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
"Ayla here used to be my subject and I would love to take her along with me back to the main city of California, where I intend to help protect her and her baby." I was still relishing the moment I had laid eyes on none other than my lost friend. I still couldn't believe the amazing transition that he had gone through over the months since we last saw each other."I don't think you understand the gravity of her situation. She was almost made a slave from the hands of that evil human trafficker George. Are you sure you will be able to help protect her?" Sir. Oliver enquired, having taken a huge morsel of his meat."Like I said I am willing to take good care of her. You can ask of our relationship in the past." He said looking at my direction with a smile."Is that so Ayla ? Do you truly know this man?" He asked sternly."Felix and I have known each other a long time and I will be willing to take on his offer, I have to seek a good place to give birth to my child." I implored Oliver,
I could feel the tension rising between the both of us, while the waves of the ocean were the only sound that separated us. Despite his usual composure, I noticed something different about him, a slight anxiety and I could visibly understand as I had changed and wasn't the woman he used to know. He took steps forward and my heart began to beat fast. I don't know why I felt this way about him, even after all this years that he did me so much harm. Flashes of all the words he said to me in the past flooding my head in that moment."What are you doing here?" I asked, as he was just inches away from me."You are not the only one that knows this place, Ayla ." He commented, his eyes fixed on the ocean. "I usually come here when I want to clear my thoughts.""Good for you " I said and tried to walk past him, but he was swift to hold me back."Ayla ." He called my name with so much emotion written in his eyes. "I don't know where to start from, but after all these years I can finally say I
It was noon time and I could barely concentrate on anything. I was without a doubt a shadow of myself and a total wreck.From the moment I had laid my eyes on Ayla , my thoughts had been spiraling and it made me totally disorganized.The door opened and while my secretary briefed me about my meeting with the top drug investors, I paid no attention as my mind was elsewhere."Excuse me sir?" I heard her voice come through."What is it? Can't you see I am trying very hard to concentrate here?" I barked at her and she lowered her head."Sir it's just that I requested for a manual hand out of the document and you appeared to be staring into emptiness." I looked up at her with rage in my eyes and she apparently got the hint, and quietly removed herself from my presence almost immediately. Getting up from my desk, I began pacing back and forth in my office, thinking up a strategy. I'll throw a party on my private island, invite everyone we know and love, and share my story with them. I'