Yasmeen's face was twisted in disbelief. "What? That's... that's insane. He was my boyfriend, and he proposed to me. How on earth is this even possible?" She staggered back. I nodded solemnly. "I know it sounds crazy, but Troy admitted it to me just now. He tried to brush it off as if it were nothing, but it's clear he's been involved with her. It is clear that something happened." Helen's hand flew to her mouth in shock. "But why would he... Why would he do something like this? Raine is only a child. She's my sweet, precious baby." Her lips quivered. "Because he's twisted," Yasmeen said, her voice trembling with anger. "He's always had this weird obsession with Raine, but I've never seen it like that. I figured they were getting along. He would just always talk to her and try to include her in our activities. I figured he was trying to be a part of the family. I just never thought... I never thought he'd go this far." "We have to do something," Helen said, her eyes darting toward
After Yas disappeared in the room, the severity of the situation collapsed on me, and I had to excuse myself to the restroom to try to get some sort of composure. Checking my phone, there was a text from an unknown number. 'If I were you, I'd mind my pretty little mouth.' That's all it said. I chose to ignore it and decided to text someone else. My hands were shaking as I sent a text. I was worried now. This wouldn't usually get to me, but it did. Hearing about what Raine went through really hurt. My phone buzzed as Michael's ID popped up.Here I was, having a low moment, and my ex was the one to bail me out. I didn't want anything to do with Michael, but I wasn't sure who else to call. "Hey Arya," Michael's voice came through the line, soft and concerned. "I saw your text. Are you okay?" I hesitated for a moment, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Not really. It's been a rough day. " "Do you want me to come over to the hospital?" His offer was tentative, but genuine. I pau
Damon and I had a wild night and a memorable one too. I was beyond exhausted and so was he. But I had a job to do so I snuck out of bed while he was sleeping and got ready for work. After taking a cold shower and brushing my teeth, I pulled my hair into a high ponytail and got dressed. Thank goodness I left spare clothes here because of Damon’s and I little moments that usually spill over into the morning. “Sneaking out on me Arya?” Damon’s raspy voice penetrated my ear. “Well I didn’t want to interrupt your beauty sleep.” “If it’s to see you before you go, you can interrupt me all day princess.” His finger glided against my lips. “As much as I would love a round two, I’m satisfied as fuck. I’m going to be walking side to side all day.” I said and he smirked. “I fucked you pretty good, didn’t I?”“Don’t flatter yourself.” Damon smacked my ass causing me to yelp as I walked out of the door. He had that smirk on his face as he winked. I arrived at work on time and went to the o
My head was pressed against the headboard as I listened to the soft hum of the AC that chilled the room. My mind wandered back to Michael, what was he doing right now. Was he thinking about me? Did he even care? Him remembering those little things about me made me feel a type of way. “I need a drink,” I muttered as I rolled out of bed and went to the kitchen. After I poured some wine , I was about to sit at the table when my door bell rang. Opening the door I saw Yasmeen standing there looking worn out and tired. “Mind pouring me one of those,” she pointed to the glass and I nodded. “Girl come on in.” “What’s going on? How’s Raine doing?” “She is fine but I can tell she is ashamed of her actions and she doesn’t really want to speak to anyone about what happened. She is withdrawn. I tried to talk her and she just started crying in my arms. All she to told me was that she was sorry for what happened and she wished she could fix it. I wish things could have been diffe
Michael’s POV Lana was out of town for the while, she said she had to visit her parents up North because her grandma had fallen ill. We were off and on. Before she left we had a huge argument about us. She thought that having Arya work for me was a bad idea. Arya had been plaguing my mind lately. I just wanted to talk to her. My phone rang snapping me out of my thoughts. I was at a bar having a drink, thinking about Arya and how scared she was of thunderstorms. It was actually cute, the way she scrunched up her nose and whimpered every time thunder echoed. She was just the same as back then but she had also changed a lot. Answering the phone, Arya’s slurred voice came over the line. “Hey, my head is spinning where are you Yas?” Clearly she was mistaken but I didn’t want to hang up. Before I could say anything I heard her again. “Hey! Can you not touch me like that?” She shouted. I immediately grabbed my keys and walked to my car. “Where are you?” I asked
My eyes fluttered open. I looked around to realize I was not at the club. I groaned as I held my head and sat up on the bed. Immediately I recognized it as Michael’s apartment. A gasp left my lips as I clutched the bed sheet. What on earth happened? A soft sound was heard at the side of me and it was only then I realized that Michael’s hand was wrapped around my waist. A bead of sweat formed on my forehead as I looked around in confusion. How did I even get here? “How are you feeling?” His deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “Fine,” I croaked. “How did I get here? What’s going on?” I asked. “You called me at the club. Some bastard was bothering you and I came to you. I brought you home here. You were really drunk and begging me to not let you go.” “Oh my gosh!” My face flushed in embarrassment at thought of me begging him. How could I possibly say something that stupid? I could recall some guy following me but I wasn’t sure what happened after that. “I’m
