Chapter 6 1 + 5 Bonus Louis ' POV She can't find out . She can't find out . I tapped my fingers on my desk in a stunted , anxious rhythm. This uncertainty , this nervousness , was not like me . I was usually so well put together , so confident , and full of pride . But what I had done had reduced me to practically a sniveling mess . " Dammit ! " I shouted and slammed my palm on my desk . " Sir , is everything all right ? " my new secretary , Susan ( a middle - aged woman ; I will not make the same mistake twice ) asked as she peeked her head into my office . I waved a hand but couldn't wipe the scowl on my face as I said , " I'm fine . " 1/8 She looked at me skeptically but didn't argue . I Chapter 6 +5 Bonus didn't hire her to argue . I hired her to get Maya out of my life , at least until the baby came . God , what had my life become ? When Susan left , I stood up and looked out the window . I clenched my fists , staring out at the storm . brewing in the distance . I used to be in control- always two steps ahead , always confident . But now , everything felt like it was slipping away , and all because I couldn't keep my dick in my pants . I had worked too hard to get to this point and watch it all slip through my fingers . Emily was everything I wanted in a wife : loyal , graceful , respected by everyone who mattered . We were supposed to be untouchable , the perfect couple . And now … well , it could all go up in flames . If word got out , I'd be the guy who couldn't hold his marriage together . Everyone would see me 2/8 Chapter 6 +5 Bonus differently . I'd be given glares by wives and pitying looks from husbands throughout the neighborhood And then there was Maya , complicating everything further . She wasn't just some fling I could ignore . She was Emily's best friend , and she was freaking pregnant . Me urging her to get an abortion did nothing . She wanted to keep the baby desperately . Part of me worried she would try to tie me down with it . I wouldn't be surprised . I let out a deep , frustrated breath . No matter how much I wanted it all to go away , I was stuck with the consequences . A few weeks ago when Emily and I had been driving back from a shopping trip . She had insisted on picking up a wedding gift for Maya . Maya's long- time boyfriend had poised to propose , and Emily was excited , planning a thoughtful gift for her friend . But I hadn't been able to stomach the thought of Emily spending one more moment with. the conniving witch . 3/8 Chapter 6 *** +5 Bonus " You're getting her a gift ? Really ? " I said as my fingers clenched around the steering wheel . She looked over with a softly raised brow . " Of course . She's my best friend , Louis . I want to give her something meaningful for her engagement . " " But she's not even engaged yet . " " I want to be prepared . " I could feel the anger building up , but I didn't know how to say what I was thinking without giving away my secret . Every time Maya and Emily were together , it felt like a ticking time bomb waiting to blow up in my face . Maya could let out the truth at any moment - who knew what her true motives were ? " You need to stop spending so much time with her , " I muttered , trying to keep my voice steady , but I 4/8 Chapter 6 saw the bite in my tone make Emily flinch . +5 Bonus Emily turned to me , clearly taken aback . " Why ? She's my friend , Louis . What's going on with you ? " " Nothing , " I snapped . " I just don't like you being around her . She's … I don't trust her . " " That doesn't make any sense . Maya's been nothing but a good friend to me . She's practically family . " My knuckles were white at this point. " Maybe , but she's not someone you should be close to anymore . I don't want you hanging around her . " Emily stared at me in utter shock , still not understanding . It pissed me off immensely . " Are you afraid of something ? You're acting like this is more than just … I mean , she's my best friend , Louis . Why does it matter so much ? " I gritted my teeth , feeling cornered by my own actions " I've told you how I feel Can you just listen 5/8 Chapter 6 15 +5 Bonus actions . " I've told you how I feel . Can you just listen to me for once ? " " Fine . But I don't understand why you're so upset . I don't know what you're playing at . " We rode the rest of the way in silence , the tension between us thickening with every mile . I could feel her pulling away , her body stiff , her focus distant . It drove me crazy . I had to do something , make her see me , feel me again . When we finally reached the house , I couldn't hold back . I swung down from the horse , my boots hitting the dirt with a thud , and reached for her . She didn't fight me at first , her eyes still cloudy with whatever was on her mind . " Hey , " I gripped her arm gently , making her face me . " Look at me . " 6/8 She stared at the ground . " Don't . " I stepped closer , desperate to bridge the Chapter 6 +5 Bonus distance between us . " Please , just talk to me . " Her voice was soft , weary . " I don't have the energy for this , Louis . " I felt her resistance , but it only pushed me harder . Without thinking , I kissed her , my lips urgent , demanding . She stiffened , but I didn't back down . Her breath hitched as I slid my hand to the back of her neck , pulling her closer . " Don't shut me out , " I muttered against her lips . She tried to pull away , but I kissed her harder , my hands moving over her , making her melt against me . Slowly , she stopped resisting . " Louis … I- " she whispered between kisses , but I cut her off , pulling her toward the door . By the time we made it inside , my body was on fire . I didn't want to think anymore . I just needed to feel control , something to distract me from the shane in my hand 7/8 Chapter 6 . chaos in my head . +5 Bonus I kissed her again , more urgently this time , my hands tugging at her clothes . She didn't protest , her body now surrendering to mine . But as I lost myself in her , guilt gnawed at me . I knew I was using her , but I couldn't stop . Afterward , when she was asleep in my arms , I stared at the ceiling , the satisfaction of the moment fading quickly . What had I done ? I'd pushed her , made her feel small . I'd sealed myself in a box , knowing I couldn't undo it . The nagging feeling of regret settled in , but there was no turning back . I had my secrets , and they needed to stay buried . I couldn't lose everything I'd built . Not now .