I could not stop smiling. Last night had been the best of my existence. It felt like a giant weight had been lifted from my shoulders, knowing that my body was capable of experiencing so much pleasure. Now I could see what all of the fuss was about. The only mar on our perfect night was seeing Richard and learning that I was the reason he and I had never conceived a child. I had wanted a baby for as long as I could remember, and I would not give up on that dream. Perhaps I would just need to explore other options, like adoption. I decided to put off thinking about it for now. It's not like I had to be in a big hurry. I wanted my life to be more settled before I made a plan for my child. Settled with Devin? The possibility popped into my head. I attempted to nudge it down, realizing that I might be skipping ahead way too quickly. I ran up the stairs two at a time towards my bedroom. As I rounded my doorway, Tobi, Kim's bitchy cat, skittered out of the room as if I had just kicked her. "Well, if you hate me so much, what were you doing in my room?" I stuck my tongue out at her.
I walked over and added two more Post-It reminders to the collection on my mirror.
"Slow down".
" Enjoy the moment".
Just then, Kim peeked her head around the corner. Her short, brown hair was a spiky mess and the ratty, faded lavender robe she was wearing had seen better days. In spite of that, she looked adorable. "I think you're incapable of looking bad." I wrinkled my nose at her, playfully.
"What's going on?" she croaked in a sleepy voice. "Tab came running into my room like the devil himself was chasing her." She rubbed the yellow cat's ears as Tabitha glared at me from her arms.
"I had the audacity to walk into my room when she was in here. That is what's going on. I don't know why she hates me so," I added as I walked over to my closet.
"Maybe because you hate her." Kim started to shuffle off, but stopped and turned, eyes narrowed. "How was your all-nighter with Devin?"
"Good," I said quickly, trying to keep it light.
She tilted her head, studying me. "You had a big O!" she squealed.
"A few," I admitted, laughing. "It was so amazing. He is so amazing," I gushed.
"I told you there was nothing wrong with you. It was just that pencil-dicked ex-husband that couldn't please you."
I considered telling her about seeing Richard and learning of the Tiffany's pregnancy and my latest failure, but I decided not to ruin this happy time.
"Look at you, glowing," Kim teased me. "Orgasm-ing agrees with you."
"I think orgasm-ing agrees with everyone." I laughed as I went to my bathroom to get dressed for work.
I bought a sandwich and took it to the park on my lunch break in an attempt to get my mind off it for a while. Couples strolled by hand-in-hand and riding bikes. I smiled at them and checked my phone.
I considered sending Devin a text. I could invite him on a date. Nothing said that a girl had to sit around and wait for a boy to contact her. I started the text numerous times, but deleted each one.
In the end, I put the phone back in my purse and decided to wait it out. Thankfully, he didn't make me wait long. My phone started ringing before I had finished my walk back to work. I panicked and almost dropped it. I hadn't been expecting a call. I could think about a witty response to a text, but I'd be on the spot on the phone. What if I say something dumb? I had almost decided not to answer when I ordered myself to pull it together.
"Hi, this is Kylie," I squeaked, my voice too high.
"Hi, Gorgeous. It's Devin" His voice was low and sexy. "I wanted to see if you'd like to go to a charity auction with me next Saturday evening. It's a black-tie event. I should warn you, though," he added, "my whole family will be there." The thought of Devin wearing a tuxedo made my mouth water. The fact that he was inviting me to an event with his family was so exciting that my knees almost buckled.
"I'd love to," I managed to get the words out. I focused my attention on the details of where and when, while my mind reeled with excitement. Then I agreed to meet him there and hung up.
