Chapter 20: Untold Secrets

A/N: Hey people. Sorry for the four month delay on this story, I got an intense case of writer's block that was on me heavy. There's so much going on in the world right now and it's leaving me a bit overwhelmed. I feel like the only thing keeping me sane is writing these stories and listening to music. However, I plan on getting back to my regularly scheduled program soon. A huge thank you to all that continue to review, follow, and fav. I read every response I get and it makes my heart swell with joy.

The Rolls Royce cruised through the streets at an even speed. Fortunately, the driver was hidden by a partition, already given the instructions on their supposed destination. Nearing eleven in the morning, Eden spent the majority of the car ride trying not to doze off, especially since a certain devilish billionaire kept her up all morning. Her body felt heavy with fatigue. As a matter of fact, her eyelids keep fluttering drowsily and she had to rub them quite a few times to keep them open. In an instant, all events from early this morning started to recap in her mind...

Shifting through the sleepy confusion, Eden's blurry vision was still coming to terms with the fact that she was now awake and not within a dream.

Eden felt a warm breath against her parted folds and coming to her senses after soaking had never been so simple in that moment. Glancing down, she caught a glimpse of a dark head moving between her legs. Itachi Uchiha had her deliciously situated on her side, legs spread to accommodate his desires. How could this man have maneuvered her into this position while she was asleep was beyond her. She was confused...confused and horny.

It was as if the man didn't deliver a hard pounding to her backside just a short while ago. Truthfully, it made her wonder - had he even stopped his erotic ministartions in the first place? She started to think that he just loved having his mouth on her.

One thumb did its part in keeping her open, allowing him better access to everything that was hidden between the young woman's succulent lips. The wet muscle swirled around everything in sight.

Rubbing a hand lovingly over both her thighs, Eden softly sighed at the feeling. Her body quickly grew hot, practically humming at the way he was making her feel. A muffled whine left her lips as he worked his tongue against the sensitive bud, circling it then pulling it into his waiting mouth with a suck. The man's hot breath fanned over the soaked entrance as he lapped indulgently. The sloppy sounds his mouth made while it worked against her was lewd. The very air was being whisked from her lungs.

One of her hands reached down to his jet-black hair, fingers threading themselves in the locks to either push him away or hold him in place. Whether the former or the latter - she didn't know. Itachi reached up to knead one of her breasts, flitting his tongue up and down her clit. He licked her her pink flesh like she was a melting ice cream cone. Adding a lash of tongue here and there to turn her world inside out.

Eden was incapable of withholding the whimpers and moans rising from her chest. It all just felt so good. His tongue swept over the sensitive bundle of nerves at the top of her slick folds, occasionally dipping to lap up the wetness that seeped out.

Suffocating warmth surrounded her as he nestled behind her, Itachi took hold of her jaw in a gentle yet firm grip. He hooked a hand under her thigh, lifting it in order to spread her legs further, holding the limb with little effort. Thick muscled thighs pressed against hers, guiding the tip of his member to her soaking entrance.

Head falling back into the pillow, Eden was still momentarily confused by the circumstances that led up to this point in time. In a form of apology, Itachi left wet kisses along the pulse in her neck, breath hot against the flesh. Her red eyed lover established a pace of thrusting slow and hard into her dripping cunt. Once he began to enter, Eden gasped loudly at the stretching and full sensation. Underneath the current pleasure, there were still tinges of pain that told Eden she was not yet used to him entering her body.

His right hand came up to encircle Eden's slender neck, lips crashing unto hers once more with fervent passion while he stared into her glossy, unfocused eyes. Under lust ravaged eyelids, her paramour watched the pleasure blossom on her features, gaze shifting down to her slightly bouncing breasts in motion with hard slams.

He continued to hold her leg up high above his waist, relentlessly pounding himself deeper into her. His agile hips connected with her backside deliciously, sending bursts of pleasurable shockwaves through her sensitive clit. She desperately wanted to cry out at the sensation but nothing would come out of her open mouth.

The Sharingan user huskily drawled into her ear, swiveling his hips in small circles. He then sunk his teeth into her shoulder before moving to rest his head in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent. As he expected, her insides clenched painfully.

The handsome man kept brushing up against a spot inside of her and it felt as if her body was singing. The tight squelching noises would've embarrassed her if she wasn't busy withering. Their skin making contact sounded as if he was spanking her. The only thing she could liken the sound to was wet suction. She could faintly hear air entering and leaving his lungs in an unmeasured fashion. Itachi moved within her with so much ease and precision, the sheer amount of ecstasy she felt should be criminal.