Well things returned to normal for the most part. Michael and I maintained a professional relationship and barely spoke to each other. I couldn't shake the feelin that centered me though. I wanted to actually talk to him and get to know him. As strange as that sounds, it was how I felt but I knew better. Yas couldn't stop apologizing for leaving me at the club but I assured her that it wasn't her fault and that she wasn't to blame for any of it."C'mon am I that boring cutie?" Damon pouted as he flicked my forehead."You aren't. I was just lost in thought," I smiled."What's on your mind?" He asked. "Michael." I blurted and he raised a brow.""Oh it's like that huh?'"It is not. He just saved my life at the club and I can't stop thinking about him you know. It is weird because I actually loathe him and I don't want to be with him or have anything to do with him. But my mind won't let me stop thinking about him.""Then maybe talk to him genius.""You know I can't do that." I said a
"Do I really have to meet your family?" I groaned and Damon nodded. "Yes and don't worry. Mom would love you." He chuckled and I frowned."What if she doesn't?" "It shouldn't matter to you." He shrugged"Oh my gosh, I didn't think this through. You are popular and you're going to be on those tabloids and evryone is going to know that you and I are together.""What's wrong with that?" He raised a brow and I pouted. "I don't want all that attention."Damon leaned back in his chair, a playful grin spreading across his face as he watched me spiral. “Arya, relax. It’s not like we’re announcing a royal engagement. Besides, most people won’t care as much as you think they will.”I shot him a glare, crossing my arms. “Easy for you to say. You love the spotlight. I, on the other hand, would rather blend into the wallpaper.”He chuckled, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Okay, look. If it gets too overwhelming, we’ll figure out a way to dial it back. But my mom’s already expe
"You seem distant," Michael said, his eyes searching mine as we sat together in the quiet of his kitchen, sipping our morning coffee. His voice was gentle but laced with concern.I looked down at the steam rising from my cup, avoiding his gaze. "I’m just... tired," I replied, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "Work’s been a lot lately."Michael frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Arya, I know you better than that. It’s not just work." He reached across the table, his hand warm as it covered mine. "What’s going on?"I hesitated, the words on the tip of my tongue, ready to spill out. Tell him. Be honest. But my mind flashed back to the elevator, to Damon’s kiss, and my chest tightened with guilt and confusion."I..." I started, then shook my head. "It’s nothing, really." I pulled my hand away, gripping the edge of the table as if it could anchor me. "Maybe I just need a little space to clear my head."Michael's eyes darkened slightly, a flicker of something—disappointment, may
I practically ran out of the elevator the second the doors opened, putting as much distance between me and Damon as possible. My heart was still racing, my lips still tingling from his kiss. Why did I kiss him back? The question replayed in my mind over and over as I forced myself to focus on the client meeting.I managed to get through it, delivering the pitch and discussing terms like nothing had happened, but I was on autopilot the entire time. The second it was over, I grabbed my things and headed home, needing to talk to someone—someone who wouldn’t judge me but would help me sort through this emotional chaos.Yasmeen was already lounging on the couch when I got home, a bowl of popcorn in her lap and a reality show playing on TV. She took one look at me and immediately knew something was up.“Oh no,” she said, setting the bowl aside. “What happened?”I dropped my bag and collapsed onto the couch beside her, burying my face in my hands. “You’re not going to believe this.”“Try me,
I pushed his hand off my waist, my breath quick and unsteady. “Get away from me, Damon,” I snapped, my voice trembling with barely contained anger.He didn’t move immediately, just stood there with that same infuriating smirk. “Why are you so worked up, Arya? I’m just—”“Just what?” I cut him off, my voice rising. “Just trying to manipulate me? Just playing your stupid mind games? You waltz back into my life like nothing happened, like you didn’t hurt me, like you didn’t laugh in my face when I told you how I felt!”Damon’s smirk vanished. I took a shaky step back, my fists clenched at my sides, every word pouring out like I had been holding it in for far too long. “You think you can just show up, say a few words, and I’ll fall at your feet again? Well, I won’t. I’m not that girl anymore.”“Arya—” he started, but I didn’t let him finish.“You broke me, Damon!” My voice cracked, and before I could stop myself, tears spilled down my cheeks. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to put