We decided on an elegant, black, form-fitting cocktail dress. When paired with the super-high, shiny, black stilettos that Kim had loaned me, the look was classic and stunning. I just hoped I didn't fall down, especially considering what I was wearing underneath my ensemble.The thigh-highs, garter and racy thong were not my traditional type of undergarments. It made me feel sexy, though, to know how scantily I was clad underneath my demure outfit. I shivered in anticipation as I imagined how Devin's eyes would sparkle when he discovered my naughty secret.As I climbed the steps to the museum, I wished again that Devin had picked me up instead of asking me to meet him here. I had waited until fifteen minutes after the event started, hoping that there would be plenty of people here, so I could slip in unnoticed. I despised walking into parties by myself. The great room of the museum had been transformed into a sparkling fairy forest and the effect was magical. Six-foot tall mushrooms p
"Identical twin"? My mind reeled. How could Devin have failed to mention that? And what have I just done? Thank goodness it hadn't gone any farther, but I would never be able to face Devon again.And what about him? I wondered disdainfully. Was he just going to screw a stranger in the bathroom? Well, he is a guy, my mind retorted. And I was totally coming on to him out there. It's not like a man to turn down easy sex.I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My boobs were hanging out and my dress was askew. I quickly went over and snapped the lock into place before someone walked in on me in this state of complete disarray.I splashed cool water on my face and patted my chest with a damp paper towel in an attempt to calm down. Never in my whole life had I been that excited, or this humiliated. What a difference a few seconds can make.As I attempted to fix my appearance, I thought about Devon. He really was identical to Devin physically, but he was darker, more dangerous. The bath
He had the audacity to grin. Then he continued. "I don't generally share my brother's taste in women, but with you he did okay." "Okay?!?" I spluttered. Then I lifted my chin, deciding not to let him push my buttons. "You know, instead of rating me, you might think about how hurt Devin would be if he knew about us." "Us?" he asked. "So, now we're an 'us'? I didn't know you cared so much." "You know what I meant." I glared at him. This man was exasperating. He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. "When I'm fondling my date's fake tits tonight, I'm going to be thinking about your real ones." That did it. My mouth fell open, appalled. My eyes felt like they might pop out of my head. I whirled away from him and headed for the bar. I needed a glass of wine. Pronto. "Your brother is a pig!" I said loudly when Hailey hopped up on the bar stool next to me. "I'll take it you've met Devon," Hailey chuckled. "Yes, he can be a bit of a pig. But he can also be generous, and kind, and hilario
I looked in my rear view mirror to make sure Devin's Jeep pulled out of the museum lot behind me. We had decided to go to my house, and I was suddenly nervous about having him in my space.Kim had worked the dinner shift tonight, so she wouldn't be there when we arrived, but she would be coming in later. I wasn't sure how to let her know not to disturb us. I wondered if I should tie a 'we are screwing our brains out' scarf to the doorknob, but decided that was a little crass. She would just have to draw her own conclusions when she saw Devin's vehicle parked in our driveway.I was hornier than I ever remember being. In fact, I briefly considered pulling over and having my way with Devin in his Jeep on the side of the road. I pictured myself climbing through the door-less driver's side and mounting him in one smooth move. I could have him inside me, easing this aching desire within seconds. I tapped the brakes, but at the last minute decided that we would have more room to fool around
"Well, I'm glad he was there to save you, or I wouldn't be able to do this." I leaned over to give Devin a sweet, slow kiss. I was trying to think of a way to say that I had almost fucked Devon in a public bathroom, but my mind couldn't focus on anything but Devin when his tongue began swirling around mine.Devin pulled back and asked, "Do I get to see your bedroom?" I ran for the stairs and giggled as he playfully grabbed my rear end, following close behind me.We slammed my bedroom door shut and grabbed each other, groping to remove clothes as we fell into my bed. I didn't give Devon another thought. I spent the entire night rolling around naked with Devin's glorious body in a tangled mess of sheets.I awoke alone and immediately missed the feeling of Devin's warm, bare skin against me. I turned to find a lavender Post-It note on the pillow beside me. It had a giant heart drawn on it and was signed simply, "D,"He had obviously been in my bathroom and seen my circle of encouraging r
I had just delivered Kim's coffee and returned to the kitchen to scrounge up some breakfast when Devin called. "I know it's short notice," he started, seeming almost nervous, "but would you have any interest in joining me at my family's weekly brunch?" He paused a second then added, "You really don't have to if you don't want to. I wouldn't go if my presence wasn't required.""I'd love to," I responded. "When?""Pick you up in an hour?""Sure." I tried not to let the panic ring through in my voice as we said our goodbyes. As soon as I touched the End Call button, I screeched up the stairs, "Kim! What does one wear to a fancy Sunday brunch?""Hell if I know," she grouched. Clearly her caffeine hadn't kicked in yet. I took the stairs two at a time, so we could have this discussion in person.I peeked around the corner of her doorway. "Help. His whole family will be there, and I have no idea what to wear.""He must have the serious hots for you, calling for another date half an hour afte
