Emily's heart raced as she surveyed the transformed gallery space. Soft lighting illuminated abstract paintings and sleek sculptures, while the clinking of champagne flutes and murmur of voices filled the air. Her navy dress swished around her legs as she made final adjustments to a floral arrangement.
"Bloody hell, we actually pulled this off," Sophia whispered, sidling up next to her.
Emily grinned. "Don't jinx it. The night's still young."
Her gaze drifted to Lucas, looking devastatingly handsome in his matching suit as he chatted with her parents. A familiar warmth bloomed in her chest.
"Earth to Emily," Sophia teased. "Stop eye-fucking your man and help me with these gift bags."
Emily snorted, grabbing a stack of g
Emily felt a warm, strong presence behind her as Lucas' hands settled on her waist. His breath tickled her ear as he leaned in close."Was that Ryan?" Lucas asked, his voice low and tinged with concern.She nodded, turning to face him. "Yeah. Apparently, he's decided that crashing my work event is the perfect way to apologise for being a world-class asshole."Lucas' blue eyes narrowed. "What did he want?"Emily sighed, running a hand through her carefully styled hair. "He wants to meet for brunch tomorrow. You, me, and him." She paused, gauging Lucas' reaction. "I told him we'd go.""Are you sure about this?" Lucas asked, his brow furrowing.Emily shrugged, feeling suddenly draine
Emily squinted against the harsh sunlight reflecting off the pier, her head pounding with each step. The salty sea breeze did little to ease her hangover as she and Lucas approached the quaint cafe, its weathered wooden sign creaking in the wind."I need caffeine. Stat," Emily muttered, her voice raspy.Lucas chuckled, his hand on the small of her back. "I think we all do after last night."As they entered, Emily's eyes immediately locked onto Ryan, sitting at a corner table. Her stomach clenched, a mix of residual anger and unexpected nerves."Let's get this over with," she whispered to Lucas, steeling herself.They made their way over, the floorboards groaning beneath their feet. Ryan stood, his usually impeccable appearanc
Emily's eyes fluttered open, her vision filled with Lucas's stubbled jawline. Their limbs were a tangled mess, her leg hooked over his hip, his arm pinned beneath her. Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over their intertwined bodies."Merry Christmas Eve, you octopus," Emily mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep. She attempted to extricate herself but only managed to tighten their embrace.Lucas chuckled, the rumble in his chest vibrating against her. "Merry Christmas Eve yourself, spider monkey." His free hand traced lazy circles on her back. "I think we've outdone ourselves this time. I can't feel my left arm."Emily snorted, burying her face in the crook of his neck. The familiar scent of his skin - a mix of cedar and something uniquely Lucas - filled her senses. God, how ha
As Lucas mixed batter and the bacon began to sizzle, Emily poured two steaming mugs of coffee. She breathed in the scent, savouring the moment.Fuck, when did domesticity start feeling so damn good? she wondered, watching Lucas flip a pancake with practiced ease. The sight of him, all tousled hair and relaxed muscles, stirred something warm in her chest."What're you thinking about?" Lucas asked, catching her stare.Emily sipped her coffee, buying time. "Just... how nice this is," she admitted softly.Lucas set down the spatula and walked over to her, his movements fluid and deliberate. He stood behind Emily, his warmth enveloping her as he pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder."It is nice, yes," he murmured agai
The night of the gallery opening...The breeze ruffled Sophia's auburn curls as she leaned into Jake's warm embrace. His fingers traced lazy patterns on her waist, sending delicious shivers up her spine."Bet you a tenner Lucas and Emily are plotting their bedroom antics right now," Sophia whispered, nodding towards the couple walking ahead.Jake's deep chuckle vibrated against her. "No bet. Those two are probably scheduling positions by the hour."Sophia snorted, her hazel eyes dancing with mischief.Jake grinned, his sun-bleached hair falling rakishly over one eye. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "But then… I've got plans for you that'd make a sailor blush."Heat pooled in Sophia's belly. Damn, she’s known him mere hours and the man knew how to push her buttons. She forced herself to focus on the little shops and houses lining the street. Anything to distract from the growing ache between her thighs."You're all talk, Summers," she retorted, aiming for nonchalance and missi