Beads of sweat started to form on her brow. The session was supposed to be done an hour ago but Itachi wasn't having it. Eden could only hope he let her reach the pinnacle of climax soon before she breaks. There wasn't too much of this she could take.

"That's...enoughhhhh...I'm tiredddd."

By the third hour she was literally screaming out for someone to help her. Her entire body rocked against the mattress and she fisted the sheets. The over stimulation was unbearable for her. The pace never quickened, only got harder and harder. He was putting enough pressure on her sweet spot that it was making her belly ache.

A hand shot back to brace against his hip. "Ohhhh...ah! Itachi! My stomachhhh!"

"Pleaseee my stomach hurts." She whined as his painfully stiff length eased in and out of the snug orifice.

He prolonged the torture by not allowing her to cum. By that point, bliss had shifted into agony and a delirious storm started raging in her mind.

He guided his hand down to her clit, rubbing the bud with expertly fingers, pressing deep kisses to Eden's open, panting mouth. Every muscle in Eden's body tightened and she was starting to feel dizzy.

"I can't!" Eden panted wildly. "I can't!"

Eden let out a scream as her body seized up in blissful numb satisfaction. Her cunt saturated him in hot liquid.

In a bid that surprised her, Itachi peppered soft kisses over her face, knowing that she was understandably spent he didn't expect her to reciprocate his actions. Keeping Eden positioned on her side, Itachi rubbed her leg in a soothing motion as she gently pulled himself from her depths, hearing a soft whimper for his efforts.

The bed shifted, indicating that another body had left it.

A worn out Eden lay outstretched on the bed, eyes closed. The agitation and uneasiness that had been clouding her mind for some time had quickly dispersed into nothing as if it was never there. All the strength left her body and she lay on the bed completely exhausted in the afterglow of orgasm. Everything was merely a blur - or more accurately, a haze. Eden could hear the faint sound of the tap running before it abruptly shut off and the bed dipped again.

Careful hands situated her onto her back, ensuring that she was in a comfortable position before he went about his desired task. Eden opened her eyes a fraction to capture a glimpse of her lover regarding her with a tender gaze, a wet cloth in his right hand. She knew what it was for and she knew it was needed but that didn't stop the color from draining from her face. Having him spread her legs wide open, legs splayed into the air in order to clean the mess between thighs was horribly embarrassing. But she was much too exhausted to protest. Nevertheless, she squirmed throughout the entire ordeal, not really able to handle any kind of pressure there at the moment. Itachi seemed to understand this as he wiped, going so far as to place a kiss on her forehead afterwards. Once the man was done, he moved to discard the towel into a hamper within the bathroom.

The second he disappeared behind the door, Eden focused all her effort into sitting up, groaning as she did so. Her lower half ached in protest, obviously trying to convince her to keep laying down a while longer. The thought certainly was tempting and she could use some more hours of sleep. No doubt an aftereffect from allowing the man to slut her out whenever he wanted.

"Are you well Eden?"

The raven haired businessman's top half was uncovered to display a firm, defined musculature. Eden inwardly she cursed herself while trying her hardest not to let her eyes linger on his exposed pectorals or bulging biceps. As much as she hated to admit it, sex with him was addicting and oddly fullfilling. Depending on the perspective, Itachi Uchiha was taking her on a journey of sexual discovery. Despite the whole 'not stopping for hours' thing, Eden could admit that she experienced indescribable pleasure. The bliss shooting through her core like electricity. She'd ascended to a perpetual state of heaven and she never wanted the intimate coupling to end. Eden shook her head in order to disperse that train of thought.

"I'm fine." She muttered, voice sounding more like a croak than anything.

"I assume you want to bathe." His smooth baritone proposed, evidently becoming more and more familiar with her behavioral patterns. The fact had been echoing in her mind for quite some time now. Eden pondered that realization for a moment...whether she wanted to acknowledge it or not, Itachi had a point.

Though she tried, Eden couldn't stop her tone from coming off as snappish. "You assume correct."

Wordlessly, Itachi went back into the bathroom, water from the bathtub could be heard running thereafter. Eden raised a hand to her head, sighing wearily.

