Susan
I stirred my coffee absentmindedly, watching the frothy swirl dissolve into the dark liquid. Across from me, Meera was busy scrolling through her phone, but I knew she was waiting. She always knew when I had something big to say. And this? This was huge. I took a deep breath and blurted it out. “Elliot asked me to marry him.” Meera’s fingers froze mid-scroll. Slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes widening in shock. “Excuse me?” I pursed my lips, gripping my cup like it was the only thing keeping me from spiraling. “Yeah. You heard me.” She blinked. Then blinked again. And then... “Oh my God.” I braced myself as she leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. “Tell me everything. When? Where? How? And why the hell are you not wearing a ring yet?” I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “It happened last night… after we… you know.” “Oh-ho,” she smirked, wiggling her brows. “After a little ‘I can’t keep my hands off you’ session? That man is dangerous.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the heat creeping up my neck. “It wasn’t just that, Meera. He was serious. He said he wanted me in his life. As his wife.” She gasped, slamming her hands on the table. “So, what did you say?” I chewed my lip, suddenly finding my coffee incredibly fascinating. Meera’s eyes narrowed. “Susan.” “I… didn’t say yes.” “What?” Her jaw dropped. “Why?” I sighed, leaning back against my chair. “Because it’s too fast. Because it’s insane. Because this is Elliot we’re talking about. My ex. My boss. The man who broke my heart a decade ago.” Meera crossed her arms, her expression shifting from excitement to something softer. “And the man you’re obviously still crazy about.” I looked away, not wanting to admit how much that was true. Meera reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “Sue, do you love him?” The words lodged in my throat. Love. Did I love Elliot? Every time he touched me, I melted. Every time he looked at me, my world shifted. And every time he wasn’t around, I found myself missing him like a part of me had been ripped away. I exhaled shakily. “I think I never stopped.” Meera’s face lit up. “Then what are you waiting for?” I let out a humorless laugh. “A sign? A guarantee that this won’t end in heartbreak again?” She shook her head. “There are no guarantees, Susan. But one thing is clear...Elliot Prescott doesn’t just want a second chance. He wants forever.” I swallowed hard. Forever. Could I really trust him with that? *** Elliot The dining room of the Prescott estate was as grand as ever...dimly lit chandeliers, polished silverware, and an air of stiff formality that never seemed to disappear, no matter how many times I sat at this table. My father sat at the head, poised and composed as always. My mother was beside him, exuding her usual quiet authority, and across from me, my siblings...Adrian, my younger brother, and my younger sister...were already engaged in conversation about some corporate merger. But tonight wasn’t about business. I picked up my glass of wine, took a slow sip, and then set it down with a decisive clink. “I have something to say.” The chatter immediately died down. Adrian raised a brow. my sister smirked, always eager for gossip. My mother simply folded her hands in her lap, watching me carefully. I cleared my throat. “I’m getting married.” The silence was deafening. My father’s brows shot up in surprise. “Married?” My sister nearly choked on her drink. “Holy shit.” Adrian blinked, tilting his head. “Did I just hear that correctly? You, Elliot Prescott, are getting married?” I nodded, trying not to be amused by their reactions. “Yes.” “To whom?” My mother’s voice cut through the room like a knife. I met her gaze squarely. “Susan Hart.” Another beat of silence. Then... “No way,” My sister gasped, grinning. “Susan Hart? As in the Susan Hart? Your high school sweetheart?” I smirked. “The very same.” Adrian let out a low whistle. “Well, damn. I never saw that coming.” My father leaned back in his chair, studying me with a curious expression. “So, you’ve reunited with her? After all these years?” “Yes,” I answered, my voice unwavering. “And I’m going to marry her.” My mother scoffed, setting her fork down with a soft clatter. “This is ridiculous.” I exhaled, expecting her disapproval. “What’s ridiculous about it?” She pursed her lips. “Elliot, you’re the CEO of Prescott Industries. You have a reputation to uphold. You can’t just pick up an old high school romance and expect it to fit into your life now.” I clenched my jaw. “This isn’t some impulsive decision, Mother. Susan isn’t just an ‘old high school romance.’ She’s the woman I love.” She scoffed again. “Love? Do you even know if she’s after you or your money?” My blood boiled. “Susan is not that kind of woman.” “She doesn’t come from our world, Elliot,” she pressed. “She doesn’t belong here.” I met her sharp gaze. “Maybe your world, Mother. But in my world, she belongs right beside me.” Adrian chuckled under his breath. “Damn, you’re really serious about this.” My sister was still grinning, shaking her head. “This is actually kind of adorable.” My father, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke. “Elliot, I’ll admit, I’m surprised. But I know you don’t make decisions lightly.” He studied me for a moment. “Do you truly believe this is right for you?” Without hesitation, I nodded. “I do.” He gave a small nod in return. “Then you have my blessing.” My mother looked like she wanted to protest, but she held her tongue. Adrian smirked. “Well, this should be interesting.” My sister raised her glass. “To Elliot and Susan. Can’t wait for the wedding.” I lifted my