ANYTHING FOR YOU, SOPHIA: Chapter TwoJake's strong hands caught Sophia's wrists, pinning them behind her back in one fluid motion. A thrill shot through her as he hooked his feet over her ankles, spreading her legs apart."Thought you could tease me, huh?" Jake's voice was low and husky in her ear.Sophia's breath hitched. "Maybe I like teasing you."His free hand danced up the inside of her thigh, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "And maybe I like putting you in your place."She squirmed against his grip, torn between wanting to break free and aching for his touch. "My place? And where exactly is that?"Jake's fingers finally reached her core, eliciting a gasp. "At my mercy.""Cocky bastard," Sophia muttered, even as her hips bucked involuntarily, the movement splashing water everywhere.His chuckle vibrated against her back. "You love it."She bit her lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction. But as his fingers began to move in maddening circles, coherent thought fled. All she cou
"Lay down on your back, knees bent, legs open, hands above your head," Jake commanded, his voice low and gravelly.Sophia felt a shiver run through her body as she complied. "Yes, sir," she breathed, arranging herself on the plush hotel bed.Her heart raced as Jake knelt between her parted thighs. His blue eyes burned with intensity as they roamed over her exposed form. Sophia fought the urge to squirm under his gaze.Jake's lips lifted in a slight smirk as he lowered his head. He pressed a feather-light kiss to her ankle, then slowly made his way up her calf.'Fuck,' Sophia thought, her breath catching. 'How does he make this feel so good?'When Jake reached the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, Sophia couldn't contain a whimper. His stubble rasped deliciously against her flesh as he nipped and sucked marks onto her skin."Jake, please," she gasped, her hips lifting involuntarily.He chuckled darkly. "Patience, little one. I'm savouring you."Finally, finally, his mouth landed on he
Sophia's eyes fluttered open, consciousness creeping in along with a dull ache in her muscles. She rolled over, arm reaching out, but found only cold sheets beside her. "Jake?" she mumbled, voice rough with sleep. No response.She sat up, blinking in the harsh morning light streaming through the gap in the curtains. The room was empty, Jake's clothes no longer strewn across the floor where they'd been hastily discarded the night before. "Well, shit," Sophia muttered, running a hand through her tangled curls. A folded piece of paper on the pillow next to her caught her eye. She snatched it up, unfolding it with fingers that trembled slightly.A phone number was scrawled across the paper, along with the words "Text me later, little one."Sophia stared at the note, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. Part of her wanted to crumple it up and toss it in the bin. Another part wanted to grab her phone and text him right that second."Get a grip, Soph," she told herself. "It was just a
Sophia sank deeper into the warm, fragrant bathwater, her muscles practically melting as Jake's strong arms enveloped her from behind. She let out a contented sigh, feeling utterly spent yet blissfully satisfied."Holy shit, that was intense," she murmured, her voice still a bit hoarse from screaming Jake's name. "I think you broke me in all the best possible ways."Jake chuckled, the rumble in his chest vibrating against her back. "You can take it, little one. I know how tough you are."Sophia smirked, though her eyes remained closed as she basked in the afterglow. "Tough, maybe. But if we did that too often, I might actually die. Death by mind-blowing orgasms - not a bad way to go, I suppose.""Nah, can't have that," Jake replied, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on
Sophia's breath caught, a delicious shiver running through her despite her exhaustion. God, she did love it. Her mind flashed to memories of Jake stretching her open, filling her completely."You're insatiable," she managed to gasp out, her voice hoarse from screaming.Jake chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "You love it." His calloused hands gripped her hips, flipping her over onto her stomach. "Now be a good girl and arch that back for me."Sophia complied, pressing her face into the pillow as she lifted her ass. Her body ached in the best way, oversensitive and trembling."Fuck," Jake growled appreciatively. "Look at you, so eager for more."His fingers trailed down her spine, making her shudder. 
