LUKE
Cambridge was nothing more than the place my father threw me to spend the next three months of life. It was where I’d lost everything that shone brightly before my eyes, and compassion was shredded from me. But to deal with everything once more, I should at least enjoy myself in every possible way. I’d booked a suite at the Ritz Carlton, where I was leaning on the bed, entangling my fingers in a woman’s hair, devouring my shaft.
She was teasingly sliding her tongue around my tip. “Mm… you’re perfect.”
I groaned. I pushed her head down as she pressed her lips to cover my entire length. Over the past three hours, I’d bent her over the table and fucked her relentlessly.
It was satisfying, but in the next few days, I’d have to find someone else.
She took me in her mouth again. The pleasure was building up in me; my legs stiffened, and my body was telling me to let go. I slightly pushed her head to move her away, but she didn’t move. She went down deeper and sucked me harder. I scowled and tried to pull her off again, but it was too late. Thick spurts of my cock exploded into her mouth.
She looked at me hungrily as she swallowed every last drop. When she was finally moving away, I sprang up and zipped my pants.
“Shall we have dinner and then go on with a few rounds?”
I raised an eyebrow, confused. “I told you I never fucked a woman twice, but I did agree to sex that’ll make you forget every man who’d ever had your pussy.”
That was how exactly women wanted it to start. A senseless conversation, some sex, and at the end of the day, she would begin to think there was something more. I was done with that.
“Can’t you consider it since we’ve been talking for a few days? Exam week is coming, and I have no time to chat with you.”
Right, yes. I met her on Meet and Greet, an online dating site. Her profile said she was a professor at a university.
“No, thanks.”
“Hmm, why don’t we just tell each other something real? My real name’s Chloe, not Anna. I’m not a professor but an undergraduate from Boston University. I’m not really from Harvard. I drove several hours just to meet you, and I don’t give my real info to strangers.” She smiled sheepishly as if her lies were something to brag about.
“What, you just screw with people, is that it?” I shook my head in disbelief. The fact that she lied about her name and school was a major turn-off. “Are you going to stay here, or do you have another date to screw tonight?”
“How dare you?” She scowled at me, her voice rising.
“Is there something wrong with my question?”
“Wow...” She shook her head. “Someday, you’ll regret doing this.”
“Regret doing what?”
“This. Wasting a woman’s time, trying to look interested, fuck her, and then moving on to the next.”
“I never gave false hopes.”
“One day, you’ll get a taste of your own medicine,” she continued.
“You know what, Chloe, or whatever your name is, I don’t give a fuck what you think about my future.”
Years ago, this was my favorite place. It was where I dreamt, hoped, fell in love, and spent days with the people I trusted. I created my own world with the people I loved, but all of it ended up a broken dream when I discovered the person I loved the most was fucking another man.
I wasn’t a dramatic kind of person—well, I was. I was sentimental, compassionate, and considerate—which I now despised.
Fortunately, I was able to regain half of myself when Dad remarried. My stepmother, Gene, was a bit unapproachable at first. However, she showed me that I could trust someone. And to end this fucking overview of my life, I liked the person I’d become. At least no one would dare get inside me again, see through me, and break my trust.
I’d been looking online for a woman to screw since last year. I found it entertaining and interesting, knowing I could choose whoever I wanted to screw without commitments. I never trusted a woman online—all I wanted was their wet core.
I scrolled through my inbox and checked if I had emails from any women I might be able to meet this weekend.
I deleted the other uninteresting messages, especially fake profiles. Then, another email popped up. The message was from Ericka and the only email I kept in my inbox for some compelling reason. She was twenty-eight, a Harvard graduate, working in an IT company in Cambridge. We’d been sending senseless emails for three months. She was fun to talk to, and she was sexy as fuck when she started the dirty talk.
I opened her message.
Subject: I need help
I need help with deleting your relentless messages. What is this all about? There are tons of women to find in this app, and you’re supposed to be with one because it’s Saturday, and yet here you are, interrupting me in the middle of my meditation. I need to loosen up since I’m supposed to finish my new Esri ArcGIS API-based project, but I’ve hardly started, and your messages keep popping on my screen.
Ericka
Subject: Re: I need help
Well, I was waiting for you to finally open your account to tell you that I’m in Cambridge right now, just a few minutes away from you. Maybe this is the right time to finally show up. You’ve been teasing me for three months with your smart mouth.
Now, will you tell me where you are so we can talk face-to-face?
