Page 58

Margot

“Sweetheart, I have a surprise for you,” a voice whispers in my ear.

It takes me a moment to realize it’s Matty, his smooth voice pulls me from my beauty sleep.

“Huh?” I mumble, still half-asleep.

“Sweet girl, open your eyes. I brought you coffee, and I want to show you something before I start working.”

That one word does it.

“Coffee?”

He chuckles. “Here you go, sweetheart. Be careful, it’s hot.”

He hands me the mug and presses a kiss on the top of my head.

“I’m sorry to wake you, but I have a meeting soon, and they just finished. I couldn’t wait another minute to show you.” His excitement is adorable.

I take a sip and squint at him. He must read the confusion on my face, because he keeps going .

“I have a surprise for you. I want to give it to you before my meeting starts in–” he glances at his watch “–seventeen minutes. Come on, sweetheart.”

Still confused, but now curious too, I slide out of bed. “Lead the way.”

He hands me my robe, not wanting me braless around his guards. I put it on, and he nods in approval.

He flashes me a full smile that makes my heart skip, then leads me down the hallway. He takes me to one of the spare rooms Dotty showed me during the tour the first day. That feels like a lifetime ago.

“What are we–”

I don’t even finish the sentence. I can’t.

It isn’t a guest bedroom anymore. The bed is gone. In its place are a couch, two comfy armchairs, a wall of books, and a beautiful table in the middle.

But what stops me in my tracks is the recording equipment.

Microphones. Headphones. A band-new laptop.

It’s a full studio. My dream studio.

“Surprise,” Matty says softly, eyes on me like he’s holding his breath.

He looks like a kid on Christmas, except he’s the one giving the gift.

“When? How? Why?” I don’t even know what to say.

“The day of our… disagreement ,” he says, sheepish, “after the shower, I made a few calls. I had my guys put it together. It took a few days to soundproof the walls properly. The setup turns the space into a professional booth. I wanted you to have the best equipment. If it’s missing anything, let me know.

I picked out everything with you in mind, but we can change anything.

I thought you might want to focus on narrating.

If you want to. You don’t have to work at all. I can support us–”

He's rambling like I do. I cut him off with a kiss, showing him mercy.

“Matty, it’s perfect. I can’t thank you enough.” I kiss him again. “I’ve always wanted to narrate full-time but couldn’t guarantee I’d make a living from it. This is amazing.”

I wander the room in awe. The couch and chairs are cozy. There are even throw pillows and blankets. I check out the bookshelf and notice there’s an entire shelf dedicated to books I’ve narrated. Books I poured myself into with only hopes and dreams.

How did you get this man?

I turn to face him. “I don’t understand. What made you change your mind? You were so against it.”

“I actually came in to apologize before your god-awful taste in music distracted me,” he says with a smile. “I saw how much it meant to you. I’m not going to stand in the way of you doing what you love.”

My heart clenches.

“Plus,” he adds with a grin, “listening to your sexy voice narrate books makes our time apart while I work a little more bearable.”

I laugh. “Maybe I’ll do a few extra recordings just for you.” I wink.

His eyes light up. “Excellent idea! Can it be personalized? Preferably with my name? Maybe moaned a few times.”

“I’ll consider it… with the right incentive.” I try to keep my voice strong, like a boardroom negotiation voice.

“Oh, fuck, sweetheart. I’d make it worth your while.” He purrs, hand already gripping himself through his slacks. He’s already hard. Just from the idea.

I prowl over to him, swinging my hips. When I reach him, I press against his body, pull him down by his tie with one hand, and palm his hard cock with the other .

He groans sharply and thrusts into my hand. He wraps an arm around me, trapping me against him.

I pull him lower until my lips are brushing his ear.

Then I whisper, in the voice I use to narrate erotic scenes, “Mr. Montclair… don’t you have a meeting to get to?”

“Fuck, Margot!” He groans, not nearly as entertained as I am.

I burst out laughing. “Sorry, baby. You’re the one who has to work.”

I turn to walk toward the couch, but I only get one step before he yanks me back into him.

“That was cruel,” he growls. “You’re going to pay for it later. Using that sexy voice on me… Fuck .”

He swats my ass, gives it a squeeze, then storms out of the room.

Damnit. Now I’m turned on too.

I look around the studio again and smile. I can’t believe he did this.

What did I do to deserve this man?

Maybe this is the universe’s reward for returning his credit card.

Maybe it is true.

He saved me.

If he hadn’t taken me that day, I’d still be targeted. I wouldn’t have the Syndicate protecting me.

And you wouldn’t have this sexy man.

I heard once that when you do good things for others, it’ll come back to you.

Maybe this is what that looks like.