She just wanted a day where she could be free of internal debate since she was still struggling to accept the situation as it was. So far she'd spent two days away from her phone and apartment and her anxiety was spiking to unmanageable levels. No matter how hard she tried, things just got more and more unconventional for her liking. And she found the man at the center of all her worries. Said man that was soon back, eager to lift her into his strong arms and carry her naked form into the bathroom.

In spite of her ire, Eden couldn't ignore how divinely warm his sculpted body was pressed against hers. There was no point in making him aware of how flushed she was. The reasonable thing to do was to leap out of his arms, an action she had no problem with. The result ending with her standing naked with her back turned to him in a poor attempt to conceal that nakedness.

It didn't matter that the man had already seen every inch of her naked body and had various parts of it within his mouth. She really couldn't stand him looking at it now. Especially with her body still weak and tingling.

"Okay, you can go now." She hurriedly stated.

"I have no problem assisting you in bathing."

Eden's teeth clenched. "I don't need any assistance, I know how to bathe. Thanks."

"And you're certain?"

"Yeah. I only need some clothes to wear after I'm finished."

"As you wish."

Eden listened to his soft footsteps as he left the bathroom, shutting the door lightly behind him. She breathed a sigh of relief. An anxious shiver ran through her as her blood chilled at the prospect of bathing with him.

She couldn't think with him hovering over her shoulder every five minutes. Technically speaking, there wasn't anything wrong with a man attending to her every comfort and need. Chivalry was what every woman wanted out of a man nowadays. Itachi acted as if he had a primal need to care for her above all else. Truthfully, it shouldn't be a problem but why was she constantly rebuffing him at every turn? Vehemently rejecting the pampering she knew he wouldn't hesitate to provide. Perhaps she was waiting until she was positive that his actions had no malicious ulterior motives. Despite that, it was exhausting to be on guard and defensive all the time. The man was too unpredictable - too calculating.

Eden sank into the steaming fragrant water, allowing herself to relax. The strained muscles in her limbs started to unravel with ease.

One thing was for sure, she absolutely refused to believe that she was gripping too tightly on her feminism. Eden took pride in being able to boldly stand in that feminine power in a primarily male-dominated world. However when faced with allowing Itachi to stand in his masculine power, she didn't think he could do that fairly without tripping over her ideals. And therein lied the issue.

Another matter that laid heavy on her mind was Sosuke. Where was he right now? Did he hate her for what happened?

Being forced to watch as one of Itachi's men assaulted him for standing up for her was grueling. And she wished she'd never put in him such a predicament. But how could she have known something like that would happen? It wasn't foreseeable and she now carried guilt for it. Sosuke had been nothing but nice to her. The man had taken her to see the Imperial Gardens for christ's sake! And look how he was repaid for that kindness. No one deserved that kind of treatment. She'd made up her mind that she would apologize to him as soon as she was able.

Regardless of what he thought, Itachi would not and could not keep her from continuing to see Sosuke. One jealous male would not ruin her friendship with another, she refused to allow it.

Across the bathroom, Eden took note of her ruffled appearance within the mirror. Her thick curly hair was matted and all over the place. She'd been neglecting her hair routine for days now and something had to give. In its current state, she would have to use an abundance of water to tame it for the time being or at least until she got her hands on some natural hair products. If her mother saw the state of her hair she'd never hear the end of it. And to top it off, Eden knew she had a multitude of calls and messages from her mother seeing as they spoke to each other practically everyday. Those calls and messages went answered because her phone was not currently in her possession. That was another thing to be scolded for if her mother hadn't already booked a flight to Japan to wring her neck.

God, she wanted her phone back.

She wondered where Itachi had hidden it and briefly considered searching the suite to look for it. There was no reason for him to take her phone away. He acted like such a control freak, like he had to be in control of everything all the time. It was maddening.

Eden continued to ponder on every lingering thought that came to her mind, she began the mundane task of scrubbing her skin with a thoroughly lathered towel.

When would they get back to their own separate lives? These past two days had felt like forever and a day. Eden was ready to return to her normal life, as normal as they could be within the circumstances. In addition to that, Itachi came from a pretty prominent family and ran a business livelihood almost like an empire. Would they be concerned if he ditched his responsibilities and stayed in a hotel for days for unknown reasons?

Moreover, Eden found that she was eager to get back to home as she missed Maddox greatly. For all she knew, the puppy was probably waiting for her to come back home at this very second. As clingy as he was at his age, she couldn't put it past him. She already decided that when she got home, she'd scratch behind his ears for as long as he wanted. The separation anxiety was real.

