My beloved wife is addicted

Chapter 6: Making a Move

Sienna sat there with her cheeks puffed out, glaring at him. She didn't say another word, keeping her face turned toward the window as if she were counting the streetlights.

Julian Blackwood’s deep gaze lingered on her profile. The neon glow of the midnight city bled through the glass, dancing across her pale skin in a way that made her look surreal—almost too perfect. For a split second, a man who had seen everything was actually captivated.

The SUV glided silently to a stop near the NYU dorms. The second the locks clicked open, Sienna was out of that car like it was on fire. She didn't look back once, walking through the gates under the moonlight with her head held high, her silhouette fading into the distance under Julian’s burning stare.

Sawyer, his assistant, checked the rearview mirror. He waited until she was completely out of sight before slowly pulling away.

"Boss," Sawyer said, a playful grin tugging at his mouth, "that girl has a temper like a slab of granite. I don't really see the appeal. You usually go for those high-maintenance, sophisticated socialites. Since when do you like them this... prickly?"

"You eat enough steak, eventually you crave something else," Julian said, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the leather armrest. A smirk played on his lips. "Sometimes the simplest things have the most interesting flavor."

Sawyer thought back to the way Sienna had stood her ground against Julian and shivered. "I don't know, boss. Miss Thompson doesn't seem like 'simple flavor' to me. She’s more like a wild cat that’s ready to bite."

Mentioning Sienna actually seemed to put Julian in a better mood. "Oh? What makes you say that?"

Sawyer hesitated, then laughed. "The way she was looking at you back there... she looked like she wanted to take a literal chunk out of you."

Julian pictured that angry, beautiful little face and let out a low, knowing chuckle. "This is Manhattan, Sawyer. There isn't a woman in this city I can't tame. Even a rose with thorns eventually learns to bloom for me."

"No doubt about that," Sawyer added quickly. "Nobody escapes the Blackwood reach."

Sunday.

Finn pulled up to the NYU gates in a semi-beat-up Ford. He’d left the flashy supercars in the family garage, doing his best to maintain his "struggling student" persona.

Sienna was in the library, buried in legal research, when her phone buzzed. She was surprised it was Finn. She looked out the window at the warm, golden afternoon and his handsome, sunny face flashed through her mind.

She smiled to herself, packed up her heavy books, checked them out at the front desk, and sprinted toward the South Gate.

Finn was leaning against the car door. When he saw her running toward him, breathless and glowing, his face lit up. He started walking to meet her.

"Sienna!"

She slowed down as she reached him, looking up at his towering frame. The sun caught her flushed cheeks and the flutter of her long lashes. Finn’s heart skipped a beat.

He flashed a row of perfect white teeth, his grin wider than he could control. He gave her shoulder a playful nudge, trying to hide just how stoked he was to see her. He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual.

"I had nothing going on today, so I figured I’d check in on you. What’s with the face? Not happy to see your favorite 'coworker'?" He watched her closely, only relaxing when he saw the faint smile in her eyes.

"No, I’m happy. It’s just... I have this legal analysis due. Next Wednesday is the hard deadline."

"Wednesday? That’s ages away. Come on, I’m taking you somewhere cool today." He reached for her books, but Sienna was too quick, pulling them back.

"I can't. Today is my only window," Sienna said seriously. "Tomorrow I have to go 'home' to the Upper East Side, and the rest of the week is packed with classes. Everyone else does their homework at night, but I’m stuck working the shifts at the Conrad. I’m out of time."

"You’re going home tomorrow?" Finn’s expression shifted. He’d heard enough from Mira to know Sienna’s home life was a dumpster fire. "Why? Those people don't even treat you right. Skip it. Come hang with me instead."

Sienna’s smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She gave him a haunting look and stayed quiet for a long moment. "It’s Mrs. Thompson’s request. I can’t just ghost them forever. My mother is still there."

Finn heard the bitterness in her voice and leaned in, teasing her. "Look at you, still a little girl who can't leave her mama? What are you gonna do when it’s time to get married?"

"Married? Please... let’s worry about that later." Sienna walked a few paces ahead, then spun around, eyes wide. "Wait, who’s getting married?! Shut up, Finn!"

Finn burst out laughing, lunged forward, and snatched the books right out of her arms. He bolted for the car.

"Hey! Finn! Give those back! I need that research!"

"You want the books? You gotta come with me!" Finn reached the car and held the books over his head, winking at her. "Behave, and I’ll personally escort you and your library back here tonight."

Sienna stood there, squinting against the harsh sun. She watched Finn laughing in the light and felt a tug of conflict. She knew he liked her, but she carried secrets that felt too dark for someone as bright as him.

But on a suffocating weekend like this, the light Finn brought was too tempting to resist. She finally gave in to the impulse and walked toward him.

"Fine. Where are we going?"

Finn felt like he’d just won the lottery. "Wherever you want! Today, I’m all yours!"

He took her to a new speakeasy a friend of his had just opened in the Meatpacking District. It wasn't officially open for the night yet, but a crowd of Manhattan’s young elite were already inside, treating the place like their private playground.

The second they got out of the car, a group of guys swarmed Finn. He’d been ghosting the socialite and club scene for weeks to chase Sienna, and the crew was hyped to see him.

"Boss! You finally crawled out of hiding! We thought you went into early retirement to chase that 'intern' of yours," Camilo, the owner, joked. Then his eyes locked onto Sienna, and he did a double-take. "Damn, Finn. Where’d you find this East Asian sweetheart? She’s stunning."

Finn stepped in, blocking Camilo. "Back off. You smell like a brewery, you’re gonna freak her out."

"Wait, the playboy is actually playing bodyguard?" Camilo nodded, impressed. This was the first time Finn had ever brought a girl to a private hang. The vibe was loud and clear: Hands off.

Sienna looked at the group—rich, flashy, and acting like they owned the sidewalk. She felt a wave of instant revulsion. This whole scene reminded her of the one person she wanted to forget: Julian.

"I don't want to do this. I want to go back to school. I really can't mess around with this assignment," Sienna said, starting to back away.

"We’re already at the door." Finn caught her wrist, his tone turning surprisingly firm. "Sienna, what? You think you’re too good for my friends?"

"It’s not that... I’m just a student with a job. I don't belong here."

"Then why won't you go in with me?"

"I don't do bars. I just... I don't feel like I fit in."

"It’s just a get-together, Sienna. You think the only way to be a 'decent person' is to network at some stuffy Upper East Side gala? Relax. It’s just New Yorkers hanging out." Finn kept his face serious, but his grip on her hand didn't loosen for a second.

He looked down at her worried face, and his voice finally softened. "It’s okay. I’m right here. I’m not leaving your side, okay?"