jonathan wouldn’t believe her.
“I can afford it,” Jonathan replied, his tone calm but absolute. “Three hundred thousand, three hundred million–it makes no difference to me.
Niamh’s hands clenched tight behind her back.
Jonathan really was willing to go all out for Marina.
He added, “Next time you want to make money, try coming up with a smarter
scheme.”
His words made her laugh–sharp and a little bitter–but she didn’t bother arguine She had every intention of pocketing the money with a clear conscience.
Money exchanged, she was ready to leave–until a hotel staffer arrived with a new dress.
“If
up
you
don’t mind walking around looking like a mess, I do,” Jonathan said, holding the fresh gown. “Don’t forget whose assistant you are.”
21.07
The wine had spilled across Niamh’s chest, darkening the fabric of her strapless dress in a way that was hard to ignore.
She could feel Jonathan’s eyes lingering on her, which made her skin crawl. She reached out a hand, impatient. “Give me the dress. I’ll change myself.”
“Turn around,” he ordered. His voice was mild, but there was no mistaking the command in it.
She bristled with irritation–but alone with Jonathan in this room, it would be stupid to provoke him further.
So, she turned her back, facing away.
The zipper drew down, cool air washing over her skin, followed by the heat of Jonathan’s knuckles.
Niamh went rigid.
She had no idea what he intended, and flashes of old, unwanted memories sent a chill through her. Goosebumps rose along her arms.
“I’m just helping you change. No need to be so tense–you’re not that irresistible,” Jonathan said, his voice cool and dismissive, right by her ear.
Once the soiled dress was peeled away, Niamh still found herself blushing.
They’d been married for three years–there wasn’t a single inch of her body he hadn’t seen. She had no idea why she felt so flustered now, especially since she wasn’t exactly standing there naked./
The room was silent.
Jonathan hadn’t moved since helping her out of the dress. One hand in his pocket, he stood back as if appraising a sculpture, his eyes fixed on her bare back.
Niamh could feel searing into her, like he was searching for hidden flaws.
e gaze
Meanwhile, in the 57th–floor revolving restaurant, the Thomas Group employees were gossiping up a storm about why Mr. Thomas had whisked his assistant away–and hadn’t come back.
“Do you think there’s something going on with Mr. Thomas and his secretary?” one of them whispered.
“I heard that Niamh was hired straight into the company, barely finished high
school…”
21:07
“Makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Even if she’s got something with Mr. Thomas, she’s just a side piece. Did you see how much he’s spending on Marina tonight? It’s obvious who the real girlfriend is.”
“Mr. Thomas is rich, handsome, and ambitious–of course women throw
themselves at him.”
Their voices overlapped as they speculated, thoroughly entertained by this year’s party, which was already more interesting than any before.
Niamh had known rumors would fly the moment Jonathan marched her out of the ballroom in front of everyone. There was no way the office would keep quiet about
- it.
What she didn’t expect was to be painted as the homewrecker in a scandal that included Marina–when, in fact, she was the one everyone loved to hate.