glass, ignoring the way my mother’s lips pressed into a thin line. I didn’t need her approval. My mind was made up. And nothing...nothing...was going to change that.Elliot’s Perspective – My Mother Wants to Meet Susan I should have expected this. The moment my mother pursed her lips at dinner, I knew she wouldn’t let it go. She wasn’t the type to accept something just because I said so—especially not when it came to my love life. So when she called me into her private study the next morning, I already knew where the conversation was headed. I shut the heavy mahogany door behind me and crossed my arms. “What is it, Mother?” She was seated on her pristine white couch, legs crossed, a cup of tea in her manicured hands. Her posture was regal, as always. Cold. Calculating. “I want to meet her,” she said without preamble. I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “No.” Her brows lifted. “No?” “You heard me,” I said. “Susan doesn’t need to be subjected to one of your tests.” She sighed, setting down her teacup. “Elliot, don’t be ridiculous. She’s about to marry into this family. It’s only natural that I meet her.” “No, what’s natural
Susan I had no idea why I agreed to this dinner. Maybe it was Elliot’s insistence, or maybe it was my own need to prove I wasn’t afraid of his mother. Either way, I found myself seated across from Mrs. Prescott in an exclusive restaurant, the air thick with tension. She was as intimidating as I remembered...poised, elegant, and utterly unreadable. The kind of woman who could tear someone apart with a single glance. And right now, all that cold, assessing energy was focused on me. The waiter had just poured our wine when she finally broke the silence. “I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me, Susan,” she said, though her tone held no warmth. “Of course,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “Elliot told me you wanted to talk.” She took a sip of her wine before setting the glass down with precision. “Yes, I did. I wanted to meet the woman who has suddenly reappeared in my son’s life after all these years.” I stiffened at the way she said it. Like I had plotted my way back into E
ElliotThe second she whispered yes again, something inside me snapped.I crashed my lips against hers, pushing her back against the car as my hands roamed her body. I could feel her trembling under my touch, her breath coming in short, desperate gasps as she clung to my shirt.I wanted her.Here. Now.I didn’t care that we were outside her building. The need to feel her, to claim her, was overpowering.But then she broke the kiss, gasping, her pupils blown wide with desire. “Elliot...inside.”That was all I needed.I grabbed her hand and practically dragged her to the entrance, fumbling for the keys she hastily pulled from her purse. The second the door swung open, I kicked it shut behind us, spun her around, and pinned her against the wall.Susan let out a small gasp, but her eyes gleamed with anticipation. I kissed her hungrily, my hands roaming beneath her dress, feeling the heat of her skin.“God, I missed you,” I murmured against her lips, my voice husky.She shivered. “Then sho
SusanI adjusted my blazer and took a deep breath before walking into the boardroom. This was the opportunity I'd been waiting for...no room for nerves, no room for mistakes.But the moment I stepped inside, my breath caught.Ten years. It had been ten long years since I last saw him, and yet, there he was...Elliot Prescott, sitting at the head of the boardroom table like a king on his throne.The universe had a twisted sense of humor, throwing me into his world when I was at my lowest. Jobless, desperate, and hanging onto the last thread of my self-respect, I'd walked into this meeting thinking it was just another pitch. But then his eyes...those same piercing green eyes...met mine, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.His piercing green eyes meeting mine the second I walked in. Time hadn't touched him, if anything, it had made him sharper, more composed. The air in the room suddenly felt too heavy."Ms. Hart," a man sitting beside him said, oblivious to the jolt of recognition betw
SusanThey say you never forget your firsts. First day of college. First time living away from home. First real taste of independence. And for me, my first love.I still remember the way the sun drenched the campus that morning, illuminating the sprawling lawns and the old brick buildings. I was 18, full of ambition, and ready to conquer the world...or at least my little corner of it. My backpack was heavier than necessary, my schedule meticulously planned, and my nerves barely under control.I had just exited the lecture hall after my orientation when I saw him. At first, it was just a passing glance. He stood out...not just because of his height or his sharp features, but because of the effortless way he seemed to exist in his space. Like he belonged there.And then I tripped.It wasn't a graceful stumble, either. My heel caught on an uneven patch of pavement, and I went sprawling forward, my books and papers scattering across the ground."Whoa...careful there."That voice...smooth
SusanI hadn't intended to stay up late that night, but sleep wouldn't come. The weight of the day lingered in my chest like an unwelcome guest, replaying itself over and over in my mind: Elliot's piercing gaze, his composed demeanor, and the haunting way he looked at me like he was still trying to figure me out.It didn't matter that a decade had passed since we last stood face-to-face. He still had that unnerving ability to make me feel seen...seen in a way that no one else could.My apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. I sank into the couch, clutching a cup of tea I didn't plan to drink. My laptop sat on the coffee table, glowing faintly. I should've been preparing for follow-ups on the proposal, but my mind kept drifting to the past...to the first time Elliot and I weren't just strangers on a campus.****Flashback – Ten Years AgoIt had been almost a year since our first meeting. By then, Elliot Prescott was no longer just the cocky guy who'd helped m
