Fortunately, Alexander did not."Close your eyes and sleep," he ordered, his long, cold fingers intertwining with hers.His deep voice rumbled in her ear, but his actions were surprisingly gentle, causing her tense body to relax slightly. She had been bracing herself for him to go further, but instead, he stopped. And the way they were lying there, entwined like this... it almost felt like they were a couple in love.Her head rested against his chest, their fingers interlaced, her body pressed against his solid frame, surrounded by the scent of his masculine presence.His body was cold, likely from the shower, but holding her like this, he felt warm.Phoebe bit her lip, her long lashes fluttering. Her body still trembled slightly, but it felt like her heart was starting to thaw, little by little.Why was this happening?This strange, unfamiliar feeling...Was it just an illusion?How could she possibly think this cruel man was being gentle?She must have been frightened into thinking
At the university's design building—Class hadn't started yet, and a group of girls had already gathered, gossiping loudly about someone else's drama."Hey, did you hear? Eve just became someone's mistress," one girl whispered."Seriously? And the guy's an old man practically on his deathbed. Can he even get it up?" another asked with a smirk."They've got pills for that now. If he can't, medicine will make sure he can," they laughed."How much is she getting?""Eight thousand a month.""That's it? She sold herself cheap," the girl scoffed."Especially to an old guy!" someone added."Why would she do that for so little money? And with an old man? If she's going to be someone's mistress, at least find someone younger!""People are so desperate for money these days. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in our class was doing the same," one girl suggested."Who? Who?" The group perked up, their eyes darting around the room in anticipation."Look over there," Eden said with a sly grin, nodd
At a high-end French restaurant, Phoebe sat nervously in her seat. It was her first time in such a fancy place, and she felt out of place."Phoebe, why aren't you eating?" Curtis asked gently, his blue eyes soft and full of affection.His warm, magnetic voice wrapped around her, making her even more flustered. She stammered, "I'm... I'm not hungry. You... you eat."Seeing how she kept her distance from him, Curtis gave her a tender smile, one so gentle it could make anyone's heart flutter. "Phoebe, will you give me a chance?"Phoebe felt a pang of guilt. She had already turned him down once. She never expected him to show up at her school as a professor.For someone as kind and accomplished as Curtis, she felt undeserving. "I'm sorry, sir. I—""Just call me Curtis. And don't be in a rush to reject me. I'll win your heart, I promise," he said with confidence. He wasn't going to pressure her, but he would be by her side, waiting patiently for her to accept him.Just then, the restaurant
Alexander's kisses were fierce and relentless, making Phoebe's lips ache."Mmm..." Phoebe furrowed her brow, her curled lashes trembling slightly from his passionate kiss, her cheeks flushing red. She wanted to resist but couldn't help wishing the kiss would continue.It seemed she was developing feelings for him. She hated that about herself; despite how he had treated her moments before, the moment his lips touched hers, her heart felt like it was melting. She inexplicably liked the masculine scent that lingered on his lips.Realizing this made Phoebe's heart race.When the searing kiss ended, Alexander began tearing off his clothes. Phoebe instinctively took a step back, afraid and shy at the urgency in his eyes.Tonight, he was going to...Strangely, she found herself anticipating something.He pulled her into his arms, his strong embrace enveloping her. His rough fingers tore open her conservative nightgown."I won't let you go tonight."For the first time, she didn't push him aw
In a luxurious private villa by the sea"Alex, will you have dinner with me tonight?" Melissa, just out of the shower, wrapped her soft arms around Alexander's waist from behind, her touch almost intoxicating."Melissa, sweetie, I have things to take care of tonight!" Alexander said, pulling her gently into his embrace, his eyes filled with tenderness.Melissa gazed up at Alexander, her voice sweet and sultry, full of longing. "You haven't stayed here with me in so long!""Stop it. I promise I'll come over as soon as I finish what I'm doing," Alexander said, lightly brushing his fingers across her nose. This little girl always made him feel protective."You're so mean! I don't want you to leave," Melissa pouted, her playful annoyance evident."Be a good girl," Alexander replied, his voice firm.His refusal made Melissa's eyes shimmer with unshed tears, her voice low and soft. "Alex, do you not like me anymore...?""Of course not, silly!" Alexander said, wrapping her in his arms, press
The next day, before Phoebe could wake up, a cold hand pulled her from the blankets.She gasped, her eyes flying open to see his handsome face looming close."Wha...what's wrong?""Get dressed quickly. I'll be waiting for you downstairs."As she watched him walk away, Phoebe fell into deep thought. What was he planning?After a sleepless night, she had finally dozed off around six in the morning. She had intended to sleep in, but now she felt wide awake.Quickly dressing and tidying herself, she left her room.The car cruised along the highway.Inside, Phoebe sat nervously, while Alexander drove silently.His silence put enormous pressure on her.She fidgeted with her clothes, sneaking glances at him. His tightly pressed lips and cold, serious expression made her breath uneven.Where was he taking her?She wanted to ask, but looking at him made her hesitant.They drove in silence until they finally stopped.Without a glance back, he exited the car. Phoebe blinked in surprise for half
Alexander received a call from Melissa's servant, who informed him that she was demanding to see him as soon as she woke up.With no other option, he drove over, and as soon as he stepped through the door, he heard Melissa's emotional outburst."Alex, why can't you accept me? You spoil me and care for me so much—why can't you love me like you loved my sister?" Her voice echoed, tearing at his heart."Melissa, please calm down..." Alexander furrowed his brow, fatigue evident in his voice."I'm not making a fuss! Why can't I love you? My sister and I look exactly alike... You can treat me like her, even as a substitute... I want to be your woman!" Tears streamed down Melissa's face, her eyes filled with innocence and longing.She dreamt of taking her sister's place. They shared the same appearance, so why did her sister, who was gone, still receive Alex's love while she could only wait for him in loneliness?"I'll say this one more time... please calm down..." His tone turned cold, as i
Last night, Phoebe returned home quite late. She had gone to Meadowville and initially planned to call him to let him know she would be staying with her parents that night.However, after several calls went unanswered and he didn't reply to her texts, she grew concerned.By eleven o'clock at night, she tried calling him again, but his phone was still off.Worried that he might be upset if he returned home and found she wasn't there, Phoebe hurriedly said goodbye to her parents and called a taxi to return home.When she arrived upstairs, she found that Alexander hadn't come back yet, and she let out a sigh of relief.After taking a shower in the guest bathroom, she crawled into bed, ready to sleep. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fall asleep, tossing and turning instead.She listened intently to the sounds outside...By morning, Phoebe could no longer hold on and finally fell into a deep sleep.Phoebe woke up groggily at 1 pm the next day, listening to the soft patter of
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