The pair had arrived at Tokyo's bustling financial district. To Eden's surprise they weren't any people walking around with shopping bags in hand, leaving the enormous center and its store vaguely empty. No buyers of any kind. The quiet interior of the huge place was peculiar. She didn't think today was a holiday. Where was everyone? Straightaway, a thought crossed her mind - a possible explanation. Maybe Itachi put in some kind of demand that the place be vacant for a specified duration prior to his subsequent arrival. The young woman was certain that he had that kind of pull. She may have hailed from a different social and economic class but she knew how men in power operated.

What an entitled asshole.

She understood why this was done of course - so no one would question why an esteemed billionaire was gallivanting around with a black girl.

Most of the stores were top international brands like Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada that were not anywhere near in her modest tax bracket. Eden couldn't imagine setting foot in such a high class shopping district such as this.

The store's interior emanated a sleek atmosphere. The floors were a gray marble while the walls were glossy ashen. Grand light fixtures attracted the customers attention and helped shone light on the merchandise. Photographs and artworks hung around the store paid homage to the store's brand. The store's top floor was full of colorful, dramatic gowns of epic proportions. Gorgeous displays and mannequins amplified the store's ambiance and unique setting. The products were arranged in a symmetrical manner, full of luxury and street wear, serving customers high-end labels and showcase pieces. However, at the risk of somehow damaging the merchandise, Eden thought it was better to look and not touch.

While it was no question that he lived well above her means, she was absolutely flabbergasted that the man would bring her to this magnificent world class shopping center just to procure new clothing for her. She was flattered but this was unnecessary. Eden would rather clothing from her own home be supplied to her instead.

The store contained abstract items like $2,100 burgundy leather ankle boots with a diamond-encrusted lizard and wild dragon on the sides. She was positive that some of these pieces were straight off the runway. She couldn't afford any of the expensive attire before her.

The Prada store was mostly filled with leather handbags, shoes, and perfumes. What use did she have for a $2,300 handbag? None. Absolutely none. She didn't need any of the nice items to add to her meager wardrobe. Though if Sara were here, she'd almost surely encourage her to swipe the man's visas until they declined. That was probably what he wanted though. He aimed to ruin you - spoil you rotten. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"Mr. Uchiha! How nice it is for you to grace us with your presence once more."

Luxury businesses knew that establishing long term business relationships with clients was a mutually beneficial endeavor. Itachi Uchiha came from old money, it didn't at all surprise her that he had his own personalized level of customer service not accessible in a regular department store.

The employees gave her knowing, curious glances but did not linger around the reason for her presence too long. It was likely the wise thing to do. Though it didn't make her any less comfortable. She also observed how he conducted business with the utmost confidence and skill.

"Oh I have beautiful pieces that would mesh well with her complexion!"

"No thank you. I'm just walking around. I'm not getting anything." That last sentence was uttered with more force as she gave Itachi a look.

Itachi had to stifle a smirk, this was exactly what he expected from her. She was too defiant, too outgoing not to speak her mind.

What was his game? Did he seek to entice her? Her mind couldn't help but mull over the thought. After all, what woman didn't like an all expense paid shopping trip? Only she didn't like this. Didn't he understand that someone could spot them out in public. He was moving too recklessly for her taste.

They entered a specialized designer boutique with beautiful product selection. Now she couldn't lie, most of the clothing was beautiful. A $9,500 pink silk dress slit to mid thigh and held together with precious gems on a raised platform caught her eye.

"Do you like the dress? I have no problem purchasing it for you."

Eden snapped back into reality. "I don't want you to get me anything. I can get it myself. Someday...eventually." In twenty years perhaps.

She absentmindedly ran her fingers over a beautiful white satin dress that seemed to gleam under the lighting. The garment was beautiful but it just wasn't...her. The dress stood out to her largely because it was so mesmerizing to look at. Her rule of keeping her hands to herself suddenly flew out the window unnoticed.

There was even a makeup counter that encouraged excited customers to experiment with the products.

Eden observed the hyper-real mannequins outside the black doors of the Balmain store that were likely used to entice customers into the store. Upon walking in it was easy to see how the season's collections were displayed as a definite trademark of glamour.

