IRIS The second I opened my eyes, I regretted it. My head was pounding seriously. The light filtering through the curtains only made things worse, making me feel like my brain was getting stabbed. Hard. My tongue felt heavy, and my stomach… Oh my God. I stumbled across the room, barely making it to the bathroom in time to throw up the remnants of last night’s horrible choices. Everything fucking burned. My chest. My throat. My pride. Pressing my forehead against the cold toilet seat, I tried to get myself together. Tried so hard not to cry. And I succeeded, for the most part. By the time I was done brushing my teeth and washing my face, I still felt like hell. But at least it was a bit more bearable. I was starving. Hadn’t eaten a single thing since last night. Not before I drank the wine, and not after. Though I would’ve if not for her. Layla. I stepped out of my room into the main suite, ready to order room service, when I froze. Right there, in the middle of the coffee
MAVERICK My father had crossed the fucking line. The moment I dropped Chelsea and Iris off at the hospital, I headed straight for work, the only thing on my mind being Quentin fucking Sinclair. There were a number of things I really wanted to do to him, and one of such things involved bashing his head into the wall. Hard. I punched the elevator button, reigning in my anger the entire ride up. Or at least trying to. I had no idea what he was planning to do, but I was going to find out. Today. The boardroom was full when I arrived at the top floor. Through the glass doors, I could see a bunch of people in suits, sitting around the table, my brother included. Quentin stood at the head, his hands linked together in front of him. I was never even informed about a fucking meeting. I didn't bother knocking. I shoved the doors open and walked right in. Everyone turned, including Sebastian and Quentin, but my father didn't miss a beat. It was as though he'd been expecting m
IRIS “She’s teething,” Megan said, dropping Amethyst onto the floor. “Explains why I haven’t had any sleep since Monday.”I grinned as I picked her up, taking her into my arms. “And she’s still the cutest thing ever,” I cooed. “Aren’t you, baby? I’m so proud of you.”Amethyst squealed, her tiny fists grabbing my hair as I peppered kisses along her chubby cheeks. Her eyes were grey and wide, her curls wild. I tightened my arms around her. Amethyst had no idea how much I needed this—her warmth, her laugh, the way her fingers curled around mine like I was her whole world.As much as I loved Megan for taking care of her, I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of her. My daughter was growing attached to her in more ways than one. Megan had been there for her first words, her first steps…Made me wonder whether it really was a good idea to keep this from Maverick.“She’s really doing it,” Megan said softly. “She’s growing.”“Yeah, she is,” I replied, narrowing my eyes slightly. Megan had
IRIS Curling my hands into fists, I heaved a sigh, deciding to go find him in his bedroom. We weren’t kids, we were fully grown adults that could talk things out with each other instead of keeping malice and avoiding each other.Okay. Okay.Maybe I just wanted to apologize for being a total bitch to him. In all fairness, it was the alcohol.‘The fuck it wasn’t,’ my inner voice scoffed at me.“Shut up,” I muttered.I stood outside Maverick’s door for a full minute before raising my hand to knock on it. “Maverick?”No answer.I knocked three more times, pushing the door open when I still didn't get a response. The lights were turned off. I doubted that he had even been in here. Even the bathroom lights were turned off.So where the hell had he disappeared to?Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I shut his door behind me as I exited his room. I also checked a couple of other rooms upstairs, all to no avail. He wasn’t upstairs. He wasn’t in the living room. And I didn’t think he’d walked
IRIS The moment I whispered yes, everything shifted.“Strip,” Maverick ordered, stepping away from me. His voice was raspy and cold, lower than it had ever been before. Every fiber of my body knew that it was a command, and not just a statement. But something inside me still chose to be defiant.“What?” I’d heard him. I was just taunting him.Maverick took a deep breath, lowering himself onto the bench next to him. “Don’t make me repeat myself, Angel. The more you disobey me, the longer your punishment will be. Don’t test me.”Punishment being the fact that he wasn’t going to let me come. My body shivered at that thought, all the heat rushing towards my core.Keeping my eyes on Maverick’s now hooded, dark ones, I reached for the hem of my top, pulling it over my head slowly. If I was going to be tortured, then there was no harm in torturing him back.Maverick’s jaw clenched as he watched me unclasp my bra. His eyes followed my every move, only glancing at my face once in a while. I
IRIS Maverick’s voice was ice. It wasn’t teasing like before, it was just cold. The kind of cold that burned me more than fire ever could. My fingers were still hooked in the elastic of my panties, but I froze when I saw the look in Maverick’s eyes. He wasn’t looking at me with wonder, like he often did whenever I was naked in front of him. He was looking at me with… nothing. There was nothing but darkness in his eyes. Cruel, cold darkness. Had I pushed him too far this time? His fingers tightened around my wrist for a moment before he let go. He didn’t want me to move, so I didn’t. Maverick pressed the vibrating gun to my skin again. “I think I’ve let you have your way for too long, Angel,” his voice rumbled. “But not anymore.” I whimpered, arching my back when he pressed the gun to the front of my panties. “Arghh…Maverick…” “Shhhh.” He pulled it away from me. “I need you to be still for me,” he whispered. “Otherwise, I’d have to start over.” “Okay,” I whispered airily, th
