As much as I want to take Emma to bed and watch her squirm, I force myself to pull away. I have work to do.

I settle at the desk in the guest room and open my laptop. I was able to trace some of the missing money to the East Coast, which is what brought me here. I haven't been able to pinpoint exactly where, though. But I know I'm close.

When I realized I would be returning here, so close to Emma, I couldn't help but call Archer for a place to stay. It just so happened that he and Julie had extended their honeymoon earlier that morning. Julie thought it was a great idea to let me come and stay, to watch over Emma. She acted so concerned for her. And maybe somewhere, deep down, she is. But after seeing the way she treated Emma at her wedding, I can tell she's more of the overbearing type.

I still get pissed when I think about the comments Julie made about Emma not needing to eat. If I do just one thing while I'm here, it will be to make sure Emma is always full. Of food, or my cock. Whichever she prefers.

I shake my head, refocusing. There will be time to worry about Julie and her bullshit later. For now, I need to find out where this money is going and who is taking it.

After several hours of research, I think I may have found a lead. A shell company that seems to be funneling the missing money. I'll have to do some more digging, but it's a start.

I sit back in my chair, stretching. My body aches from sitting for so long. I could use a break.

I get up and head into the kitchen, looking for something to eat. Emma is sitting at the counter, a textbook open in front of her.

"Hey," I greet, foraging for something to eat. I end up with a plate of lunch leftovers.

"Hey," she echoes, her attention flickering up from her studies for a brief moment. "You done with work?"

"For now," I reply, taking a bite. "How's the studying going?"

She lets out a heavy sigh. "It's a lot."

"Can I help?" I ask, moving closer.

She gives a weary shake of her head. "I don't think so," she says, rubbing her temples. "This is just something I have to do on my own."

I nod, understanding her need to do things on her own. It's a trait we both share.

After finishing my meal, I linger beside her, watching her work. I can see the concentration on her face as she reads the textbook, and it's mesmerizing.

"Have you eaten?" I ask, not wanting her to skip a meal.

"Not since lunch, but I'm fine," she insists, her focus never wavering from the page.

I get up and reheat some of the food, then bring it over to her. "You need to eat," I say, setting the plate in front of her.

She doesn't move to eat, caught up in her work.

Deciding to take a more direct approach, I pick up the fork and offer her a bite. "Come on, try some," I coax gently.

Reluctantly, she accepts, and I can't help but smile a little at her compliance. She opens her mouth, letting me slide the fork inside.

"Good girl," I murmur, watching her chew.

She blushes, averting her eyes.

"I didn't say you could look away," I chastise, bringing the fork to her lips again.

Her hooded eyes meet mine. She takes the shrimp, chewing slowly.

"You're being such a good girl," I praise, sliding the fork between her lips again. I can tell she's loving this as much as I am.

She closes her mouth around the fork, swallowing the food.

I feed her the rest of the plate, ensuring she eats every last bite.

"That's my good girl," I murmur, running my thumb over her bottom lip.

Her breath hitches, her eyes meeting mine. She is so goddamn pretty.

I set the fork down, leaning forward. My lips brush against hers, soft and teasing.

She whimpers, her hands finding my shoulders.

I press a kiss to her neck, feeling her pulse racing.

"Ares," she whispers, her voice laced with desire.

"Yes, sweetheart?" I murmur, nipping at her earlobe.

She gasps, arching her back.

I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. I trail my lips along her jaw, nipping and sucking.

She whimpers, her fingers tangling in my hair.

My hand cups her ass, squeezing the soft flesh.

"Fuck," she groans, her hips bucking.

I can feel the heat radiating from her core. She wants this as badly as I do. I bet she's already so fucking wet for me.

I run my tongue along her bottom lip, eliciting a moan from her.

Her nails dig into my shoulders, her body arching into mine.

The sound of her neediness is intoxicating. It fuels my own desire, my cock throbbing.

"So responsive," I murmur, my teeth nipping at her earlobe. "So needy."

She whimpers, her hips rocking.

I slide my hand beneath her shirt, cupping her breast.

"Fuck," she gasps, her head falling back.

My fingers find her nipple, rolling and pinching the sensitive bud. I lift her shirt over her head, exposing her beautiful breasts. They're perfect. Heavy and weighted down. They beg for my attention.

I lean forward, licking and sucking at the soft flesh. My teeth graze over her nipple, biting down gently.

"Yes," she moans, her hips bucking.

My hand slides between her legs, rubbing her clit through her shorts. I can feel the dampness of her arousal, and it makes my cock twitch.

"Oh god," she moans, her eyes fluttering shut.

I push her back, laying her across the counter. I tug at her shorts, pulling them down her legs. She's bare, her pussy glistening.

"So fucking perfect," I murmur, stroking her slick folds.

She whimpers.

"What a gorgeous little pussy," I growl, my fingers delving into her wet heat.

She cries out, her hands gripping the edge of the counter.

I slide a finger inside of her, curling it against her tight walls.

