HIRAM'S POV:
“What happened last night?” she asks, her delicate fingers trailing around the rings. The truth is right on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t confess I’m a werewolf who marked her as my mate and dreads having sex with her because it will complete the bond. “We both got too drunk and ended up here,” I reply. She glances at me briefly, allowing me to take in her beautiful black eyes. “We were too drunk to have sex, but somehow we managed to get married. Oh, and you had a terrible fall too,” I lie, and she rubs her neck. “I really need to stop drinking,” she says, then briefly stares at the certificate before bursting into laughter. The sound is intoxicating, and I can’t help but feel a mix of confusion and admiration as her laughter fills the air, vibrant and sexy. I’m lost for a moment, and when I regain my composure, I keep a straight face. “What’s funny?” I ask, and she stops laughing at once, facing me with her lips puckered. “I don’t know what city you’re from, but this is Vegas, Professor Hiram. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so you don’t have to worry,” she replies. “Thank you for saving me, but I need to find a solution for my aching neck.” She turns to leave, but my hands grab hers instantly. Her hands are so tiny that I fear mine will crush them. As she flips around to face me, I’m at a loss for words. What is this woman doing to me? I question myself. “Let me take care of that,” I manage to say, and she raises a brow. “We can go back to my place and…” “You threw me out, and now you want me back at your place?” she scoffs. I let go of her, diverting my eyes from her soul-stealing gaze. “I… I’ll make it up to you,” I stutter, and she scoffs, her expression flat. “I’ll show you my art collection, which might interest you. I have a huge library and art collections that might interest. Plus, you can take anything you want,” I say. She holds my gaze for a moment. “That would be nice, but my car is still at that club. Plus, you’re my professor, and people will talk if they see us leaving together. It’s not appropriate, and…” “I’ll pay for a cab, and I’ll have my driver fetch your car,” I cut her off before she can finish. Her mouth shuts, and I instantly regret speaking so quickly. I feel desperate, but I want to be around her and keep her for myself, for my view and no one else’s. “That could work,” she says, and I try to maintain a straight face as I pull out my phone. I call Justin, my driver, and as soon as he picks up, I say, “I need you to go to the B & S club and help me pick up a…” I glance at Juniper. “Honda Civic,” she says, then I open my mouth to speak. “A 2008 Civic to be precise,” she adds. “A 2008 Honda Civic.” I relay her message to Justin, my mind clouded with the pride in her tone. She may not have much, but she’s grateful for it. Could she be more sexy? “Okay, sir,” Justin says, and I end the call, sliding my phone into my pocket. Once the call ends, I take out a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and grab a piece of paper from my desk, writing my address. “Here,” I say, handing her the cash. She opens her mouth to protest. “Keep it, and take it as an apology because I was an asshole this morning,” I say. What now, Hiram? Belittling yourself for a girl? I question myself as I try to maintain a strong exterior. “Thank you,” she mutters, and I grab my briefcase as we both leave the room. ** Shortly, I pull up to my house, stepping out of the car and leaning against it as I watch the see-through black gate. A yellow cab pulls up, and I walk toward it, opening the gate for her. She gasps in surprise as she sees her car parked in the lot. “Thank you,” she mutters, and I try to force a smile, watching her take in the vast compound. “Wow!” she mouths, walking toward the front door while I watch her hips sway and her face light up as she admires the large architecture before her. Her eyes widen as she appreciates the intricate carvings and deep blue shutters. The steep roof gives it a regal feel, and I see her smile when sunlight glints off the large bay windows. We walk to the garden behind the house, filled with vibrant colors—roses and lavender bursting with life, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. I notice her soft gasp as the birds sing a sweet song, and a swell of pride fills me as I watch her truly appreciate my home. Why do I want to keep her so much? This can be hers, and I can watch her all day while she brings me peace. “It’s like living in a castle!” she exclaims. Then she rubs the back of her neck. “We should get that fixed,” I say, grabbing her hand and walking her to the front door, which swings open unexpectedly, causing her to yelp in fear as she stumbles back, almost falling off the small flight of stairs. I catch her just in time. Winston, my butler, stands before her. “I just realized I’m really short,” she says, and a chuckle escapes my lips as I let go of her. She stands firm, straightening her skirt, then mouths a greeting to Winston, who bows slightly. “Get the first aid box,” I instruct him, and he nods. As we walk through the long hallway leading to the sitting room, I can’t help but watch Juniper’s every move. The walls, lined with elegant artwork, seem to catch her attention. She pauses to admire a framed painting, her fingers brushing against the ornate frame as if she’s connecting with the artistry. The soft carpet underfoot muffles our steps as we move further into the living room, where a chandelier above casts a warm glow, illuminating the plush velvet seating and polished marble floor. “Wow, your house is beautiful, and I had no idea you loved art this much,” she says, turning to face me again. “I swear I’ve seen this house in a movie or a book. Where do I start first?” She heads toward the hall on her right, and I grab her hands at once. Winston returns immediately, causing me to breathe a sigh of relief. I never let anyone go into the hall on the right because that’s where my art room is situated, a sacred space for our ancestors. Who knows how curious she might get? I don’t have the strength to explain it to her. I make Juniper sit while I walk to the bar in the corner, pouring myself a drink as I watch Winston apply