Chapter 90
Iris
Later, once Miles is asleep, I’m in my studio, preparing my supplies, when the studio door creaks open. Arthur steps into the room, wearing a plain t–shirt and trousers. I gesture to the seat I’ve prepared by the window. “Take a seat. And take your shirt off.”
I busy myself with lining up my charcoals as he takes his seat, trying not to look when he grabs the back of his shirt with one hand and pulls it over his head.
But it’s impossible not to look.
Arthur was always muscular, the perfect Alpha physique incarnate. He always made time to work out, to eat healthy and look good. But I expected that, once he became President, he wouldn’t have time for such things.
I was wrong. Somehow, if the size of his muscular arms, chest, and back are any indication, he has even more. time these days to exercise.
Arthur must notice me staring at the hard planes of his chest and the slope of his shoulders, because he clears his throat.
“How should I pose?”
I jump slightly at the sound of his voice, my face instantly reddening. “However you want,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t tremble too much. “Just make sure it’s a pose you can hold for a while.”
Arthur hesitates, considering, then crosses his legs and hooks one elbow over the back of the chair. “How’s this?”
My throat bobs at the casual posture. In clothes is bad enough, but shirtless… I feel like I’m a flustered schoolgirl all over again.
“Let me just…” I move forward, and without thinking, I reach out and touch his arm. His skin is warm and smooth beneath my fingertips as I carefully reposition him. Arthur lets me move his body, his green eyes never leaving
- me.
When I’m finished, I pause for a moment before stepping back. “Much better.” With that, I quickly turn and get to work.
As I begin to sketch, Arthur remains quiet for a while. I’m not sure if he can tell that my hands are shaking as I draw, making me have to erase and start over multiple times.
Finally, after a few minutes, he breaks the silence.
“I heard you went to Brooks & Lee today.”
My hand stills momentarily over the drawing pad, the memory of those two pricks at the law firm making my jaw tick. “Did you?”
Arthur levels me with a stern gaze. “Did they try to blackmail you with photographs?”
I freeze again, this time glancing at him. I know there’s no point in lying, so I say, “They took my money for a consultation f*e and then asked for a thousand Ordan dollars per photograph. I couldn’t afford it.”
To my surprise, Arthur doesn’t look angry or disappointed, or much of anything, for that matter. “It’s handled,” he simply says. “Don’t worry about it.”
I let out a small breath that I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you.”
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Chapter 90
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Arthur is quiet for another moment before he continues, “You know, taking this to the courts is going to cause a lot of trouble for all of us. Miles included.”
I frown, my hand moving faster and more aggressively across the paper as I draw the harsh lines of his legs. What else do you expect me to do?”
“Stay here,” he replies quickly. “In Ordan. With me.”
“After you used a contract loophole to keep me here? And threatened arrest?” I scoff. “Why should I stay here after that?”
Arthur holds my gaze. “Iris, you left me no other choice. I was terrified that you were going to take Miles away and keep me from seeing him ever again. That you’d keep me from seeing you ever again.”
I stare at him for a moment, reading his expression. Truthfully, no matter how angry I want to be, I just… can’t. Not after last night. Not after the way he risked his own life to save Miles.
“Your career is taking off here,” he continues. “And I know you’re strapped for money right now, but you also know I can help you. Don’t you think that you and Miles both are better off in Ordan, where you belong? Don’t you think it would be better for him to see his father?”
My grip tightens around the pencil so hard that I almost snap it. I don’t respond, not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t think of a retort. Because Arthur is partially right.
“Iris,” Arthur goes on, “just tell me what I can do to make things right between us, and I will.”
I want to tell him that he could start by leaving Selina and being with me. I want to tell him to swallow his pride and fears and just be with me, publicly, and tell anyone who’s bothered by the fact that he has a human mate to go to hell.
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