Then he pushed harder and deeper and faster into her until her back arched almost completely, forcing her body hard into Benedict's chest causing him to stumble back and land on the bed; which was luckily only a few feet away from where they had been screwing. Sabrina kept riding him until they were both left spent on the bed. "God.I kinda regret saying that I was going to feed you after pinning to you the wall and doing you until your weak from sex." he chuckled, running his fingers through his hair.She chuckled back, her lips brushed across his "don't regret anything Benedict. Sex between us should never be regretted. Or at least it shouldn't be" she whispered, rubbing her hands on his chest in circles. Benedict rubbed her back lovingly and rolled with her so that they were lying on their side. "Sex with you is never regretted sweetheart, I was only regretting the fact that I said I was going to do you until you were weak. I think that I'm weak from sex instead of you" he admitted,
It was a warm and beckoning morning, the sunlight pouring into the living room of Benedict and Sabrina's house as Teresa, Benedict's elegant yet warm-hearted mother, walked in through the front door. Impressionably attired in a soft cream blouse and a tailored skirt, she had been gracious in presence as ever."Benedict, Sabrina! Where is that little boy now?" Teresa called cheerfully, her voice ringing out from the entryway.Sabrina came out from the kitchen with a smile on her face as soon as she caught sight of her mother-in-law. "Teresa! How nice to see you!" she exclaimed, going forward to embrace her warmly.Benedict followed in shortly, holding Saben who was laughing so hard he couldn't catch his breath. "Guess who's here to spoil you, champ?" Benedict grinned, handing Saben over to Teresa.Teresa's face lit up as she scooped Saben into her arms. "Oh, my sweet little Saben! Have you missed Grandma?" she cooed, showering him with kisses, which only made him laugh harder.Sabrina
The smell of baking cookies made its way through the air: proof of Teresa's cooking experience with Saben happening a little earlier in the day. Giggles filled the cozy living room as the family sat around Saben's latest creation: a colorful, slightly lopsided Lego castle."A castle fit for a king—and his bunny," Teresa declared with a theatrical flourish, making Saben giggle as he proudly held up Mr. Bunny, his well-loved stuffed animal."And don't forget," Saben added seriously, "it's also for the baby. Right, Mommy?"Sabrina blinked, caught off guard by her son's innocent question. She crouched to his level, meeting his wide, hopeful eyes. "Baby?" she asked, her voice gentle.Saben nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Grandma Teresa said we could have a baby. Then Mr. Bunny can have someone else to play with!"Teresa laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Well, I did say when the time is right, sweetheart. No pressure on your mommy and daddy."Benedict, standing nearby, chuckled. "Mom, your
The desk lamp managed to illuminate his tired face with only an almost dim light as he gazed at the photograph of Clara Hemp. Possibilities began hurrying through his mind, each one worse than the last. His fingers traced the outline of the photo, as though he could force her intentions to reveal themselves to him through sheer willpower."Morales," Rivera interrupted him, his voice soft but insistent, "you have been on this for hours. When's the last time you slept?"Morales shook his head without looking up. "Sleep isn't going to find Clara," he said. "Each minute she's out there, Benedict Thompson and his family are at risk."Rivera sighed and pulled a chair near. "You've done everything you can. We've checked every lead, interviewed every informant. She's a ghost.Morales banged his fist on the desktop, causing Rivera to jump a little. "She is not ghostly, I'm sure; she's bloody and living matter, and planning her next strategy. You better know she ain't gonna end till she'll get
The warm hum of conversation filled the Thompson dining room as the family shared dinner. Benedict, ever the attentive father, was laughing at something Saben said while Sabrina watched them both, her heart full despite the shadows of their past.But even in their own home, a tense feeling hung in the air. Sabrina turned toward the window, her mind wandering away. She could not feel, really, that Clara was gone, watching and waiting."Benedict," she whispered softly, her tone giving away her concern. "Do you think she's. still after us?Benedict's smile faltered, and he put down his glass. "Sabrina, we've done everything humanly possible. Morales and the police are doing all they can. We are safe."Saben looked up at his plate. The light young face stiffened into seriousness. "Who is 'she,' Mommy?"Sabrina's heart sank and she smiled harshly. "No one you need to worry about, baby."Benedict reached across and touched her hand. "We'll see to this, I promise".But Sabrina wasnt in a lis
"It is not for him," Clara hissed. "It is for you. For allowing me to experience that pain day in and out.""Forced to feel nothing," Benedict said, his tone steady and hushed. "Bringing something back you lost, no matter how.".But it will make me feel better, Clara spat, raising the gun again. Her hand trembled as she did so, and in the tension, one saw the war within her. "And isn't that what counts?"The sirens screamed through the night air, their shriek growing louder with each passing second. Clara's eyes went wide and she stepped back, her composure cracking."No," she whispered, shaking her head. "Not yet. This isn't how it's supposed to end.""Clara," Benedict said, his voice softer now. "It doesn't have to end like this at all. Put the gun down. Let us help you."Clara hesitated for a second. The sirens grew louder, wailing menacingly in her head. She didn't have long to decide now. She switched her glance between Benedict and the lights driving toward her down the road and
