FLORA’S POV I stared at him, unsure of what to say. His words didn’t fully register; I was too busy trying not to gawk at the way his hands moved to unbuckle his belt. Slow. Deliberate. Dangerous. “Say that again,” he urged, his voice was as smooth as melted chocolate. “Say what again?” I blinked confused while my pulse thundered like a war drum. He leaned in slightly, amber-gold eyes fixed on me with the intensity of a predator closing in on its prey. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you want to end this.” The words struck like a bolt of lightning. I froze and my throat suddenly went dry. Oh, right. That. My declaration of independence from this dangerously addictive man. The words had rolled off my tongue in a fit of anger earlier, but now? Standing there with nothing but a handful of fabric and his relentless gaze, I wasn’t so sure anymore. I said nothing, unable to muster a coherent response. “That’s what I thought,” he rumbled. The belt came off with a soft, menacing his
FLORA’S POV “Can you untie my hands now?” I asked as Alex pulled away from the kiss, leaving my lips tingling with the aftermath. “Your hands stay tied,” he murmured. Then, he spread my thighs. He withdrew the vibrator, the slick sensation sending a shiver coursing through me. His finger trailed up the sensitive line of my core, and a jolt of pleasure rippled through me, scattering like sparks into every nerve. I slumped forward, resting my forehead on his shoulder, my heart pounding. "You’re drenched,” he whispered into my ear, his breath hot against my skin. The deep timbre of his voice felt like a caress all its own. A moment later, his finger plunged into me, coaxing a gasp from my lips. “You want me, don’t you?” His finger slid out, only to return with an intensity that made my legs tremble. “Answer me, baby girl,” he demanded, his voice tinged with a rough edge that sent a thrill through me. “Yes, I want you,” I panted against his shoulder. He groaned in satisfaction
FLORA’S POV Alex planted soft kisses on my forehead after another mind-blowing lovemaking session. I was thoroughly and completely spent, my body was a blissful heap, and I loved every second of it. Now, he held me in his arms, cuddling me. I couldn’t even tell how long we had been here, lost in each other. “Do you feel good, flower?” Alex murmured, his voice tender as he brushed his lips against mine. I nodded, as a lazy smile tugged at my lips. “I feel great.” “It’s time to take proper care of you,” he whispered into my ear before slipping out of me and getting out of bed. “Come,” he said, extending his hand. I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me upright before scooping me into his arms. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, anchoring me to him. I rested my head on his shoulder, letting out a contented sigh. Tonight had been intense, and my body was exhausted in the best way possible. Alex seemed to understand everything I was feeling without me needing to say a w
JAYDEN’S POV The city lights shimmered like scattered stars outside my hotel window. I leaned against the glass, my forehead pressed to its cool surface as I tried to untangle the mess of emotions. Sleep was very far from me tonight. Seeing Flora again wasn’t supposed to feel like this, like a sharp knife twisting in the wound of my own mistakes. How could I have been so blind? If only I had seen her potential back then. If only I hadn’t let class, status, and my family’s obsession with appearances dictate my choices. Flora could still have been my wife and the most celebrated, rising designer standing by my side tonight. The way people fawned over her tonight made me realize I had truly lost a good thing. But the way she smiled at me tonight gave me a ray of hope. Should I pursue her more? Maybe persistence would make her see me again. But regretting losing Flora was one on the list of my problems right now. I sighed heavily, looking back towards my bed where my laptop sat
FLORA’S POV I stepped out of the cab, clutching my handbag, and crossed the street toward our apartment building. Mom had called earlier to let me know she was off to work, so I knew I would have some quiet time to myself before heading to the office. It was a little past 8:00 a.m., on Monday morning, and I couldn’t stop smiling as I recounted my weekend with Alex. It had been a memorable weekend indeed. To think I had been skeptical when Vicky announced I would be going to the business conference in the company of Alex. I was practically dreading it. Now, I wish every work trip could be just the two of us. Business and... well, pleasure. The familiar dingy reception area greeted me as I walked in, exchanging pleasantries with the elderly caretaker before heading upstairs. Our apartment was on the first floor, making the elevator unnecessary, but as I climbed the stairs, my phone buzzed incessantly. I fished it out of my handbag and saw Jolly’s name flashing on the screen. Sighing
MELISSA’S POV I perched on the twin couch next to Lisette in the living room, feigning interest in her endless parade of wedding decoration samples. Her overly polished nails pointed at floral arrangements and seating charts while my thoughts danced gleefully elsewhere. My heart wasn’t racing from nerves, it was a pure mixture of excitement and triumph. Finally, Flora Roberts was getting the heat she deserved. And better yet, she was going down faster than I had even dared to dream. “Are you even listening?” Lisette’s sharp tone snapped me back to the present. I turned to her, unable to suppress the smug grin spreading across my face. “Have you seen the news this morning?” Lisette’s perfectly carved brows furrowed slightly. “Does it have anything to do with Kensington?” “Kind of, but it isn’t in a very bad light," I replied casually, savoring the moment. "It’s about Flora. The media’s tearing her apart, calling her out for the manipulative gold-digger she is. This is the per
