The car ride was silent. Heavy. The kind of quiet that presses against your eardrums until they ache. My fingers twisted in my lap with my nails biting into my palms.What kind of punishment was waiting for me at home?Noah pulled into the driveway then the engine cut with a finality that made my stomach drop.“Get out. And stand.”I obeyed without a word.He parked, then strode past me toward the house, his broad shoulders tense beneath his shirt.“Move.”I followed, climbing the stairs on numb legs. The house was empty, as usual. Just us. Just this. As I turned toward my room—“My room.”I froze. Swallowed. Then pivoted toward his door.The scent of his cologne wrapped around me as I stepped inside. His room was clean as usual. The bed was neatly made, as if he’d planned this. He shut the door behind us with a quiet click.“Drop your backpack.”It thudded to the floor.Noah crossed to his closet, and my breath hitched as he pulled out a sleek black case. When he opened it, cold met
I shook my head in negation. No, no more. That’s enough.“No please,”Before I could refuse some more, Noah's lips crashed against mine in a punishing kiss, all teeth and domination as he ran his fingers through my hair. "You'll take what I give you," he growled against my mouth. His free hand slid down to roughly palm my breast.My back arched involuntarily as he pinched my nipple through the thin fabric of her bra. "This belongs to me now," he murmured before tearing the material away with his teeth, exposing my pebbled flesh to the cool air. His hot mouth closed over the peak, sucking hard enough to make me gasp—first from the sting, then from the sinful swirl of his tongue that turned pain into throbbing pleasure.I whimpered as he trailed wet, open-mouthed kisses down my trembling stomach. He paused to bite the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. "You smell desperate," he taunted, inhaling my arousal as his fingers parted my folds. "Dripping for me like some cheap slut."The f
The lake was my escape.It always has been. The crisp air, and the glitter of the moon shadow shining on the water always had a way of filling in that emptiness I feel inside. When the world felt too loud, too crowded, too much, I’d grab my camera and slip away to the water’s edge. I gripped my camera, positioning it perfectly to capture the way the moonlight danced on the water, the way the trees swayed in the breeze, the way the world felt alive even when I didn’t.The sound of a tree branch break hit my ears. I froze. It sounded sharp, like something heavy stepped on it. My eyes scan the area, looking for the source of the noise. Nothing. I dropped my eyes back to my camera, absorbing the view of nature till a figure passed. My heart stopped. I took in a sharp breath as my eyes widened trying to spot the figure. A shadow shifted at the edge of the trees, and my finger paused on the record button.I took another sharp breath as the figure stepped into the moonlight. My breathing p
The door burst open making me fidget in my seat. I am still jumpy from what happened yesterday. It was my mom.“Rosalie! Sweetheart, I have news!” Her voice was too loud, too bright, like she was trying to make up for the fact that she’d been gone for days. Again.I didn’t look up from my desk, where I’d been pretending to study for the past hour. “What is it this time? Did you win the lottery? Or did you finally remember you have a daughter?”She ignored the bite in my tone, which wasn’t surprising. She was used to it by now. Instead, she flopped onto my bed and dangled her heels off the edge. Shegrinned at me like she’d just discovered the secret to happiness.“Better,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “I got married!”I froze. The pen I’d been holding slipped from my fingers and rolled across the desk. “You… what?”“Got married!” she repeated, as if that made it any less insane. “In Vegas! Can you believe it? It was so spontaneous, so romantic. Oh, Rosalie, you’re going to love him.
“Mom, please,” I begged, my voice trembling. “I’m not ready to move in with them. Can’t we at least stay here until the rent expires?” Mom sighed, running a hand through her hair like she was already exhausted. “Rosalie, this is a good thing. David is offering us stability. A fresh start.The sooner the better! Don’t ruin this for us.” ““I’m not ruining anything,” I shot back, “I know all these, but I need time to process it all! You can’t just ghost for three weeks and come back with a wedding ring and tell me to move in with them! This is psycho behavior!”“Are you calling me a psycho?” My mom shot.“I’m doing this for us Rosalie.”“I know but do something for me. Please mom, do this to make up for when you forgot my birthday.”My mom glared at me. She knew she couldn’t say no now.“Fine, the rent expires in three weeks. But you have to promise you’ll be coming home for dinner.”I nodded.“And also you need to be nice to Noah.”A lump grew in my throat.“I am, it’s Noah who’s
I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. All the hairs in my neck stood and every nerve in my body was on edge. Why did he sit behind me? Is he trying to intimidate me?The teacher started talking, but I couldn’t focus. I could feel his gaze piercing the back of my head. And for some reason, my finger began to tap repeatedly on the desk. I felt Noah’s breath draw closer, till I could feel the heat of his breath in my neck.“Stop it,” he growled through his teeth. His mouth was dangerously close to my ear lobe.I snapped my head back, then I realized what a big mistake I made. His face was so close, I could see his creases in his skin where his once cheerful smile had now turned into a bitter scowl. I turned my body so I’m now facing him fully.“Stop what?” I said, hiding the fear underneath.“Tapping your finger on the table.”“Or what? You seem to be the only one complaining.”My eyes dropped to his lips as it twitched, then back to his eyes. His eyes dropped to my chest, the