Unsurprisingly, the employees and a skinny well dressed man whom she assumed to be the manager, naturally flocked over to the pair. There was enough ass kissing to make her nauseous. Tension radiated from the woman's frame as warm hands causally settled themselves onto her hips. Eden could feel the curious employees gawking at the display and she flushed at the attention.

"Amancio, would you be so kind as to assist my companion with whatever she needs?" Itachi calmly specified, not wanting to exchange pleasantries for the next half hour.

"Of course Mr Uchiha!" The thin man was quick to take a hold of Eden's hand to guide her away. "Right this way Madam."

Eden turned to give him a panicked look as she was whisked away. He knew she didn't want the employees to dress her up in bundles of silk and stain as if she were a dress-up doll.

"Such round hips." One woman commented as they led her over to a display area of dresses.

"And the waistline is impeccable!" The manager gushed.

Being wealthy meant one had to dress as such. Even if that meant hanging a $20,000 necklace at your throat.

Itachi's sharp onyx eyes watched as the woman sent appointed looks at an obvious Eden while she idly around the store. The way in which she regarded a clueless Eden bespoke disgust and intense scrutiny. Knowing what he knew, Itachi wouldn't put it past the woman to blatantly spray viciousness towards a woman whom she didn't know or hadn't met given the chance.

Eden appeared to be unbothered, or rather, unknowing to the woman's scrutiny.

Itachi knew the woman to be heavily acquainted with his fiancee. One of the many in the upper circle who relished in childish gossip and behavior. Her father just so happened to own this store and it was not uncommon for her to make an appearance looking to add to her own wardrobe. The staff would not, or more accurately could not kick her out of it. Least they wanted to end up without a job.

Like many shallow, malicious women within the wealthy society, there was an ingrained sense of entitlement that clung to them like a second skin. Acting as their cloak that allowed them to hide under and conceal the vanity. Something they were obviously not good at in the first place. They were forever obsessed with what people thought of them.

Those acquainted with his fiance often acted as covert tyrants, totally cruel and vindictive towards those who they believed not cut from their own idea of high status. Using their privilege to be cruel to others. They felt as if it was their right.

Having made her decision, Kaguya put on her best beguiling smile and approached the Uchiha with an air of untouchable confidence. There was a cold aura encompassing the man, she recognized it the moment his hard gaze set on her, how slender brows drew down. Yet, she still tried her hand. " , might I inquire what brings you and your 'friend' to Balmain on such a fine day?"

Itachi caught onto how the woman's nose turned up at the word friend. Her pretense of feigning amiable intention was not deceiving anyone.

"No, you may not." He would not tolerate any snide comments about Eden in any way shape or form. He knew what her intentions were. She thought to exert her social status over Eden in any way she could.

Though she visibly bristled, Kaguya was annoyingly persistent. "There's no need for any hostility to be between us. I merely wanted to know the relationship between…"

"You saw nothing. In fact, you are not to breathe a word of it to anyone." He quipped. Kaguya's nose flared at the veiled threat. The woman may be bold and cunning but even she was not fool enough to defy him. The Uchiha Clan was not known for their kindness. One could not slight them and then to get away with it. To go against them was foolhardy.

"Should you even think to run your mouth to anyone...you'll soon regret it." The silence that followed was resonant. Whether Shizuka discovered anything was unimportant to him. Eden's physical and mental well being mattered and people like Kaguya needed to be kept at a distance.

The entire interaction unfolded unbeknownst to Eden for the time being at least.

Kaguya was startled to see Itachi Uchiha walking into the store with a foreign woman. While lingering in the backdrop, she noticed how the man paid close attention to the girl, never straying too far away, practically hovering over her. The mere revelation of Itachi Uchiha possibly having an affair wasn't so shocking as one would believe. Mistresses among the powerful elite in Japan were plentiful, some would say necessary. Even if one wanted to keep it a secret, eventually tongues would start to wag. Honestly speaking, she would've thought he had more dignity when he went about choosing temporary paramours.

Perhaps the girl was a charity case from a poor country. It was the only other logical explanation for a man of his caliber to be seen with in public. With her dark skin, unusual body features, and unkempt hair - she was nothing compared to Shizuka. Though she was certainly an interesting sight.

Kaguya wondered how her dear friends would take this case of adultery. If a word of this were to get out, both Itachi and Shizuka's reputation would be ruined. A literal 'black' stain on their very standing if the girl was his courtesan.