Jax
Subject: Re: Re: I need help
Well, Jax, I already told you I’m sharing a room with someone. There’s no chance we could meet. However, I don’t plan on revealing my face even if I'm alone. It’s against my rules. I don’t meet men from online.
Ericka
Damn it. I tossed the phone on the bed. We met through another app, Pro-Express Chat, founded at Harvard. It was a simple social networking application that allowed the user to chat anonymously. No profile pictures, feeds, comment boxes, or even blogs. Nothing. Just an inbox and a few details such as name and age, gender, relationship status, and occupation.
Every user must be a professional and a graduate of Harvard. Additionally, you must be invited by the admins to register. Either you were a doctor, professor, architect, artist, or CEO (like me). I never wanted to try the app, but since I don’t mix any of my personal shit anymore, only interested in hard sex, I gave it a try.
The app was intended for professional chat only, but screw the rules. My one protocol was to get their personal number to call them.
And I had Ericka’s number.
“Why don’t you just give me your address and real name? I’m tired of just talking to you over the phone.”
She laughed deliciously. I just liked hearing her voice. “We’ll never meet. It’s impossible. Besides, I’m busy.”
“I don’t care about your excuses. Would you like to know my address and my name? I just moved in.”
“I don’t know why you’re in Cambridge right now, but I’m not interested. I can’t lose a friend when all you ever want is one night. You’re going to throw me away, just like the others.”
“I’m sure it won’t be just one night for us,” I admitted. “I can make an exception since you’ve earned my trust.”
“Oh, really? This should be good.”
“Yes, so what is it? Tell me. I’ll be willing to come and get you.”
“I don’t think so. Hey, I need to go, Jax.”
“Wait! Okay. I’m giving you a week. If you don’t want to meet up, I’m done talking with you.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure you won’t do that.”
“I am sure that I would.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because you like the sound of my voice.”
Yes, I liked the sounds she made whenever she begged me to make her come on the phone. She could make me hard just by listening to her voice alone.
“I’m pretty sure I like the sound of you moaning.” I sighed. “Look, I can’t continue our friendship like this. I need to see you. One week, Ericka.”
“I can’t. I’m going to New York to see my parents this week. Did you forget? It’s been a long time since I last saw my mother.”
“That’s good, then. I’ll put New York on my schedule this week, and then I’ll meet you. I’ll take you to New York.”
Silence.
“Ericka?”
“What? I don’t know. I can’t promise.”
“Listen to me very carefully. I’m very good at tracking people. I could find anyone in a blink, and the only reason I’m not doing it yet is that I respect that you’re not ready. But this isn’t going anywhere. I need to be buried inside you. I would like to hear you scream my name. My real name when I devour every inch of you. If you don’t agree, I’m going to find you.”
I heard her breath skip. “Don’t you think that’s illegal?”
“I will take every risk.”
“Jax,” she called. “Okay, but not this week. Give me two weeks. Please? This week is a bad time.”
“Done. Fourteen days and you will tell me your address. Fourteen fucking days, Ericka, or we’re done.”
“Okay! Okay! Stop intimidating me.”
“Good. That’s good, then, Ericka. Good night.”
SCARLETA few weeks agoI was always lonely. I’ve never been happy. How about you? Are you lonely? By the way, what happened with your date? – ErickaNo. I’m not. Forget about my date because she’s a fucking liar and the thing I hate the most are fucking liars – JaxMaybe you need to try and understand that they have their reasons – ErickaHe did not respond after I sent him those words. Jax clearly said he wasn’t into crybabies and had no remorse over his actions, and I believed him. He fucked different women every week—like an endless loop.I lied to Jax about many things, but I couldn’t seem to let him go. He was fun to talk to. The late-night phone calls were getting hot, and he knew exactly what I needed. He knew exactly how to make me too damned wet. The sound of his voice was delicious enough to make me aroused. I imagined Jax as a very, very attractive man. How much more would he affect me if I saw him?It’d been several months since I joined the social media app. Mom came by
SCARLET I still couldn’t get over the thought of Luke being here in Cambridge. I’d been debating with myself whether to show up and introduce myself formally, but how could I? I couldn’t ask Mom for his number. I didn’t know where he lived. However, I was more concerned about what I would feel if I saw him. I would certainly have mixed emotions. I’d heard Thomas assigned him to a new business project in Cambridge, and he would stay for three months. It would be enough time before I graduate in two months. I badly needed the help of someone with IT expertise for my thesis. Luke had been an IT genius during his Harvard days. I frowned at my wristwatch. The Uber came at last, after fifteen minutes of waiting. I dragged my suitcase along with me and stepped into the car. To my irritation, my phone rang the moment I settled in the car. “Good evening, Miss Scarlet Carter?” The driver greeted me. “Your destination is JFK airport?” “Yes, thank you.” I drew out the phone from my pocket. Ja
