Susan
I adjusted the hem of my pencil skirt, trying to shake off the nerves bubbling under my skin. It wasn’t like me to get jittery over a meeting, but this wasn’t just any meeting. Manuel Fernandez...an artist whose name echoed through the industry like a storm...was coming to our office. People waited months, even years, for the chance to work with him. But somehow, with just one email, he agreed. And now, I had to figure out why. The sleek conference room was unusually quiet, the air thick with anticipation. My colleagues sat with forced nonchalance, pretending not to be eager. Elliot hadn’t arrived yet, but I knew he would. He always showed up when it mattered, and with Manuel Fernandez in the building, this mattered. When the door finally opened, time seemed to pause. Manuel Fernandez walked in like he owned the air we breathed. His presence was magnetic...dark, tousled hair falling effortlessly over his forehead, sharp cheekbones, and piercing eyes that seemed to look right through you. He wasn’t classically handsome, but there was something about him, something dangerous and beautiful all at once. But what really unsettled me was the way his gaze locked onto mine the moment he stepped inside. Not a passing glance, not a polite acknowledgment. No, his eyes lingered, burning into me like he knew me. And then, he smiled. That smile sent a strange shiver down my spine. I fumbled with my pen, trying to recall if we’d ever met before. But I would remember meeting someone like Manuel Fernandez. Wouldn’t I? The meeting started, but it felt like a blur. Manuel barely addressed the others. His attention was laser-focused on me, as if the room didn’t exist beyond the space I occupied. Halfway through the presentation, he interrupted. “I have a condition.” Everyone stilled, the tension palpable. Elliot had just walked in, his presence commanding as always. He slid into the chair across from me, his eyes darting between me and Manuel. “I’ll agree to this partnership,” Manuel continued, his voice smooth like velvet, “but I want to work one-on-one with Susan Hart.” My heart skipped a beat. The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes turning to me. Elliot’s jaw clenched, his usually calm demeanor cracking ever so slightly. “May I ask why?” Elliot’s voice was cool, but I could hear the undercurrent of something darker...jealousy. Manuel’s gaze didn’t waver. “Because Susan and I have… unfinished business.” The words hit me like a freight train. Unfinished business? Panic fluttered in my chest. I racked my brain, trying to place him, to dig through the cobwebs of my memory for any encounter that could explain his words. And then it hit me. Years ago, during one of the darkest nights of my life, I had stumbled upon a man standing on the edge of a building. He was ready to jump, ready to end it all. I was just a stranger, but something in me refused to walk away. I didn’t know what I said to him that night...I barely remembered the details...but I talked him down. I never asked his name, and he never offered it. Could it be…? The voice sound the same, I can't forget that voice that was filled with agony that night. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Elliot’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Susan?” His eyes were on me now, sharp and probing. I forced a smile, pushing the memory aside. “I’m fine with it,” I said, though my voice felt distant to my own ears. Elliot didn’t look convinced. His hand, resting on the table, balled into a fist. The meeting wrapped up quickly after that, but the tension lingered like smoke in the air. As the others filtered out, Manuel approached me, his eyes softening just slightly. “You don’t remember, do you?” he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear. I shook my head, my throat dry. “That night…” I whispered. He nodded, his smile tinged with something bittersweet. “I never forgot you, Susan.” Before I could respond, Elliot was beside me, his hand possessively sliding to the small of my back. “Susan, a word,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Manuel’s eyes flicked to Elliot’s hand, then back to me, his smirk deepening. “I’ll see you soon.” As he walked away, Elliot’s grip tightened ever so slightly. We stepped into his office, and the door clicked shut behind us. “What the hell was that?” Elliot hissed, his eyes dark with something fierce and territorial. I blinked, feigning innocence. “What do you mean?” “Don’t play dumb, Susan. That man looks at you like you’re his next masterpiece, and I don’t like it.” I arched a brow, biting back a smile. “Jealous, are we?” His eyes narrowed, and in one swift move, he had me pressed against the door, his mouth crashing onto mine with a hunger that stole my breath. “You’re mine,” he growled against my lips, his hands roaming my body like he needed to remind himself I was real, that I was his. And as his mouth trailed down my neck, leaving a blazing path of desire in its wake, I couldn’t help but wonder just how far Elliot would go to