[AVA]I stumbled backward, my heart hammering against my chest. The sound of my mom's voice, high-pitched and panicked, filled my ears. I could barely make out her words, but the tone was enough to set my nerves on edge.I rushed toward my bedroom, fumbling with the knob as I tried to get inside. I could hear her footsteps approaching, getting closer and closer.Finally, I got the door open and slammed it shut behind me. My mom was yelling my name now, and I could hear her pounding on the door.I stood there for a moment, catching my breath and trying to process what I had just witnessed. This was not real. This was not real. This was not real. I kept chanting to myself. My mind was racing, and I couldn't seem to focus on anything.Then, the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. Beau Edwards, my best friend's father, was having an affair with my mother. My stomach turned at the thought, and I felt sick to my core.I looked around my room, trying to find something to ho
[BRIAN]As I sat in my car, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I couldn't help the mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through my veins.It was unlike me to be so impulsive, but when Ava texted me earlier, I knew she needed a break.And I wanted to be the one to give it to her.I couldn't quite explain why, but it felt like the right thing to do. Despite my attempts to label it as the worst decision ever, I couldn't convince myself to really believe it.What if this was too much for her? What if she didn't want my help? But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had to be there for her, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone.And waiting outside her apartment building, while the rest of the world was fast asleep, waiting to whisk her away from her troubles, was completely outside of my comfort zone. In that moment, I felt like a different person entirely. The Brian Reinhold that the world knew would never do something so impulsi
[AVA]I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. It took me a moment to remember where I was, and then the events of the previous night flooded my mind. I sat up and looked around, taking in the rustic charm of the cabin.I still couldn’t believe he brought me to his safe haven, or at least, that’s what Val used to call this place. When he told me yesterday that he had a surprise for me, I never expected it to be this cabin. But it was a pleasant surprise, so much so that I couldn’t hold back my tears as Brian struggled with the lock and key.I stretched and yawned, feeling the warmth of the morning sun seeping through the window. This was already proving to be a welcome change from the clusterfuck of the previous day. I had no clue how I would have dealt with everything if I were back home, from confronting mom without having a meltdown to looking at dad’s obliviousness without feeling like I wanted to murder someone.So instead, I took up Brian’s invitation and pack
[BRIAN]My mind was racing as I felt her lips on mine. I knew I shouldn't have kissed her back, but the feeling was too overwhelming to resist. Her lips were soft, and her touch was like a wildfire that ignited every inch of my body.I knew that this couldn't work out between us. It was forbidden, and even if it wasn't, there were so many obstacles in our way. Her father—my mentor, my son, the difference in our age, my guilt, and my broken heart. But at that moment, none of it seemed to matter. All I could think about was the taste of her on my lips and the warmth of her body against mine.As our lips touched, I was hit with a wave of desire. I couldn't help but deepen the kiss. It was slow at first, almost tentative, as if we were both afraid of where this would lead. But as the passion between us grew, the kiss became more urgent and desperate.I could taste the sweetness of her lips, a tantalizing mixture of cherry and vanilla. It was intoxicating, and I couldn't get enough. I ran
[AVA]As we walked back to the cabin, my mind was racing. I couldn't believe what just happened between Brian and me. The way he had touched me, kissed me, and made me feel alive had been nothing short of amazing. I had always known that there was something special between us, but I never thought we would act on it.I stole a glance at Brian and saw that he was lost in thought as well. His face was flushed and he looked dazed, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened either. I wondered if he regretted it or if he wanted more.When we reached the cabin, Brian opened the door and motioned for me to go in first. The air inside was still and quiet, and the only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator. I stood in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do next.Brian closed the door behind him and walked towards me. He reached out and took my hand, pulling me towards him. Our eyes met, and I felt my heart skip a beat. His gaze was intense, filled with a mixture of desire and u
[BRIAN]As I lay beside Ava, watching her sleep, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The events of last night were still fresh in my mind, and I couldn’t believe how incredible it had been. She was so beautiful, so passionate, and I couldn’t get enough of her.As much as I was enjoying the moment with Ava, a small voice in the back of my mind kept reminding me of the potential consequences of our actions. It was as if I was walking on a tightrope, and the slightest misstep could send everything crashing down.I was finding it hard to shake off the worry that once we stepped out of this place, reality would hit us hard. The dream we had been weaving since yesterday would shatter, leaving us to deal with the harsh consequences.But another truth was that I couldn’t deny the intense feelings that being with Ava stirred inside me. It had been so long since I had experienced such a strong, passionate connection with someone. Even with Georgina, my ex-wife, I had n
[AVA]The steam from the shower fogged up the bathroom mirror as I stepped out, feeling the warm water droplets on my skin. My fingers brushed my lips as I remembered the feeling of Brian’s mouth on mine. I couldn’t believe it had actually happened, we were together now. It was like all my fantasies had come to life. I couldn’t stop grinning to myself as I reached for the towel and wrapped it around my body, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me.My heart was beating so fast, I could feel it in my chest. It was like I was living in a dream, and I never wanted to wake up. I couldn’t believe that Brian and I were finally together. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and it was obvious that we both felt the same way. Every time I thought about him, I couldn’t help but smile. And his kisses… they were like nothing I had ever experienced before. It was like his lips were made just for mine, and every time they touched, it was pure magic. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh, still f
[BRIAN]As I pushed open the door to my penthouse, my mind was in a tumultuous state. The images of Ava’s confession played on a loop in my head, and I couldn’t seem to shake them off. The woman I had started to care for, the one I had let my guard down for, was a liar. My chest tightened with anger and disappointment as I walked towards the bar, my feet dragging on the floor.I poured myself a generous amount of scotch and took a long sip, hoping it would soothe my frayed nerves, but the alcohol did nothing to alleviate the turmoil inside me. How could I have been so foolish to let myself fall for her so easily? Was it all a game to her, a well-thought-out plan to use me and my wealth to get out of her miserable life? The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, and my grip on the glass tightened. I took another sip, the liquid burning my throat, and set the glass down on the counter with a loud clink. The silence of the penthouse was deafening, and my thoughts were the only so