Eric tilted his head back to look at his sleeping bride. Her head rested against the glass door of the limousine. Her head covering had fallen off, and a white lace fell to his feet. The jet-black curls shot out in every direction and hid her bare shoulders from view. The champagne glass in the glass holder had been left untouched, the foam had settled. The glittering two-carat diamond ring was tied around her finger and glimmered like the last rays of a dying sun. Full, rosy lips are parting to allow breaths to be inhaled and exhaled. A steady, subtle snore echoed through the air with each exhale. Carina Scodelario is now his wife.Eric took his glass of champagne and silently enjoyed the success. He now fully owns the Dreamscape company. He was trying to grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he didn't need anyone's permission anymore. Today has passed without a single incident. He took a full sip of Dom Perignon and wondered why he felt so uncomfortable. His mind flashed to
"My room is right down the hall. I have a private office but there's a spare computer in the library that you can use. I can arrange anything else you need." He pushed open one of the doors. "I'll give you the room with your own bathroom. I'm not sure about your preferences so you're free to redecorate the room." He watched her take in the large, light-neutral bed and matching furniture. "This much is fine. Thank you," she said. He stared at her for a moment as throbbing emotions flared between them. "You know we're stuck here for at least two days, right? We'll use work as an excuse not to go on our honeymoon, but I can't show up at the office until either. Monday.She nodded. "I can use the computer to work. Anna said she wanted to help." He turned away. "Just relax and meet me in the kitchen. I'll cook something for dinner." "You cook?" "I don't like strangers in my kitchen - I had enough growing up. So, I was self-taught." "Do you cook well?" He snorted. "I am the best."
Eric started to say something, then stopped motionless. The sight of her sipping and enjoying wine put every muscle in his body in a state of stagnation. Blood pounded through his veins and shot into his groin a stark warning. Her tongue licked her lips with delicate caress, he wished she'd tasted something other than wine. He wondered what the low, husky sounds she uttered when a man burrowed deep inside her hot, damp little place. He wondered if she was tight and hot as her mouth closed around him like a soft hand squeezed every last drop in him and still demanded more.Her clothes taut with every curve of her body, from her sweet butt to her long voluptuous legs. Her shirt was lifted up and revealed a patch of bare skin. And she had clearly removed her bra, not thinking of him as a man who wanted her, but more like an annoying brother without male desires. Damn you for starting to complicate things. He left the bowl of pasta on the table and quickly arranged the things. "Don't dr
She smiled and stuffed her mouth full of pasta. "My dad has a lot to make up for, but I think we've managed to heal the circle." "Circle?" "The circle of karma, when someone is really bad and hurts you. Our first instinct is to hurt again, or refuse to forgive." "Sounds reasonable." "Ah, but now the cycles of pain and abuse continue. When he came back, I decided I had only one father, and I wanted to accept anything he could give. In the end, he gave up alcohol and tried to fix the past."Eric let out a rude sound. "He passed away when she was very young and left her family behind bottles of wine. Abandoned both her twins. Then he turned around and begged for forgiveness? Why did she do you even want him in your life?" She crashed into another shrimp and let it hover right in front of her lips. "I made a choice," she said. "I'll never forget, but if our mother learns to forgive him, why can't I? The family has to stay together no matter what." Her ability to forgive easily shock
She stopped midway and looked at him. "Okay. I accept." He pressed the remote and the tune of Madame Butterfly played through the Bose speaker. He finished their glasses and settled down next to the small table. She sat down beside him, crossing her legs. Her fingers juggled the cards with expert ease, shuffling them at lightning speed. Eric flashed a fantasy of her wearing a miniskirt, dealing cards in the hall while she sat on a cowboy's lap. He shook his head from the image and focused on his hand. "The dealer chooses first. Play 5-card stud poker. Unlimited bets." He frowned. "Bet on what?" he asked. "I told you we were playing for money.""Should I have the butler remove the safe? Or maybe we'll just play for the family trinkets?" "Very funny. Do you have any other jokes?" His lips curved. "Sorry. Only hundreds of words." "OH." She seemed to be very disappointed when he lost the battle and started giggling. "How about we play for something more interesting?" "I don't pla
She gave him a casual nod. "Open the post." She made up cards immediately and victory flashed in her eyes. He almost felt sorry for her. Just almost. "Good post." He gave her a smug smile. "But still not good enough." He threw out 4 aces. Then stretch your legs out in front of you and lean back. "Anyway, it's worth trying." She gasped in surprise at his cards. "The probability of getting 4 aces out of 5 cards... Oh my god, you cheated!" He shook his head and made a tsk sound. "Come on, Al, I thought you were a better opponent than that. Are you still a bitter loser? Now it's about my rights..."Eric wondered if steam was leaking from his pores. "No one can get 4 aces unless you hide the cards under the palm of your hand. Don't lie to me, because I was thinking of doing it for myself!" "Don't accuse me of something you can't prove." "You cheat." Her voice was filled with surprise and horror. "You lied to me on our wedding night." He snorted. "If you want to get rid of your debt,
