The Contract Wife Chronicles

lingered from the passionate kiss Naomi and Duke had shared. In the mid

into the room without regard for protocol. Her entrance was marked by an air of authority that

ng a mixture of irritation and frustration. Vanessa's unannounced intrusion

t had just transpired. Her lips curled into a sly smile, a hint of amusement in her gaze as she took i

infused with a mocking sweetness that grated o

his irritation thinly veiled. "

d in the room, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, bu

ripped with insinuation. It was clear that Vanessa's intentions wer

ed his fists at his sides. Vanessa's presence had a way of getting under his skin,

– a tension that seemed to run deeper than professional rivalry. There was a hi

hrough Naomi's mind. She had heard whispers about Vanessa and Duke's history during their college days – two f

aggage from the past. Vanessa's presence had ignited a dormant tension, dredging up memori

g volumes. Vanessa's intrusion had exposed more than just their current predicament – it had

the room with a calculating gaze. "I must say, D

cked onto Vanessa's with an intensity that spoke of an underl

of bitterness that spoke of past wounds. "Oh, Duke, always so direct. Bu

to achieve her goals at any cost had been a driving force during their colle

the unresolved tension that lingered bet

something akin to regret. "And neither have you,

uke interrupted, his countenanc

?" Vanessa mused, he

chest. She exchanged a quick glance with Duke, both o

is voice. "Vanessa, she's none of your business,

oom. "Oh, but she is, Duke. You see, secrets h

l, and Vanessa's discovery had the potential to jeopardi

r frustration growing at Vanessa's smug

ous intent. "I want to make a little deal. You scratc

n Vanessa with a mixture of skepticism and c

"Simple. You hire me to plan the next high-profile event, and I'll conveniently

ituation – agreeing to Vanessa's terms would mean compromising their partnershi

ontrolled anger. "You're play

of the game, Duke? Now, I'll leave you two lovebirds to

air seemed to thicken. Duke and Naomi were left facing ea

rol us," Naomi spoke u

ht. We need to come up with a plan – one that keeps ou

were united in a common goal, their connection growing stronger as they dev

mination and the threat Vanessa posed forged a bond that ran deeper than their initial attr

nessa, they finalized their plan, Duke's eyes met Naomi'

olve in his gaze igniting a surge of

at her threat was just the beginning. The enigmatic rivalry they found themselves en