Her failed efforts to inquire about her turned up more questions. She could not lie to herself and say she wasn't intimidated. She realized she would have to steer clear of Itachi for now, something that would be easier said than done. He might have threatened her to secure her to secure her silence on the matter but didn't man, for all his perfections know?

Nothing stayed a secret forever.

It wasn't long before they were back at the hotel suite and Eden was admittedly still stewing from her experience at the mall. Every store they'd gone in made her extremely uncomfortable and she knew all the employees had picked up on it in some way or the other. She couldn't have been happier to leave. By now, she just wanted to close her eyes and start over tomorrow.

Perfectly wrapped gifts. Did he purposely buy everything that she looked at? That answer would be yes.

"I thought I told you I didn't want any of this." She angrily protested, gesturing to the many bags of expensive merchandise. She already wasn't expecting an impromptu shopping trip in the first place.

"I'm aware. This in part, was my decision." He calmly explained, not at all bothered by her display of irritation.

Eden wasn't surprised by this however, since reasonable disagreement seemed foreign to him. This was exactly what she was talking about. The fact that he never considered what she might want and she was too much annoyed with the feelings he incited within her. She still couldn't believe he'd just dropped into her life like this. Every issue with him centered around control.

Before another useless argument could be initiated, Eden simply dropped the issue. It was not worth making her blood pressure rise. She opted to move the bags on the bed to the floor, flopping down on the mattress with a frustrated sigh.

"How long are we going to stay here? I want to go home."

Itachi stood near the balcony watching her, leaning on the wall with his hands in his pocket. That same burning hot desire pooled in Eden's stomach the longer she stared at the tall, attractive male in front of her. Did the gorgeous businessman have to do everything so sexy? She needed to get a hold of herself, lord knows she couldn't handle a repeat of this morning.

"Eden?"

Snapping back into reality Eden tried not to make it look like she wasn't just tuning him out. "Huh?"

"Tomorrow I'll send for a car to take you back to your residence. However, I expect you back at the estate the following day. Your position has been reinstated."

Eden's heart leapt in her chest at the man's words. It was the best news she'd gotten in a while. Truthfully, she missed Mei and she was eager to get back to working with her again. Despite the asshole she was employed by, work didn't really feel like work when assigned with Mei.

"Noted. Now can I have my phone back?"

Itachi purposely ignored the question. "What would you like for lunch? I can have a meal brought from the restaurant in the hotel." His words sounded like a forceful suggestion rather than a question.

"Um...I don't really wanna do that fancy dining tonight."

A dark brow was raised, expression unchanged. "Very well. What would you prefer?"

Finally, some progress. By astronomical margins. "How about a sandwich and some chips."

"As you wish." The man mused as he observed Eden for a moment before keying a number in the phone and sending out the request.

It wasn't long before staff brought a tray of appetizing sandwiches along with a selection of chips. Eden wasted no time helping herself to a portion while Itachi sat parallel to her on the bed. To her surprise, he seemed to want to take a go at the sandwiches too. Though he hadn't yet taken his first bite, probably because he was watching her with a confused expression while she piled chips unto her own sandwich in a strange concoction that he'd clearly never seen before.

"It's called a Chip Sandwich. Lots of people tend to eat them separately but in my opinion, it makes the sandwich taste way better. I've been doing it since I was little."

Itachi said nothing, taking a moment to consider her words before mimicking her actions to his own sandwich. The result was a neater, less messy version of Eden's. Sitting across from the aristocrat, Eden came to the conclusion that it was weird seeing him hold a chip sandwich.

Crimson orbs studied her face, deducing several factors he took into account, namely the joy and contentment on her face as she ate. She took joy in the simple things. No extravagant meal he'd provided her with had induced the same results. She possessed an innocent beauty and coupled with her independent, strong-willed nature made her a knockout. A purity that wouldn't be tainted by anything. She would forever deny him his wants and that was why she deserved everything the world had to offer. She pleased him and not just in the physical sense. Perhaps he could make that much more abundantly clear to her.

Eden's eyes widened in surprise as an elegant hand reached over and a warm thumb wiped the small chip crumbs from the corner of her mouth. The resulting butterflies in her stomach gave way for a new, undiscovered feeling she couldn't discern.

To her surprise, there weren't any intrusive thoughts as they quietly ate. The discomfort she might've been feeling had evaporated into nothing. That is until a knock sounded at the door.