a plaster to her neck, covering the marks. When he’s done, I gulp the remaining contents of my glass and set it down. “Let’s go to my study, and I’ll let you see my book collection,” I say before she can make any suggestions. As I lead Juniper into the study, the rich scent of aged paper fills the air. Towering mahogany bookshelves line the walls, while an intricately carved antique desk sits at the center, paired with a plush leather chair. Large windows draped in dark fabric allow soft light to spill into the room, creating a warm glow. She releases my hands, jumping around like a kid in kindergarten as she explores the library, running her fingers along the shelves until she halts in front of a section filled with John Berger’s books. “Ways of Seeing!” she exclaims, her eyes catching the book atop the shelf. In the blink of an eye, she rises on her tiptoes, attempting to reach the book, causing her skirt to rise higher. I catch a glimpse of her pink underwear and soft white cheeks, an image I can’t help but desire to touch. “I keep forgetting I’m five feet tall. Do you have a stool or something?” Her words jolt me from my moment of lust, but I’m not thinking clearly. She’s done something that can’t be undone. “Let me help you,” I say, closing in on her..HIRAM’S POV:“Let me help you,” I say, closing the space between us without a second thought.As my chest presses against her back, an instant pull grips me, one I try to shake off. Reaching for the book above her, our hands touch briefly, and I feel her breath hitch beneath me, fighting against the same pull that’s threatening to drown us both.She spins around just as I grasp the book. Our eyes lock, lingering longer than they should.My heart pounds as every nerve electrifies by her nearness. I want her—God, how I want her—but it’s too soon.What is this curse?“Thank you,” she murmurs, snapping me out of her spell.But then she leans in, her breasts brushing my chest as she reaches for the book, sending my body into overdrive. My hand catches her wrist the moment the book leaves my grip.In one swift motion, I pin her hands against the shelf. My gaze roams over her body like a predator stalking its prey. Her breathing quickens, and I watch the rise and fall of her chest, the V-cut
Being the second-born son in a family of seven is like being the useless older brother. The irresponsible one who needs to be put on a leash, and maybe they’re right. But in a world of rules, I thrive on the darkness of my choices, believing in only three things: money, women, and more women.My life is perfectly chaotic until she comes around.A man with a gun, they say, is dangerous, sure. But have they ever met an obsessed man who wants to be put on a fucking leash for one woman? There’s no safety in this kind of madness. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now… now I’d burn everything just to have her. Just to have one woman.Maybe I’m not the one in control anymore.************JUNIPER:Today is a special day in my life.One, it is my last day being nineteen, and the day I finally get to ‘do it’ with my boyfriend, Cillian.Cillian says he will be busy tomorrow, and we are celebrating my birthday today so we can ‘do it’ by twelve midnight the moment I turn twenty.“Juniper, we ne
JUNIPER:“You’ve got some nerve, baby girl,” he states in a gruff tone as his eyes rake over me.He takes a slow sip from his glass, his gaze never leaving mine.“No human female has been this bold.” He places the glass down while I stand there with my heart pounding, but I don’t care what he is blabbering about; I want to get over this.Leaning forward slightly, I let the neckline of my dress dip further, revealing more of the smooth skin between my breasts. His eyes flicker down for just a second, darkening with hunger before they meet mine again.“Your place or mine?” I ask, trying to uphold the false confidence in my voice.A slow and dangerous smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, which makes my skin tingle.“Don’t play with me, baby girl,” he warns as he leans back in his seat. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”I roll my eyes and make to stand, but before I can fully rise, his hand shoots out, wrapping around my wrist.“My place,” he says, and a small smile sp
HIRAM:It’s bad enough that I have to wait twenty-nine years for a mate, but to have a human as my mate? That’s the cruelest curse the Moon Goddess could have cast on me. I would question her decision, but it’s not like I’ve ever been one of her favorites.Rejecting her isn’t even a question. I want to. But I’m not ready to face the pain involved with it. Mainly because I have a class in an hour, and rejection would tear through me like wildfire.My phone buzzes, dragging me out of my thoughts. It’s the third-year class rep from my class, Juniper Miles.“I’ve informed them, sir.”I toss the phone aside, then I throw on my suit and grab my briefcase. Just as I reach for the door of the hotel room, I freeze, reaching for my pocket to see my wallet isn’t with me.I check the table, but there’s nothing. With a sigh, I yank the half-laid duvet off the bed, and there it is. My wallet tumbles to the floor, but something else falls with it. Something that sends a jolt through me, unlocking th
Juniper:My breath hitches with my heart pounding in my chest as my fingers graze over the ugly marks on my neck. Where did they come from? And that pain.“June!” The voice I dread echoes through the hallway.I slap a hand over my mouth, pressing my back to the bathroom door.“I know you’re in there, June, so come out or let me in.” Cillian’s voice echoes in the hall, followed by the door handle rattling.I force myself to breathe, trying to steel my expression as I yank the door open. But he knows me too well, and my expression isn’t enough to hide the lie in my eyes.“What happened? I heard you scream.” His eyes narrow as he tries to grab me, but I slap his hands away.“It’s none of your business, Cillian!” My voice is harsh as I grit my teeth. “You lost that right!”I try to walk past him, but his hand grabs mine, pulling me back.“June, please,” he whispers, pulling me into his chest.When I look into his eyes, my heart sinks as emotions I thought had died flare back to life.He c