The day started off as ordinary as any other.I adjusted my blazer and smoothed down my skirt as I entered the sleek, glass-walled building just a few blocks from Michael’s company. The client meeting was supposed to be quick—discuss the details, finalize a proposal, and be out in no time. But life had a twisted sense of humor.As I stepped into the lobby, the soft hum of classical music playing through the speakers did little to calm my nerves. I pressed the button for the elevator, checking my phone for any last-minute updates from the client. Nothing. Good. One less thing to stress about.The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and I stepped inside, pressing the button for the 18th floor. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand slipped between them, forcing them back open.Of course. Life just couldn’t resist.Damon.My breath hitched as he stepped inside, looking as infuriatingly confident as ever in a perfectly tailored suit, his dark eyes locking onto mine the momen
Michael had been teasing me all day about a surprise, but I never imagined he’d pull off something like this.“Where are we going?” I asked as he held my hand, guiding me into the car. He simply smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. No answer. Just that maddening smirk.After a short drive, we pulled up to a small, private airstrip. My heart skipped. “Michael…” I started, but he shook his head, opening the door for me.“Trust me,” he whispered.A sleek, black helicopter waited for us, its blades slowly spinning. He helped me inside, buckled me in, and within moments, we were airborne. The city lights sparkled beneath us like a sea of stars, and I couldn’t help but gasp at the breathtaking view."Still think I’m predictable?” he whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.“Not at all,” I laughed, my heart racing from the adrenaline and… well, from him.We landed atop a skyscraper, the rooftop transformed into an intimate dining space—just for us. A table for two, draped in wh
Michael and I found a moment of quiet in the chaos of our work. We sneaked away, away from the prying eyes and the pressures of our professional lives, finding a secluded spot where we could finally be ourselves. The tension between us had been building for so long, and now, away from everything, we finally had a chance to breathe. His hand brushed against mine as we stepped into the empty office, the door clicking shut behind us. It was only then that I allowed myself to fully look at him, my pulse racing at the sight of his focused expression, and the way his lips curved into a smile when our eyes met. “You’ve been on my mind all day,” he admitted, his voice low as he stepped closer. I could feel the heat radiating from him, his presence overwhelming and magnetic. “Yeah? I’ve been thinking about you too,” I whispered, before I leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was slow, exploratory, but deep, like we both needed to feel each other, to make up for all the time we had spent ap
Michael and I sat down talking about our past when the question about Damon came up."What was he to you?" He asked."We were fuck buddies."Michael’s hand froze midway through, bringing his coffee to his lips. His brows lifted slightly, but his expression remained calm, though I could see the flicker of something—curiosity? Jealousy?—flash in his eyes."Fuck buddies," he repeated, setting his cup down carefully. His voice was neutral, but there was a subtle tension beneath the surface. "And you thought it could be more?"I nodded, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "Yeah. I thought… I don’t know. I thought if I gave it time, maybe things would change between us." I let out a soft sigh, playing with the edge of my sleeve to avoid looking directly at him. "But they didn’t. Damon didn’t want anything more than... that."Michael leaned back, his eyes studying me closely. "And you wanted more.""Yeah," I admitted, biting my lip. "I wanted more. I wanted someone who saw me as more than just—" I
The morning sun filtered through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the room. The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, mingling with the sizzling sound of eggs cooking on the stove. I stood by the counter, watching Michael move with effortless ease, his bare torso on full display, every muscle flexing as he worked."You're really going all out this morning," I teased, sipping my coffee as my eyes lingered on him.He glanced over his shoulder, a wicked grin curling his lips. "Gotta keep you fed after last night." His voice was low, smooth, but there was a familiar heat simmering beneath the playful tone.I set my cup down, stepping closer. My fingers trailed across his back, tracing the lines of his muscles, feeling the heat of his skin. He shivered under my touch, the tension in his body shifting from relaxed to something much more primal."You know," I murmured, pressing myself against him, "I think I'd rather have you for breakfast."Michael chuckled, setting the spatula d
I wrapped my lips around his length, my tongue swirling around the tip before taking him deeper. His breath hitched, and a low groan escaped his lips as my head began to bob steadily, setting a slow, teasing rhythm.Michael's hand tangled in my hair, guiding me with a firm but gentle grip. "Fuck," he growled, his voice strained with barely controlled restraint. "Just like that…"I glanced up through my lashes, meeting his gaze. His eyes were dark, filled with desire and something more—something primal. The sight of him watching me, every muscle in his body taut with anticipation, sent a surge of heat through me.I took him deeper, the head of his cock brushing against the back of my throat. He let out a sharp hiss, his hips twitching forward, but I pulled back slightly, teasing him with shallow strokes, my lips gliding over his length."You’re going to drive me crazy," he groaned, his hand tightening in my hair. His other hand gripped the edge of the bed, knuckles white as he fought f