Her voice tore through my rising arousal. “Of course.”The gruffness in my voice made Ayla risk a glance up at my face. Then she hurried into the bathroom. Terrifying my young wife before I had to claim her was a fucking stupid thing to do.Loosening my tie, I walked over to the bench and sank down. My wedding ring, similar to my last one, seemed to mock me. I set my tie down beside me, listening to the sound of running water. Ayla would need patience and care. I had never had much of either to begin with. Since the mess with Maya , even less than before. I propped my arms up on my thighs, trying to reach a state of mind that would allow me to treat my young wife right. I didn’t want her to resent me.The door opened, drawing my attention to it and Ayla . She wore a dark blue silk nightgown that reached her knees and hugged her slender frame. Her hair fell down her shoulders in soft brown curls, freed of the too-cute sunflowers. Ayla didn’t move from her spot in the doorframe and n
Anger surged through me. I moved over her, bracing myself beside her shoulders. Her hands came up as if to ward me off, soft palms pressing against my chest. Her eyes widened, and she darted them to my pecs, her fingers shaking against me.“Listen up. You’re right, you’ll be the one who’ll experience discomfort, but I can guarantee you that being bratty about it doesn’t help. If you work with me, it’ll be better.”“It’s not just the pain. Until this moment, men were allowed to kiss my hand or dance with me at social gatherings, nothing more. And now you’re here, over me, half naked, and I’m half naked, and soon we’ll both be naked, and you’re going to…” She sucked in a deep breath.“I know,” I said quietly. “Don’t start to cry.”She drew her lower lip between her teeth. After a moment, she said firmly. “I won’t cry.” Then she peered up at me. “Why do you care? You’ve seen worse than someone crying.”I had. Far worse, and I hadn’t given a shit. But Ayla was young, too young, and my wi
“Do you take the pill?” I asked. It wasn’t the most romantic thing to say in a situation like this, but before today, I couldn’t bring myself to ask my teenage wife that question.A quick nod.“Can you hold me?”My heart skipped a beat. I nodded and lowered myself to my elbows then wedged one arm under my wife’s shoulder blades and hugged her to my chest. “Like this?” I murmured.Her face was inches from mine, and she looked up at me, seeking my help, my protection, my closeness. I kissed the corner of her mouth then her lower and upper lip as I shifted my hips so my tip nudged her entrance. She held her breath. I stroked her bangs from her sweaty forehead.“Breathe out.”She did, and I pushed into her about an inch.Her face flashed with discomfort, and she gripped my bicep.“If it’s too much, you tell me, and we’ll figure something out,” I heard myself say, and I wanted to kick myself, but she gave me a grateful small smile, and I could feel her walls loosen very slightly. Slowly, I
Jaxon swung his legs out of bed. “I’m going to clean up.”My eyes raked over his muscled body, mesmerized by the hard planes, the ridges of his six-pack, and the narrow V of his hips. I was attracted to his body, which was a relief. I looked away. I had been staring too long anyway. I slid out of bed, taking in the mess on the linens. A small mortified sound slipped out of me.“Are you all right?” Jaxon rumbled somewhere behind me.I turned, grimacing. “Do we really have to show these sheets?” “That was the point of us sleeping together.”Ouch. “So, you only slept with me because of the presentation of the sheets?”Now that we were married, I wanted Jaxon to be attracted to me. It seemed a horrible fate to spend your life with someone who couldn’t bear touching you. I definitely enjoyed the sight of his body. His touch was still unfamiliar and sex had been painful, but it hadn’t been the ordeal my mother and a few of my aunts had made it out to be. I could imagine enjoying it ver
I wasn’t a fan of physical contact at night and had often not even shared the bed with my deceased wife. Not that she would have ever dreamed of wanting to have me close at night. She never bothered to hide her reluctance to have me near her, least of all when we slept together—unless there was something that she wanted from me.Ayla had asked for my closeness and I’d denied her.The early morning light illuminated her puffy face. Her lashes stuck to her skin with dried tears. She was close, and had moved closer in sleep until we were almost touching. I felt the unreasonable desire to touch her—and not in a sexual way. Propped up on my elbow, I watched her peaceful sleep. As with many nights before, Maya ’s blood-covered body had haunted my dreams. I hardly ever dreamed about the people I’d killed, and yet my dead wife still filled my nights.Ayla stirred, lips parting in a soft sigh. I pushed myself up and swung my legs out of bed, turning my back to her.The bed shifted. I threw a
It was almost eight in the evening when we finally pulled up the driveway to Jaxon’s mansion, a magnificent three-story brownstone building with white columns supporting the porch, white window frames, and old crooked trees on the front lawn. Jaxon parked in one of the double garages on the left.He got out and opened the door for me. My stomach hollowed with nerves. This was my home now, and soon I’d meet the children I’d raise. Jaxon ’s hand found its place on my lower back again as he led me toward the magnificent white front door. Someone from his staff had gathered my belongings in the morning and brought them to the house.I released a shaky breath when Jaxon put the key in the lock. His eyes to me. “This is your home.”I gave him a shaky smile, knowing he meant it. Yet judging by the way he’d handled everything so far, his rules would be the only ones he’d want followed within those walls. I’d have to fight for every bit of power and freedom—he wouldn’t hand over either freel
