Oceanic MuseumOn the far side of the city, Laura resembled a bird newly freed from its cage, tasting the sweet air of liberty for the first time.Over the past few days, Wright had held her hand, guiding her through bustling streets and vibrant corners, introducing her to a dazzling array of wonders that left her breathless.For years, she had been like a delicate flower locked away in a secluded chamber, her world confined to four walls.The magnificent, expansive universe beyond had always been an unreachable dream, as fleeting as a reflection in water.Today, however, they stepped into a realm of fantasy — the oceanarium.A kaleidoscope of vibrant marine life spread out before them, painting the scene in hues of wonder. As Laura stood, entranced, her lips gradually curled into a radiant smile.Her laughter, light and melodious, flowed like a spring stream thawing in early warmth."Laura, you're finally smiling at me!" Wright exclaimed, his eyes misting with emotion.His voice, rou
The moment Phoebe heard the man's heartfelt apology, the final barrier within her heart collapsed like a crumbling wall.All her past struggles and inner conflict melted away, as swiftly as snow vanishing under the warmth of spring.She resolved to seize one more chance at love—to follow the unrelenting tide of longing that surged deep within her—and return to Alexander's side.Over the following days, Alexander cared for her with meticulous attention. Under his gentle care, the pain in her ankle gradually faded as if it had never been there. Their time together began to shift, each gesture and glance now imbued with a tenderness and understanding that only lovers shared."Tell me, sweetheart, what would you like to eat?" Alexander asked, leaning slightly toward her. He wrapped her delicate hand in his large, warm grasp and placed it gently against his chest.The fluidity of his motion felt as natural as breathing, as though this intimacy had always been their destiny. His eyes overfl
Dishes were served one after another, and the waiter quietly withdrew, leaving an air of tension that seemed to freeze between the two of them.Phoebe pretended to be engrossed in the food before her, eyes darting away from Alexander's intense gaze, her focus reduced to the sound of her own nervous chewing.Alexander, however, ignored the lavish spread entirely. His elbow rested on the table, one hand propping up his chin, his eyes never leaving her.His gaze felt tangible, a heavy weight pressing down on her.As the food on her plate dwindled, Phoebe could feel the burning heat of his stare more acutely.She tried to steel herself, willing her head to stay down. Yet, an inexplicable pull defied her resolve, and her neck lifted ever so slightly against her better judgment."Why aren't you eating?" she asked softly, desperate to break the suffocating silence."I'm waiting for you." His deep voice carried a lazy, undeniable command, the end of his sentence curling with unspoken intent.
But then, just as her heart began to sink fully into regret, Alexander's lips curved into a sly smile.His eyes sparkled with amusement as he pulled a few bills from his wallet, handing them to the flower seller."Is this enough?" he asked with casual charm.Alexander typically frequented high-end establishments, paying with credit cards and rarely carrying cash.However, today was different. It was as if he had anticipated the situation, for he had purposely stuffed his wallet with a thick stack of bills, ready to fulfill Phoebe's every small wish during their outing.He didn't want to risk being caught empty-handed at a critical moment and losing his poise."That's enough, that's enough! I only need ten dollars." The little girl's eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the large bills.She waved her hands repeatedly, clearly overwhelmed by the generous amount."Keep the change," Alexander said with a nonchalant wave of his hand.The girl's cheeks flushed with excitement, her
Alexander kissed Phoebe passionately, as if pouring all the love surging within him into that single, lingering kiss.When he finally pulled away, his breath still ragged, it felt like he could hardly part with her.Their lips reluctantly separated, both gasping for air.Phoebe's cheeks flushed a deep red, reminiscent of a ripe peach dangling from a spring branch, her skin glowing with a tempting sweetness that made one long to steal another taste.Embarrassed, she cast her eyes downward, her gaze catching sight of the curious onlookers circling them. Some were filled with envy, others merely curious, but every glance felt like a needle prick against her skin.A thin layer of tears welled in her eyes, her face growing even redder with shame as if it might burst into flames. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.After gathering himself, Alexander intended to spend a leisurely day shopping with Phoebe, hoping to pick out something she would love to win her smile.However, shop