LUKEThere were many reasons why I shouldn’t listen to Dad’s inconvenient request, and I was pretty much having a great time before he called. I could understand his attachment to Gene. My stepmother was one of a kind and the sweetest thing that had ever happened to our lives. I couldn’t list everything she’d done for us. She was a mother to me. Period.However, Gene was enough. I didn’t like the idea of having a little sister. If it were a brother, I’d give it consideration. In addition, giving out even the slightest part of my property that I worked my ass off for to a stranger was quite ridiculous. But since Dad asked nicely, I had no choice but to do it. Lastly, picking up this new little sister wasn’t that hard, but engaging in extra family matters was never my thing.At the airport, I didn’t see her right away. She was hard to remember. I’d only seen her once before. All I could recall was the skinny girl with mesmerizing brown eyes.On the other hand, it was astonishing how tim
SCARLET Since I had nowhere to go, I went to the reception and tried to book myself a room, but there was already a reservation under my name. Luke might have had it prepared for me—or maybe Thomas. Luke was no gentleman. Certainly, he was nothing like his father. If only I knew he was a jerk like this, I wouldn’t have fantasized about him for the last six years.I dragged my suitcase with me and stepped into the elevator as soon as I got my key card. Good thing my room was a suite. I freaking needed a good bath.First, I dug into my suitcase and laid out the only dress I could ever bring. A Burberry crimson backless dress with a hem two inches above the knee and a pair of Christian Louboutin silver stilettos. Fortunately, I also got my charms and my ruby necklace. I touched the gem with my finger and briefly admired its beauty.I wasn’t greedy, and I’d never imagined myself wearing these extravagant things before Mom’s marriage. It’s not that I desired any of it, but when Mom marrie
SCARLETI was almost ready to head out of the suite, but my throat dried up, so I walked through the suite’s minibar. To my satisfaction, the liquor cabinet had a full range of beverages and my favorite bottle of Château Lafitte. I grabbed the bottle and poured myself a glass.I shut my eyes and took my first sip of the wine’s heaven-and-earthy taste. I ran my tongue over my lower lip as the bittersweet liquid ran down my throat. I was pretty much having ‘me’ time when the door suddenly gilded open, and the sexiest man I knew marched into the room.Luke came back, and my precious glass of wine splattered on the rug, and the glass shattered into pieces. It’s like he brought a storm with him.“Don’t you ever knock?” I bent down and picked up broken pieces of glass.“This is my suite. Get up here.”What? I even walked around naked earlier, used his bathroom, and he’s saying this was his personal space? No wonder everything was provided. I wouldn’t have come here if I knew. I ignored him
SCARLET Here was am, alone again. Well, what was new?I was in the same position six years ago when I watched their wedding ceremony. I was sitting alone, not knowing anyone, because the guests were mostly acquainted with the Alejandros. Oh, right! Something had changed; I could drink now.This was my third glass of wine, and my throat still wanted more—perhaps a stronger drink. My roommate, Katherine, usually offered vodka during sleepless nights and discouraging times. If only my stepbrother wasn’t such an ass and treated me as a part of the family, I wouldn’t have been such a loner.Nonetheless, I didn’t think I wanted to mingle around him at his time. He’s been talking and dancing non-stop with a blonde Barbie doll in a body-hugging red dress. My eyes hurt just looking at them. He was holding her back. I’d always convinced myself that he was off-limits, yet I couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to be held by him.I heaved a sigh. I was getting more and more hopeless as the
SCARLETLuke slid an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him as soon as his friend left. And unlike Aries, who gave me space, Luke sandwiched me between his arms, possessively pressing me against his rock-hard body. His overall physique dwarfed my small frame, making me feel vulnerable, and it was bad news. I hated this effect on me; he made me feel like squirming. I clung to his shoulders but kept my eyes away and tried not to drink him in. He smelled so divine.I could feel Luke’s gaze on me as he began swaying our hips. His long fingers at my back compelled me to move in accord with his body. His thumb pressed firmly on my palm. I tried to bear it, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t breathe. He was driving me crazy.“Wait,” I whispered.I stopped and pushed his chest with my free hand, but he didn’t let me escape. He brought me back into his arms with aggression. A quiet groan of frustration vibrated in his chest. What the heck was wrong with him?“Stop struggling,” he hissed harshl