It's been two months since I found out I was pregnant and it hasn't been particularly easy. My belly was growing every day and despite my best efforts to wear clothing that hid it, I knew it was only a matter of time before the whole secret was out. Today I decided to go get some fruit at the market Bella was at work and I needed these snacks on time. On the side of the house, some citizens who saw me had a look of contempt on their faces, while others laughed. I didn't care about anyone at this point, it was me and the baby. When I entered the market, I was suddenly the center of attention. I felt uncomfortable walking between them because their gaze was unsettling. When I got to the fruit section, a lady who had already sold fruit looked at me and whistled. "Aren't you the desperate girl who tried to force the CEO?" It was months ago when the news of my relationship with Lucia
"Excuse me!" I summoned the courage to speak, seeing as everyone was silent."How dare you slave!" His remark got me offended."I am nobody's slave!" I replied.For a moment he stared down at me. I could see the glare in his eyes, like he wanted to murder me, but I didn't care. I was never a slave and I would never be one."Listen to me, woman. If you want to be the arrogant activist amongst them, I would make sure to teach you a lesson." I watched as he pulled out a whip from the corner and fear crept into my body.My only hope of leaving the community had been met with despair.I knew I needed to find a way out of this ship.It was better to die than be someone's slave.I searched around the room and realized a window beside one of the slaves, who seemed to be asleep.I waited for the perfect moment for the men to leave the cabin.When they eventually left, I navigated my way to the side of the window and forced it open.I was graced with the large ocean and for a moment I was ca
One month later..."Careful baby, You don't want to hurt yourself." I said to the kids as they were playing under the ramp. I begin to reminisce back to everything that happened over the course of one month.I could still hear the words of the doctor to Ayla and myself. I had escaped the hands of death because the bullet missed my heart by an inch. Everything had changed since that moment, the company was back to fully functioning and I had dropped all shady deals that Alex had signed using the company's influence. The underworld had gone back to the way it used to be, with Levi being given a befitting tribute by every gang out there I suddenly felt arms wrapped around my torso and her cologne would always mesmerize me. She placed a kiss on my neck, as I squeezed her hands gently."You know something babe, I have been thinking we should move out of our comfort zone. This house would always bring the trauma of past events and we want to be happy right?" Ayla suggested and I agreed
Once the door to the elevator opened, we rushed outside the company to find Alex already surrounded by the police. "It's over Alex, just give it up. Your time has come to an end." I yelled out. "You had this all planned out didn't you?" He asked, his hands raised in the air. "You failed to prepare properly. I have been planning a raid on you for the past weeks, watching your every move constantly. I want you to know that when the time comes, the law will always catch up with you."One of the policemen with the cuffs stepped forward and held his hands. In a matter of seconds, I watched him pull out a gun from the police holster and I felt something hit me in the chest.My vision became blurry as I also watched Alex fall to his knees. I looked at my hand and realized he had shot me with the gun."Jaxon! You will be alright." Levi’s right hand man was beside me. I couldn't think of anything in the world other than staying in the arms of Ayla at that moment. As my eyes closed, I rea
I stepped into the company at the strike of midnight fully aware that it was going to be a tough confrontation with Jaxon . The moment I opened the door to my office, I found Jaxon sipping a cup of Hennessy with several documents on the table and a smile plastered across his face."You know I never thought you would have the balls to make a move, I will give it to you. I never expected you to go for Steve, our lawyer." I commented, standing by the door."Our lawyer? Oh so you now choose words to use now? Steve deserves death. He was the brain behind your action and I figured it was perfect I ended him." Jaxon said. I watch him hold a paper in his hand."Right here in my hand is the deed to the company. You asked for it, now I have brought it for you." I stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was up to."You must think I am a fool Jaxon . I know your tricks and I know you won't be willing to sacrifice your last hope to secure the company from me easily. So what do you have hidi