prove that to both of us.Elliot I watched Susan from across the office, her laughter floating through the open space like a melody designed to drive me insane. She was with Manuel Fernandez, again. His hand hovered just a little too close to her lower back as he pointed something out on her laptop screen, his eyes glued to her like she was the only thing worth seeing in the entire goddamn building. It was infuriating. I’d dealt with rivals before...competitors, business sharks, even the occasional ex-boyfriend who thought he still had a chance. But this? This was different. Manuel wasn’t just some random threat. He was an enigma, a man with a history tied to Susan that I didn’t fully understand. And that unknown… it gnawed at me like a splinter under my skin. I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on the spreadsheet in front of me, but the numbers blurred into meaningless lines. Every fiber of my being was tuned to her...her movements, her laughter, the way she tilted her head when Manuel whispered something
Susan I thought the heat of Elliot’s touch would linger longer than the tension in my chest, but as I sat across from Manuel Fernandez in the sleek glass conference room, the memory of Elliot’s possessive kiss was already fading beneath the weight of unspoken words. Manuel wasn’t just an artist. He was a man with shadows in his eyes, the kind that hinted at stories left untold. Stories that, somehow, were tied to me. He leaned back in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, his dark eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite place. Amusement? Nostalgia? I couldn’t tell. “You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked, his voice smooth, almost teasing. I swallowed, my mind racing. There was something familiar about him...the sharp angle of his jaw, the curve of his lips when he smiled. But the memory was hazy, like trying to grasp smoke. “I’m sorry,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. “Should I?” His smile didn’t fade, but it changed, softening into someth
Elliot The moment I stepped out of that conference room, my blood was boiling hotter than it had in years. I couldn’t get the image of Manuel’s smug face out of my head, nor the way his eyes lingered on Susan like she was some kind of unfinished masterpiece he couldn’t wait to touch up. I stormed into my office, slamming the door harder than necessary. My chest tightened with every breath, and for the first time in a long time, I felt completely out of control. Susan...my Susan...had history with this guy. And not just any history, but the kind that left marks, invisible yet undeniable. I didn’t give a damn about business deals or brand endorsements anymore. Manuel Fernandez had crossed a line, and I wasn’t about to sit back and watch him worm his way into Susan’s life. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my messages until I found Adrian’s name. If anyone could talk some sense into me...or at least help me plot revenge...it was him. Need a drink. Now. His response was immed
Susan I should’ve known Elliot wouldn’t let it go. His jealousy simmered just beneath the surface, peeking through every time Manuel’s name came up. But what could I say? I couldn’t exactly blame him. If the roles were reversed, I might’ve felt the same. But the thing is, Manuel wasn’t just some artist. He was a man with a past...a past that intertwined with mine in a way I hadn’t fully processed until now. The next morning, I walked into the office, balancing a coffee in one hand and my laptop in the other. The moment I stepped into the meeting room, Manuel was already there, his dark eyes tracking my every movement. “Good morning, Susan,” he greeted, his lips curling into that same enigmatic smile he always wore. “Morning, Mr. Fernandez,” I replied, keeping my tone professional, even though my mind flashed back to the rooftop. To that day. It was years ago, but the memory was sharp...like the first cut of glass against skin. I’d been on my way home from class, cutting through
Elliot I wasn’t proud of it, but jealousy had a way of sinking its claws deep into me. It wasn’t just about Susan working with Manuel Fernandez—it was the way the guy looked at her, like she was some kind of muse he’d been searching for his whole life. And I knew that look. I’d worn it the first time I realized Susan Hart wasn’t just another woman. She was the woman. I stared at the reports on my desk, but none of the numbers made sense. Hell, I couldn’t even focus. All I could think about was the way Manuel leaned in a little too close during meetings, his dark eyes lingering on Susan like he had every right to. The office door creaked open, and Adrian sauntered in, a cocky grin plastered on his face. “You look like hell,” he announced, plopping into the chair opposite me. “What’s eating you now?” I didn’t answer right away, just poured us both a drink from the decanter on my desk. The burn of the whiskey wasn’t enough to chase away the frustration gnawing at my insides. Adr
