Chapter 7

After a few days, Sullivan came home from a dinner meeting in an inebriated state. Madeleine was already in bed, seemingly fast asleep, so he headed to the bathroom. But when the shower started running, Madeleine’s eyes flew open. She glanced at the bathroom door before immediately texting, “Come over to my place at once.”

Twenty minutes later, Isabel knocked on the door. Madeleine crept downstairs to let her in, handing her a lacy nightgown and saying, “Put this on and sleep in the master bedroom.” Isabel glanced at the nightgown, instantly realizing what was happening. Her heart pounded wildly. At Madeleine’s urging, she hurried upstairs, changed, and climbed into bed.

Not long after, the bathroom door opened. Clad only in a towel, Sullivan dried his hair as he stepped out. He lifted his head, his gaze falling on the bed, causing him to pause. Perhaps realizing he hadn’t kept his end of the bargain for some time, he pulled the woman in bed into his arms. Then, still sounding slightly drunk, he hoarsely asked, “Your period’s over, right?”

Before Isabel could respond, she felt the bed sag behind her. A warm breath washed over her neck, and a large hand began roaming her waist. She stiffened, her breath catching. A muffled chuckle followed, and she felt kisses peppered against her neck and ear. She’d never had a boyfriend, and it was all too much. She gasped.

Sullivan froze, scrambling off the bed and exclaiming, “Isabel?”

Downstairs in the living room, Sullivan sat on the couch with a mortified Isabel wrapped in a blanket beside him. His expression was as dark as night as he fixed his eyes on Madeleine and asked, “What on earth is going on?”

Madeleine hadn’t expected him to figure it out so soon. She squirmed internally, but offered, “There was a blackout at Isabel’s place, so I told her she could stay here for the night.”

“Why was she sleeping in the master bedroom?” Sullivan questioned, clearly unconvinced.

Madeleine hesitated before replying, “The guest bedroom hasn’t been tidied up yet. I figured since it was only for one night, she could have the master bedroom.”

Sullivan’s eyes blazed with fury. He was so furious that his chest heaved. While still disbelieving Madeleine’s excuse, his priority was getting Isabel home. He reined in his emotions and dragged Isabel away without another word.

By the time he returned to the villa, Madeleine was back in the bedroom. Now alone with her, his anger subsided. He’d long noticed Madeleine’s strange behavior and finally asked, “What the hell are you trying to do, Madeleine? What’s the meaning of all this? Have you found a new way to torment us now?”

His blunt words shocked Madeleine. She never imagined he’d think of her this way. Her heart ached. “I just thought that since…” She began an explanation, then stopped.

Sullivan eyed her grimly and urged, “Since what? Go on.”