Even though I had figured out that Devin's family was wealthy, I was not prepared for the estate that we pulled into. The stone mansion was massive and gorgeous, with clean lines and a classic look. The house paled in comparison to the grounds, though.The perfectly manicured yard had the feel of an English garden with an abundance of comfortable sitting areas, bright flowers, and quirky fountains. I laughed in surprise as we walked down the brick path to the backyard and a charming, winking baby elephant statue sprayed a mist of water on us.Devin shook his head, "My mother enjoys searching for the most whimsical oddities.""We should introduce her to my grandma, Kris" I answered. "She's the most whimsical person I've ever met. They would probably get along famously."It seemed like Devin was about to disagree with that when he opened the gate to the backyard, which caused me to completely forget about our conversation. It was the most breathtaking setup I had ever seen. From the ama
The brunch was going well after our hysterics calmed down from Lisa's scandalous and outlandish comment. She and Devon were seated at the far end of the table from Devin and I, so I pointedly ignored them. I am a girls' girl, but this chick had seriously crossed the line.The conversation became boisterous as the twins got into a competition of one-upmanship. For each story that Devin told, Devon told one that was a little bigger and better. They both looked so handsome as they tried to top each other with their tall tales. We all laughed as the tone of the game switched and they started telling stories on each other.We heard about the time in high school when Devon yanked down Devin’s shorts and shoved him in the girls’ locker room.“yeah jokes on you,” Devin taunted him, “because seeing me naked is just like seeing you naked.” I shifted in my chair, trying not to think about that.“It must not be exactly the same, or I wouldn’t bag all of the hottest babes,” Devon quipped, making L
Kylie's pov:It was a small comfort to know that my death had brought them back together, even if it was too late for me to see it.The news of my accident spread like wildfire through Daze Glam Beauty & Cosmetics, the company my parents had built from the ground up. I could almost hear the gasps of shock, the whispers of disbelief as my employees tried to come to terms with the fact that I was gone.I had always prided myself on being a strong and capable leader, someone who inspired loyalty and dedication in my team. Now, as I watched from afar, I saw the impact of my absence on the company. There was confusion, uncertainty, and a sense of loss that mirrored my own.But amidst the chaos, there were glimmers of hope. I saw how my team rallied together, how they supported each other in the face of tragedy. I saw the determination in their eyes, the resolve to carry on my legacy and keep the company running smoothly.Of course, there were those who saw my accident as an opportunity. I
The news of my death spread quickly. Devin, was devastated. Losing me and our unborn child was more than he could bear. When he received the call from Kim, my best friend, he collapsed in shock. I could only imagine the anguish in her voice as she broke the news to him.He was not just going to lose just me, but also our future together, our dreams, our plans. The grief was overwhelming, a tidal wave that consumed him. He was inconsolable, his heart shattered into a million pieces.Devon, Devin's identical twin brother, took the news just as hard. Despite our complicated history our brief affair and the love he still harbored for me, he was heartbroken. The rivalry and bitterness between the brothers, fueled by their love for me, seemed insignificant in the face of such tragedy.Devin's pov:The phone call shattered my world. Kim's voice cracked as she uttered the words, "Kylie... she's gone." I couldn't process it. How could she be gone? Just moments ago, she was vibrant, full of lif
It was a gloomy afternoon as I drove to the cemetery to visit my parents' graves. The sky was overcast, matching the heaviness in my heart. Running Daze Glam Beauty & Cosmetics, a multi-million dollar company, was a dream come true, but today, I felt a profound loneliness. As the CEO, my life was always busy, filled with meetings, travel, and constant decision-making, but visiting my parents’ resting place grounded me, reminding me of where I came from and what I had lost.I got out of my car and walked slowly to their graves, the crunch of the gravel under my feet the only sound in the silence. I stood there for a long time, talking to them in my mind, updating them on my life and telling them about their future grandchild. I was four months pregnant, and though I was excited, I was also terrified. My boyfriend, Devin, was thrilled about the baby. He was supportive, loving, and everything I could ask for. But there was always a shadow looming over us – his identical twin brother, De
