— “Different why? Because you know my name?”I smash a firm blow into the punching bag. — “Because I'm your neighbor, your employee?”I throw another hard punch and my muscles twitches, begging me to stop torturing them.The comforting hollow sound reaches my ears, one after another. Strong. Powerful. And I connect an even faster sequence, feeling my hands throbbing inside the gloves. But I won't stop… I can't stop. It's the only way to clear my thoughts, to calm my nerves, to deal with this anxiety consuming my body…— “Or because I'm your best friend's daughter?”Hah. I let my arms fall at my sides, then I notice that I'm drenched in sweat, my chest is rising and falling sharply, and my heart is pounding like when I'm next to Angelee.My body is exhausted.But my chest still hurts like hell.“Julian.” I hear my coach's voice and his hand on my shoulder. I look at him surprised because I didn't notice him approaching, “You need to take a break, you've been punching for a whole hour.
I knew leaving like that was not nice of me. I replayed that scene over and over again in my head until my throat turned bitter. Then I gave in. I'm not a proud person, but when I knock on Julian's door and Cathy opens it, I feel something break inside me; maybe it’s the little pride is left in me, or maybe it's my heart… It's too soon to tell.“Hi… Angelee, right?” She asks, looking at me intently. My heart is beating so fast it's painful. “I'm Cathy.” She extends her hand to greet me… and I simply mimic her, with my mind practically blank. I greeted her briefly and let my hand fall to the side of my body again, like the soul had left this empty shell.“Julian is in the shower now.” Cathy says, looking further into the apartment, and her words sound like a punch straight to my stomach. “If you want-”“It's okay… I can talk to him later.” I force a smile, taking a few steps back. “Thanks.”Maybe my expression gave me away because Cathy looked like she's about to say something, but I
The atmosphere of the club feels different from when I was sober. Now it seems to envelop me, making my heart race with anticipation. The low light of the club doesn't make my already blurry vision any easier, and the people dancing, wrapping their bodies sensuously, doesn't make my walking any easier either, as my legs feel shakier and lighter than usual. Unlike the other clubs… people seem more at ease here. In a way, I can understand why they say it's kinky — there's no shame in walking around with such little clothes that show off their bodies, both female and male. There are people with necklaces, leather clothes… and some round platforms spread around the hall, with a pole dance on it. This is the first time I've seen something like this in person… Really, if I'm an angel, I'm a falling one.And it's all Julian Adams' fault.Somehow, I make it to the bar. I lean on it, reaching out to the bartender, who approaches with a slightly worried expression.“Give me something strong.”
Julian sets me down, still holding my arms. His hands are firm on my skin, but his touch doesn't hurt me. What really hurts is the way he's looking at me right now.“I asked what you're doing.” He insists, his deep voice scratching my ears.I feel tears threatening to wet my eyes.“Angelee-”“Let me go!” I try to wriggle free, but he just holds on tighter and brings my body against his. It makes my legs weak, and I spread my hands on his chest, trying to push him and get away from his scent, his touch, his warmth. Because it hurts.“Why are you acting like this-”“Why are you acting like this?” I retort, digging my fingers into his shirt, crumpling the cloth in my hands. “I'm just having fun, like you. Isn't that why you're here with Cathy? To have fun with her?”“Have fun? Taking your clothes off in front of everyone? Kiss another guy?” Julian runs his hand over his face and rubs it against his lips. “What's wrong with that? Aren't we friends with benefits? You always make it clear
All the way to our apartment, Julian drove in silence. The motion of the car made me increasingly nauseous, but I struggled to control this sickness of mine. Walking through the lobby, getting on the elevator — Julian didn't say a single word to me. And when we step into the small hall of our floor, I freeze in place, unsure of what to do next.Julian goes to his door without caring about my indecision and opens it wide, crossing his arms without entering. My fearful eyes reach his, and when he points with his head inside, I feel the air being stolen from my lungs.I enter the apartment with fearful steps, and Julian walks in right after me. The click the door makes when it locks makes me flinch for a moment, but silence still reigns.Julian leaves me standing there, and strides quickly into the kitchen. I watch the way his back flexes, the muscles evidently stiff and retracted.“I'll make you something sweet to eat… pancakes, with plenty of syrup, just the way you like.” Julian says
