My mind goes to his wife and how much she is missing out on. Samuel is so young. With one last look at Samuel, I creep out of the room and head back down the hall, until something catches my eye.
A light is on in the en suite bathroom of the main bedroom. That must be Mr. Master’s bedroom. I look left and then right; nobody is awake. I wonder what his room is like, and I can’t stop myself from tiptoeing closer to inspect it. Wow.
The bed is clearly king-size, and the room is grand, decorated in all different shades of coffee, complimented with dark antique furniture. A huge, expensive, gold and magenta embroidered rug sits on the floor beneath the bed. The light in the wardrobe is on. I peer inside and see business shirts all lined up, neatly in a row. Super neatly, actually. I’m going to have to make sure I keep my room tidy or he’ll think I’m a pig. I smirk because I am one according to his standards of living.
I turn to see his bed has already been made, and my eyes linger over the velvet quilt and lush pillows there. Did he really touch himself in there last night as he thought of me, or am I completely delusional? I glance around for the photo of me, but I don’t see it. He must have taken it back downstairs.
An unexpected thrill runs through me. I may return the favor tonight in my own bed.
I walk into the bathroom. It’s all black, gray, and very modern. Once again, I notice that everything is very neat. There is a large mirror, and I can see that a slender cabinet sits behind it. I push the mirror and the door pops open. My eyes roam over the shelves. You can tell a lot about people by their bathroom cabinet. Deodorant. Razors. Talcum powder. Condoms. I wonder how long ago his wife died. Does he have a new girlfriend?
It wouldn’t surprise me. He is kind of hot, in an old way. I see a bottle of aftershave and I pick it up, removing the lid before I lift it up to my nose.
Heaven in a bottle.
I inhale deeply again, and Mr. Master’s face suddenly appears in the mirror behind me.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he growls.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are no words meaningful enough to thank my wonderful team.
I don’t write my books alone. I have an army.
The best army in the world.
Kellie, the most wonderful PA on earth.
You are amazing. Thank you for all that you do for me.
Keeley, not only are you an amazing daughter, but you’re now a wonderful employee. Thank you for wanting to work alongside me. It means a lot.
To my wonderful beta readers: Mum, Vicki, Am, Rachel, Nicole, Lisa K., Lisa D., Nadia, and Charlotte. Thank you. You put up with a lot and never whine, even when I make you wait for the next chapter. How I got so lucky to have you come into my life and to be able to call you my friends, I will never know.
To Rena, you came into my life like a breath of fresh air and somehow adopted me. Thank you for believing in me. You’re the yin to my yang, or the ting to my tang.
Vic, you make me better, and your friendship is so valued.
Virginia, thank you for everything you do for me. It is so appreciated.
To my motivated mofos. I love you to bits. You know who you are.
To Linda and my PR team at Forward. You have been with me since the beginning, and you will be with me until the end. Thank you for everything.
To my homegirls in the Swan Squad. I feel like I can do anything with you girls in my corner. Thanks for making me laugh every single day.
This year I’m adding someone new to my list.
Amazon.
Thank you for providing me with an amazing platform to bring my books to life.
I am my own boss.
Your belief and support of my work this last year have been nothing short of amazing.
And to my four reasons for living, my beautiful husband and three children.
Your love is my drug, my motivation, and my calling.
Without you, I have nothing.
Everything I do is for you.
Gratitude.
The quality of being thankful.
Readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Trust in the universe.
It always delivers.