With dawn breaking over the horizon in the soft orange and pink tones, the tension in the Thompson estate was unabated as if the night had just retreated in terror. The two sat there in the living room, Benedict holding Sabrina's hand as both silently tried to process what they had just seen. Saben lay curled on the couch, sound asleep, grasping his beloved stuffed animal tight.A car was getting into the driveway. Benedict looked out through the window. It was Wendy, Sabrina's grandmother; Leslie, Sabrina's mother; and Teresa, Benedict's mother-all of whom burst out of the vehicle and into the driveway, their faces etched with worry.Sabrina stood up. Her legs were a little shaky. There was another ring on the doorbell. Benedict got up and opened the door to see three worried faces come rushing inside-overlapping voices demanded to know where Sabrina was.Oh, my sweet girl!" Wendy cried, holding Sabrina tightly to her. Her fragile yet tight hold betrayed just how upset she was. "Are
Meanwhile, the Thompson's house was quiet with electricity, chaos reigned on the outskirts of town.Clara sat in the back of the police car with her hands tied behind her as her mind whirled quietly. Her face had paled and she clutched at her stomach groaning in anguish."Officer! Help! I think something's wrong," she cried desperately, shaking. "I need a doctor, please! It's unbearable!"He turned and looked at her as one of the officers sat in the passenger seat. The other just nodded, hesitated, then leaned forward a bit. "Check on her. Just be careful."He stepped out of the vehicle, opening the back door. Clara doubled over, as though she was in extreme pain, and huddled closer to get an idea of what was wrong with her.Clara quickly jerked out a small, concealed blade she had snatched some time ago and stabbed him in the neck with it before he could even think about reacting to the attack. The officer let out a sharp gasp and clutched his wound as blood began to spill out."Offic
Eliana's phone beeped on her desk, and she checked the message. Her heart beat rapidly as she read it: Nathaniel Harper had negotiated a exclusive contract with one of their providers for Sabrina Ultra. She felt her anger rising."Are you serious Nathaniel?" she snarled, slamming her hand against the desk. "This is not possible!She stormed into the factory office, her heels clicking in the silence. Nathaniel looked up, surprised. Fury raged inside her, contained almost as she left a thick folder on the desk before Nathaniel Harper.Nathaniel did not even flinch. Nathaniel had not even flinched it rather his back relaxed against his chair. Neatly coiled arms over his chest and still wore that damn same irritating smile on his face. "Well, well. You look disturbed, Princess."Eliana's nails dug into her palms. "You signed an exclusive agreement with our vendors?"Nathaniel nodded his head, playing dumb. "Oh, that? It's business, sweetheart."Her blood pressure came racing up. "Don't yo
Eliana had managed crises for years. Delays in the supply chain, faulty products, high-pressure investor meetings—she'd mastered them all with cold efficiency.Nothing, however, pushed her patience to its limits like Nathaniel Harper.She stood in the middle of the factory floor, arms folded, as employees scrambled around her, checking the five hundred faulty units that had brought the whole schedule into disarray.Nathaniel, naturally, by her side with his telltale smirk, observing everything as if this was his own soap opera."Gotta say, Princess," Nathaniel said, leaning in with a tilt of his head. "I didn't think your business had such a huge screw-up. I thought you had a tight ship."Eliana gritted her teeth. "I do have a tight ship. But even the best operations have hiccups."Nathaniel whistled. "Interesting. Because if this occurred in my firm, heads would already be rolling by now."She glared at him. "We don't fix things by firing people willy-nilly. Unlike some companies, we
He nodded at Nathaniel as he left and then ran for the door. "Good luck getting along with her, Harper."Nathaniel chuckled. "Oh, I don't need luck. I like it."Eliana tossed a napkin in his direction. "Get back to work!"Nathaniel snatched it out of the air. "Yes, boss."As Saben walked through the doors, Nathaniel leaned on the table and observed as Eliana tore into her food."So… gonna thank me for making your day interesting?"Eliana glared at him, face as flat as a board. "I'm going to throw this hot soup at you."Nathaniel grinned, hands up in defeat. "I'll assume that's a no Eliana."Despite her disdain for saying it, Eliana couldn't help but let the tiniest curl of her lips.Because, despite everything—despite the mess, the fights, and the ever-present arguing—she knew something.This war between them?It was hardly over.And maybe, maybe she didn't care at all.Inside the factory, the workers were busy sorting the merchandise for bulk shipment. Cartons of designer handbags we
The next morning, Eliana drove to the Sabrina Ultra plant in front of her car in an ill-temper. She didn't feel like she was up for handling him.After last night's nightmare of the missing shipments—and the horror of having to work alongside Nathaniel Harper—she barely slept at all. Not out of fear. No. But from the smirking man's face and obnoxious voice going round and round in her head like a broken record.She shook her head. Forget it. Concentrate, Eliana.Taking a big breath, Eliana stepped across the factory doors, her shoes clicking on the gleaming concrete floor.And there Nathaniel was.Nathaniel Harper, standing against the loading docks, looking infuriatingly serene with his arms crossed, wearing a sleek navy blue suit that was too handsome for a man so infuriating.The instant he saw her, his signature smirk appeared."Good morning, Princess. Sleep well?"Eliana shook her head. "Not that it's any of yours, but yeah, I did. You know, unlike you, I have a job to get to."