IRIS Every single step I took downstairs was a reminder of the night Maverick and I had. And with that, came the reminder of him abandoning me on the gym floor. I didn’t know how long I stayed there.An hour? Maybe two?All I knew was that Maverick wasn’t in the house when I finally found the strength to get up. And he wasn’t around right now.I didn’t have a shred of dignity left in me. Maverick had taken it, snatched it from me in the most brutal way ever, and I’d let him without even questioning him.“Lovely morning, Iris,” Tania’s cheery voice greeted me from the kitchen. She was pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Mav said you might sleep in today. Want some coffee?”“Thanks,” I muttered when she slid the mug in front of me. Well, at least he had the guts to mention me to Tania.‘Might sleep in today.’ The thought made me scoff.“Are you alright?” she asked, studying the expression on my face. “Need me to whip you up some breakfast? You look exhausted.”I raised my eyes to meet Ta
IRIS “So you’re stalking me now?”Eleanor shrugged, strutting into the room and dropping her bag beside mine. She had on a blue maxi-dress that clung to her body, her blond hair was curled in waves and she had a pair of sunglasses perched on her head.My eyes darted to her stomach. She hadn’t started showing yet. But her skin was glowing and she had a wicked smile on her face. This would be her second child with Sebastian. “Who’s to say I am?” she replied, looking around the room. “Wedding preparations?”“What the hell are you doing here, Eleanor?” I asked, folding my arms.She tilted her head, tapping her finger to her chin as though she was considering my question. “Couple massage, obviously.”“What?” My brows shot up. “We’re not a couple.”She smirked. “Oh, I know. That’s what makes it fun.”I narrowed my eyes at her, ready to ask the masseuse to send Eleanor out, but on a second thought, I let her be. Eleanor was always planning something. Always up to something. Maybe this time
MAVERICK Iris was going to kill me.She was going to murder me without hesitation and bury me six feet under. “Fucking hell, Iris,” I gritted out, my eyes focusing on her wet pussy that was spread in front of me.“You’re so fucking needy. You’re a needy little slut, aren’t you?”My insults never got to her. Iris would never admit it, but she had a degradation kink. She was a proud, feisty woman, but when she wanted me, she was willing to push all that aside and submit to me in whatever way.And I fucking loved that about her.But right now, she was testing my limits, dangling bait in front of me.And I was a fish willing to catch that bait.Iris stuck her tongue out to lick her lips, nodding desperately. “I need you, Maverick. Whatever you want to do, just… give me something. Anything.”I stood quietly for a full minute, just watching Iris’s legs open and close. She was restless, aroused. I knew that if I touched her pink pussy, I would find it soaking wet.But I wasn’t going to tou
IRIS I had no idea what I was doing. No idea why I was doing it. No idea why I couldn’t help it.But when I saw Maverick watching me quietly through the small opening, I wanted to tease him.To make him want me.And I knew I didn’t have the right to do that. Not anymore.But all I’d done was ask him if he was coming. It was left for him to say yes or no.But as I stepped into the rainfall shower enclosure, I couldn’t help but wonder whether he would actually take the bait.I turned on the shower, sighing when the warm water sprayed down on my body.I released my hair from its bun, letting it fall over my shoulder and tossing the hair tie aside. And then I let the water do its work.I was anxious. It had been a little over five minutes and Maverick still hadn’t come in.Disappointment wrapped itself around me like a cold blanket.I guess… he didn’t want me.But what was that look I’d seen in his eyes then if it wasn’t desire? If it wasn't—The sound of the door to the enclosure slid o
MAVERICKI could’ve pushed her away from me. But I didn’t.I let Layla wrap her hands around my neck. Let her scent cloud my senses.She always used to smell like jasmine, and now?Now, it was no different.Layla was seated on my lap, a small smirk on her face as one hand left the back of my neck to trail down my chest.“Get off me,” I muttered.She didn't. Not that I was even expecting her to.“Why?” she whispered, leaning in close. “You didn’t used to mind. “You used to beg for it. For me to sit on your lap…” Layla ground her hips against my lap. “For me to ride you.”Her lips grazed my ear as she leaned in even closer. “Does Iris ride you the way I used to?”My nostrils flared. “Don’t say her name.”“With pleasure, baby. I don’t even like her. I just want you.”I placed my hand on her hips, starting to push her away, but I paused when her teeth grazed my earlobe.Not because I was aroused, but because a thought struck me. If I hadn’t broken up with Layla that faithful night, maybe
