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|15| A fresh start
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
CEO on the island |16| Cinderella
Riley’s POV It’s not too late to call our fun date off, right? I was staring at my reflection in the tall mirror—feeling hesitant about getting out of my nutshell. Yes, I got out of my cocoon when I planned this vacation, took a twelve hours plane trip, ending up sharing what I thought of as my dream suite with a cocky, sexy, annoying stranger. Getting into a crowded place was another step I needed to take. Luciana gave me this push, but now I was rethinking my quick decision. The quick decision landed me a date with my temporary roommate. I got dressed, did my makeup, and hair—this would be such a waste if I stayed in the room. I smoothed down the silky material of my spaghetti strap short red dress, trying to pull it a bit further down my thighs. My ringtone broke the silence, breaking the focus of covering my thighs. I looked over my shoulder at the still closed bathroom door. Who knew me
CEO on the island |17| Reverse uno
Zack’s POV I stared at Riley through the tinted glass, watching her smile as she went hard on the dance floor, dancing like there was no tomorrow—I tightened my grasp around the glass of champagne, noticing how the other men looked at her. Her dress wasn’t even helping to cover anything, and every time she rolled her hips, the silky material of the dress rode up more on her thighs. It only took her two shots to get that drunk and follow Lucy to the dance floor—getting out of her skin. “You look like you want to murder someone,” Javier’s sarcastic voice made me finally lift my gaze off her, looking at him as he peered through the tinted glass. “You didn’t mention Lucy was here?” He trailed off, moving his gaze to mine—trying to make sure I was okay, also waiting for me to open up. “We made up, and it turned out I was the wrong one…” I paused, turning my focus to Riley, who was still dancing with the same energetic
CEO on the island |18| My shining armor
Riley’s POV “Stop, please,” I whimpered, the warm tears running down my cheeks as I felt Chris’s body pressed against mine. His hands were roaming my body while I was squirming, trying to free myself—he grabbed a fistful of my hair and a loud cry escaped my lips—his disgusting breath trickled down my neck as he whispered in my ear, “be a good girl, and listen to what I say.” His grasp tightened on my hair, forcing me to nod. I stopped resisting him—my helpless whimpers crackling through the air, but he never cared to stop. There was no use fighting him, anyway. No one would help me. “I told you, Riley, you’re mine,” he whispered in my ear, and I closed my eyes, feeling his breath still fanning over my neck—making me feel sick, disgusted at how close he was. I know it’s all fake, and this is a nightmare, but I couldn’t wake up. It even felt so real—the pain I felt was real. My fear of what Chris did was real, and I coul
CEO on the island |19| Confession
Zack’s POV “Riley!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, about to grab her, but I was late as her body fell over the cliff—falling into the endless darkness. My eyes flew open and quickly fell on Riley, who was sleeping peacefully in my arms. Her head was on my chest, probably hearing how loud my heart was beating for her—she had one arm wrapped around me, her leg was between mine. A sigh escaped my lips, and I tightened my arms around her, inhaling her intimidating smell. She’s safe—I saved her yesterday, and she’s safe now. I kept chanting in my head as the memories from yesterday played again. I know if she woke up and realized I spent the night in her bed she would panic, but in my defense, I tried to leave after she fell asleep. She didn’t let me go as I thought she would. Instead, she tightened her arms around me and I fell asleep with her in my embrace. The most peaceful sleep I ever had until that ni
CEO on the island |20| Picking the pieces
Zack’s POV What does it take to convince my father he was being played by my half-brother? He doesn’t hate Noah—he treats him like his own or treated him until the accident happened, and I became paralyzed. “Do you think he will believe my intentions?” I asked as I stared intently at the building. The nightclub was deserted in the morning—only the staff was around, cleaning yesterday’s mess before the next gig, which starts in a few hours. “Probably not until you come up with proof—we read the contract, and there’s no clause that states not having a third-party partner-“ “He must’ve played with it, Javi. He got in the company’s system once, and he could’ve done it again,” I cut him, and he grabbed my shoulder—realizing I was clenching my fists until they turned white. I unclenched my fists, taking a deep breath. “Secure the nightclub first, then plan on telling Luke—two heads working is better than one,” he coaxed, pat
CEO on the island |21| Triggers