Susan The air in the office had become suffocating, thick with tension I couldn’t shake off. Every time I glanced up from my desk, I felt Elliot’s eyes on me, watching, scrutinizing, like he was waiting for me to slip up. It was like walking a tightrope, trying to balance my work with Manuel while keeping Elliot from spiraling into another jealous fit. But the worst part? I understood where Elliot was coming from. Because even I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on with Manuel Fernandez. We had our first one-on-one session scheduled for the afternoon. I tried to convince myself it was just business—nothing more, nothing less. But the moment Manuel walked into the room, I felt that familiar pull, the nagging memory I’d tried to bury. “Susan,” he greeted me with that smooth, accented voice, his dark eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite place. “It’s good to see you again.” I forced a polite smile. “You too, Mr. Fernandez.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Still formal,
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
Susan The air in the office had become suffocating, thick with tension I couldn’t shake off. Every time I glanced up from my desk, I felt Elliot’s eyes on me, watching, scrutinizing, like he was waiting for me to slip up. It was like walking a tightrope, trying to balance my work with Manuel while keeping Elliot from spiraling into another jealous fit. But the worst part? I understood where Elliot was coming from. Because even I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on with Manuel Fernandez. We had our first one-on-one session scheduled for the afternoon. I tried to convince myself it was just business—nothing more, nothing less. But the moment Manuel walked into the room, I felt that familiar pull, the nagging memory I’d tried to bury. “Susan,” he greeted me with that smooth, accented voice, his dark eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite place. “It’s good to see you again.” I forced a polite smile. “You too, Mr. Fernandez.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Still formal,
Elliot I wasn’t proud of it, but jealousy had a way of sinking its claws deep into me. It wasn’t just about Susan working with Manuel Fernandez—it was the way the guy looked at her, like she was some kind of muse he’d been searching for his whole life. And I knew that look. I’d worn it the first time I realized Susan Hart wasn’t just another woman. She was the woman. I stared at the reports on my desk, but none of the numbers made sense. Hell, I couldn’t even focus. All I could think about was the way Manuel leaned in a little too close during meetings, his dark eyes lingering on Susan like he had every right to. The office door creaked open, and Adrian sauntered in, a cocky grin plastered on his face. “You look like hell,” he announced, plopping into the chair opposite me. “What’s eating you now?” I didn’t answer right away, just poured us both a drink from the decanter on my desk. The burn of the whiskey wasn’t enough to chase away the frustration gnawing at my insides. Adr
Susan I should’ve known Elliot wouldn’t let it go. His jealousy simmered just beneath the surface, peeking through every time Manuel’s name came up. But what could I say? I couldn’t exactly blame him. If the roles were reversed, I might’ve felt the same. But the thing is, Manuel wasn’t just some artist. He was a man with a past...a past that intertwined with mine in a way I hadn’t fully processed until now. The next morning, I walked into the office, balancing a coffee in one hand and my laptop in the other. The moment I stepped into the meeting room, Manuel was already there, his dark eyes tracking my every movement. “Good morning, Susan,” he greeted, his lips curling into that same enigmatic smile he always wore. “Morning, Mr. Fernandez,” I replied, keeping my tone professional, even though my mind flashed back to the rooftop. To that day. It was years ago, but the memory was sharp...like the first cut of glass against skin. I’d been on my way home from class, cutting through
Elliot The moment I stepped out of that conference room, my blood was boiling hotter than it had in years. I couldn’t get the image of Manuel’s smug face out of my head, nor the way his eyes lingered on Susan like she was some kind of unfinished masterpiece he couldn’t wait to touch up. I stormed into my office, slamming the door harder than necessary. My chest tightened with every breath, and for the first time in a long time, I felt completely out of control. Susan...my Susan...had history with this guy. And not just any history, but the kind that left marks, invisible yet undeniable. I didn’t give a damn about business deals or brand endorsements anymore. Manuel Fernandez had crossed a line, and I wasn’t about to sit back and watch him worm his way into Susan’s life. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my messages until I found Adrian’s name. If anyone could talk some sense into me...or at least help me plot revenge...it was him. Need a drink. Now. His response was immed