SCARLETWhat was I doing? It’s not like I was a virgin.I waited for another hour before I went down for breakfast because I was too embarrassed to see Luke’s face. I’d heard he always left at eight and returned home at seven, so he was barely at home. I guess I wouldn’t have to worry when he came back.Mom and Thomas were on the porch having coffee when I came down. They were like newlyweds that couldn’t let go of each other. Thomas couldn’t stop nuzzling at her hair. I had to admit that Thomas was handsome, and he’d kept in shape despite his age. I didn’t want to interrupt them but I told them I was present anyway.“Morning, Mom. Morning, Thomas.” I kissed both their cheeks and settled on the empty seat across from them.“Oh, darling. Good morning!” Mom greeted me with the sweetest smile. “Did you sleep well?”“Barely.” I shrugged and chuckled. “But I probably still have jet lag,” I reasoned, which wasn’t the real case.“Have you had breakfast?” Thomas asked.“Um, no, not yet.”“The
JULIA I came to Le Grandi at exactly seven as Henry instructed. I was already guessing that he and his brother were up to something—and this beautiful lilac dress Adam sent to my apartment was the indication. This was going to be our first official date. We had been fighting all our lives because of endless misunderstandings after all. I realized that Adam and I were always in a situation neither of us could stop. This time, fate brought us back together.Excited and nervous as well, I proceeded to the main entrance. The door attendant greeted me with a wide meaningful grin as if he was expecting my arrival. The lights abruptly shut off the moment I stepped inside, then a single spotlight flashed on.My palms caught my mouth instantly when I found Adam standing next to an elegantly arranged table with candlelight, a floral centerpiece, and linen drapes. He was dressed in an impeccable navy-blue tuxedo, holding a bouquet of white roses. Two violinists stood behind him, playing a soft r
He kissed me as he continued to pound inside me. He looked at me as if I was the most desirable woman he’d ever seen. There was no one else I could want this bad—only him.It was already nine o'clock in the morning when I woke up, and Adam's arms were still wrapped around my waist. Though incredibly exhausted and sore, I felt great for the first time in years. His face buried in my hair. We were having sex nonstop, and if it weren't for my exhaustion, he probably wouldn’t stop.“What time is it?” Adam whispered, finally awake.“It's nine.”“Then, I'm late.” He gave me a tender kiss on my forehead, then swiftly stepped out of the bed. Still undressed, he walked straight to the bathroom, letting the blanket fall on the floor, revealing his round, full butt I’d been gripping with my palms all night. He was ridiculously sexy. I couldn’t get enough of him. My insides were beginning to flare up again.He disappeared into the bathroom for several minutes, and then he came back dressed in a t
ADAMI have to tell Bianca now.Damn it. It wasn't that hard. I could just let them take my site in Thailand, ask her parents to sign the transfer papers, and it’s all done. I just couldn't find the right time because I didn’t want to make a scene. I knew Bianca too well, and I knew that it wasn’t going to end well.I had to, though. Immediately. I couldn’t wait to get Julia back, especially with my possessiveness issue. I was always jealous. I wanted to keep her by my side and shove all those men away, even if it's my brother who was now dragging Julia to the dance floor.I clenched my fists.“Don't you want to dance?” Bianca said. She fucking couldn’t stop holding me in public. “Or do you want to get back to the suite?”“Bianca, please...” I moved her hands away from my neck. “Don't.”She sighed and drank another shot of red wine.“When are you going to stop making this harder for us? Hmm? Or maybe I could just tell Dad to let us get married right away? Isn't that what you wanted fo
I let the running water flow continuously as I washed my hands, letting myself cool. I looked up and then looked at my reflection.What are you doing, Julia? Haven’t you had enough of this? Why did I have to be caught up in this situation all the time? I shook my head, then took a handful of water and wet my face.“You're marrying him?” a deep, dangerous voice abruptly spoke behind me. I looked back in the mirror and found Adam’s perilous stare. He was seething.“Do I need to get your permission?” I asked as I continued to dampen my cheeks.“Is that true what he said out there?”“Why does it matter to you?”“It does matter to me,” he said tightly. “You said you wanted me, but when I didn’t answer, you’re already running to Henry?”I dried my face with a napkin, then I faced him. “Then what is your answer, Adam? No matter what we do, we can’t be together.”“But you can't marry him.” He grasped my shoulders, shaking his head.“What made you think that I will? Now, please leave me alone
