“What?!” Mira exclaims, taking two steps toward Ayla, who shrugs apologetically and shoots me a beseeching look. “You’ve had a fucking key this whole time Ayla?”“I didn’t tell you because I knew you would force me into uncuffing you, and then Dad would be furious.” Ayla attempts to justify, but Mira shakes her head angrily.“Dad is the least of your worries right now, Ayla! Uncuff us right this second.” Mira demands stormily.Ayla shakes her head remorsefully. “See, this is why I didn’t say anything. You’ve both come so close to getting the handcuffs off. It's just a few more days. Dad said if you don’t play by the rules and find a way out of those cuffs without his blessing, he’ll...”Boy, if Mira were a cartoon character, her head would have imploded right now. She is livid. “He’ll do what?!”“He’ll repeal your shares, demote you and reassign your position as VP to Keira,” I observe the anger drain away from Mira’s face. She’s completely taken aback, and so am I. Keira as VP, no fu
I almost laugh out loud when I compare the nibbling to Mira’s when she’s eating her pastries every morning. Speaking of Mira, she appears at the front door and waves me over. I nod and lift my index finger, informing her that I’ll be a minute. “Devin?”“Yes, sorry, babe, I need to cut the call short. I’m about to head out and see my dad. I’ll give you a call or text you tomorrow, all right? Have fun at your party, and be careful.”“Oh, okay, I will. I love you.” Megan replies, almost disappointed.“Love you too. Talk to you soon, babe.” I hang up the phone, pinching the bridge of my nose. I called to have a conversation with my girlfriend, who I miss dearly, and all I hear her talk about is her work or this party and that contract. When did my life become so mechanical, and why have I not noticed it before now?Mira and I get our cuffs back on, and oddly enough, it feels normal again. Almost as though not having her there beside me throws off my stability, I feel imbalanced. We switch
“Oh sweetheart, look at you. You’ve grown into such a beautiful young woman.” My mother gushes, cupping Mira’s face affectionately. “Hasn’t she, Devin?”I smile and shake my head, wrinkling my nose. “Nah, she still looks like a little gremlin.”Mira flushes and playfully slaps my shoulder with an awkward yet adorable laugh. “Shut up. You’re just jealous you’ll never be as pretty as me.”I laugh out loud, “You’ve got me there.”My mother giggles at our antics and takes a seat beside my dad, watching us banter back and forth. “My goodness, Greyson, it’s almost as if no time has passed. They’re still so…”“Attached.” My father finishes for her, and she nods, taking his hand in hers with a sigh. Mira takes a bite of her second white chocolate and raspberry muffin and moans appreciatively. “Aunt Nora, these muffins are just as I remember. Mm, so good, I’d sell my soul for these muffins without an ounce of remorse.” “Keep eating like that, and you might meet your creator before your time.
MiraHoly shit, is this really happening? We’re about to kiss. My mind kicks into overdrive, and everything rapidly fizzles away, leaving only the two of us. Time stood still, and Devin’s lips inching closer to mine sent my pulse racing. Mira, pull away. What are you doing?! The heavy thrashing of my heart pounding against my ribs drowns out the noise in my head. My eyes close, and I curl my fingers around the bottom of his shirt where they were resting on his hips to stop them from quivering. I feel like I morphed back into my fifteen-year-old self, and I’m about to have my first kiss with him all over again. “We should go.” My eyes flutter open, and I peer up at him when I hear him whisper. Devin’s eyes are closed, his jaw set so tight it’s twitching, but he had yet to pull away, his soft lips almost brushed mine as he spoke. I’m the one to break away from him by taking a giant step back. “Sure, let’s go,” I respond and
"No one asked you." I fully intended to mutter that inwardly to myself, but it just spilt out of my mouth like word vomit rather loudly. Devin looks down at me questioningly. I peer up at him, a little startled. I bite down on my lip and force a smile on my face, all the while fighting the blush I can already feel forming on my cheeks. Whilst Devin jogs away, I'm just vibing away to the upbeat music playing in the gym. Have you ever had one of those moments when you're walking down the street, and your eyes lock with a stranger as you pass by one another and something passes through the both of you? Well, that happens to me when this tall, muscular beefcake with emerald eyes walks by me. Sweet mother of everything hot, who is that? My gaze follows him as he walks through the gym. When he looks back at me and smiles, I almost faint. God himself has answered my prayers. This guy is the perfect distraction I need to take my mind off these conflicting feelings for Devin. I go to walk o
This whole thing has become such a head fuck, but if I don't slam down on the brakes, it's going to get real messy. Two more days, then with a bit of luck, we'll be rid of these cuffs, and we can go back to some form of normalcy and not be in each other’s faces twenty-four-seven. The drive to the place I was taking him was an enjoyable one. It's a forty-minute drive to where we're headed. The roads are rather empty, and Devin didn't seem to be in a rush to get there, so we cruise at seventy mph down the dual carriageway. Music is up, and we belt out the classics we'd listen to growing up. I turn the volume up when 'My heart will go on' by Celine Dion starts to play. Devin groans, shaking his head, "Oh, Tinks, for the love of God don't."I fight off the inclination to laugh out loud at the look on his face when I start singing the lyrics to him. I drove him mad singing this to him after I forced him to watch Titanic with me years ago. Devin's eyes keep darting between the road and me