Riley’s POV A pair of firm hands pinned me in the bathroom stall, covering my mouth to stop me from screaming. Relaxed dark grey eyes locked with mine, obviously intoxicated with alcohol just like I was—and my heartbeat raced as my eyes widened with fear. “I saw your moves on the dance floor, and I thought why don’t I get a private moment with the star,” He whispered against my skin, and I closed my eyes, feeling the adrenaline rushing in my veins as I tried to escape his grasp. Only to be slammed into the wall—bringing up memories of that dreadful night. “I’m sure you won’t mind a quickie,” he whispered again before kissing behind my ear, trailing wet, sloppy kisses down on my neck, and I felt the tears rolling down my cheek. My eyes flew open, and I sat up—breathing heavily as if I was running in a marathon—all of this because of a stupid nightmare, triggering my eyes and the tears blurred my vision. I felt a h
CEO on the island |22| A way to save my heart
Riley’s POV I stared at the white ceiling with my legs dangling off the bed—my hands were on my stomach, trying to silence the butterflies every time Zack popped up in my thoughts. “You look so down for him… what happened to the woman who told me she won’t fall for the rich, cocky playboy?” Lucy bugged, and I groaned—grabbing the pillow and covering my face as I screamed into it. I lowered the pillow to my lap and sat up, looking at Lucy as she went through my outfits. “I don’t know what happened to me—my mind is somehow holding me back, but my heart fell way too hard for him,” I answered in a frustrated voice. My fingers traced my lips unconsciously as my mind replayed the kiss in my head—how do I get it out of my mind? I could still feel his lips on mine. The taste of strawberries mixed with whiskey lingered in my mouth, and I groaned, throwing myself back on the bed—hugging the pillow. “He wouldn’t have kissed me if I wasn’
CEO on the island |23| Yellow
Riley’s POV I stared at my phone’s screen, feeling the blood boiling in my name as I reread the message for the tenth time around—the high-pitched ring bell pulled my attention away from the infuriating message, seeing my sister’s name on the top of the screen as I received a message from her. I tapped the message, and the screen redirected me to her chat, noticing tons of messages I hadn’t noticed because I had abandoned my phone yesterday. I scrolled down to the latest message, feeling a bang of guilt in my chest as I sensed Lara’s worried tone through her message. Lara: Hey, you didn’t pick up my calls, and didn’t reply to my messages or Athena’s. Are you okay? I typed the chatting bar, and the keyboard popped up, only for me to stare at the letters—definitely mocking me for not knowing what to say. Hey, Lara, I didn’t answer because some asshole at the club tried to rape me, not to mention I drank alcohol whi
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CEO on the island |41|
Riley's POVIf someone told me a week ago I would take a plane to Ibiza and then stay with a sexy playboy in a fancy hotel suite, agreeing to a stupid deal that a total stranger came up with just to prove to him that my heart isn't able to love again—I would've thought it was a joke.I'm mad at myself for agreeing because damn me and my stupid heart—I'm catching feelings… no I'm falling in love with that total stranger while I wanted to prove him the opposite.And it wasn't because he got me the extra cheesy burger I love or the homemade churros—well, food is typically the fastest way to a woman's heart, add a nice picnic spot preferably somewhere surrounded by nature, and voila you got yourself an instant crush.Zack was very aware of what he was doing, he was playing his cards right to gain my attention.Well… he did get my full attention. This might be my very first date after Chris and I know I should forget about him which I'm trying to do but it's a slow ongoing process.But th
CEO on the island |40|
Zack's POVI traced my lips with my fingers with a goofiest grin on my face as I stared at the ceiling, replaying the intense make out in my brain for the hundredth time.It wasn't like I haven't kissed someone before, but Riley was… she's special, and I'm falling hard for her."Zack," her soft voice crooked out, and I was pulled out of my thoughts—returning back to the silent room."Yes, Riles," I answered her, feeling my chest tighten with concern—it was as if I could feel what she was feeling now. Fear."Nevermind." She sounded hesitant, and it wasn't the answer I was expecting. I sat up and looked at the opaque splitterCan you sleep with me?" SheI thought spending time with Zack would be a living hell, or awkward as hell but here I was having dinner with him, enjoying the sunset, and talking wi
CEO on the island |39|
Riley's POVI thought spending time with Zack would be a living hell, or awkward as hell but here I was having dinner with him, enjoying the sunset, and talking with him—scratch that we were playing the twenty-question game to know each other well. It wasn't my idea, of course, but it was better than the dead-ass silence.We drifted into an entirely different conversation after he made a serious confusion."Pineapples don't belong on pizza," I argued as I stuffed my mouth with the mouthwatering extra cheesy burger—Zack gave me a dead-serious look, and I lowered the burger, eyeing him with disgust as I chewed on my food.He was serious about the pineapples on pizza."You could always give it a try," he needled, stretching a slice of his untouched pizza, and I eyed it with terror as if he was offering me a dead rat.A deep chuckle roared from his ch
