Leah,
"Mother!" Liam threw his arms excitedly around a petite woman who stood at the doorway.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Liam's voice boomed with a mixture of surprise and delight.
She held him close, her voice tinged with mock offence. "Do I need permission to visit my son?"
I had just come down after showering for dinner only to be met with the scene of my mother-in-law in our home without a warning. I know she had the right to visit, but I would appreciate it if she gave me a heads-up so that I would prepare my sanity for her visit.
Unlike what you imagined, my relationship with my mother-in-law was anything but good. I hated it when she visited cause she didn't fail to remind me how much of a failure I was for not giving her a grandchild. It wasn't my fault, Liam had made it clear that he wasn't ready for a child. A decision which I respected. The fact that she keeps blaming me is something I can't wrap my head around. How was she expecting me to have a child? Immaculate conception? It seems she forgot it takes a man and a woman to make a child.
"You know that is not what I meant, mother." Liam chuckled, and she rubbed his back as she laughed.
"Welcome, Mother." I smiled cheerfully when they broke their sweet embrace.
She turned to me, not hiding her disgust with my presence. Before we got married, she doted on me. All of it felt like a cruel joke now. Who knew two childless years was enough to sour that affection. Or she never liked me to begin with.
"Of course you are here, Leah." She rolled her eyes.
If anyone should be angry, it is me. Why does she always show up unannounced and act like I am the uninvited guest?
"That's funny mother, where else would I be if not in my husband's place?" I replied, trying my best not to match her tone, but I failed.
"Did you see the way she talked to me, Liam? Is this the way she should be talking to me?" She said, pointing at me furiously.
"For christ sake, mother, can you two not fight every time you come over." Liam scolded softly while facing his mother.
She took a step back, her hand on her chest as she stared at him shocked, and he sighed, rubbing his forehead. I rolled my eyes, knowing what was coming next. I hated that I was still standing here, in a place where I wasn't needed.
"Are you raising your voice at me because of her?" She cried.
My mother-in-law was an award winner in emotional blackmailing.
"I am going upstairs," I announced, turning away from them, already fed up with her.
"Is that how you treat your mother-in-law, you arrogant girl? You think you are all that cause you came from a wealthy family?" She shouted behind me.
"It is okay, mother."
"Let me be. You keep tolerating her. That is why she behaves that way even when she is barren!"
I halted, clenching my fist. Even though she has said it so many times. Even though I told myself that I was immune to her harsh words. Even though I expected them, it still hurts every time she said them.
"Don't talk to Leah like that mother. She isn't barren. How many times do I have to tell you that I don't need a child right now? I am the one who doesn't need a child!"
"I won't be joining you two for dinner. Goodnight, Mother. I hope my presence will make you uncomfortable enough to leave tomorrow morning." I smiled and walked away.
I hope for the sake of my sanity that she wasn't planning on staying for long.
I stood by the window, staring out at the city lights when the room door creaked open.
"You'll catch a cold standing there." Liam said, walking into the room.
A moment later, a blanket settled on my shoulders. He leaned down, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Hey," he murmured, pressing a kiss on my neck.
"I am sorry about my mother. I know she can be annoying and her words a bit harsh."
"It wasn't a bit harsh, Liam. Her words were very harsh. It is as if she studies new ways to torment me. Whenever I think I have heard enough, she surprises me." I pointed out the obvious as I turned to him.
"I am trying my best for you, Liam, but I can't keep doing this. Your mother isn't helping at all, and I am tired of pretending it doesn't hurt."
"I understand. I have talked to her about it." He said, cupping my face.
There was no need to talk to her. How long has she been acting this way? How long has he talked to her about her behaviour? I had already given up on hoping she would change. It is better that she stays aware from our home until she can put up with her BARREN daughter-in-law.
"Mhm," I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his neck as I responded to the kiss. His hands moved down my back, goosebumps rising on my skin as my body craved for more. My hands found the waistband of his pants, trying to unzip it when his hand stopped mine abruptly. The spark I felt earlier died, replaced by a cold dread.
I have almost forgotten another problem in my marriage that we didn't talk about. My husband was ignoring me in bed.
"Leah, we can't." he said softly.
I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge to say the words that tugged at my lips.
Again!
"I am tired, Leah. I will make it up to you next time, I promise." He kissed my hand.
Make it up to me next time? Why is he sounding like he is doing me a favour?
"Does my body not turn you on anymore, Liam?" I asked.
"It's not like that," he said defensively.
"Then what, Liam?" My voice rose. "Because all I can think about is my husband avoiding my touch!"
"And all you seem to care about is sex!" He yelled, and I flinched. "For fuck sake you act like you are starved of it and it irritates me."
The accusation felt like a slap in my face. "When was the last time we had sex? Even when you managed to touch me, it's over before it even begins! You're always tired!"