DevinI have this urgent need to plough my fist through something or scream out all of this pent up frustration until my lungs combust. Twice in one day, I almost kissed Mira. This afternoon, I, by some miracle, managed to pluck up the strength to stop myself, but I was going for it with no intention to stop this time. I fucked off every possible consequence, threw caution to the wind and was willing to risk it all for just a taste of her. We may not have kissed, but the moment my lips barely made contact with hers, I felt this juddering deep within me. The tight squeeze of my gut like someone had an iron lasso around me and was squeezing tight till I could no longer breathe. I’m not a cheat. This isn’t me, but Mira is doing something to me. She’s making me feel some type of way I’ve not felt in years. I have no control, especially where she’s concerned. I want her, and fuck, I want her bad. I can’t fight this need I have for
Mira closes the cover to the piano and stands up, smoothing out her dress. I take a step to stand in front of her, “You still play and sing as beautifully as I remember, Tinks.” Mira’s cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink at my compliment. She tucks a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and smiles gratefully. “Thank you. It means a lot to hear that.” “I know you’ve always struggled with stage fright and performing in front of others, but you should be sitting behind a piano and doing what you love. You don’t belong behind a desk in an office all day, sweetheart.” I tell her earnestly and take her hand in mine. “You deserve to be up on a stage with thousands singing along with you to one of the many songs I know you’ve written and stashed someplace.” “Devin, please stop. I have no interest in pursuing a singing career.” Mira opposes, pulling her hand from my hold and brushing her hair away from her face where the breeze causes it to fall in front of her face.“What are you afraid
Two months later. Thursday afternoon, a livid Mira storms into Devin’s office. “Devin King!” Devin frowns and looks up at her, confused and a little scared, while she stomps over to his desk. “What are you full naming me for? What have I done now?” “Did you tell your dad I was moving to Singapore with you before the baby is born?” Mira questions furiously. Devin blinks and opens his mouth to speak while Mira places her hands at her waist and glares at him, waiting for a response. “I may have mentioned it.” “Oh, you did, did you? I didn’t realise agreeing to marry you would come with the consequence of you making decisions on my behalf!” Mira snaps hotly. Devin raises a brow and stands from his desk. “Mira, for God sake, I’ve been trying to have this conversation with you for two weeks straight, but you keep evading it.” Devin grouses, walking around his desk and stepping closer to his angry fiancée. “My dad asked me what our plans are if we’re going back to Singapore in a couple
EpilogueTwo weeks later.Devin King and Mira Evans stood in front of their respective families, both looking as fretful and tense as each other. Each member of the family watches and waits with the curiosity of their news.“Well…” Noah Evans— Mira’s dad urges. His brown eyes were darting from his daughter to his best friend’s son standing before him.“I’m pregnant.” Mira blurts out suddenly. Devin groans low behind her when everyone in the room, save for Ayla, goes stock-still.“Why do you keep doing that?” He utters to her quietly behind his hand. Mira shrugs helplessly and turns her attention back to everyone in the room gaping at her.“Come again?” Her father questions, his dark brows fusing together. “Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just say you’re pregnant, or am I having some sort of stroke right now?”“You’re not having a stroke, Daddy; I’m pregnant,” Mira says, chewing on her bottom lip.“Who is the father?” Kate, Mira’s mother, qu
Devin disappears inside, leaving me out on the terrace. I stood there trying to picture myself living here. I just couldn’t see it. Yes, we have a company here that I could potentially work at but living in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you don’t know anyone. I’ll feel lost here. I mean, it’s a beautiful place, it’s clean, and the people are kind, but I know I don’t belong here. I want our baby to be born in the same country as its parents were. I want it to grow up around family. I don’t know how Devin and I will figure this out, but I truly hope we do for the sake of our baby, if nothing else.I’m lost someplace in my mind when I feel Devin come up behind me and hear him whisper in my ear. “Come with me; I have something to show you.”I follow him through the apartment toward the elevator. “Where are we going?” I ask curiously, and he smiles, lacing his fingers with mine.“You’ll see.” Devin pushes the button to the roof terrace, and I smile. He’s got that wi