CEO on the island |38|
Riley's POVI thought spending time with Zack would be a living hell, or awkward as hell but here I was having dinner with him, enjoying the sunset, and talking with him—scratch that we were playing the twenty question game to know each other well. It wasn't my idea, of course, but it was better than the dead-ass silence.We drifted into an entirely different conversation after he made a serious confusion."Pineapples don't belong on pizza," I argued as I stuffed my mouth with the mouthwatering extra cheesy burger—Zack gave me a dead serious look, and I lowered the burger, eyeing him with disgust as I chewed on my food.He was serious about the pineapples on pizza."You could always give it a try," he needled, stretching a slice of his untouched pizza, and I eyed it with terror as if he was offering me a dead rat.A deep chuckle roared from his ch
CEO on the island |37|
"So, how did you meet my brother? Friends with benefits, or are you a gold digger?" He blurted, and I blinked at him, shaking my head as if I didn't hear what he said."Excuse me?" I was about to take my hand out of his grasp, but he tightened his grasp around my hand, pulling me towards him.I swear I could smell the intoxicating smell of his expensive cologne. My stomach tightened once his gaze sharpened at me. "You must've mistaken me for someone else," I don't know how I told him that without a shaky tone.I tried to pull my hand away, but it was a bad idea—he only tightened his hand, his fingers were digging into my skin."Zack doesn't do relationships, and you don't look like one of his junkie bozos, so maybe a gold digger," he opened his mouth again, flickering his greenish eyes between mine."Did Tony pay you to lure him, princess?" He asked in a
CEO on the island |36|
Riley's POV"Is the blindfold necessary?" I questioned as I stumbled on a rock in the way—it wasn't like I saw it with this thing covering my eyes. Zack was supposed to be my eyes since he was holding my hand, and his other hand was on my waist—guiding me to this stupid picnic date.Apparently, he was as blind as me."I told you I'm sorry, stop being such a brat," he retorted, and I stopped in my place—snapping my head to where his face was supposed to be—instantly feeling his warm minty breath on my face."Did you just call me a brat?" I heard his light chuckle—feeling a little huff of air on my face as he chuckled.The heat traveled to my cheeks—I was embarrassing myself. "You literally stumble on everything," he remarked, and his words refreshed my mind, playing every scenario I stumbled on something and fell on him.It
CEO on the island |35|
Riley's POV"Is the blindfold necessary?" I questioned as I stumbled on a rock in the way—it wasn't like I saw it with this thing covering my eyes. Zack was supposed to be my eyes since he was holding my hand, and his other hand was on my waist—guiding me to this stupid picnic date.Apparently, he was as blind as me."I told you I'm sorry, stop being such a brat," he retorted, and I stopped in my place—snapping my head to where his face was supposed to be—instantly feeling his warm minty breath on my face."Did you just call me a brat?" I heard his light chuckle—feeling a little huff of air on my face as he chuckled.The heat traveled to my cheeks—I was embarrassing myself. "You literally stumble on everything," he remarked, and his words refreshed my mind, playing every scenario I stumbled on something and fell on him.It
CEO on the island |34|
Zack's POV"So, where are we going exactly?" Riley's voice broke over the soft music playing. I glanced at her, holding my breath as I absorbed in her beauty.The way the air flowed through her hair, touching her skin softly—her hazel eyes were focused on the trees as we passed them in a blur.That dress hugged her body at the right places, and yellow was definitely her color—it made her look happy. Not for a long time because every once she sneaks a quick glance at her phone, then her face changes to a worried, distressed one."It won't be a surprise if I told you, cupcake." She looked at me with a frown."Monkey feathers. My name isn't this hard, I can even help you spell it out," she quipped, and I gave her an impressed side glance before focusing on the road—a sinister smirk tugged on my lips as the dirty comment popped up in my mind.
CEO on the island |33|
Riley's POV"So, any excuses for being late?" I snapped my gaze at him, crossing my arms against my chest.Instead, he eyed me from head to toes before finally meeting my gaze with his breathtaking smile. "You look incredible, yellow is definitely your color," he faltered, sticking his hand out for me."Are you silencing me with a compliment?" I snorted, and that stupid boyish grin grew on his face.Remember how you fell on this date. The voice in the back of my head tried to remind me that I got myself into this.I just placed my hand into his warm grasp—and that electric feeling traveled down my spine, waking up the butterflies. Yeah… that's the feeling I despise the most.Yet he made me somehow like it."Let's just end this thing," I said with sass in my tone—thanking god that my voice didn't crack.