MAVERICK ‘Why the fuck am I doing this?’ I muttered to myself as I walked through the doors of a bar downtown. Inside was nearly empty, save for the owner of the bar, who had let me in.Just like she said it would be.I took a seat at a booth in the corner, checking the time on my wristwatch. She was running late.Not that I expected anything other than that.“Would you like anything, sir?” The owner, a tall, bald man asked as he walked up to me. I shook my head firmly. “No, I’m just here to meet someone.”“I’m aware of that,” he replied with a smirk.He walked away before I could say anything else. Good. Because I wasn’t here to strike up a conversation with anyone but her.I didn’t have to wait long, though, because it wasn’t up to a minute later when she stepped into the bar, silky dress hugging her body, her heels clicking against the floor as she strutted toward me with a smirk on her face.“You’re late,” I said curtly, keeping my tone blunt and formal.“Well, I’m here, aren’t
IRIS The moment the door shut behind Dwayne, everything settled into silence. There was an uncomfortable level of quietness between Maverick and me as he stared at the door, and I stared at him.Dwayne had gone off to do god-knows-what, and he and Maverick had gotten into a fight.I’d never seen them like that with each other. Ever.Maybe that was what emotions did to people. To men like Maverick and Dwayne, emotions were destructive.My gaze dropped to Maverick’s split lip. He may have succeeded in leaving a mark on Dwayne, but Dwayne got him good too.I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to keep the words from falling out of my mouth, but I couldn't help it. “Your lip is bleeding,” I stated, gesturing with my pointer finger to his mouth.Maverick’s eyes met mine, and he stuck his tongue out slightly, licking the blood off his bottom lip.“I’m fine,” he muttered, turning away from me.“No, you’re not,” I said softly. “You were just in a fight with your best friend, Maverick. Nothing
IRIS Dwayne looked pissed as Maverick let him into the house. “What’s going on?” Maverick asked, looking between me and Dwayne. I would’ve said I didn’t know, but judging from the look on Dwayne’s face, I had an idea of what he was doing here. “Megan is keeping something from me,” Dwayne said, “And my gut tells me you know what it is.” He took a few steps closer to me. “So why don’t you be a darling and tell me what I want to know?” I shook my head. “Dwayne, I don’t—” “What the fuck is going on?” came Maverick’s voice, cutting me short. He stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Dwayne and his view of me. “Mav—” I couldn’t see Maverick’s face, but I watched the way his back tensed as Dwayne grew increasingly impatient. “Fuck, no,” Maverick snapped. “You come into my house, questioning my fiance about something I don’t know about. And you didn't even think to come through me?” I swallowed thickly. I didn’t want to see this as Maverick defending me, but I couldn’t help i
IRIS I didn’t know what was harder for me.Finding out that history had been repeated, or realizing that I’d really, really fucked up.I hadn’t really ever thought of the fact that Maverick and Sebastian were so close in age. But now, it all made sense.“Apparently, Esther got pregnant with Maverick by the time Sebastian was only two months. Quentin was doubtful at first, but Esther swore that the child was his. And then they had a paternity test done, and it was confirmed.”I didn’t know what to say. My mouth was hanging open because of how short of words I was. “Oh, I…”“So, you can see that this hits so close to home for him.” Tania reached for my hands, taking them in hers. “You already know that Mav doesn’t have the best relationship with his father. And frankly, Quentin is a horrible man. When Mav was growing up, he…”I stared at Tania, urging her to continue. But she shook her head, like she was trying to get her thoughts in control. And then she let out a long breath.“Now t
IRIS It didn’t take long for the news to be everywhere. All over the tabloids, it was “THE TRUTH IS OUT???”“TECH BILLIONAIRE MAVERICK SINCLAIR’S CHILD DISCOVERED.”“MAVERICK SINCLAIR’S FIANCE HID HIS CHILD FROM HIM!”The details were toxic and presumptuous, but for some reason, I couldn’t quit checking them. Obsessively.Maybe it was because I’d been locked up in Maverick’s house for the past few days. And I say ‘locked up’ because, practically, I was.Maverick wouldn't let me leave the house. He barely talked to me, but he was clear on the fact that I had to stay indoors so I wouldn’t draw unnecessary attention while he tried to settle things down.But I was fine with it. It wasn’t like I ever went anywhere anyway, since he refused to let me work until after the wedding.The wedding which had been pushed back to two weeks.Yeah, the journalists were having a little too much fun with that one.“Iris, darling, you're going to hurt yourself if you keep on reading that stuff.”Tania’s
MAVERICK She was so small. Amethyst lay curled underneath the thin hospital blanket, and I watched the way her chest rose and fell with every breath she took, watched the way her lashes fluttered lightly against her cheeks. They were thick. So thick. And I never even realized until this moment how much she looked like my mother. Like me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I was seated beside the hospital bed, my elbows on my knees as my hands hung uselessly between my legs. My fingers were twitching. Itching to touch her. To hold her in my arms. But I didn't move, for fear that I was going to break her. Or maybe I was just scared that she was going to break me. Break what was left of me. My daughter. I had a daughter. Somehow, the first night that Iris and I had together had led to us having a child. And I was too fueled with rage and my need for revenge to even realize the resemblance she bore with me. Under my nose. It all happened under my damn nose. “I didn