Julian smiles at my response, and I melt into him.Gripping the back of my neck tightly again, he brushes his lips against mine once more, tugging them slightly with his teeth. And when I roll my hips against his, a smile breaks out on his mouth.With one swift movement, Julian lifts me up and sits me on the counter, fitting himself between my legs. With his hands in my hair, his fingers digging and tangling in the messy strands, Julian tilts my head to the side, fitting my mouth to his like they were made exactly to stay glued. I feel the softness of his tongue slide into mine, wrapping around it in circular motions that drive me crazy.I let him dictate the pace while my eager hands search for his shirt, specifically its buttons. And I quickly unbutton it, fighting the shivers that invade my body through the cold counter beneath me; I'm just not cold because Julian's warmth is passing through to me.When I unfasten the last button, I run my hand over his body, feeling with my whole
“You know… that day I had to pick you up at the bar, you got me so damn hard.” Julian says low, almost hoarsely, rubbing the tip of his dick against my entrance, threatening to penetrate it.I can't answer him, all that escapes my lips are muffled moans.“You were so cunning, asking me not to leave you alone… do you know what you did?”I bite my lips, denying it with my head… even though I have a brief notion. “Rubbing those tits on me, smelling my neck, touching my body… I wonder if you wanted my cock.” He thrusts his hips forward slightly, penetrating just the tip into me.And I moan again, arching my body up into a full shudder. When his hand supports my lower back and pulls me against his body again, I throw my arms around his neck, undulating my hips, sliding myself even further.Julian apparently swallows a moan.“And when I had to take your clothes off… I alm
If I have one piece of advice, it's that you shouldn't take drastic actions when you've got a broken heart and a bottle of special wine in your system. The chances that you'll regret it in the morning are higher than the hurt in your head and the hangover that will make you feel sick. If you're lucky, the liver overload will go away in the morning, or last for a day or two — but the consequences of your actions… hah, that sure is bitter in the mouth. I say that because I've had my phone for at least five minutes, looking at the damn company forum, that's been pretty busy since the early hours of the morning. And if photos in front of the club have already caused a lot of trouble, I can't even imagine how these new photos and videos will make things worse.Taking a deep breath, I run my hand through my hair, letting the brown strands fall past my shoulders and hide my face… Great. Not only can everyone see me dancing on a round stage, but my provocative
“Jackie, Lizzie, stop running like that… you could get hurt!” I shout, putting my hands on my waist. They are laughing, hiding their smiles behind their little hands. But despite this, they go running back down the sandy beach, making my heart rise to my throat.They grow up so fast! Two years and seven months ago, they were so small in my arms, and now they’re running around our house in Nassau, their blond hair ruffling in the pleasant wind.Just as we promised, we created a little tradition in our family; every year, during our wedding anniversary, we bring the children with us. It’s the second time they’ve been here, and this time, we’ve decided to invite the people closest to us to enjoy this paradise.“This place is really wonderful!” Cathy says behind me, stroking her big belly. I look over my glasses and quickly take them off. “Seriously, I really appreciate you inviting me... I’d really go mad
As soon as the meeting is over, I feel my tense shoulders relax. My head is throbbing, a pain that has haunted me since last night when I received a call from my father.Apparently, his retirement has been announced. He will continue as chairman for another six months just to organize everything until his departure.The problem is that he still hasn’t announced a successor. The board is desperate because of the options, as none of them have the necessary qualifications to be the group’s new chairman. Of course, that’s just a sadistic strategy to get them on their toes and accept Dominic O’Neil’s desire.Apparently, my half-brother is taking victory for granted, telling everyone that he will be my father’s successor and that the group belongs to him. With the news of Father’s retirement reaching the knowledge of the media, it won’t be long before he finally names me as the new chairman.When I accepted Dominic’
The doorbell jangles, announcing my arrival. And as always, the moment people look in my direction, without interest, almost by instinct, their eyes widen, and the whispering begins. After all, I am a supermodel. My face is all over Times Square. I don’t have the luxury of privacy, of an anonymous life.Still, why am I here?My blue eyes meet the owner of this place; he’s distracted by another customer, smiling easily.My stomach twists, and I feel suddenly nervous.The whispers reach his ears, and he looks at me. It takes a few seconds for his face to show a reaction, but soon, the smile rises to his eyes, following me while I cross the coffee shop to the table at the back.I sit down and hide my face behind the menu, my cheeks burning for a reason unknown to me.Dammit, I look like a teenager. It’s not like it was the first time I’ve woken up in a man’s bed after a few drinks. And it certainly wasn’t the first time