ElliotThe morning light filtered through my office windows as I flipped through the proposal Susan had submitted. My focus was sharp, but not on the document in front of me...it was on her.She hadn't changed much. The confidence in her stride, the way she held her head high, the fire in her eyes when she spoke...it was all still there. But there was something else, too, something I couldn't quite place.She seemed... guarded. As if the years had built a wall around her that no one had dared to climb.I leaned back in my chair, tossing the folder onto my desk. I needed answers. But this wasn't just about the past. I couldn't afford distractions, especially not now.A knock at the door broke my thoughts."Come in."Gerald stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor in place. "Ms. Hart is here for your meeting."My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to remain composed. "Send her in."Moments later, the door opened again, and Susan walked in. She was dressed in a fitted blazer and skirt,
SusanBy the time I left the office that evening, the weight of the day pressed heavily on my shoulders. Seeing Elliot again wasn't just an emotional challenge...it was a test of my resolve.Meera was waiting for me at our favorite bar, a cozy, dimly lit spot tucked away from the city's bustling streets. She waved as soon as she spotted me, a knowing grin on her face."Well, if it isn't the woman of the hour," she teased as I slid into the seat across from her.I sighed, signaling the bartender for a drink. "Don't start.""Too late... How's Mr. Billionaire Ex treating you?"I hesitated, swirling the glass of wine that the bartender had set in front of me. "Professionally."Meera raised an eyebrow. "And...?""And what?""And how are you dealing with it? Come on, Su. You can't just sit there and pretend this isn't a big deal. You two have history."I took a sip of my wine, savoring the warmth it brought. "It's complicated, okay? He's my boss...well, technically my client...and I need th
ElliotThe second she whispered yes again, something inside me snapped.I crashed my lips against hers, pushing her back against the car as my hands roamed her body. I could feel her trembling under my touch, her breath coming in short, desperate gasps as she clung to my shirt.I wanted her.Here. Now.I didn’t care that we were outside her building. The need to feel her, to claim her, was overpowering.But then she broke the kiss, gasping, her pupils blown wide with desire. “Elliot...inside.”That was all I needed.I grabbed her hand and practically dragged her to the entrance, fumbling for the keys she hastily pulled from her purse. The second the door swung open, I kicked it shut behind us, spun her around, and pinned her against the wall.Susan let out a small gasp, but her eyes gleamed with anticipation. I kissed her hungrily, my hands roaming beneath her dress, feeling the heat of her skin.“God, I missed you,” I murmured against her lips, my voice husky.She shivered. “Then sho
Susan I had no idea why I agreed to this dinner. Maybe it was Elliot’s insistence, or maybe it was my own need to prove I wasn’t afraid of his mother. Either way, I found myself seated across from Mrs. Prescott in an exclusive restaurant, the air thick with tension. She was as intimidating as I remembered...poised, elegant, and utterly unreadable. The kind of woman who could tear someone apart with a single glance. And right now, all that cold, assessing energy was focused on me. The waiter had just poured our wine when she finally broke the silence. “I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me, Susan,” she said, though her tone held no warmth. “Of course,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “Elliot told me you wanted to talk.” She took a sip of her wine before setting the glass down with precision. “Yes, I did. I wanted to meet the woman who has suddenly reappeared in my son’s life after all these years.” I stiffened at the way she said it. Like I had plotted my way back into E
Elliot’s Perspective – My Mother Wants to Meet Susan I should have expected this. The moment my mother pursed her lips at dinner, I knew she wouldn’t let it go. She wasn’t the type to accept something just because I said so—especially not when it came to my love life. So when she called me into her private study the next morning, I already knew where the conversation was headed. I shut the heavy mahogany door behind me and crossed my arms. “What is it, Mother?” She was seated on her pristine white couch, legs crossed, a cup of tea in her manicured hands. Her posture was regal, as always. Cold. Calculating. “I want to meet her,” she said without preamble. I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “No.” Her brows lifted. “No?” “You heard me,” I said. “Susan doesn’t need to be subjected to one of your tests.” She sighed, setting down her teacup. “Elliot, don’t be ridiculous. She’s about to marry into this family. It’s only natural that I meet her.” “No, what’s natural