Early the following morning, Eliana drove up to the factory in a crisp navy-blue business suit, her heels clicking against the ground as she got out of the car. Nathaniel was already present, resting against his brand new black sports car, the smile on his face enraging."You're late, Princess," Nathaniel slurred when she got near.Eliana snorted, adjusting her blazer. "I'm on time. Perhaps you're just too early because you have nothing better to do."Nathaniel grinned, jamming his hands into his pockets. "Or perhaps I just enjoy seeing you hurry about like a madwoman."She shot him a look. "I wasn't panicking.""Refresh your memory, of course," he announced, pushing open the factory door with a flourish and bowing courtly. "After you, Your Grumpiness Royal."Eliana raised an eyebrow but trailed behind, surrounded by the smell of leather and whine of machinery whirring. Laborers scurried to prepare the newest shipping line out into the world.She strolled along the assembly line, taki
Eliana opened the door to her family mansion with a push of the front entrance, fatigue sitting upon her as heavily as an anchor. The moment she set foot inside, home enveloped her in welcome comfort—the scent of food preparation, the muted hum of television, and laughter spilling through from the living room. And then, suddenly, someone hailed."And there she is—the great Eliana Thompson, grumpy and emitting the aura of a thousand boardroom battles." Eliana groaned. No way. Sprawled on the couch was her elder brother Saben, a bowl of popcorn between his knees, a really smug grin dawning upon his face."Not now, Saben," snarled Eliana, kicking her heels off and massaging her temples. Oh no, no, no," Saben said, sitting up."I need to know what happened. You look like you've been through a war… and lost." Eliana gave him a glare. "For your information, I did fight a war, and I am winning." Saben shoved a piece of popcorn into his mouth and smirked."Uh-huh. And does this war include a
Nathaniel looked up, unruffled. "Good morning, Princess. You appear. well, exhausted."Eliana waved the comment aside. "You're distracting my team."Nathaniel rested his arms on the table and leaned back against it. "I prefer to say 'cooperating.'"Her eyes narrowed. "That's ironic, because it appears a good deal of adjusting around here is accomplished without consulting me."Nathaniel assumed an innocent expression. "Oh? I thought you had too much to do last night fixing things up to care about opinions."Her blood boiled. "I don't require your help.""No, but your staff does," he replied with a suave smile, glancing around the designers. "They're skilled, but they don't have vision."Eliana leaned in, fire blazing in her eyes. "And you possess it?"Nathaniel's smile expanded. "I do."She gasped roughly. "This is my company. My mother started this from the ground up. You don't get to waltz in and act like you own the company."Nathaniel moved in closer, his voice low. "Oh, but I do,
Eliana pulled herself in, spent. Her whole body hurt from the hours of repairing the damage Nathaniel had done. Her body longed to sleep, but her mind refused to. Not yet. Not while he was out there deceiving her guests.Light in the living room illuminated as the sole hint to anybody that somebody was awake. The moment she closed the door, she could already hear the approaching footsteps.Sabrina Auburn-Thompson was standing before her, with arms folded and a concerned expression on her face."You're late Eliana," her mother replied back, tone tinged with concern and ire. "Again."Eliana sighed and rubbed her temple. "Mom, not tonight. Please."Sabrina came near, her sharp eyes scanning her daughter's weary face. "You didn't have dinner. Your father, Saben, and I waited."Guilt settled in Eliana's heart. "I was working on something. I didn't mean to—"Her mother cut in. "This is because of Nathaniel Harper, isn't it?"Eliana clenched her teeth. "He messed with the designs, Mom. I had
Eliana stepped into the brand new joint venture office, wearing a chic navy-blue dress and razor-sharp heels.Today would be the day they settled the next phase in the expansion—whether or not Nathaniel intervened.She approached, expecting already to find him inside, sneering at her with that odious smirk.She was right.Nathaniel leaned at an angle on the conference table. His arms crossed over his chest, his bright blue eyes still shot with a twinkle of amusement."Eliana," Nathaniel drawled.She set her tablet down on the table, scowling. "Some of us actually get things done, Harper."Nathaniel rose from his chair, laughing. "Oh, don't try to tell me you're still furious at what happened last night Eliana."Her eyes blazed with anger. "Oh, I'm far beyond furious."Nathaniel grinned. "Good. I prefer you angry."Eliana's jaw hardened. "And I prefer you not standing over me." Nathaniel chuckled. "Where's the fun in that Elaine?"There was a fury on Eliana's face and in the way she h