I walked into school hoping to stay invisible. But the moment I stepped into the hallway, the whispers started.“There she is.”“Look, it’s the whore.”My stomach dropped. I kept my head down still clutching the straps of my bag with my hands. I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to see the brown-eyed boy from yesterday.“Hey, girl!” he called. He was leaning against a locker with a smirk on his face. “How much for a lap dance in that sexy swimsuit?”What swimsuit?My blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”He held up his phone, and my heart stopped. My eyes widened as it landed on a video of me. I was in my swimsuit, twirling in front of the mirror, showing off the new suit I’d bought. I’d sent it to my mom. “How… how did you get that?” I stammered. My voice was shaking.The guy laughed. “It’s all over the school blog dummy, so how much?”I had only sent it to my mom? Who could have done this? My mom can’t do this to me. Then it hit me.Noah.Tears burned in my eyes,
“Mom! I want to come with you!” I said, with my eyes widened.“Honey, I’ll love you to come! Hurry up, I'm waiting.”I cleaned up the mess in my room as quickly as I could. I grabbed my bag and ran outside, where Mom was waiting by the car.“Ready?” she asked, her voice cheerful.I forced a smile. “Yeah. Let’s go.”Mom raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the sudden change of heart? I thought you weren’t ready to even step into the home.”I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I just… I want to make this work. Especially with Noah.”Mom’s face lit up. “Oh, Rosalie, that’s wonderful! I knew you’d come around.”I didn’t respond. I just climbed into the car with my stomach in knots.Noah’s house was massive. It was the kind of house you’d see in a magazine, with a perfectly manicured lawn, a winding driveway, and a front door that looked like it belonged in a castle.Mom rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, Daniel opened the door.“Welcome!” he said, pulling Mom into a hug. “I’m so glad
I shook my head in negation. No, no more. That’s enough.“No please,”Before I could refuse some more, Noah's lips crashed against mine in a punishing kiss, all teeth and domination as he ran his fingers through my hair. "You'll take what I give you," he growled against my mouth. His free hand slid down to roughly palm my breast.My back arched involuntarily as he pinched my nipple through the thin fabric of her bra. "This belongs to me now," he murmured before tearing the material away with his teeth, exposing my pebbled flesh to the cool air. His hot mouth closed over the peak, sucking hard enough to make me gasp—first from the sting, then from the sinful swirl of his tongue that turned pain into throbbing pleasure.I whimpered as he trailed wet, open-mouthed kisses down my trembling stomach. He paused to bite the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. "You smell desperate," he taunted, inhaling my arousal as his fingers parted my folds. "Dripping for me like some cheap slut."The f
The car ride was silent. Heavy. The kind of quiet that presses against your eardrums until they ache. My fingers twisted in my lap with my nails biting into my palms.What kind of punishment was waiting for me at home?Noah pulled into the driveway then the engine cut with a finality that made my stomach drop.“Get out. And stand.”I obeyed without a word.He parked, then strode past me toward the house, his broad shoulders tense beneath his shirt.“Move.”I followed, climbing the stairs on numb legs. The house was empty, as usual. Just us. Just this. As I turned toward my room—“My room.”I froze. Swallowed. Then pivoted toward his door.The scent of his cologne wrapped around me as I stepped inside. His room was clean as usual. The bed was neatly made, as if he’d planned this. He shut the door behind us with a quiet click.“Drop your backpack.”It thudded to the floor.Noah crossed to his closet, and my breath hitched as he pulled out a sleek black case. When he opened it, cold met
Noah’s thumb brushed my neck, then began massaging slow circles.Fuck. My bottom lip found its way between my teeth.He pulled a stool behind me with his legs spread wide to cage me between them. His hot breath hit my skin right before his mouth closed over that spot—the one that made my toes curl.Shit. I should’ve stopped him, but my body refused to move.His other hand skimmed lower, brushing my already hardened nipple. “Seems like someone needs an orgasm,” he whispered, with his fingers slipping past the waistband of my jeans, under my panties.What am I doing? I gasped, jerking away—but his grip tightened.“Sshhh.” His finger slid between my folds, and I froze. “I’m gonna make you feel good.”He sucked my neck again, fingers working my clit in ruthless strokes. A moan tore from my throat as I arched into his touch. His other hand pinched my nipple, twisting just enough to send sharp pleasure-pain radiating through me.“You’re so close… come on,” he growled in my ear.And I sha