“Damn baby, it’s nice to be missed by you,” Devin murmurs against my lips, and I suck on his bottom lip.“You saying you haven’t missed me?” I question, looking up at him through my lashes.Devin cups my face in his big hands and gazes into my eyes, his lips brushing mine when he speaks. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” A wicked smile. “I hope you’re not too attached to that dress.”I match his smile, sliding my hands under his T-shirt and raking my fingertips over his abs, revelling in the feel of every bump and ridge and the way his muscles spasm under my touch. “I have two more, just like it,” I affirm, dragging my index finger up the length of his erection over his light blue jeans. “Now, are you going to keep talking or are you going to take me home?” Devin makes a slow hissing sound and rocks against my finger, his cock demanding further attention.“Keep touching me like that, and I’ll fuck you in my car.” He groans, pressing a kiss to my rosy lips. I squeeze my thighs together when
Mira“Devin?”I wander through his penthouse apartment, awe-struck. It’s stunning. Open plan living room, with gorgeous crystal chandeliers, floor to ceiling windows with an incredible view. I trail my fingers along the dark grey marble island in the kitchen as I walk through. I go up the spiral staircase to the bedroom situated on the first floor. No sign of him anywhere. With a sigh, I walk over to the window and look out at the breathtaking view of Singapore stretched out before me.“Hi.” I jump and gasp when I hear a deep voice burr in my ear. “Welcome home.” I smile and sink against him when he wraps his arms around me. By home, he means his embrace, where he claims I always belong, not the apartment itself.“Mm, it’s so good to be home.” I lament, tipping my head back when his lips descend on my neck, licking, kissing and nipping at my flesh. My clothes start to come off, one item at a time hitting the floor until I’m nake
“I beg your pardon?”“My other boyfriend. Battery Operated Boyfriend. BoB.” I explain with a giggle when his face relaxes, and he curses.“You just killed my post-orgasmic bliss with your shenanigans, Evans. If you were here, I’d take you over my knee and give you a good spanking for teasing me like that.” Devin grumbles light-heartedly and gets up out of his bed. A light goes on, and he sets me down someplace. “Wait there. I need to clean myself up.” I grin, watching him move around. His firm and muscular bum comes into view, and I sigh lustily.“I really want to bite that bum of yours, King.” Devin’s laugh echoes in the bathroom. He leans over to look at me.“I’ll bite you back, Evans,” Devin utters, and picks his phone up.“Wait, wait! Let me see that hot body; I’m going to need it for visual purposes later.” I demand, and he flips his camera to face the mirror in the bathroom and flexes his muscles for me. Oh, hello, beefcake.“Oh, by the way, how would you feel about me coming ou
Mira“Peach, what’s up with you?”I sigh, staring at myself in the full-length mirror. It’s been a week since Devin left to go back to Singapore, and I’ve been miserable every second since. I force a smile on my face and pretend I’m fine, but the truth is, I’m not. I miss him. I miss his presence in my life. I miss his touch, his kiss, his smell. We haven’t talked about what our separation meant, but he still calls me to check how I’m doing. I’ve been overly emotional lately since everything that happened with Scott. I burst into tears all hours of the day. I’m mostly healed physically; emotionally, not so much, but I’m getting there. I’ve had a couple of sessions with my mother, which has helped.“I’m fine, Wy; I just don’t feel like going out. So you guys go ahead without me.” I state, turning to face him. Wyatt walks over to me and pulls me into his arms. I sink into his warmth and close my eyes. “You miss him, don’t you?” I nod wordlessly.“He’s not going to be back for months. Me
I pace the corridors at the hospital impatiently. Waiting for them to examine Mira. Everyone’s here, both our families, Wyatt, Lexi and Logan, all waiting to get the all-clear that she’s okay and not suffering some sort of internal bleeding or head trauma. I couldn’t be there because our families don’t know about us. Ayla’s the only one with her.“I want answers!” Uncle Noah barks furiously down the phone. “That lunatic almost killed my daughter again because you failed to inform us of his early release. He was serving a sentence for attempted murder. How could you let him out notifying none of us so we can protect her!” He shouts, pacing back and forth. “We’ll see about that. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer. Don’t you worry.” He grips and hangs up the phone. “Incompetent piece of…”“Honey, please calm down.” Aunt Kate tries to soothe him by rubbing his back. He utters something back about needing air and walks off.“Sweetheart, get your hand seen, too. It’s really swollen.” My mothe
DevinI glance down at my phone for the millionth time waiting for Mira to text me back, but she doesn’t. I got no answer from her call either. I’ve got this dreadful feeling in my gut, and I can’t shake it. She always responds to my texts, so why isn’t she replying.Me:‘Baby, everything okay?’ I sigh and bite my lip anxiously. Levi walks into the kitchen, and being the spiritual person he is, picks up on my unease and frowns. “What’s up with you?”I scowl at my phone and shake my head. “Something’s wrong. Mira’s not answering my texts or calls.”Levi opens the fridge and takes out a bottle of water. “She’s probably busy, or you’ve pissed her off again.” He utters, taking a long sip and licking his lips.I pin him with a firm look, and he rolls his eyes. “I’ve not done anything; we’re perfectly fine, thank you very much. When have you known Mira not to answer texts? Even when she’s angry, she sends something scathing back.”“If