"Are you implying that I have a problem?"
"Liam! You know that is not what I meant."
I reached out intending to touch him, but he flinched away
"Then what do you mean, Leah? I can't have my mother breathing down my neck for a grandchild, and my wife, who is supposed to understand me, pressuring me to fuck her!"
The room spun. Was it what it had to come to? Pressuring him to fuck me?
"Goddamit, Leah, you act as if you don't know what I am going through. Well, I don’t blame you, your parents are wealthy and you don't have to worry about anything except sex!"
"Why must you bring my parents into this?" I screamed, fighting back tears.
His mother did it downstairs, and now he is doing the same thing. Why is it that they are treating me like an outsider?
"Fuck this!" He said, and walked away slamming the door behind him.
Tears spilled over, tracing hot tracks down my cheeks as I was left alone in the room.
I shouldn't have said that. I should have just endured like I always did, and maybe it wouldn't have escalated. I sounded like all I cared about was sex. Just like he said.
I waited for him to come back to the room, but he never did. Each time I heard footsteps, hoping it was him returning to the room, I was disappointed. He was really pissed.
I woke up alone. He didn't sleep in the room last night. I planned on apologizing the moment I met him, and maybe later in the day after work, we will discuss the lingering problem.
By the time I dragged myself out of the bed, Liam was gone. I usually work up earlier than him to prepare coffee for him, but this time around, he left earlier to avoid me.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
"Fuck! I feel like a villain in my own story." I sighed, resting my head on the steering wheel.
There was no need for us to fight over sex, right? I should have kept it to myself. I have been doing a good job dealing with it on my own even though it felt different from a man's touch.
My phone buzzed with a notification, and I picked up my phone from the seat to read the message from Sam, my best friend.
Sam: Yo! Wanna grab lunch with me during your break?
I smiled and replied that it was a great idea and she sent me a thumbs-up emoji. I grabbed my purse and got down from the car.
I was going to be busy in the office all morning, including the board meeting, so I didn't have the leisure to dwell on what happened yesterday.
I stumbled, nearly hitting the ground when a strong arm wrapped around me, a gasp forming in my throat. A heady mix of expensive cologne, tobacco, and something else I couldn't pinpoint the source flooded my senses. The arm tightened, pulling me back not too close but close enough to feel the sudden heat behind me.
"Another moment, and you'd be kissing the ground, doll." A deep rough voice whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
"T-thank you." I stammered.
He held me longer than necessary, his grip surprisingly firm. I tried to move away, and his grip, however, tightened around my waist, pulling me closer instead, the warmth of his body seeping through my thin dress.
"I-I am fine now,"
He didn't move. Instead, he leaned in, burying his face in my hair, an action that surprised me. "You smell nice," he mumbled.
"Thank you, it's my, uh, shampoo." I regretted my words the moment they left my lips.
Why was I even replying to him?
"Mhm," he hummed against my hair. "You have a cute beauty mark right here," he whispered, his finger tracing a light circle behind my ear, and I shivered, the hairs on my neck standing on end.
Leah,This was insane. Letting a man I didn't know stay this close to me."That's enough," I said in a firm voice, and he let me go.I turned to face him. He was tall and broad. He was on a black coat that failed at hiding his powerful physique. His long, black hair was tied in a messy bun, a few strands escaping to frame his face where a scar started just above his sharp eyebrow down his cheek. Even with the scar on his face, he was still good-looking.His black intense eyes stared down at me as he took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling out in a slow exhale. He was Sam's type. She had a thing for hot sexy men who excluded danger, and this man excluded more than danger. He was the type of man I steered clear of. Yet, the way he looked at me like a predator does its prey, devouring me with his eyes, made my heart skip a beat.He took a step forward, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stood frozen, his eyes holding mine. He reached out slowly, brushing a strand of
Leah,I woke up the next morning, and he had already left for work. He didn't even sleep in our room last night. Typical Liam, avoiding me after a fight like that, would solve anything. We needed to talk, and I would make sure we don't sweep this under the rug like we do whenever we fought.I entered the elevator, pressing the button for the seventh floor before stepping back. The doors were almost closing when they suddenly opened again. Someone had entered.The first thing that caught my eyes was his black coat. My gaze trailed slowly upward, over his broad shoulders, sharp jaw shadowed by a well-groomed beard, thin red lips. A jolt of electricity shot through me when our eyes finally met. My breath hitched, and I took a step back, my heart thudding in my chest.It was him. The stranger with a scar from yesterday who knew nothing about boundaries.The elevator doors closed shut, the space feeling smaller with him in it. The realization that I was trapped inside it with a man who clea