They were watching a romantic movie filled with enough steamy scenes to make anyone blush. Sweet moments intertwined with intense, passionate encounters that bordered on bold, pushing the limits of propriety.Thankfully, most of the audience consisted of couples, either dating or married, so no one seemed surprised by the provocative content.Except for Phoebe. Every time a sensual scene appeared on screen, her immediate reflex was to lower her head, unable to meet the imagery head-on.Although the film wasn't overly explicit, her naturally shy disposition made such moments unbearably awkward.Even a simple kiss had her cheeks heating with embarrassment; now, with far more intimate scenes unfolding, she could barely breathe.Despite her own experiences with physical intimacy in real life, Phoebe's easily flustered nature led her to escape from the on-screen passion—either by sipping her drink in deliberate distraction or pretending to focus on anything else."What's the matter?" Alexa
One hand might have been trapped in her grip, but his other continued its sinful exploration, trailing along her waistline.Heat radiated wherever his fingers touched, a firestorm of sensation that left her trembling with anticipation and dread.Even without seeing his face, she could vividly picture his wicked grin, the smug amusement dancing in his eyes. His sheer audacity made her body burn with both anger and a strange, forbidden thrill.Alexander in this state was unrestrained, a force of untamed dominance cloaked in charm. He was dangerous, relentless, and devastatingly alluring.His touch was a thief of reason, and she was helpless against the temptation that threatened to consume her.Phoebe clenched her teeth, cheeks aflame as she clung to his hand with all her might. Tears welled in her eyes, her whispered protest trembling with desperation. "Stop…" Her voice cracked with frustration, heart thudding painfully against her ribcage.But he didn't stop."Enjoy it, sweetie."His
When Phoebe returned home, she didn't even have time to step into the bathroom for a shower before Alexander impatiently pinned her against the door.His scorching kisses came down like a storm, fierce and relentless, as if he intended to claim her very soul.Lost in the intoxicating web he wove, Phoebe couldn't help but respond. Her lips parted, meeting his fervor with her own.Unlike Alexander's wild and domineering passion, her kiss was soft, like a delicate cloud of cotton candy—gentle, sweet, and tenderly dissolving with a lingering warmth.Though they had shared countless moments of intimacy before, her kiss still carried a touch of innocence. Yet her heart was fully in it.Despite her lack of skill, she kissed him earnestly, tentatively exploring his warmth and savoring every sensation.This wasn't the first time she had kissed him back, but it was, without a doubt, the sweetest. Because in this kiss, she could truly feel his heart—feel the emotions that were uniquely his.Toni
The office clock struck five. For the third time, Phoebe glanced down the empty hallway.She clutched her phone, scrolling through her contacts again and again. Five missed calls, no one in the office, and his phone still lying quietly in the drawer—where on earth had he gone?Her reflection in the glass window revealed a furrowed brow. They had clearly agreed to leave at four. Even if something urgent came up, he should've at least found a way to let her know.When the six o'clock dismissal bell rang, Phoebe finally grabbed her bag. In the rearview mirror, the neon sign of the kindergarten glowed vividly against the twilight.The car phone suddenly rang. The unfamiliar number made her hand tremble slightly."Phoebe."That familiar voice made her heart settle—only to twist a moment later. "You're at the hospital? Are you hurt?""It's Hermosa. Acute appendicitis,"he said, hospital announcements echoing faintly in the
The morning passed in a slow, steady rhythm, the hours slipping by almost unnoticed.By the time Phoebe returned to the office after lunch, the clock on the wall pointed to half past two.Alexander's lingering kiss still burned on her lips, leaving her ears warm and flushed. She instinctively smoothed her slightly tousled hair, and when her fingers brushed against her heated earlobe, a soft smile tugged at her lips.In the break room, the moment the hot water hit the tea leaves, a delicate fragrance wafted through the air.Phoebe cupped the warm mug in her hands, and through the rising steam, she could almost see him again—his fingers laced tightly with hers, confidently leading her through the office in full view of everyone.He never hid their relationship. That unabashed affection of his… it made even her tea taste sweet.When only a few unfurled leaves remained at the bottom of her cup, Phoebe rubbed her slightly sore eyes.
