He pulled me to him and enveloped me in his arms. I shut my eyes in pure desperation. I needed him beside me, and I needed to feel him like this.“Why do I think you mean the opposite?” he whispered, his voice tortured. “I thought you didn’t want me to go? You can’t get rid of me now. I am obsessive, and I will possess you. I could get very jealous when it comes to you. I won’t allow you to marry someone else.”I gasped. His mouth was only inches away from mine. “Adam...”“Do you think that would stop me from claiming you—owning you? You can’t. I don’t mind having a polyamorous relationship, remember? Do you want it like that?”I gaped at him in astonishment, unable to reply.“Julia?”“B-but I don’t want something like that.”“Of course not, I don’t want it, either. But what can I do?”“You are impossible,” I uttered. “You won't do that. You have to choose me for you to do that, which of course, you wouldn’t.”“But you can’t be my sister-in-law.” He held my face. “Please, Julia…”“How about those thousands of people depending on you?” I shifted my head and tried to move his hand away, but he didn't let me.“You see, darling, I could be very selfish sometimes, and I'm a damn billionaire. Give me some credit.”“You're giving up your obligations?”“I told you, there's still always a way, and you're not going to hear it here. Leave with me tonight. No interruptions. No Bianca or Henry or anyone. Just us, please?”Us. “Do you follow all his orders?”“Do you want him to terminate your business deal with him? Of course, I have to.”“Okay, let’s leave during the dance party. It shall begin at eleven. We still have time.”“Where are we going, then? You're going to leave Bianca inside?”“To my suite. Where else? I don't care about her. I told you a million times already,” he said, quite aggravated.“Aren't you staying in the same suite with her?”He rolled his eyes. “So many questions. We never shared a room. I have no desire to touch her or even see her face in the morning. I’ll ask her to leave if that's what you want.”I shut my eyes and let him caress my cheek with his thumb. I wanted to know how he felt against my skin. “Adam…”“Yes, darling?”“Alright, I’ll speak to you.” I looked into his set of cerulean eyes.“Are we okay now? I don't want to fight anymore—” I pressed a finger to his lips.“I don’t want to fight with you either, but you’re still going to marry your ex-wife, so I expect there will still be arguments.”“Are my words still not clear to you? I’m already risking everything. Just give me some time to fix all of this, then I’m all yours.”“No more lies or secrets?”He shook his head. “No more lies and secrets.”“Then will you tell her tonight? I just want to make sure. Adam, I hate how she’s touching you and how you are smiling back at her.”He nodded. “I understand. I can take care of Bianca, but dealing with her parents won’t be easy.”“But tell her still. You can deal with her parents in New York. You already said you’re capable of doing everything, whatever it is.”“And what about Henry?”“Don’t worry about him. I am all yours after tonight.”Adam finally smiled. “I'm going to tell her then.”I bit my lip, smiling back. “Good.”Then he wrapped me so tight in his arms again. “Oh, God, I missed you so much.” He buried his face on my shoulders then sniffed my hair.The longing finally ended as he claimed my mouth. His kiss was deep, needy, and possessive. He wasn’t moving, but it was full of passion, making my stomach fill with butterflies I hadn’t felt for a long time. I closed my arms around his neck as I pulled him closer. I wanted him so much.When our mouths parted, he looked into my eyes and murmured, “I love you.” ***We went back inside as if nothing had happened. We kept silent as we secretly stole a glance at each other. Bianca was whispering things in his ear, smiling and stroking his shoulders. Adam's face remained neutral. I clenched my teeth as I gazed at their matching dress and suit, but I kept my irritation inside.Adam was mine, and we already made it clear.“Hey, where were you?” Henry asked, but his lips were already curved into a smile.I shrugged. “It’s working.”“What’s working?”“Your plotHe let out a rich chuckle. “See? I told you it's going to work. That's so Adam. So, what happened? You didn't break into one of the hotel rooms? Did you do some—you know?”I rolled my eyes. “Ugh, I didn’t expect you to say that.”I watched him as he laughed once more, then I realized how he seemed to be fine with my relationship with his brother. At least, we could normally talk without feeling guilty about choosing Adam over him again.“Okay, but I still won't forgive you for putting up a plot like that in front of these people.”“No worries. I could just tell them that it isn't you.”“Make sure, Henry. Make sure,” I cautioned. “What happened here when I was away?”“Just the typical awards night.” He smirked. He lifted his glass trophy and showed it to me. “I have a lot of these at home.”“Show off.”“Hey, do you want anything to eat? The party shall start in a few minutes.”“You didn't eat?” I frowned. The food on our table seemed untouched.“No. I was waiting for you. I'll get you a drink. Their apple martini is great. Wait for me.” “Sure.”Henry stood up, then he walked to the bar.While waiting, I glanced over in Adam’s direction. Bianca's arms were still around his neck, whispering in his ear and giggling. Adam was trying to eat his dinner, but he couldn’t seem to focus. He seemed to be irritated as he tried to take her arms off his neck— how I wanted to scratch her face and tell her to get her hands away from him. And she seemed drunk as well.Adam caught my eyes. He slightly shook his head as he was trying to remove Bianca's hands off him. He mouthed, I'm sorryI nodded at him and smiled to let him know that I was fine. I understood how he could still be a gentleman. She was still his ex-wife, after all.We were abruptly interrupted when Henry came back with two glasses of cocktails.“And here’s your apple martini.” Henry placed the cocktail in front of me. “Bianca seems drunk. Do you have plans with Adam tonight?” he said as he took a glimpse at our neighbors. Henry sat back.“It depends on how he's going to manage his ex-wife.” I stared down at my drink.“Cheer up. Don’t ruin your beautiful look tonight. Adam won’t break his word. I know that we had a difficult past, but Adam is always the one who sacrifices first. I don't want to screw up again this time, and let me tell you something. He truly loves you. He was miserable when you were gone. He was unable to come home to change or even clean himself. Do you clearly understand that it was your fault why he had to deal with Bianca?”“You clearly“See? You don't have any right to grumble about it.”“Ouch.”“I didn't mean to be rude. It was partly my fault. I got in the way between you and Adam. Well, he got in the way first.”I raised my eyebrow. “Are you trying to make me feel bad?”He laughed. “No, I’m just kidding. Come on!”“And you chose to be straightforward.” I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I just want his ex-wife to get her hands off him as soon as possible.”“Relax. We’re not fighting here. I am just telling you to trust Adam. He's not going to cheat on you.”“Well, I just wanted to be sure that he would keep his promise.”“My brother won’t let you down, I promise.” He winked at me and drank a shot of his whiskey.“Okay, I get it. Thank you, Henry.”He grinned. “Of course. Honestly, I'm happy for both of you.”