It took a year before we could really enjoy some time alone on a honeymoon, but I have to say that it was really worth the wait. Julian made sure that our first day in Nassau, at our new beach home, was special and unforgettable.First, he invited me on a yacht ride. Going down to the deck was itself a memorable experience. This place is simply breathtaking, and the private beach is so beautiful that I couldn’t help but imagine my daughters playing in the sand. The thought made my chest warm. I already consider this place a second home.To my surprise, Julian prepared a wonderful breakfast while the 65-foot yacht cruised along the coast with everything you could wish for — fruit, bread, juices, coffee, and ending the tour with a glass of wine in one of the cabins. Fortunately, the sound of the sea drowned out my moans enough for us to enjoy some sex on the high seas.After the tour, it was lunchtime, and Julian took us to Paradise Island. He chose a luxuri
They say the Bahamas are paradise on earth, and I couldn’t find a better word to describe this place. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.As soon as we arrived at Nassau airport, a car was waiting for us. The weather is really nice here, even though it’s winter. Although I like snow, it’s nice to feel the warm weather enveloping my skin... I wish the girls were here… the cold makes them so sensitive.Thinking about them makes me feel a bit down. My heart squeezes, and I try to think that it’s only for two days and that soon they’ll be in my arms again, but still, I miss them. It’s an almost unbearable feeling. I wonder how they’re doing, if they miss us, and if they’re crying right now...But I know that Julian and I need this. It’s the opportunity to enjoy a real honeymoon, which we haven’t had before. Some would think that it’s a shame to celebrate it after so long, with the
— ANGELEE ADAMS (POV)ㅤ“How are you feeling?” Julian asks for the first time since we got on the plane. The trip to the Bahamas doesn’t take long, about three hours, but we’re reaching our destination soon.“I’m fine,” I say, taking Julian’s hand in mine. I stroke the white-gold ring on his finger, but I’m still lost in thought.“You seem to have a lot on your mind.” He says, studying my face.“A little.” I give a nervous smile and shrug. I thought I’d be scared to see Laura, to hear the words she said to me that day, but I didn’t.”“What’s bothering you, then?” Julian’s question makes me raise my eyes again.“More than being afraid of Laura, I was afraid of losing the people I love again,” I confess, noticing that his gaze softens. “Losing you, our daughters... I couldn’t bear it.”&ldquo
— ANGELEE ADAMS (POV)ㅤㅤFor the past seven months, I’ve wondered what happened to Laura.What happened after she left by the stairs? What happened to her twisted mind?I knew that she had been temporarily arrested for trespassing and assault, but Julian and my father tried hard to keep the details away from me. Perhaps that’s why the subject never really seemed a closure to me.Unfortunately, as much as I fought against it and didn’t want to admit it, for the last seven months, that day has tormented me.When I held my daughters in my arms for the first time, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t let Laura get to me. And I really tried to deny it, to convince myself that it was enough just to let go and focus on my family — but I couldn’t, and I hate myself for being weak to that extent.Finding out that Laura would spend her time in a mental institution wasn’t really a surprise. I knew there was s
— JULIAN ADAMS (POV)[...] Seven months later.ㅤㅤI sigh deeply, massaging the top of my nose. Ever since I heard the verdict of Laura’s trial, I’ve been feeling uneasy.Many months have passed, and I still remember how I felt when I saw the building security cameras… and how I threw up, feeling stupid, weak, and furious.I’ve never felt so impotent in my entire life.But what really put me out of sleep was what happened the day Angelee woke up in the hospital... when Laura also decided to break into the J’O Tech building. I still get chills remembering that night.It’s been a long time since Laura was fired, but for some reason, her credentials worked. In the end, we really had to restructure the entire I.T. department, which resulted in a mass layoff that only didn’t make it into the media because of damage control.Laura got crazy when she knew that her plan to harm Angelee and my
My eyes take a while to adjust to the brightness, but slowly, the blur goes away. I move my hands, feeling a weight on one of them.I blink a few times heavily, looking down carefully because I still feel a little dizzy, and see that Julian is sitting in an armchair next to the bed, holding my hand.He senses my movements and slowly opens his eyes, looking directly at me, taking a few moments for him to understand that I’m wide awake. When reality hits him hard, Julian’s eyes widen and glisten with tears.He doesn’t say a single word, just leans in, taking my hand in both of his, enveloping it in his warm palms, something I’ve really missed over the last two weeks. He rests his forehead on our hands, his tense shoulders immediately relaxing.“You really scared us, you know?” Julian grumbles, then looks up. I can see the deep, dark circles under his eyes. “You’ve been unconscious for two whole days!”Sudde