Chapter 97

Annie's POV

Howard pushed me against the wall, our lips colliding instantly. His kiss was both rough and passionate, making my knees weak. I grabbed his tie,eagerly pulling it loose while his fingers quickly unbuttoned my blouse.

"Now," I whispered against his lips, feeling his solid chest pressed against mine.

He let out a low growl, hs hands gripping my thighs as he lifted me up.My back hit the bedroom door, my legs wrapping tightly around his waist.Howard's eyes were filled with primal desire as his lips left a trail of hot,wet kisses down my neck, making me tilt my head back and release a soft gasp.

"Harder," I breathed into his ear, my fingers running through his hair,pulling firmly.

We stumbled toward the bed, clothing scattered along the way. Howard's palms roamed over my body, each touch igniting new sparks. When he laid me on the bed, moonlight filtered through the curtains,highlighting the perfect contours of his bare upper body. I reached out to pull him toward me, longing to feel his warmth again.

"You're beautífu," he said softly, his voice rough with desire. Time blurred as our bodies intertwined. Howard's movements transitioned from initial urgency to something more deliberate, yet no less iñtense. My body responded to his every action, our chemistry feeling as though it had developed over years. He knew what I liked, what I needed, even before I realized it myself. "Look at me, Annie," he commanded, his hands anchoring my hips. My eyes met his, seeing raw desire and something deeper in those depths.Our bodies collided fiercely on the bed, the rhythm urgent and primal. My fingers left scratches down his back as pleasure built within me like an electrical current.

When the final release came. I gripped his shoulders tightly, my entire body trembling. Howard followed shortly after, his tense muscles relaxing under my hands. We maintained that position for several minutes,our breathing gradually steadying, sweat cooling on our skin.

Howard rolled to lie beside me, his arm encircling my waist. He pressed a gentle kiss into my hair. We lay quietly, enjoying each other's presence.Time seemed to stand still, with only the distant ticking of a clock reminding us of the outside world.

In the aftermath of our passion, I lay beside Howard. Howard's arm rested possessively across my waist, his breathing deep and even against my neck.

As much as I wanted to remain in this warm, safe cocoon, I knew I should check on Lucy. I carefully slid out from under Howard's arm, collecting my scattered clothing from the floor. I dressed quietly, trying not to wake himn, though I could feel his gaze on me as I turned.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice still carrying remnants of desire,deep and raspy.

"I should check on Lucy," I explained, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on his lips.

Howard nodded, watching me, his eyes mixing reluctance with understanding. "Don't be long."

I slipped out of his bedroom and into the hallway, hoping not to encounter anyone in my slightly disheveled state. I had only taken a few carefuI steps when Sue's voice caught me from behind. "Annie? I've been looking for you."

I turned, feeling heat rise to my face, but Sue's expression held no judgment.

"Edward and Eleanor Parker are here to see you," she said. "They're with Lucy and Penny in the playroom."

I was surprised by the unexpected visit from Lucy's grandparents. "Thank you,Sue.I'll go right away."

Pushing open the playroom door, I saw Edward and Eleanor Parker sitting on a small sofa, watching Lucy and Penny playing with toy airplanes at the other end of the room.

They rose to greet me as I entered.

"Annie," Eleanor said warmly, "thank you for taking such good care of our Lucy."

I smiled, genuinely touched by her words. "Lucy is a wonderful child. It's a joy to know her."

Edward nodded, his eyes showing deep emotion. "Since you came into her life, we've seen such a change in her. She talks more,smiles more..."

"Howard has done most of the work," I said honestly. "He loves her very much."

"We can see that," Eleanor replied. "At first, when William and our daughter passed so suddenly, we were concerned. We worried that Howard,being a business-focused bachelor, might not provide the nurturing environment Lucy needed."

Edward added, "But these past few weeks staying here have proven us wrong. Howard treats Lucy like his own daughter." Just then, Lucy and Penny decided the playroom was too small for their"flying competition." The two little girls rushed toward the door with their toy planes, nearly colliding with Howard who had just appeared in the doorway.