When I arrived at Steve's apartment, the weather had become warm once more and I helped Steve turn on the air conditioner, while heading to his room. Steve was an adept reader that hates being disturbed, but I needed his help, if I ever wanted to get the deeds.Upon stepping into his room, there was no sign of Steve . The tables were littered with books. Typical of him to always be unorganized.While I went down to get the pillows, I noticed something unfamiliar. I looked to see Steve slippers at the front of his bathroom. Steve never leaves these things in the bathroom before, so what was going on? I made my way slowly to the door of the bathroom, where I leaned closer to get a grasp of what was happening.The shower was running and it appeared that someone was having their bath. The moment I opened the door, I gasped in disbelief at the scene of horror displaying itself right before my eyes.I was staring at the lifeless body of Steve , who appeared to have been drowned in
"You must surely love him that much." I said after she had hung up."He is my husband and I can't let bad things happen to him." Her way of expressing her love reminded me of Alex and I hated that he had become so vile. Getting up from the couch, I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to make some juice for us, when I noticed something odd. A black van parked at the side of the gate and immediately I knew something was amiss.I rushed back into the living room, pulling the curtains apart and seeing several armed men making their way to the entrance of the door."Shit!" I exclaimed, drawing the curtain close."What's the matter?" Ayla asked."Police officers. I don't think they came without instructions from Alex . Here...." I handed over my car keys to her. "There is an exit by the far end of the apartment. Use the exit and get out of here once they pick me." "What? I cannot watch them take you?" Ayla replied."There is no time to argue Ayla! I know how to handle Alex , just go!" I
The moment the cab stopped, I looked at the agency and realized the plan to report Alex's dirty deeds to them could go either way, but all I could hope for was for it to go in my favor."Good morning" I greeted the receptionist, who was buried on her computer. The moment she looked up in my direction, she pointed up the stairs, taking me off guard. I whispered my gratitude and moved towards the direction, uncertain as to what to expect.I saw the tag at the door and realized this was the head of the agency office and after a series of knocks at the door, I would eventually be allowed to gain access into the office."Mr. Jaxon , nice to see you." The man behind the desk said, getting up to his feet and extending his hands for a handshake. "I have to say that we have been expecting you." He added with a smile on his face."I came to discuss something important with you." I said the moment I would make myself comfortable at the seat that I had been offered. "Before you say anything, I j
"I still have one last document that shows my claim over the company. We can use this as a bait to lure Alex into our trap and make sure that he takes it." I explained the plan in detail to Levi and the boys."I hope you are aware that Alex is smart, he would know that forfeiting the documents willingly is suspicious, we need to act ahead of him." "I know Alex more than any of you. He is my business partner. Since he is after signing the next big deal that would make the company become his own, he would be needing this document. His clients would ask for the deeds and that's when he would realize they are with me. He will come for it and we will take immediate actions against him." I looked at their faces and noticed a lot of them were buying into the plan and this gladdened my heart."So first, we already know he is going to meet up with the Chinese investors tomorrow, I need you to tell your spies to pay close attention to everything they say or do. If anything goes wrong, we wi
My father stared at me for a moment, apparently looking for the right words to explain his ordeal. I knew not to be harsh on him, but I could not help it, even after all these years and everything he had done to me."I know things have been rough in the past, between the both of us and that is why I beg you to just listen to what I have to say.""You know what, I cannot stand any of this again!" I got up on my feet despite the plea from his wife.I could not stand seeing his face, after all the horrible things he has ever done to me in the past. There was too much trauma involved.By the time I arrived at the house, I took a deep breath, not willing to step inside because I knew that Jaxon was in there.Summoning the last courage, I made my way into the room and found him on the couch watching the news."How did your trip go?" He asked, but I chose to keep quiet. "Come on Ayla, you don't have to be like this. There is a reason why we are called a couple and that is because we argue an
I drove down the street to my father's residence in tears as I remembered how it all started, the first time he raped him.He staggered into my bathroom heavily drunk that unfortunate day. I was actually taking my bath and he stood at the door staring at me with a lustful gaze while licking his lips.The little innocent me, I was just eight years old then, was calling out to him to come carry him like he always does whenever he comes back from work, "Daddy! You're back so late tonight, I miss you. Common, come carry me""You're so beautiful" he said as he walked towards me while I giggled happily as I stood under the running shower."You look so ripe, I'm sorry for this" he said while I stared at him with confusion wondering why he was apologizing when he suddenly started touching me in ways that didn't seem right. I tried to push him away to no avail.My nanny was the only one that knew about it, she took care of me for days while my dad bought me all sorts of stuff and everything I