The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne let out a quiet yawn, feeling unusually sleepy tonight. Deciding it was best to rest up for whatever tomorrow might bring, she leaned her head against the passenger seat and closed her eyes,

murmuring, "Mr. Wolf, wake me up when we get there, will you?"

Percival drove the car out to the countryside, the peacefulness of Vivienne's sleeping face prompting him to carefully open the car door without making a sound. He gently lifted Vivienne from the passenger seat and, noticing the chill of the evening breeze, draped his jacket over her.

Carrying Vivienne in his arms, he walked up a gentle hill, his figure tall and striking against the night sky.

When Vivienne opened her eyes, she was still cradled in Percival's arms. She removed his jacket and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, nuzzling into his chest like a contented cat.

With a smile, Percival helped her to sit up on the hilltop, holding her close. "Awake now?"

Vivienne snuggled closer, then turned to lean her back against him, her voice soft and inviting, "Why did we come here? Weren't we heading to your place?"

His lips brushed her ear as he spoke teasingly, "I was worried you wouldn't make it back to the Linklater estate before dawn. It'd be hard to explain your absence."

Vivienne chuckled, delighted by his playfulness, her mind flashing with images that made her lick her lips in anticipation.

Her hands deftly unbuckled his belt, slipping into his shirt to feel his muscular torso, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Your muscles are so nice to touch," she whispered, a playful tone in her voice.

but indulged Vivienne, letting her have her

Percival, pulled him into a deep kiss, reluctant

a milky way. Percival intertwined his fingers with hers, bringing them

his breath on her fingertips, as intimate as his lips on

married soon," he said earnestly, looking up

softly,

"But in the eyes of our

though they were legally married, without a ceremony, it felt incomplete to the

bride in a wedding gown, complete with a veil, against

arms,

Percival carried Vivienne back to her

of Percival's sleeve, "Stay with me, Mr. Wolf. Leave before

gaze deepened as he closed the window

ribbon of her dress, revealing her delicate figure. They surrendered to their passion until the first light of dawn. When Percival woke, it was the first time he hadn't risen with his usual discipline. He kissed Vivienne's forehead

room empty except for a note from Percival wishing her

returned from his jog, wiping sweat from his foreheadz He knocked on Vivienne's door, "Vivienne, Aunt Hailey, who's been abroad for years, is back Everyone's downstairs to welcome her. Join us before you go back to

Vivienne was overly tired, Arthur decided not

household staff stood in orderly rows, their expressions serious as they awaited the arrival of the woman who had sent shockwaves through the family

by Dracon. Despite their fatigue, they were curious about

servant rushed in to announce, "She's here,