Susan I thought the heat of Elliot’s touch would linger longer than the tension in my chest, but as I sat across from Manuel Fernandez in the sleek glass conference room, the memory of Elliot’s possessive kiss was already fading beneath the weight of unspoken words. Manuel wasn’t just an artist. He was a man with shadows in his eyes, the kind that hinted at stories left untold. Stories that, somehow, were tied to me. He leaned back in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, his dark eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite place. Amusement? Nostalgia? I couldn’t tell. “You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked, his voice smooth, almost teasing. I swallowed, my mind racing. There was something familiar about him...the sharp angle of his jaw, the curve of his lips when he smiled. But the memory was hazy, like trying to grasp smoke. “I’m sorry,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. “Should I?” His smile didn’t fade, but it changed, softening into someth
Elliot I watched Susan from across the office, her laughter floating through the open space like a melody designed to drive me insane. She was with Manuel Fernandez, again. His hand hovered just a little too close to her lower back as he pointed something out on her laptop screen, his eyes glued to her like she was the only thing worth seeing in the entire goddamn building. It was infuriating. I’d dealt with rivals before...competitors, business sharks, even the occasional ex-boyfriend who thought he still had a chance. But this? This was different. Manuel wasn’t just some random threat. He was an enigma, a man with a history tied to Susan that I didn’t fully understand. And that unknown… it gnawed at me like a splinter under my skin. I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on the spreadsheet in front of me, but the numbers blurred into meaningless lines. Every fiber of my being was tuned to her...her movements, her laughter, the way she tilted her head when Manuel whispered something
Susan I adjusted the hem of my pencil skirt, trying to shake off the nerves bubbling under my skin. It wasn’t like me to get jittery over a meeting, but this wasn’t just any meeting. Manuel Fernandez...an artist whose name echoed through the industry like a storm...was coming to our office. People waited months, even years, for the chance to work with him. But somehow, with just one email, he agreed. And now, I had to figure out why. The sleek conference room was unusually quiet, the air thick with anticipation. My colleagues sat with forced nonchalance, pretending not to be eager. Elliot hadn’t arrived yet, but I knew he would. He always showed up when it mattered, and with Manuel Fernandez in the building, this mattered. When the door finally opened, time seemed to pause. Manuel Fernandez walked in like he owned the air we breathed. His presence was magnetic...dark, tousled hair falling effortlessly over his forehead, sharp cheekbones, and piercing eyes that seemed to look rig
SusanI stared at the untouched coffee in front of me, my fingers tracing circles around the rim of the mug. The café was bustling, the clinking of cups and soft hum of conversations blending into the background, but all I could hear was the echo of my own thoughts.Meera slid into the seat across from me, her eyes immediately narrowing. “Okay, you’re giving off serious ‘I did something bad’ vibes,” she said, tossing her bag onto the chair beside her. “What now?”I sighed, finally looking up to meet her gaze. She already knew the basics...I’d told her about Mrs. Prescott offering me money to leave Elliot, and yeah, she knew I’d taken it. But the weight of it felt heavier today, like it was suffocating me.“She texted me,” I said quietly.Meera raised an eyebrow. “Who?”“Mrs. Prescott. She wanted to know why I haven’t broken up with Elliot yet.”Meera’s eyes darkened. “That woman’s got some nerve.”I gave a bitter laugh. “I told her it would take time, that I couldn’t just end things o
Elliot Her breath was ragged against my ear, her nails leaving faint trails down my back that only fueled the fire raging inside me. I couldn’t get enough...of her taste, her scent, the way her body responded to mine like we were made for this, for each other. I pulled back just enough to look at her, her lips swollen from our kisses, her eyes dark and hooded with desire. She was the most beautiful fucking thing I’d ever seen, and right now, she was mine. “Susan,” I whispered, my voice low and rough, “do you want me to stop?” But she didn’t respond. Instead, she pulled me closer, her fingers curling into my hair, dragging my mouth back to hers like she’d drown if we weren’t connected. I groaned into her mouth, my hands trailing down her sides, feeling every inch of her body. I yanked her blouse open, buttons flying across the floor, exposing the delicate lace of her bra. My mouth was on her boobs before I even realized it, kissing, biting, sucking the soft tits until I felt her s