Oh my God. Primordial sexual energy mingled between them like a tornado reaching maximum speed and power. His eyes burned with a blazing fire, both urgent and angry as he stared at her. She realized he was lying between her open thighs, his hips leaning against hers, his chest lifted as his hands gripped her fingers. This is no longer the teasing of an older brother. This is also not between old friends or business associates. This was simply between a man and a woman, and Carina felt herself being pulled into a storm by the screams of her own body. "Eric?"Her voice was hoarse. Full of hesitation. Her nipples were raised against the cotton shirt with demand. His gaze fell on her face, her breasts, and her bare stomach. Tension stretched between them. He slowly lowered his head. The rush of his breath caressed her lips as he spoke over her mouth. "This doesn't make any sense."His body contradicted his words as he demanded her mouth in a fierce kiss. With a quick thrust, his tongu
Eric stepped back. "It doesn't matter," he said coldly. "I need to know." Ice was creeping down her spine as she caught the determination on his face. The curtains slammed shut, and suddenly she looked at a man completely devoid of feelings or emotions. "Because she wanted more than I could give her. She wanted to settle down and build a family." Carina took a few steps back. "What's wrong with that?" "I told Gabriella the truth from the very beginning. I didn't do anything long-term. I never wanted children, and I will never be the type of person to settle down in the long-term. I made that promise to you. myself many years ago." He stopped. "So I married her.The room spun as his final statements crept into her. Her husband can accept the experience of passion. His touches may be warm, and his lips even warmer, but his heart is carved in stone. He never wanted to let a woman inside him – he had ruined every chance he had. Somehow, his parents convinced him that love doesn't exi
It's just a feeling, but I've been feeling it for a while. Someone is following me. I contacted Kudo, and he seriously sent some scouts to see if I was in danger. He was supposed to see me in a few days, in the name of investigating a fake case. During that time, he wanted me to behave normally. He didn't want my stalker to find out I knew.Kudo said he had heard several reports of people targeting Raymond's allies. Raymond has been missing for over a year and his government is not happy about it. They think the FBI has something to do with his disappearance. Of course they have no proof. Kudo didn't seem too upset about that, though. The culprit is clearly an unknown person. He freed eighteen women from sexual slavery.When I first heard the news, I immediately thought it might be Eric, and my heart felt like it was being squeezed by someone. Kudo didn't say it, but I think he might as well suspect Eric. It showed in the way he asked if I was likely to know who the person was or if s
Johnny sits across from former Miss Yena Ruiz. She looks terrible. Her long dark hair was pulled back from her face and pulled into a messy bun. She has dark circles under her eyes and doesn't eat much either. The lack of food kept her in the hospital for another 72 hours, but they couldn't keep her once she decided she wanted to leave. Agent Sloan was also in the room. The revelations of the case were hard to swallow for her, too, and Johnny wished there was some way to comfort her without misleading her into thinking he was seducing her. She went to his room after visiting Yena at the hospital, and learned about his last conversation with Yena. They discussed the case for a while, but then she wanted to talk about the night they had sex, and he had to tell her frankly that it was just a one-night stand. She called him a coward. He called her even worse. “Is this the last piece of paper?” Anne Caliph asked. “Yes,” Johnny said. “Once you step out of this room, you will be Anne Cali
“Why don't you let me decide for myself what is right? I want to stay with you.” I said choked. My heart rate increased, and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. You're giving me a chance to go back home, back to my life, back to what I said I wanted - but all I can think about is, it doesn't matter if That means I'll never see you again. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and pressed his forehead against it, “You don't know what you want, Nana, and what you want, you're just brainwashed into wanting them.” I immediately inhaled, trying to protest; He raised his hand to stop me. “I've been doing this for a long time - manipulating people to my liking. That's why I think I love you. Because you broke me and then put me back together and made me believe it. This is not an accident. Once you've left everything behind…you'll see that." I could barely see him through the mist of tears clouding my vision. Eric believed what he said. I could hear it in his voice – but he was w