JULIALouis ushered me to his table, and since I was already aware that Adam will be right next to us, I prepared myself not to look surprised when I see him with his ex-wife-slashed-fiancée. Why was our world so close? Why did I have to see him in every corner of the world?His answer to me last night was clearer than diamonds. He was not going to choose me. He would not break up with Bianca because they had a deal. There was no way he was going to cut their deal because his company was at stake. I was getting pissed with myself already. Should I talk about it with Henry?As expected, Adam and Bianca were there—only a few feet away from our table. Damn it, and she was wearing the same shade of dress as I was, but her hair coordinated more with her dress than mine.I almost wanted to scream. I tried not to look at them, but damn, I couldn’t help it. Adam was wearing a matching suit, and he was fine-looking as always. Unfortunately, they looked so good together. I did not want to appea
JULIAI didn’t go to the site with Luke the next day. I stayed in my room, and fortunately, I needed to make gazillion calls and check the paperwork for the new hotel. I had breakfast and then ate lunch by myself. Luke and Adam would be working together at the site until the next day. My boss did not call, so I guessed it was fine.It was five o'clock when I finished the paperwork. I was suffering from a backache, but I still needed to prepare for the awards night in the evening. Henry hadn’t called yet, but I was preparing for the event anyway.I opened my suitcase and unfurled the only dress I could bring. It was a strapped, long, crimson-red dress. The neckline was a low V cut. I only wore it once, when Claire celebrated her twenty-first birthday. I would match it with my nude heels.I did not care if I look pretty in front of Henry, unlike before. However, he deserved a friend to be with him, and I didn’t want to embarrass him. He might be expecting an award, and I would be walkin
JULIAThe meeting began in the afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton—the hotel we had checked into along with the staff. Adam came, and fortunately, his fiancée didn’t. I was so nervous since he didn’t even reply to my message.What if ignoring it was his answer?Luke enlightened us about the contract, and then we were now officially in business with Cavendish Enterprises. They both signed the deal and sealed it for legalization. Adam’s company was going to be our contractor for the establishment of the new Hotel B in Los Angeles.As stated in the contract, they would be in charge of the resources, workers, and structural design. Adam initially showed Luke the plan for the new hotel, but we were still going to discuss it precisely with the whole team. My new boss still needed to meet Adam’s architects and designers when we return to New York.“It’s a great pleasure working with you, Mr. Cavendish.”“It’s mine as well. Thank you, Mr. Alejandro.” Adam shook his hand, and then the members of our
The door attendant took her cashmere-made cardigan as she and Adam entered the restaurant. She whispered something in his ear while she was slipping her hands on his arm. Adam smiled slightly at her. My heart suddenly felt like a bomb that was going to explode at any moment.“Cavendish said he was traveling alone,” Luke spoke, “but he brought the blonde. This is interesting.”I rolled my eyes at Luke, heaving out a sharp breath. “Really now?”He chuckled, noticing my boredom. “No, seriously. You're so defensive. Who wouldn't notice her long legs?”“What is wrong with you?” I slapped his shoulders unintentionally.“Aw...” He grabbed his shoulders. “What? I was only joking.”“It’s not a good joke. Er… sorry about that. I almost forgot that you're my boss.”“I'm just so glad Jake isn't here. Sit next to me, Julia,” he instructed.“Why?”“Just do it. Cavendish’s fiancée's with him. Sitting next to me would look like you're my date.”“You are clearly having fun with this.”He laughed. “Why
JULIAThese are the important documents we need for our trip to LA. Have you tried calling—” A knock from the glass door interrupted Luke from finishing his sentence. His secretary was standing at the meeting room door.“Excuse me, Mr. Alejandro. There's a visitor in the lobby, and he said it’s important. It's actually for Ms. Taylor, sir,” Ms. Craig informed.“For me?”Luke frowned as he gazed at me. “Expecting someone?”I shook my head. “Did he say his name?”“Oh, his name is Henry.”Henry. How did he know where to find me? “What did you say to him?” I queried. “We’re in a meeting.”“Ms. Craig, we're about to finish here,” Luke prompted. “Tell him to wait five minutes.”“Yes, sir.” She left.“It's okay, Luke. I could just meet him outside.”“Julia, it's eleven fifty-five. Take a break. Come to my office when you get back. And oh! Please contact Cavendish. I’ve got to tell him something about this project.” Luke grabbed the binders and stood up. He held the door open. “Julia?”“Oh, t