“Good morning,” Akira greeted, the moment Sakura opened her eyes.“Morning,” Sakura replied softly, blinking a few times to adjust to the morning light that streamed in through the glass double doors. She turned over to lie on her left side as she eyed Akira. She noted that the other girl looked outstandingly perky so early in the day, which was unlike her. Sakura wondered if she were hyped up for work.“Are you excited?” Akira asked, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s going to be your first job as a model, right? Well, technically, you were a model when we did the runway back in New York, but that’s beside the point.”Still feeling a little tired, Sakura yawned as she rubbed her eyes. “Technically, yes, I was a model back then, but this is still officially my first day working as a model. To be honest, I’m both scared and worried.”And she was definitely not excited. Far from it. Instantly, the thought that she might muck up everything made her whole body shake in trepidation and her mi
It was seven thirty exactly when the group—Nicolas, Tristan, Logan, Sebastian, Hayden, Darcy, Conrad, Sosuke, Akira, and Sakura—arrived onsite, which was the Princeton Group Hotel and Resort in Honolulu, not far from where their holiday mansion resided. Jane met them in the foyer and hurriedly ushered everyone into the elevator so as to not waste any time.As the door dinged shut, she began her speech. “We’re going be on the nineteenth floor today. Men and women have separate makeup rooms. Once we’re ready for you, we’ll come and get you. Just so you all know what’s going to happen, I’ll brief you on our schedule now.”Everyone nodded in understanding.Jane cleared her throat and then began her briefing. “The first session is going to be Nicolas with Tara and Alaina, followed by Nicolas with Akira and then Nicolas with Sakura.”Hayden said, “Sounds like Nicolas is getting all the girls.”“And so early in the morning, too,” Logan added cheekily. “Can you handle that much pressure, Nico
Alone, Sakura walked about the room to stretch her legs, at the same time trying to calm her nerves by humming to herself. Now and again, her eyes would drift off to gaze at the beautiful scenery before her, which stretched across the horizon of the sea. Her worries were forgotten as she smiled, enjoying the exquisite sight.“Well, hello there.” Sebastian’s voice came to her, and Sakura jumped in surprise.She turned away from the window to see the man leaning his shoulder against the doorframe, a handsome grin on his face.The moment she turned, Sebastian’s breath was momentarily snatched away as he stared at her.Sakura asked, “Sebastian?”At the call of his name, he managed to regain his senses. At that moment, when Sakura had turned to look at him, the sight of her had taken his breath away; she was so exquisitely beautiful. This very vision of her reminded him of when he had first met her again, as adults back on St. Joseph Island, when the brothers had returned home for their co
After Kay had successfully covered Sakura’s love bite with makeup, Jane immediately turned up to fetch her for wardrobe. Now some half an hour later, she was staring at herself in the full-length mirror, feeling just a little bit sick at the sight.She was utterly nervous and could feel her whole body shaking with anxiety. Soon, she’d be posing in front of the camera. Sure, she was a photographer and knew the ins and outs of that profession, but her genre in that field was a world away from this current one she found herself unwillingly participating in. She, after all, took photos of landscapes, scenery, and nature, while this was all about fashion, of which she knew very little.Ultimately, when the time came, she prayed it’d just be her, Nicolas, Mr. Tachibana, Jane, and the cameraman—whose name she had yet to learn—and no one else. At least then, if she really did mess things up, she wouldn’t feel as if she did it in front of the whole world.Once again, she returned her attention
Sakura’s eyes swept past the group and then Tara, who was sitting on the couch by herself, busy on her phone. She moved her gaze to another corner, and that was when she saw Darcy.He was beside Alaina, and he was watching Sakura, his dark eyes intense. Suddenly, she felt her heart race and her stomach fluttering. There was something about his stare that didn’t sit well with her, though she couldn’t pinpoint this strange, powerful vibe she felt from him today. And why was he standing next to Alaina? Had the two reconciled?She honestly didn’t know what to think if that was really what happened. Was she supposed to be happy for them, now that they were no longer estranged? Or was she supposed to worry because Alaina disliked her immensely? In that case, would Alaina once again try her hand at taking Darcy away from her?Sakura didn’t want to think about it and turned her attention to the photo shoot instead.She saw that Akira, with her sexy gold cocktail dress, four-inch gold heels, a
Sakura, Akira, and Jane came down to the main hotel restaurant some fifteen minutes later. The moment they stepped across the threshold of the dining area, the loud chatter and smell of delicious food enveloped them. Indeed, the place was packed with guests, several hundreds of them. The vacationers who were there to simply relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy themselves.“Wow!” Akira said, as her eyes scanned the huge area. “It’s popular here, isn’t it?”Jane nodded. “It’s a buffet. Everyone likes buffets, right?”Sakura nodded. She, too, was very impressed with how full it was in here. She wondered if it was busy in the other three restaurants scattered across the property of the Princeton Hotel as well. She knew there was one up on the nineteenth floor that had a great view of the island, one by the pool near the bungalows, and one at the beach that overlooked the ocean.“Hey, over here!” Conrad called out to them, which drew the girls’ attention.Sakura flicked her gaze toward the tables