"Whoa, slow down, little pilots," Howard laughed, stepping aside to let them pass. He glanced at me with a questioning look, and I nodded in response.

The four adults followed the laughing girls downstairs to the spacious living room. Sue was arranging cups on the coffee table and smiled as we entered, preparing more refreshments.

"Penny, we should head home," Sue glanced at her watch.

"Five more minutes, please," Penny begged, demonstrating airplane stunts with Lucy.

Sue gently insisted, "It's getting late, honey. You have school tomorrow."

As Sue and Penny were preparing to say goodbye, Eleanor retrieved an elegant wooden box from her handbag. She opened it carefully to reveal a stunning jade bracelet. The green stone gleamed under the soft living room lights.

She touched the jade gently, her expression full of reminiscence. "I've been thinking about this for a long time."

Edward sat across from her, quietly asking, "Oh?" "I had planned to give this to our daughter," Eleanor explained, her voice soft with memory. "Before her wedding, she came to me and said,'Mom,this bracelet is so beautiful. I love it. When I get married, will you give it to me?" Eleanorcontinued, "I said of course. But when she got married and I offered it as a wedding gift, she refused. She said that if worn daily,such a precious bracelet might get damaged. She asked me to keep it safe at home.1

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with regret. "I always planned to find another occasion to give it to her. But before I could do so, she passed away."

Eleanor's gaze returned to the bracelet. "Lucy is still too young...so I thought perhaps we should give this bracelet to you, Annie."

Sue quietly left with Penny who had said her goodbyes, while Lucy ran over to hug my leg, playfully demanding I join her airplane game.

I took the box and opened it, my fingers lightly tracing over the smooth green stone. For a brief moment, I felt overwhelming emotion at being offered such a family heirloom - something that had once been meant for Lucy's mother. It felt like acceptance, like being welcomed into their family circle.

"I couldn't possibly accept something so precious," I said, closing the box."Perhaps you should save it for Lucy."

Eleanor responded without hesitation: "We've made our decision."

I smiled, a mischievous thought forming. "Well, if you've given it to me,then it's mine to do with as I please, and you can't control who I give it to.

Edward and Eleanor exchanged surprised glances, clearly not expecting this response.

Edward sighed, though with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Since you've made up your mind, we won't force you."

"Good," I said, crouching down to hand the box to Lucy, "This is from your grandparents, Lucy. It's very valuable, so you must take good care of it."

Lucy looked confused, her gaze shifting between me and the box. She carefully opened it, curiously examining the bracelet inside. After a moment's consideration, she accepted the box, then immediately walked over to Howard.

"Dad, can you keep this safe for me?" she asked seriously, looking up at him.

Howard gently took the bracelet and nodded. "Of course,I'll keep it safe."

"I'll put it in the safe," he said, heading upstairs.

Lucy turned to her grandparents, giving them a sweet smile. "Thank you,Grandpa and Grandma."

Edward and Eleanor appeared deeply moved, with tears shimmering in Eleanor's eyes. "You're welcome,dear."

Lucy came back to give me a tight hug. "Thank you too,Mom."

Hearing this title, warmth flooded through me. I patted her back gently,noticing the clock now showed nine o'clock.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. But it's getting late-time for a bath and bed."

Lucy nodded, the day's excitement seemingly catching up with her. She waved goodnight to her grandparents, then took my hand as we headed upstairs.

After a quick bath and teeth brushing, Lucy climbed into bed, her eyes bright with anticipation for our nightly story. I sat beside her with her favorite fairy tale book as she snuggled close. Howard leaned against the doorframe, watching us with a tender expression I'd never seen on Philip's face.

Soon Lucy's eyelids growing heavy. By the time I finished the story,she was fast asleep. I tucked the blanket around her small frame, and quietly slipped out of the room.

Howard waited for me in the hallway, extending his hand. "Would you like to talk on the balcony?"

"I'd love to."