Read Online Covet: Trusting the Billionaire (The Trophy Wife Book 4) by Charlotte Rose - Free Book Online Page A

fun,” Julian says playfully.
    “You did some major damage last night.”
    “Just calling you to let you know I left the house early today, and I’m at the company office. I’ll be working late.”
    “How late?”
    “Maybe 11 p.m. I’ll call you when I’m on the way home.”
    “Okay,” I respond.
    “Enjoy your day, baby.”
    I spend the day working on a painting for my new collection, and playing with my boy. He said his first two words today—“my mommy.” I call Julian to tell him the news. He is ecstatic, but a little disappointed that he wasn’t there to witness his son’s first words.
    In the evening, I have dinner by myself, read my boy a story, and tuck him into bed. I’m sleepy, so I shower and get ready for bed. I check the time on the bed stand clock before lying down; it’s 10:27 p.m.
    I close my eyes and assume that by the time Julian comes home, I’ll be asleep. I toss and turn in bed, trying to get comfortable. I lay on my side. I glance at the time on the clock; it’s 10:44.
    I stare at the dark ceiling and listen to the quiet. Why does it get quieter at night? I never noticed the eerie silence at night until now.
    I check the time again; it’s 11:12. Where is he? I grab my cell phone from the bed stand and call him. When he doesn’t reply, I call him several more times. I head downstairs in my white camisole and panties, a pink silk robe thrown over me.
    I turn on the lights in the living room. There are no signs of him. I call him several more times. I check the time; it’s 11:35. Panic begins to set in.
    I glance around the living room. The massive mansion feels so incredibly empty and lonely without Julian. When he’s here, his presence is so powerful that it seems to fill our entire home.
    I sit on the couch by the fireplace where Julian and I have shared many warm, cozy nights cuddled up to each other. Though we haven’t been married long, we’ve created so many pleasant memories together in this home.
    The longer I wait, the lonelier I feel. I keep checking the time. When it hits 12:00 a.m., panic devours me. Where the fuck is he?
    I call and text him several times, but he doesn’t reply. I stare at my cell phone, anxious and aggravated. Every second feels like torture.
    Suddenly, my phone rings and I rush to answer it.
    “Hello? Julian, where are you?” I yell into the phone.
    “I’ll be there soon.” His voice is clipped.
    Everything is telling me he is cheating. I have to get to the bottom of this. My pulse is pounding and my nerves are on edge. I fidget with my phone as I wait for Julian.
    As soon as I hear his footsteps in the living room, I stand and lock eyes with him. “Julian, I thought you said you’d be here at 11. I was calling you and texting you and—”
    “Shhh…I’m sorry,” Julian says as he raises his hand to show me an enormous bouquet of long-stemmed red roses. “Let’s put them in water.”
    “You really think flowers are going to make up for this?” I huff.
    Julian ignores me, sets down his leather briefcase, and enters the kitchen. He comes out a few minutes later carrying the incredibly beautiful bouquet of what looks to be fifty red roses in a gorgeous gold vase. He places them on the coffee table and glances at me. “What do you think?”
    I don’t say a word as I watch him carefully. He approaches me and lifts my chin to meet his eyes.
    “I told you I was working late, didn’t I?”
    “I was waiting. You were late. I was worried.” I frown and glance away, unable to look him in the eyes.
    “What about these? Take a look.” Julian pulls something out of his inside suit jacket pocket.
    My eyes are drawn to a pair of sparkling flower-shaped diamond earrings in the palm of his hand.
    “Do you like these?”
    “Are you trying to buy an apology?” I meet his eyes before I glance back down at the earrings. They really are stunning.
    “They’re Harry Winston. Twenty-three carats. Flawless.”
    “They’re beautiful,” I