I was just unbuttoning my shirt when it happened. There was a huge explosion and something hit me right in the face. I reached up to touch my cheek. The breath left me in a heartbeat. Eric was above me, screaming, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. Looks like I didn't hear anything. My head ached. I bumped it to the floor when Eric lunged at me. Bricks flew everywhere. “Nana!” Eric shouted as he shook me. It pierced the silence in my head. BOOM! Another flood of rubble flew towards us. Eric lay on top, covering my face with his hands while burying his head near my shoulder. There's someone out there shooting at us. My eyes drifted to the door and I could see huge holes in what used to be wood. We rolled to the back of the bed. My whole body was shaking and I had no idea what was going on. Eric was pushing me and I cried out in pain. “Get in the tub!” He shouted. Then he pushed me again. I managed to get up on my hands and knees. Crawling towards the bathroom, I squirmed in
The mansion is very quiet, strangely quiet. No Felipe. No Celia. No Raymond. Eric didn't answer and I didn't ask any questions.It was very hot outside, even though it was only early morning. I realized I hadn't stepped outside in a long time, under the bright sun. I am wearing clothes. I was…free. My footsteps stopped when that realization hit. FREE!“The truck isn't far, keep going,” Eric said coldly.I felt myself choking, an excited laugh escaping my lips, “Where are we going?” I said with tears of joy in my eyes."Please don't ask. Just go with me.”I looked at him, the pain on his face was so intense. Now is not the time to argue with you. Whatever he was doing, it seemed like a big deal. It will change everything between the two of us, but he is begging me to go with him, and when the man you love asks you to go with him – you will.We walked less than a mile, but I was amazed at the overall scale of Felipe's mansion. Whatever his business is, it's probably making a profit. We
Fear aside, I parted my lips and let his tongue invade my mouth. He groaned as I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him down on top of me. I tug on his dirty shirt and he pulls away from the kiss just long enough to pull it over his head. Sand and blood, I'm sure, fell on my face, but I just wiped them off with the back of my hand and continued to kiss Eric. His hands were everywhere at once, touching my hair, pulling me close, squeezing my breasts. His pillow hill slid between my knees, pushing them apart. I opened my legs and let Eric's lower belly press against me. I can feel his masculinity, confined in his jeans, pressing against his inner thighs. As we pounced on each other, a part of his wild personality seeped into me and before I knew it, I pushed him aside. He grabbed my shirt and let out a sound I understood to be a warning. “Yours, Eric. I promise," I said. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head, exposing my breasts to Eric. His mouth came in, causi
Eric has been gone for hours. I sat on the floor, next to his gun, waiting for something to happen, anything. So many times I thought about leaving the room and looking for him, but still tried to convince myself to give up the idea. Eric told him to wait. So I wait.A sense of dread began to rise as I saw light seeping through the curtains. The sun was rising and Eric hadn't come back yet. I wonder if Celia will return, but I doubt it will. The bridge between us has been completely burned down. The only consolation was knowing that she would keep Felipe from harming me.Suddenly, there was a very loud thud at the door, and then another hour. My heart almost jumped in my throat, but then I remembered Eric said he'd knock twice. I reached for the gun, just in case.I watched the revolving door handle and when the door swung open I could barely absorb what I was seeing. Eric stood in the doorway. His body was covered in mud. Blood stains everywhere.“Eric?” I managed to whisper, but sti
“There will be no trial,” Kudo said. He started walking again, a fist resting on the back of his neck. “I know how it is. I don't want to believe it, but I know. I've been arguing with my boss for the past few hours. There will be…” Kudo seemed very flustered. “There will be a lot of arrest warrants, I'm sure. Those who are auctioned will no doubt be taken to a shelter, but… no justice will be served. Not the kind that those victims deserve.” "How can that be?" I sobbed. “How could you let that happen?” “Raymond is a senior officer in the Pakistani Army, Nana. His government will not allow a scandal to get out. They agreed to let our government take part in the raid on the condition that they keep their men out of the way. When the chaos is over, it's up to them to decide who's present and who's not, that's how international political organizations work." I felt like someone had just hit me in the chest with a heavy wooden stick. For the second time in my life, I understood Eric's
“Are you sick?” Eric whispered. His blond brows furrowed nervously. I've never seen him like this. He looks so happy and peaceful. I reached up and stroked his beautiful face. "I am fine." He wiped my eyes, "Then why are you crying?" "I don't know," I replied and continued to run my hand over his face. "I think I'm just happy." He smiled, "Strange reaction to happiness, but that's okay." He bent down and licked away one of my tears. I squirmed, “What are you doing?” I laugh. "I'm curious," he whispered seriously. "About what?" “Will happy tears taste the same as sad tears?” he replied. His words made me cry harder. I can't control them. I am overwhelmed by everything. "And?" I managed to ask. "I think they're sweeter," he replied, kissing me, "but maybe it's just your face." We burst out laughing. I heard voices. I sat up in bed. For a few seconds, I forgot where I was. The room is very small. There are bars on the window frames. The bed wasn't Eric's. “I can't come back