---- Chapter 102: Tonight Isn't About Boring Cases The bathtub was huge, yet somehow Clara ended up cornered, her back pressed hard against the wall of the tub with nowhere left to run. The water stayed steaming hot, and beneath the surface Aaron's big hands refused to stay still. Again? Seriously? Hadn't the rollercoaster from just minutes ago been enough for him? Her waist already ached. Clara twisted left and right, nearly slipping under the water. Aaron scooped her up easily, but she still tried to throw him off by grabbing his face and forcing conversation. "Hey-remember that case you told me about? The professor who got scammed while flirting with some 'hot girl' online? Whatever happened with that?" Aaron sounded distracted, his voice thick. "Mm? Oh, that professor? He ended up dropping the charges." Clara blinked. "What? Why?" Aaron paused, trying to remember. "The site offered a settlement. At the meeting, the professor saw the woman in person and thought she was even prettier ---- than online. He fell for her, so they officially started dating. Case closed." Clara gaped. "You've gotta be kidding me. You didn't just make that up, did you?" But the night was far too intoxicating for Aaron to waste time explaining boring cases. What he really wanted was to know exactly what it felt like to take her in the tub. Clara's strength drained fast. Her voice came weak and breathless. "Liar, you promised you'd tell me more... so what are you doing right now?" Aaron lowered his mouth close to her ear. "Tonight isn't about boring cases..." The water thrashed over the sides of the tub, splashing onto the floor. Clara kept struggling, gasping out her last defenses. "Can't you show some restraint? Overindulgence wrecks your health! You're in your thirties-don't you care about longevity? Keep this up and you'll crash in no time! Did you even read that article I sent you the other day? Ah-" Her lecture was drowned out by the storm he unleashed. His relentless pace quickly broke down her resistance. Only then did she finally learn one hard truth: never ---- bring up a man's age-just as a man should never bring up a woman's, The next morning, Clara overslept. Again. Another rushed, chaotic scramble to make it out the door on time. At least her period was on its way. Finally-a week's reprieve. Hopefully. Meanwhile, Aaron strolled into the law firm looking sharp and ridiculously energized. Tristan had already been waiting in his office for a while, ready to chat before heading back to Silverton. One look at his boss's smug face and Tristan understood everything. "Boss, is your honeymoon still not over? No wonder you've been MIA half the week." Aaron smirked. "You're single. You wouldn't get it." Tristan clutched his chest like he'd been stabbed. "Low blow, man." "What time's your flight?" Aaron asked. "In an hour. I'll be gone till after New Year. Glittering Starlight Hotel is being managed by a few colleagues for now. So far, occupancy looks solid." Aaron nodded. "Last time I visited, the renovations and service both looked great." ---- Tristan grinned. "Guests who put down a ten-grand deposit get to stay in the presidential suite for free. And since we're only a couple hundred feet from the Nash family's hotel-our décor is newer, service is better-customers aren't blind. Same price, they're gonna pick us. Word is, the Nashes' revenue's already been cut in half this month." Aaron leaned back, cool and calm. "The profits don't matter. What matters is sending a message-wherever there's a Nash hotel, there'll be a Glittering Starlight right across the street. Let's see how long they can hold out. Tristan grinned. "Understood. Negotiations are moving along. Honestly, I doubt we'll even need to opena second hotel. The Nashes will eventually cave and take our buyout." Aaron shook his head. "Not necessarily. Hotels are their core business. Unless the price is right, they won't let go. Tristan sighed. "Yeah, acquisitions take time. We'll grind them down, shoot for early next year. Still, I didn't expect Wyatt Wilson to last this long without declaring bankruptcy." Aaron dismissed it with a shrug. "Just a dying man thrashing around. Forget him. Keep your eyes on the ---- Silverton resort. Big project, too many moving parts. Easy for something to go wrong." Tristan nodded. "Already got people watching every step. The lake island is finished-lodging, hot springs, equipment, all in place. Want to go check it out? You could take your wife for a getaway." Aaron thought about it. Spending a few days there over New Year sounded good. He just wasn't sure if Clara would be up for it. "We'll see," he said. "Oh, and prepare the New Year's gifts for Devereaux Residence. Same as always." He didn't need to show up personally-as long as the gifts arrived, appearances were maintained. Meanwhile, Sierra was also busy packing Greystone specialties as gifts to take to Silverton for Austin's parents. They were old-school traditionalists. Austin was their only son, so when they learned he wanted to marry an ordinary girl he'd met in a bar, they were furious. How could they ever approve? But after Austin cried, threw fits, and even threatened to hang himself, they had no choice but to give in. Still, when they met Sierra, they hadn't been kind. Even after years of marriage, they treated her like a distant ---- relative at best. They also valued sons over daughters. After Elsie was born, they barely paid her any attention either. Thankfully, Austin always smoothed things over just enough to save face. Still, just thinking about facing them again made Sierra's chest tighten. She avoided them when she could, but holidays and New Year's gatherings were unavoidable. The divorce was still a secret. If they found out, who knew how big of a scandal it would cause? At least reconciling with Austin meant one less problem to explain away. But even so, the thought of going back to Silverton made her stomach twist. Too many old memories waited there. Worse, Samantha's house was on the same street as Austin's parents, making an encounter almost guaranteed. Austin had sworn up and down that nothing physical had ever happened with Samantha. But knowing that a childhood sweetheart was lurking nearby, waiting for her chance, was enough to kill Sierra's mood. After packing everything into boxes, Sierra paused, then pulled out a tea set from the cabinet. Austin's dad ---- loved tea. A thoughtful gift never hurt-better to keep things smooth and avoid drama. Austin came out of the bedroom and saw his wife staring at the tea set. "What's wrong? Who's that for?" "For your dad," Sierra said. Austin grinned. "Knew my wife would think of everything." Sierra rolled her eyes. "I'm only doing it for your sake." "Thanks, babe." Austin pulled her close and kissed her. "Hey, while we're home, let's finally get our marriage license. Otherwise it feels like we're sneaking around, like we're having an affair." Sierra arched a brow. "Isn't that perfect? Don't men always say wives aren't as exciting as mistresses?" Austin dipped his head, lips brushing hers. "Really? I wouldn't know-I've never cheated. Maybe before we get the license, you should let me try? For research." Sierra pressed a finger to his lips. "Not a chance. Pack up-we're leaving. My husband's on his way back." Austin's face darkened instantly, jealousy flaring. Even as a joke, he couldn't stand it. He swept her off her feet and carried her straight back into the bedroom.