Aiden, "I'm interested in a woman," I said as I stood up from the couch in the chairman's office, adjusting my coat. "She seems to be working for you.""I wonder who that might be," he said, standing up and extending his hand for a handshake."He's referring to, Mrs. Walsh," the CEO informed from where he sat.A muscle in his jaw twitched, his grip around my hand tightening. Our eyes locked in a silent, charged exchange, then he chuckled, letting my hand go. His face hardened as he said, "She's off-limits."My smile widened. "And why is that?""She is married. And even if she weren't, I wouldn't want you anywhere near my daughter. "I let out a low, sinister laugh, my eyes never leaving the chairman's that burned with controlled fury. She was his daughter.His warning meant nothing to me. Her being married was just a meaningless detail. It sure as hell wasn't going to stop me, not when I had made up my mind, to lay my hands on that gorgeous body of hers. I won't hold back. I would t
Leah,Friday."Did we come for a family dinner or to watch those two flirt?" Ivy whispered, eyeing our parents.I followed her gaze. Across the table, my mother giggled at something my father said, her hand resting on his arm. I smiled and turned back to my sister, who wore a look of pure disgust. "Let them be, Ivy. This is the only time they get to see each other."She raised her eyebrow, folding her arms. "Really. Is that what you think?""What do you mean?""I came home last month to a scene that will traumatise me for life... right in the living room! Buck naked! Both of them!" She emphasised the last words. "I can't unsee it, Leah.""The fuck!" My eyes widened in shock."Yeah, these two old geezers are fucking each other behind our backs!"I turned to face them. "Dad!" I screamed, startling both of them.They jerked, like they have been caught doing something they shouldn't. I narrowed my eyes at my father, feeling betrayed. He was hooking up with his ex-wife behind my back while
Leah,"Let go," my voice came out shaky, and that was not what I intended.He clicked his tongue, his breath hot on my neck. He was too close, invading my space. Too close that my body was reacting too much to his. "What about our date?"I yanked at the door, trying to pull it open. "Let go, I need to go home!" I yelled.He slammed the door shut with a force that made me jump, my back pressing against his chest. His nose grazed my skin, the hairs on my neck standing on end as he murmured, "Fuck, you smell nice."I tried to step away, but he gripped my hip, holding me firmly in place. "Stay still, doll." He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply."Get your filthy hands off me, you son of a bitch!" I screamed, my nails digging into his hand.He chuckled, his nails digging into my hip and I winced letting his hand go. "That hurts, doll. I thought we were close," he brushed his lips down my neck and I gasped, my skin tingling from where his lips had touched. "Especially after our kiss
Leah,I was yet to realize the gravity of the situation I was in. I didn't understand fully what it meant to attract the attention of Aiden Kingston, a caporegime of the Kingston family. The strongest crime family in the city.A man who was under one man and above many others. Normally, I wouldn't be searching online for him, but the situation called for a background check, and the news wasn't giving me much. Heck, the news didn't mention anything about them being a crime family!They had everyone starting from the politicians down to the police and business owners at their finger tips. So it wasn't surprising that there was no article about their illegal activities.The Kingston family ran a hotel, club, and casino business, but we all know that is not all it is. It was just a cover-up for their illegal business. I needed to know who I was dealing with and avoid him at all cost, but who would I ask. My parents would become suspicious if I asked about it.It was frustrating how on g
Leah,Liam: I won't be attending the wedding with you. Something urgent came up! Send my greetings to John. Love you ☺️I stared down at my phone as I reread the message. I should have known he was going to do this at the last moment! He even bought me a dress and acted like he was so excited about going for a social event with me.Maybe something urgent actually came up!I drove into the hotel where the reception was being held. The name 'Ceaser's ' was written in bold letters on the hotel. It was one of the biggest hotels in the city, and I should have done my research before coming. That way, I wouldn't be as shocked as I was when I ran into him.The valet, a young man with a charming smile, took the key from me as I got down from my car.As I walked through the hallway heading for the ballroom, I ran into one of my dad's business partner."Mrs. Carter," the man with grey hair called.He was with a younger woman who supported him by holding his arm."Mrs. Walsh," I corrected the ma
Aiden,She moaned, fisting the sheet as I thrust into her, hard and fast. Her eyes were shut tight, her breast bouncing in rhythm with each movement of my hips.My eyes roamed over her sweat-slick body. She was beautiful. So fucking beautiful with nothing on. Vulnerable, completely at my mercy, and mine to do with as I pleased. I could take her over and over again and it still wouldn't be enough. I leaned in, brushing the strands of hair that stuck to her face aside. Turning her face to mine, I kissed her. She parted her lips, allowing my tongue to slip inside and I deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth before trailing my lips down her neck. I nibbled on her skin and she whimpered, her body shivering under my touch.I traced a circle around a small mole on her breast with my tongue. "Third one," I murmured against her skin, before sucking and nibbling on her nipple, making her gasp as she arched off the bed.I thrust deeper, and she cried out, "Yes, right there," Her legs moved to wr