"Oh fuck," she groans, her hips bucking.

My thumb strokes her clit, teasing the sensitive bundle of nerves.

"You're so fucking wet," I murmur, adding a second finger.

Her head falls back, her eyes closed.

I thrust my fingers deeper, rubbing her clit with my thumb. Her splayed at like this on the counter is the sexiest thing I've ever seen.

My cock straining against my pants. It's almost painful. I rub her clit faster, feeling her walls clench around me. I let my other hand trail up her body, momentarily stopping to pluck her hard nipple, before my fingers settle around her delicate neck.

"Ares," she gasps, her breathing ragged.

"You want to come, baby?" I murmur, watching her writhe beneath me.

"Yes," she breathes, her hips bucking.

"Say please," I command, my voice a low growl. I tighten my fingers around her neck, cutting off her air supply just enough.

"Please," she gasps, her body tensing.

"Beg," I demand, thrusting my fingers deeper.

"Please," she moans, her head thrashing.

"Who owns this pussy?" I growl, pressing my thumb against her clit.

"You," she whimpers, her voice strained.

"Say it," I command, tightening my grip around her throat.

"You own me," she gasps, her back arching.

"That's right, sweetheart. All of you is mine," I purr, my fingers stroking her G-spot. I can feel her walls tightening, her body trembling.

"Please," she moans, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Come for me," I growl, my thumb rubbing her clit.

Her body stiffens, a strangled cry escaping her lips.

She comes apart, her body quaking.

"That's my good girl," I praise, stroking her through her orgasm.

She pants, her body shuddering.

I pull her to a sitting position before releasing her throat.

Her arms wrap around me, her fingers digging into my back before sliding around to mess with the button on my jeans.

My cock is throbbing, desperate for release.

She undoes the button, sliding the zipper down. Her hand reaches inside, grasping my length.

"Fuck," I hiss, my hips bucking.

"Let me make you feel good," she murmurs, her hand stroking my cock.

"Fuck, yes," I groan, my hands tangling in her hair.

She slides off the counter, her hand never leaving my cock. Her head dips, her mouth closing around the tip.

"Fuck," I hiss, my hips jerking.

She bobs her head, taking more of me.

My hands fist more of her hair, guiding her movements. Her mouth is so warm and wet and feels like fucking heaven. It's taking everything in me not to take complete control. I want so desperately to fuck that pretty little mouth of hers, but I hold back, letting her take the reins.

"Just like that," I groan, offering encouragement as my hips thrust in time with the bobbing of her head.

Her tongue swirls around the tip, teasing the sensitive spot. She takes me deeper, her throat working to swallow around me. She gags, her eyes watering.

"Don't stop," I growl. I can feel the tightness in my balls as my release grows closer, but I try to hold back. I'm not ready to come just yet.

She picks up the pace, her hand stroking the base of my cock.

"That's it," I groan, my hips jerking. "Just like that."

Her cheeks hollow as she sucks, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Fuck," I grunt. "Your mouth feels so good."

She moans, the vibration shooting through me.

My hips jerk, my cock sliding deeper.

"That's it," I groan, my hips thrusting. "Take all of it."

She gags again, a pretty little sound coming from deep in her throat, her eyes watering.

My control is slipping the closer I get to release.

"Fucking choke on it," I growl, my grip tightening.

She whimpers, her throat constricting around me.

My hips buck, my cock thrusting into her mouth. Oh god. I can't hold back any longer.

"Swallow it," I order, my voice a low growl, as I feel my release pulsing through me.

She gags, tears rolling down her cheeks.

My grip tightens, holding her head still as I shoot my load down her throat.

"Fuck," I groan, my hips jerking.

She gags again, but I don't release her.

"Swallow," I command, my voice rough.

She whimpers, but obeys, her throat working around me.

"That's a good girl," I growl, loosening my grip.

I slowly pull out of her mouth, my cock glistening with her saliva.

She's breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Tear stains cover her cheeks. Spit runs down her chin. My beautiful little fucking mess.

"Come here," I whisper, gently tugging her towards me and wrapping her in my arms. She settles against me, her head finding its favorite spot on my chest.

"You're so perfect," I whisper, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Her response is to nuzzle closer, a contented sigh vibrating against my skin. A small yelp escapes her as I pick her up and carry her to her room.

Gently, I place her on the bed, then slide in beside her, drawing her in.

"What are you doing?" she asks, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

I insist, my arms tightening around her. Despite her token protest of having homework to do, she snuggles deeper into my hold, her initial resistance melting away like snow under the sun.

"It can wait," I say, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She sighs, closing her eyes.

"Sleep," I command, my lips pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She responds with a sleepy hum, her body relaxing fully beside mine, the tension of the day bleeding away.

"Okay," she breathes out, her voice heavy with the onset of sleep.

I smile, stroking her hair. She's so beautiful, especially like this. Content and relaxed.

I stroke her hair, lost in the moment, until the gentle tug of sleep claims me too.