SusanI stirred my coffee absentmindedly, watching the frothy swirl dissolve into the dark liquid. Across from me, Meera was busy scrolling through her phone, but I knew she was waiting. She always knew when I had something big to say.And this? This was huge.I took a deep breath and blurted it out. “Elliot asked me to marry him.”Meera’s fingers froze mid-scroll. Slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes widening in shock. “Excuse me?”I pursed my lips, gripping my cup like it was the only thing keeping me from spiraling. “Yeah. You heard me.”She blinked. Then blinked again. And then... “Oh my God.”I braced myself as she leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. “Tell me everything. When? Where? How? And why the hell are you not wearing a ring yet?”I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “It happened last night… after we… you know.”“Oh-ho,” she smirked, wiggling her brows. “After a little ‘I can’t keep my hands off you’ session? That man is dangerous.”I rolled my ey
Susan The second I shut the door, I barely had time to breathe before Elliot was on me. His lips crashed against mine, urgent and demanding, as if he had been starving for this moment just as much as I had. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me so close I could feel every hard inch of him pressing against me.A soft whimper escaped my lips when his fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss. His tongue swept inside my mouth, teasing and claiming, and I melted against him, my body betraying me with how desperately I needed him.He groaned into my mouth. "You have no idea how much I’ve thought about this," he murmured, his voice thick with desire.I gasped as he lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist as if it were second nature. My fingers dug into his shoulders, my lips trailing down his jaw, nipping at his skin as he carried me toward the couch. But before we could reach it, he turned, pressing me against the wall instead, his body caging
ElliotThe storm outside rattled the windows, but the sound was nothing compared to the storm inside me. I couldn’t take my eyes off Susan as she moved around her small but cozy apartment, trying to act casual. It was a futile attempt...she was as affected as I was.Her laughter was strained when she commented on the rain. “Looks like you’re stuck here for a while, Elliot. You can’t possibly drive in this weather.”“Oh no,” I teased, leaning against the counter. “Trapped in your apartment? However will I survive?”She rolled her eyes, but I caught the faint blush creeping up her neck. She was beautiful when she was flustered...her guard slipping, revealing the vulnerability she worked so hard to hide.“I’ll make coffee,” she mumbled, avoiding my gaze as she busied herself in the kitchen.But I couldn’t just stand there and let her deflect. I stepped closer, invading her space, until I was just behind her. Her hand faltered as she reached for the coffee jar, and I could hear her breath
ElliotWaking up, I instinctively reached out, expecting to find her warm presence beside me. But the bed was empty, and for a moment, I frowned. Then it all came rushing back: the way her lips trembled against mine, how her body yielded to my touch, and the fire in her eyes when she let go of every defense.I groaned, scrubbing a hand over my face. Last night was perfect, and yet, she wanted to keep it a secret.I understood her concerns—hell, I did—but I wasn’t exactly the kind of man who could simply pretend. Every time I looked at her now, all I’d see was how her back arched, how her nails dug into my skin as she whispered my name like it was her only prayer.I wasn’t built for playing it cool.Still, for Susan, I’d try. At least for now.That didn’t mean I wouldn’t remind her. Subtlety wasn’t my strong suit, but I could adapt when needed.The day at the office was long, and without her in close proximity, it was unbearable. She was still setting up in her newly customized space—a
Susan When I woke up, the sun's rays were sneaking through the curtains, illuminating Elliot's bedroom. My body felt heavy and… sore. Oh God. Memories of last night flashed through my mind like a steamy montage I wished I could forget but couldn’t. My cheeks burned as I turned to see him beside me, sleeping soundly with his arm draped over my waist. I bit my lip, trying not to panic, but panic was brewing anyway. What the hell did I just do? My chest tightened with embarrassment. What was worse? The fact that I had let myself lose control or that it had been with Elliot Prescott? Trying to move carefully, I slipped out of his grasp, grabbed his shirt from the floor, and tiptoed to the bathroom. After splashing cold water on my face, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. "What are you doing, Susan?" I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. "This is dangerous. This man could ruin you if you're not careful." I took a deep breath, trying to calm my spiraling thoughts. It wasn’t
Elliot⁰She lay beneath me, her body warm and soft against mine, her breaths still uneven from the storm we’d just weathered together. Her hair was a wild mess against the cushions, her skin flushed and glowing in the dim light of my living room.But I couldn’t look away from her lips—swollen and glistening, slightly parted as she caught her breath.I wasn’t done with her. Not by a long shot.My body was still taut with need, the evidence of my desire pressing against her thigh, making it impossible to ignore.As if sensing my thoughts, her eyes fluttered open, meeting mine. There was something in her gaze—something raw and unguarded that made my chest tighten.But I didn’t let myself linger on it. Not now.Instead, I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened, growing more urgent with each passing second.Her soft moan as I kissed her sent a shiver down my spine, spurring me on.I trailed my lips down her jawline, my stubble grazing