Sophia shivered in anticipation, wondering if she could handle what was to come. But the challenge in Jake's voice sparked her competitive spirit. Bring it on, surfer boy, she thought.Jake's fingers traced lightly over Sophia's flushed skin. "How do you feel, little one?" he asked, his voice low and husky.Sophia's body hummed with lingering pleasure. Every nerve ending felt electrified, oversensitive. She took a shaky breath before responding."Wrung out, sir," she murmured. A smile tugged at her lips. "But so good."Her muscles ached deliciously, reminding her of everywhere Jake had touched, everywhere he'd been. The soreness between her legs made her squirm.Jake chuckled, the sound sending a fresh shiver down her s
Sophia's body tensed as Jake removed the clamps from her tender nipples. A sharp whimper escaped her gagged mouth as sensation flooded back, the rush of blood both painful and exquisite."That's it, little one," Jake murmured. "Let me hear you."His warm breath ghosted over her sensitive skin before his tongue flicked out, circling one aching peak. Sophia's back arched involuntarily, pressing herself closer as waves of pleasure radiated through her.Jake's lips closed around her nipple, sucking firmly. His teeth grazed the sensitive bud and Sophia cried out, the sound muffled by her makeshift gag.‘Fuck, that feels so good,’ she thought hazily. Her mind swam with competing sensations - the full
Jake's fingers deftly tightened the clamps on Sophia's nipples, sending a jolt of electricity through her body. She let out a muffled whimper around the panties stuffed in her mouth, her back arching involuntarily off the bed."That's it, little one," Jake murmured, his voice low and husky. "Let me hear those pretty sounds."He lowered his head, teasing her sensitive nipples with his lips and tongue. The dual sensations of the tight clamps and his warm mouth had Sophia writhing beneath him, desperate whines escaping past her makeshift gag.‘Fuck, this is torture,’ Sophia thought hazily, her mind clouded with pleasure and need. ‘Delicious, perfect torture.’Jake flicked h
With a sudden motion, Jake flipped Sophia onto her back. Her bound hands dug into the mattress beneath her, and she let out a deep moan as the plug shifted inside her."Fuck," Sophia gasped, her body trembling. The new position sent sparks of pleasure radiating through her.Jake's eyes gleamed with mischief. "We're just getting started, little one."Before Sophia could respond, she felt the sharp pinch of clamps closing around both nipples. Her hips bucked involuntarily as the intense sensations coursed through her."Jesus Christ," she hissed through clenched teeth. Every nerve ending felt electrified.Jake chuckled, his fingers trailing along her flushed skin. "Too much?"
A gasp escaped Sophia's lips as the cool slick of lube touched her sensitive skin. Her body tensed in anticipation, heart racing.Jake's deep voice rumbled behind her. "Relax, little one. You know you love this part.""Mmmph," Sophia mumbled into the pillow, hands flexing against the restraints. The silky blindfold heightened every sensation as Jake's fingers worked the lube around her ass.Sophia's mind raced. Fuck, she did love this. The vulnerability, the surrender of control. But she'd never admit that out loud.The blunt pressure of the plug made her breath catch. Jake teased it against her, barely breaching before withdrawing. In and out, a maddening rhythm."Bastard," Sophia hissed through clenched te
Sophia revelled in throwing him off balance. She knew exactly how to push his buttons in the best way. As she took him back into her mouth, she wondered how far she could tease him before he snapped. The thought sent a thrill through her core.Jake growled and fisted his hand in her hair. "You're playing with fire, little one."Sophia hummed in response, the vibrations making Jake's hips buck. She loved reducing this powerful man to putty in her hands. Or mouth, as it were.Her fingers continued their ministrations between her legs. She was close already from all his earlier teasing. But she wanted to see how much further she could push things.Jake's grip tightened in warning. "Last chance to behave."Sophia pulled off with
Jake's response was immediate and electrifying. His fingers slid beneath the lace of her underwear, pushing the vibrator deeper inside her with a swift, confident motion. Sophia's breath hitched, her nails digging into his shoulders."Fuck," she hissed, her hips bucking involuntarily.Jake's lips curved into a smirk against her neck. "That's the idea, little one."His fingers began to move, teasing circles around her clit with maddening precision. The dual sensations - the vibrator pulsing inside her and Jake's expert touch - had Sophia seeing stars."Jesus Christ, Jake," she panted, her head falling back against the wall with a soft thud.Jake chuckled, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "Not quite, but I'll tak