ALEX’S POV I sat in my car, parked across the street from Flora’s apartment, my knuckles white as I gripped the steering wheel. Reporters flooded the place like predators waiting to pounce on their prey. My pulse was pounding hard enough to make my head throb. This entire situation was a nightmare, ridiculous, fabricated, and blown completely out of proportion. This was precisely what I had wanted to avoid, the reason I insisted on keeping our relationship discreet for now, until she had stood her ground enough. But here it was, splashed across every news outlet, feeding the public a story so salacious it didn’t even matter if it was true. Flora was no “siren” seducing her way up the corporate ladder, as they so gleefully painted her to be. Yes, she had worked as my assistant, but Bennett Fashion wasn’t even under my direct control, it was my mother’s domain. Vicky had been the one to see Flora’s talent, to recognize her brilliance, and to reward her hard work with opportuniti
FLORA’S POV I had completely lost track of time. Curled up in the corner of the sofa, as far from the window as I could get, I hugged my knees and tried to untangle the storm raging in my mind. I was confused, devastated, and absolutely terrified. My phone had been ringing nonstop until I finally turned it off. Right now, the only thing I crave is peace and quiet. I had cried so much that my tear ducts seemed to have staged a protest. Now, all that was left was this hollow ache in my chest as I stared blankly into space. My mind was running a marathon, a thousand thoughts vying for attention, but none of them was helpful. A loud bang at the door jolted me out of my thoughts. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest, and I scrambled off the couch, my pulse racing like I had just heard a gunshot. I quickly glanced at the video doorbell screen. Two men were struggling by my door. My stomach dropped. I inched closer to the door, my hands trembling. When I listened closely, I realized one
FLORA’S POV Alex left and didn’t return the entire day, leaving me alone to entertain Jayden. Or maybe, to face the chaos going on in my own mind. I had never seen Alex so uneasy, so off-balance, as I did this morning. He had always been the embodiment of control, sharp suits, unreadable expressions, power, and always ten steps ahead. But today, he looked like a man standing on thin ice, waiting for it to crack. His entire aura shifted the moment Jayden showed up. And it made me pity him. I didn’t know what I was feeling; maybe sadness, maybe guilt, maybe something else I didn’t have the language for. It was all tangled. One second, I felt nothing, and the next, it was everything at once. Anger. Shame. Jealousy. Confusion. Jayden’s arrival complicated everything. A few weeks ago, I might have basked in the drama of it all, maybe even felt vindicated. But now, all I saw was a boy broken, humbled, and so clearly lost. Things were about to get a lot messier. That much was clear. And f
ALEX’S POVDave’s house always looked like a never-ending scene from a frat-boy movie: loud music, too much sun, and always women in bikinis. Today was no different. He was in the pool with three blonde bombshells when I arrived. He always liked them blonde. His personal brand, I guess. I walked over and planted my fists on my hips, shaking my head.“Hey, buddy!” he called out, raising his drink with a grin. “Come join us! Give those CEO muscles a break, you look like you need it!”I exhaled sharply. “Tempting, but I’ll pass,” I muttered.Dave turned back to whisper something to the women beside him, probably something ridiculous. I didn’t wait. I turned on my heel and walked toward the house. I wasn’t in the mood for poolside comedy or small talk. Minutes later, he strolled into the kitchen, wrapped in a towel. He took one look at me, and without asking a single question, poured me a drink.“You good?” he finally asked, eyeing me.“What do you think?” I said through clenched teeth.H
ALEX’S POVThe silence that followed was so thick, it practically smothered the room. You could hear a pin drop. Jayden’s eyes darted between me and Flora, uncertainty all over his face. I stood there, dumbfounded. And Flora’s eyes had gone wide like someone had just dropped a live bomb in front of her.“It’s... It’s okay if you can’t let me stay,” Jayden said quickly, his voice faltering. “I mean, you don’t owe me anything… and I—”“Of course, you can stay here,” I cut in, probably too fast.He gave me a look. Skeptical. Like he didn’t believe me. Then his eyes flicked to Flora, like he was checking her reaction too. I couldn’t blame him. But seriously, how could I say no? What kind of father would I be if I turned him away, especially after years of waiting, hoping, and silently begging for a chance like this? Now, he stood here in my living room, shoulders slightly hunched, eyes heavy with something that looked a lot like shame. My son. A grown man now, bruised in ways I recognized
