The Perfect Heiress

Want Her All To Myself

Chuck's POV

Vivienne flushed, her cheeks turning pink, and quickly changed the subject. “By the way, Pearl… she didn’t hurt you, did she?” She motioned toward the tiny Maltese.

I smiled. “No, she was well-behaved. Just playing with me.”

As I spoke, I absentmindedly brushed my wrist, and Vivienne’s sharp eyes caught the motion.

“Your wrist!” she gasped. “What happened? Did Pearl bite you?” Then, without waiting for an answer, she turned toward an employee. “Ava! Get some iodine!”

Before I could even react, she grabbed my arm and leaned in, inspecting my skin with surprising intensity. A few faint red marks trailed along my wrist—scratches I hadn’t even noticed.

Being this close, I could feel her breath ghost against my hand. Her soft scent wrapped around me, something floral with the faintest hint of vanilla.

Vivienne’s expression relaxed when she saw there was no blood, just a little scraped skin. “Don’t worry. She’s healthy. Gets a check-up every year, so there’s no need for a shot. She scratches me all the time.”

I let out a low hum, unconcerned. “I never said I was worried.”

The store manager hurried over with a small bottle of iodine and a few cotton swabs. Vivienne took them, then sat down beside me, dipping a swab into the disinfectant before casually offering it to me.

Ah. She wasn’t going to do it herself.

If it had been any other woman, she would’ve taken this chance to play coy, maybe even cling to me a little—acting sweet, delicate.

But not Vivienne. She just handed it over and expected me to handle it.

I chuckled, shaking my head, and made no move to take the swab. “It’s difficult to apply with just one hand.”

She hesitated. “You could…” Her gaze flicked toward my assistant, Ethan.

Ethan, to his credit, caught my silent cue immediately. “Apologies, boss. I need to use the restroom.”

And then he was gone, disappearing like smoke—along with the rest of my bodyguards. Even the store manager conveniently vanished, off to fetch my mother’s necklace.

Now, it was just us.

Vivienne visibly stiffened, suddenly aware of how quiet the room had become.

She sat beside me, pressed her lips together, and reluctantly took my wrist. The swab brushed over my skin, a cool sting barely noticeable beneath the warmth of her touch.

She was so careful, almost hesitant, yet her fingertips lingered just long enough to send a faint prickle up my arm. Her gaze lifted, sharp and assessing. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How have you been, Chuck?”

I smiled, slow and easy. “Not bad. Though, I’ll admit my mood shifted a little after seeing how many posters of your ex-boyfriend you still have hanging in this shop.”

My tone was light. Casual.

But this was the second time I’d brought him up.

“Didn’t we agree from the start that you wouldn’t care about him?” Her voice was smooth, almost lazy, “Why do you keep bringing him up?”

I crossed one leg over the other, letting my gaze settle back on a magazine cover featuring her ex’s face. “Did I ever say I wouldn’t care?”

“You did.”

I nodded, then—very calmly—looked at Vivienne with a smile tugging at my lips. "Well, now I have changed my mind."

I wasn’t sure what this emotion I had for Vivienne was—perhaps possessiveness, or curiosity, or something darker—but I didn’t feel the need to analyze it anymore.

I am sure that I wanted her.

I wanted all of her.

My fingers brushed her chin, tilting it up just slightly as I leaned in. My voice dropped to a low murmur, deep and firm. “You’re going to be my wife, Vivienne. My one and only Mrs. Knight. So I will mind if my wife still likes her ex enough to keep him around.”

She stared at me, as if she couldn’t quite process how suddenly I’d changed. From not care to mind a lot. Then, she scoffed. “Stop talking nonsense. Who said I still care about him?”

“If you don’t, then why are his pictures all over your store?”

She let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “That’s a business decision, Chuck. Doesn’t your bank also hire brand ambassadors? The subway is full of ads featuring your ambassador. Does that mean you’re in love with her?”

My ambassador was a rising young actress—beautiful, talented, sought-after. She’d starred in a recent Knights Bank commercial that had skyrocketed our credit card business.

Vivienne, who had just tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in a way that was so effortless yet so painfully elegant that my throat suddenly felt dry.

I swallowed hard. Looked away. “I don’t chase every beautiful woman I meet.”

Her lips parted, probably to snap back with some sharp remark.

But I cut her off, “And don’t change the subject, Vivienne. We were talking about you and your ex.”

She blinked, slow. Then, I noticed her fingers tightening against the sofa, her nails pressing lightly into the fabric.

She was nervous. She grabbed Pearl’s leash and stood up. “Excuse me, I still have work to do. The tie clip—I’ll have someone deliver it tomorrow.”

Taking in her reaction, I spoke again."Don't be nervous, Vivienne. I just want to say, since you’re so certain you don’t like him anymore… you won’t mind if I do something, will you?"

She froze.

I reached for her wrist. Her heels made her stance unsteady, and before she could react, she tumbled forward—falling straight into my lap. Again.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

My right hand found the back of her neck, the other gripped her waist, they tightening around Vivienne like coiled vines.

Trapping her. Caging her.

Her breath hitched. She braced her hands against my shoulders, her chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven waves. A flush crept up her neck, dusting the corners of her eyes in the faintest red.

She was trembling, but she refused to show weakness. Always so defiant. Always so untouchable.

"I am not the kind of woman who plays games with you, Chuck." Her voice was tight, warning. "If you keep this up, I’ll call off the engagement. Don’t test me."

I studied her, amused. "Test you how?"

Her eyes burned into mine. "By assuming I won’t act recklessly. By thinking I won’t break our engagement and let the rest of the world see us as an joke."

Everything about her was sharp and volatile, yet for some reason, I still wanted to be more closer to her.

Possess her.

Vivienne Sinclair. I remembered the first time I ever saw her. Five years ago, at some grand society banquet, standing out in a room full of overdressed socialites. She had just come of age then—slender but strong, sharp yet striking. A presence that demanded attention.

She wore deep blue that night, the gown shimmering like water as she moved.

My first thought?

Where did this mermaid princess come from?

Back then, I hadn’t known her name. Hadn’t cared to find out. Later, as her reputation grew, I started seeing her at events. Always poised, a woman impossible to ignore.

I hadn’t wanted her then. But I guess fate was amusing. The little mermaid had swam into my waters.

And now? Letting her go wasn’t an option.

I wanted her. Like I have said.

I felt the faint tremor in her body, the way she stiffened in my arms, but still kept our distance. I chuckled softly, lowering my head.

Too close. If I moved even a fraction now, I could kiss her.

But at the last second, I changed course. My lips skimmed past her cheek, my breath ghosting over her ear.

"Vivienne," I murmured. "What I really meant was since you’re sure you don’t like him anymore… you won’t mind if I pursue you, will you?"

Her fingers tightened on my shoulders, soft and unsteady. "…You’re pursuing me?"

I smiled. "You sound surprised."

Her breath stuttered, heartbeat quickening beneath my fingertips.

"Why?" She steadied her breathing, voice laced with suspicion.

I considered for a moment before answering smoothly. "We’re getting married soon. If we don’t start developing feelings for each other now, our marriage won’t be very harmonious. And harmony… requires some emotional foundation."

My gaze dropped to her parted lips, lingering.

"Don’t you think so, Vivienne?"

I could see it in her eyes. She understood exactly what I was implying.

If we didn’t start to get to know each other now— How else was I supposed to make love to her after we were wed?

And the truth was—I had no intention of keeping my distance from her. Not now. Not ever.