The next morning."Mom, are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's tonight?" Amy clung to the edge of the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement.Phoebe nearly dropped the plate in her hand. "Hmm?" She was sure she hadn't said anything about that to the kids."Uncle said so," Amy replied confidently, swinging her legs under the chair.Phoebe glanced out the window at the man polishing the car in the driveway. Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the plate. She'd thought he was just talking offhandedly—but he actually meant it? A wave of warmth rose in her chest, only to be washed over by a ripple of unease. Would her parents even be friendly to him? Her mother hadn't said much during their last phone call, but the sigh she'd heard through the receiver still echoed in her ears."Mom?" Amy tugged at her sleeve.Phoebe crouched down and gently smoothed her daughter's crooked collar. "Of course we're going.""Yay!" Jeremy jumped up from his chair with a loud clatter of utensils. "I ha
Alexander's deep voice rumbled against her ear, and Phoebe could no longer hold back the tears welling in her eyes. Warm drops slid down her cheeks as she stood on tiptoe and clung tightly to his neck, burying her tear-streaked face into the crook of his shoulder. Her slender shoulders trembled uncontrollably.Those three words were far too heavy—so heavy, they made her chest ache.He immediately wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back with the flat of his palm. Suddenly, Phoebe clenched her fists and began pounding his chest, each hit harder than the last."You bastard..." she sobbed into his shoulder. "You've made me cry so many times..."Yet even so, hearing his confession now, all those scars seemed to vanish into insignificance. Love was ridiculous like that—no matter how deeply wounded, the heart still surrendered without hesitation."Say it again," she whispered, lifting her tear-soaked face, her nose bright red.Alexander chuckled lowly and brushed her damp cheek
"Mom, you don't have a boyfriend, and Uncle is such a good guy. Can't he be your boyfriend? Can't he be our dad?""Yeah, Mom, just think about it!"Phoebe kept her expression neutral. This wasn't something that could be decided so easily.She wasn't about to let him off that easily. Especially after what Hermosa said earlier… What exactly did she mean by those words? And that look of surprise on her face—what was that about?Every time she thought about it, a heavy pressure settled on her chest. It felt like they were hiding something from her.She told herself not to overthink it. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop the wild guesses running through her mind.Maybe... maybe it was time to ask.And he owed her a real explanation."Mom?"Her thoughts snapped back to the present. The kids were looking up at her with hopeful eyes. They really cared about her love life, it seemed. And clearly, they liked Alexander a lot.Of course she knew what they were trying to do. But a
Phoebe's fingertips trembled slightly as she stared blankly at Hermosa's pale face. That name always pricked at her memory like a needle—Melissa's curly hair, the unopened photo frame in Alexander's study—all flashing before her eyes now."What a coincidence. Running into you here," Hermosa said, her face still drained of color.Phoebe forced a smile. "Yeah, what a... coincidence."She quickly added, "What are you doing here?""My stomach was acting up, so I came to get something for it. You?""Oh, me? I..." Phoebe's throat tightened. Instinctively, she crushed the box of birth control pills hidden behind her back. She only realized where Hermosa's gaze had landed when it was too late. Embarrassed, she moved her hand behind her again. "I was just buying... medicine."As Hermosa turned to leave, the hem of her trench coat brushed past Phoebe's wrist, sending a chill straight to her bones. Hermosa suddenly paused. Under the harsh fluorescent lights, her profile looked almost transparent
When Alexander stepped into the bathroom, he found Phoebe resting peacefully in the bathtub, eyes closed. A soft flush still lingered on her cheeks, a trace of pleasure not yet fully faded. Her face looked like a ripe peach, pink and dewy, waiting to be picked.He walked over quietly. She must have heard him—her thick lashes fluttered as if she wanted to open her eyes. But she was too exhausted, not even a finger moved.Alexander chuckled softly, gazing at her delicate face. He'd really worn her out today.He reached down and gently stroked her silky cheek. He'd intended to call her for dinner, but looking at her now, sleep seemed more fitting.Scooping her out of the water, her smooth skin against him made his body stir again—but he held himself back.He dried her carefully, then laid her on the bed. The marks he'd left on her body filled him with a certain pride, but as he inspected the swollen red tenderness between her thighs, a pang of guilt twisted in his chest. He'd been a litt
The sound of running water from the bathroom came to an abrupt stop. Less than three minutes later, Alexander stepped out, a towel slung low around his waist, his damp hair dripping, sun glinting off his bronze skin."Do I have a good body?" he asked with a cocky arch of his brow, the towel hanging precariously low, revealing the sharp V-lines at his hips.Phoebe turned away, stubborn as ever. "Male models look better."His expression instantly darkened. The towel slipped to the floor, and he didn't seem to notice—or care.Phoebe's eyes widened, her pupils dilating as the sight in front of her hit like a punch to the gut. That bastard. He was doing it on purpose—always flaunting his raw, masculine power right in front of her like a predator marking territory."Have you tried one?" he asked, closing the distance between them. The sharp scent of cedarwood from his body wash filled her nose."They're all online!" she stammered, stumbling backward until her lower back hit the nightstand.
He wanted all of her—completely—until she melted beneath him like snow in spring.Tears still clung to Phoebe's lashes, her flushed cheeks pressed against the sofa armrest. She heard his husky laugh fall from above."Tired?"A muffled sound escaped her throat. She didn't bother answering such a pointless question. It felt like her bones had been taken apart and reassembled—dull pain laced with an electric numbness that left a tremor with every breath.She thought back to the wildfire burning in his eyes, the near-manic hunger in his touch. He didn't seem like a man who'd gone five years without a woman—more like someone hell-bent on satisfying a lifetime of cravings in a single day."Get up..."She pushed weakly at his arm, her limbs as soft as cotton, but before she could finish, he pinned her wrist against the couch. The scent of sweat and cedar clung to him, invading her senses as she tilted her head back, only to be caught in the lingering embers in his gaze."One more time," he m