FLORA’S POVOne minute, I was warm and tangled in Alex’s arms, and my body was still humming from the intimacy we had just shared. The next, I was flying through the air. A startled yelp escaped my lips as I landed on the bed with a soft thud. I blinked up at him, completely disoriented.“What the hell, Alex?”“Put something on,” he ordered, already scrambling for his own clothes.I propped myself up on my elbows, watching him with furrowed brows as he pulled on a fresh pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt in record time. He moved like a man preparing for battle.“Why? What’s happening?”He only spared me a glance. “Jayden’s outside. Right now. Standing in front of the gate.”I froze and my stomach flipped. Jayden? Here?Alex was already reaching for his phone to open the gate remotely, leaving me scrambling to process what was happening. A knot of unease formed in my gut as I quickly grabbed my discarded T-shirt from the floor and pulled it over my head. I found my pair of shorts, yanking
FLORA'S POV Warm steam curled around me as I stepped into the shower, behind Alex. He stood under the steady stream of water, his broad back to me, and his hands braced against the wall. His head was bowed, droplets sliding down his skin, tracing the taut muscles of his back. He didn't hear me come in. I took a deep breath and let my robe fall to the floor before stepping in behind him. The moment my palms pressed lightly against his damp skin, his muscles tensed, only for a second, before he sighed and his shoulders relaxed under my touch. I slowly moved to stand in front of him, looking him in the eyes. "Can I join you?" I asked softly with a smile, letting my fingers glide over his damp skin. Alex let out a deep chuckle. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Of course, baby girl,” he murmured. I reached past him for the washcloth, my fingers grazing against his abdomen in the process. His stomach flexed under my touch. “Let me,” I whispered, lathering the cloth wi
FLORA’S POVI hummed softly as my consciousness returned. My eyelids fluttered open, and I took in my surroundings, realizing I was still in Alex’s bedroom, still tangled up in his sheets, still wrapped in his intoxicating scent. But his side of the bed was empty. A small smile crept onto my face as the memories of last night came rushing back. My body still tingled from his touch, from the way he had claimed me over and over again until I could barely breathe.Just as I started to push myself up, the door creaked open, and in walked Alex, carrying a tray. He was shirtless, his chiseled chest and abs on full display. He was wearing only a pair of low-hanging black sweatpants that clung sinfully to his hips. God help me. The sight of him alone made my breath hitch.He smiled as he sauntered over to me. “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he murmured, setting the tray down before bending to press a lingering, toe-curling kiss against my lips. “Hope you slept well, my flower?”“Good morning,
ALEX’S POV I felt her stiffen in my grip before she slowly stood up, turning to face me. "I don't know, Alex," she whispered. Her voice was barely audible as she sniffed, trying to hold back more tears. "Maybe because you deserve to be happy. And maybe because I don't care about your age. You said I make you happy, so why won't you choose happiness?" Her tears began to spill down her cheeks, and the sight of it tore at my heart. It was unbearable to watch her in pain. She turned away and started to leave. In the next breath, I stood up quickly, reaching out to grab her wrist, pulling her back into my arms. She collapsed against my chest and her body trembled with her sobs. I held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her tears seep through my shirt. I let her cry while my mind swirled with guilt and regret. This was all my fault. Every bit of it was on me. I leaned down, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss on her forehead, hoping to offer some comfort. "Why don't you want me anymore
ALEX'S POV I sighed as I stepped into my dark bedroom. Another night of avoiding Flora. Another night of trying and failing to outrun my own desire. And, just like every other night, I knew how this one would end, with me alone, wrestling with my frustration. I flipped the switch, and light flooded the room, and then... I froze. My breath caught in my throat. I hadn’t escaped her tonight. She was there. Right in the center of my room. Kneeling. Wearing nothing but red lace panties and a matching bra. Her skin glowed under the bright lights. Her hands rested delicately on her lap, her eyes were downcast, and her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, exposing the soft curve of her neck. She looked every bit the perfect submissive. I blinked twice to ensure I wasn’t just imagining her. This could be a cruel trick of my exhausted mind. But when she raised her head and looked at me with those innocent eyes, I knew this was real. She was right here in my room, waiting for me. A war er
JAYDEN’S POV The bright lights from the cameras nearly blinded me as I adjusted the microphone. The room was packed with reporters who were eager to pick apart every word I said. I took a deep breath. This wasn’t just about me; this was about doing what was right. "Good afternoon, everyone. I won’t take much of your time, but I felt it was necessary to come here today and address the speculation surrounding Kensington and my personal life. First, Kensington is facing challenges, and I won’t sugarcoat that. There are a lot of rumors going around, and while I can’t control what is being said, I can tell you this—we are doing everything we can to resolve these issues. We have a strong team working around the clock, and we are fully cooperating with the authorities in every way possible. "Also, I know my name has been dragged into several personal rumors about my past marriage, my relationships, and my choices. So today, I will answer your questions truthfully, once and for all, s