Nikki’s death glare burned into my back as Noah steered me into the classroom, his grip a steel band around my arm. Every head swiveled to watch—the king and his unwilling consort making their grand entrance.Fuck.I twisted against him. "I want to go to my seat."Noah’s fingers dug deeper, pulling me toward the back corner. "We’re sitting together.""Are you out of your mind?" I hissed, keeping my voice low as the whispers crescendoed around us. "What’s with this sudden ‘we’re attached at the hip’ bullshit?"His lips grazed my ear and his voice dripped with venomous sweetness."Do as I say, or kiss Harvard goodbye."Bullshit. My nails bit into my palms. Tonight. I will end this tonight. I will break into that room."Fine," I spat, letting him shove me into the seat. "But I won’t be able to focus here.""Sit.""Fine, asshole." I folded my arms, spine rigid against the chair.Noah stretched his legs out, crowding my space. "Why haven’t you been responding to my messages?""Because a
My head was pounding like someone had taken a hammer to my skull. I groaned, pressing my palms against my closed eyelids. The sunlight streaming through my window felt like a personal attack.Fuck. I feel like I have been hit by a truck.I rolled over, wincing at the movement, and froze.On my nightstand was a glass of water and a single white pill.What the hell?I sat up so fast that the room spinned. Who—?Then it hit me.Annie. The bass music from the club. The hot red dress. That guy’s hands on my waist with his dick pressing against my ass as we danced. The catcalls from the guys. The tequila burning my throat as I took multiple shots.My stomach twisted.But worse—so much worse—was what came after.Noah’s grip on my wrist. His low voice in my ear. Me kissing him like I was starving for it. His fingers between my legs—"Fuck!" I buried my face in my hands.I hated him. Hated that I’d been the one to start it. Hated that my body still buzzed at the memory.I just want to stay at
Noah povRosalie continued to twist against me with her limbs sluggish from the Dr rink she’s been having as I pulled her towards my car. "Let—go—" She slurred.I didn’t answer. I just wrenched the door open and shoved her inside."No!" She kicked out with her heel connecting with the dashboard."I want to dance! I want—Annie—"The second her heel connected with my dashboard, I saw red.Little fucking brat.Rosalie thrashed in the passenger seat like a wild animal, that goddamn red dress riding up her thighs as she kicked. The scent of tequila and her cherry lip gloss filled my car, mixing with the leather in a way that made my jaw clench."Annie—" she slurred, reaching for the door handle like she thought I hadn't locked it the second I threw her in here.I caught her wrist mid-air and slammed it back against the seat. "Try that again," I said, with my voice low, "and I'll cuff you to the fucking gearshift."Her pupils were blown wide. The alcohol was making her stupid. “I just
The moment Annie’s car keys jingled in her hand, Noah’s entire posture shifted. I saw the way his shoulders tensed beneath that stupid black t-shirt and the way his knuckles whitened as his hands curled into fists at his sides."Where are we going?" I asked Annie, deliberately turning my back to Noah. My voice came out too high, too forced. "You have a car?"Behind me, Noah’s voice cut through the humid night air like a blade. "Rosalie." It was a warning. A threat.I ignored him, focusing instead on the way Annie’s cherry-red nails tapped against her door handle."Are you going to drop me at home?" I asked, louder this time, just to piss him off."Rosalie!" Noah barked. His voice was sharp enough to make my spine stiffen. "You better get over here, or you won’t like the consequences."Annie’s head snapped up. "Consequences?" She let out a disbelieving laugh."Who the hell does this guy think he is?"I forced a grin even though my pulse was hammering. "Let’s just get going—" The
The air in the car was thick with the scent of leather and Noah’s cologne—something dark and expensive that clung to my skin like a promise.I swallowed hard as my fingers curled around the hem of my top. Noah’s gaze burned into me, unblinking, as I pulled the fabric over my head. The cool air kissed my bare shoulders, raising goosebumps. My bra was simple—black lace, the one he’d bought me last week after the incident—but under his stare, it felt obscene."Skirt too," he ordered with his voice rough.I hesitated, then Noah let out a warning."Rosalie."My hands shook as I unbuttoned the skirt, letting it pool at my feet. Now it was just me—panties and bra—perched on my stepbrother’s lap like some twisted offering. It wasn’t the first time I’d been half-naked in front of him, but the shame still coiled hot in my stomach.Noah traced the strap of my bra with his thumb. "Good girl."Then he reached into a shopping bag and pulled out a dress. It was short, white, virginal. The fabric wh
I rolled my eyes then remained silent. It’s not because of his threat to punish me, it’s because I’m sick of everything. I’m sick of Noah, I’m sick of this weird relationship between us, I’m sick of it all. The more I try to run away from it, the more it gets worse. The car pulled up in front of a mansion. It screamed money. He turned off the engine, then unlocked the doors with the press of a button.He turned to look at me with a grin plastered on his face.Your dress is at the back, I’m gonna leave you to change.“Dress? So you’ve planned to kidnap me all along?”“If you see it that way, then yes.”Noah opened the door, then placed one foot out.“I’m not putting on that dress.”“You want me to put it on for you?”“I’m not putting on that dress.”“Fine, then I’ll put it on for you,” He put is foot back in the car, then locked the doors.“Get in the back.”“No.”“Get. In. The. Back.”I continued to stare at him. He gripped my wrists, then began to pull me.“Let me go.”“Okay, fine.