As Stacy continued to gather evidence, Kris and I worked on crafting a comprehensive PR plan. We knew we had to be strategic, to anticipate the moves of those trying to undermine us."We'll need a strong statement," Kris said one afternoon as we sat in the conference room, drafting our plan. "Something that addresses the issues head-on but also reassures our clients and partners that we're taking decisive action."I nodded, jotting down notes. "We should also highlight the steps we're taking to ensure this doesn't happen again. Show that we're committed to transparency and integrity."Kris smiled, her eyes twinkling with pride. "That's the spirit. We'll turn this around, Kylie. I have no doubt."As we worked late into the night, I felt a sense of purpose and drive that I hadn't felt in a long time. This company was more than just a business to me; it was a part of my family's legacy, and I was determined to protect it.The day of the press conference arrived, and I stood in front of t
A knock on the door interrupted us, and my grandmother Kris walked in, her presence commanding and reassuring. "I heard all that has being going on and it's very clever of you have Kora over, that's a huge step, keep it up" she said, closing the door behind her. "And I think I might have a few ideas that might help in the company issues."I smiled, feeling a flicker of hope. "Grandma, I could use all the help I can get."She sat down beside Stacy, her eyes sharp and focused. "Your parents built this company from the ground up, and we're not going to let a bunch of opportunists tear it down. We need to gather evidence, expose the people behind these scandals, and launch a campaign to restore Daze Glam Beauty and Cosmetics's image."Stacy nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I can start digging around, see what I can find. We need to know who we're dealing with.""And I'll work on a PR strategy," Kris added. "We'll need to be transparent with the public, show them that we're t
The special guest room buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with the kind of excitement that only comes before a major launch. I glanced at my watch, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement. Today was the day Kora Bradson, the breathtakingly beautiful and wildly popular celebrity model, would be walking through the doors of Daze Glam Beauty and Cosmetics. She was set to model our latest product, the Daze Beauty Super Easy Makeup Remover.As the founder and CEO of Daze Glam, I’ve had my fair share of high-stakes meetings, but there was something uniquely electrifying about today. Kora Bradson wasn’t just any model. She was an icon, a vision of beauty that captivated millions. Her endorsement could take our product from a promising innovation to an overnight sensation.I took a deep breath and adjusted my blazer, smoothing down a few stray hairs. Presentation was everything, especially in this business. My assistant, Stacy, popped her head in, a look of barely contained e
Taking the responsibility of running "Daze Glam Beauty and Cosmetics" was a dream I had cherished for years, a way to pay tribute to my parents' enduring legacy and ensure their memory lived on. But as I stood in my office, staring out at the cityscape, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Between my complicated personal life and the mounting scandals threatening to destroy everything my parents had built, I was stretched to my breaking point.Just then, the soft sound of my office door opening broke through my reverie. I turned to find Stacy, my trusted personal assistant and confidante, entering with a determined air about her."Kylie, we need to have a discussion,"she stated, her voice laced with gravity.I nodded in agreement, motioning for her to take a seat. "I am aware. "I know. Things are getting out of control."Stacy sat down across from me, her expression one of concern. "I've been hearing rumors, and it's not good. There are people in the company
Kim stood up, her expression resolute. "I'll keep an eye on Devon. Make sure he's okay. He needs time, but he'll come around.""Thank you," I said again, my voice thick with gratitude.After Kim left, Devin and I sat in silence for a while, the weight of the day's events pressing down on us. I leaned my head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his steady presence."I'm scared, Devin," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "I'm scared of what this means for all of us."He wrapped his arm around me, holding me close. "I know. But we'll get through this. One step at a time."As the evening wore on, I found myself thinking about everything that had led to this moment. The whirlwind romance with Devin, the unexpected and complicated affair with Devon, and the heart-wrenching decision I had to make. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Love wasn't supposed to hurt this much.The next day, I decided to check on Devon myself. I needed to make sure he was truly okay, to face the pain I had cau
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Devin took a step closer to me, his hand reaching out to rest on my shoulder, a gesture that was meant to be comforting but only seemed to intensify the tension in the room."Devon, we need to talk about this rationally," Devin said, his voice calm and measured, though I could hear the underlying tremor of uncertainty."Rationally?" Devon's eyes blazed with anger. "There's nothing rational about this! You always get everything, Devin. Everything!"I felt tears sting my eyes, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Please, Devon, I never wanted to hurt you."Devon shook his head, his fists clenched at his sides. "I can't do this. I need to get out of here."Before I could say another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the restaurant, the door slamming shut behind him with a resounding thud that echoed through the silence. I sat there, frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to process what had just happened."Ky