His sudden seductive attack took Sakura by surprise, and her reaction was to stay stock-still. Then, when she felt his urgency, she obliged by kissing him back and opened her mouth for him.The moment she did so, Darcy plunged his tongue in, stroking her and playing havoc with her. Then his kiss became softer, slow, and gentle. It was then Sakura sighed with pleasure, and she groaned as her whole body became weak. She held on to him for dear life as he concentrated his attention on her lips once again, nibbling on her flesh.Between kisses, he managed to whisper, “God help me, but I think I might just go insane because of you.”Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “I love you, Darcy. I really do, but please be patient.”“I hate this sneaking about,” he said with a passion. “I just want you to be mine.”She could sense the pain in his voice, and she sympathized with him. Guilt erupted within her for making him suffer. God, she felt like a villain, and her stomach chur
An hour later, the flustered Jane had managed to calm Tara down and brought the woman back into the makeup room. Of course, the photo shoot was delayed, which made Mr. Tachibana, Ms. Ruka, and Jason more than a little stressed because of the tight schedule. In the end, Jane suggested they do Sakura with Tristan and Logan first, since she was all ready to go. This would also give Sakura plenty of time after, for a retouch and wardrobe change before her session with Sebastian started.After a short discussion, the three heads agreed, and some fifteen minutes later, Sakura found herself in the ninth-floor restaurant, along with the crew, the Princeton brothers, and some of the hotel staff.“Let me just say you’re eye candy, darling princess,” Tristan said, brushing his fingers across Sakura’s perfectly coiffured hair.Logan nodded in agreement as he tilted her face to the left. “Simply stunning.” Then his eyes scanned her in appreciation from head to toe, noting the perfectly made up fac
Six Months LaterWhen Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of birds chirping and morning light shining in through the windows. She blinked a couple times to get used to the brightness as she lay there feeling exhausted, as if she had just finished running a race. Once she’d gotten used to the light, she searched about her surroundings, wondering where she was. Because this certainly wasn’t her room.Her eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier dangling in the center, the crystals exuding an array of rainbow colors about the space. A moment later, her gaze shifted to the king-size bed that she was currently in.She sat up, her mind still reeling over what had happened last night. When she moved, she realized she was naked under the sheet. She frowned for a moment, and then everything came flooding back.Instantly, she blushed and clutched the sheet against her.“Oh God,” she whispered softly. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? With Sebastian and Darcy?”She licked her lips as she pulled t
The moment her hands were removed, the two men stared, marveling at the sight. Sure, they had seen many women’s breasts before, and in fact, to them, they were just part of the female anatomy. Nothing more. But with Sakura, her pair of exquisite beauties, the perfect-size mounds of pale, smooth flesh topped with cute pink nipples perking at just the right angle—they were something marvelous.Sebastian tittered with excitement, which drew Sakura’s attention to him. She gazed at him, wondering why he had such a passionate look in his eyes as he stared at her breasts. When he flicked his gaze to hers and their eyes met, Sakura swallowed hard at the raw passion she noted radiating from him.“Wow,” Darcy said, his voice deep and hoarse, which sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “Just wow.”Sebastian nodded. He couldn’t find words to describe how happy he was.Suddenly, Darcy cupped her breasts, one in each hand. Sakura gasped at the intimate contact as her body squirmed in his embrace.
Sakura grabbed Sebastian’s hands that were about to cup her breasts, stopping him. She looked from one man to the other, her mind reeling at what was going on. She licked her lips nervously and then finally managed to ask, “What are you two doing? Aren’t you going to order room service?”Sebastian’s eyes glinted with that mischievousness that Sakura found both vexing and endearing at the same time.He said, with a hint of a laughter in his deep timbre, “Oh, but you are our room service.”Sakura wasn’t accepting it. She knew they both were toying around with her. She demanded, “The dessert?”Darcy said, his voice sensual and deep, “You are our dessert. That’s why it’s the best kind, one we’ll remember for the longest time.”It was only then that she understood what they meant. She. Was. Their. Dessert. As in they were going to make love to her?That pushed her into a panic attack, and she struggled in Sebastian’s arms, desperately wanting to break free. The damn handsome man, however,
Darcy said, “Sakura, remember the night you confessed to us?”Slowly, Sakura nodded.“You told us you’d either have both of us or none at all,” Sebastian said.Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn’t realize he was standing behind her, so close to her in fact that she could feel the heat of his body warming her against the coolness of the night.She nodded again. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. I can’t…” She sighed, her heart now racing furiously. “I can’t live with the knowledge that I picked one of you and not the other. That I’d be living with one and not the other. That I’d be showering my love on one and not the other when I love you both. It just isn’t fair.” Her body and hands were shaking now, even her voice, quivering softly under the two men’s scrutiny.“I won’t be able to handle the guilt, the pain of not having both of you in my life. I know I’m greedy. I know… It’s weird to love two men and want both in my life…living like a family like it’s nothing.” Sh
Sakura relaxed back in her seat and then put on the safety belt. A moment later, Sebastian started the engine and then they were off.It was dark, and the city lights glittered beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky, competing with the stars. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, and Sakura was mesmerized.“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Sebastian said.Sakura nodded. “After what happened…” she said, her throat feeling a little dry. “After what happened, I appreciate what’s around me more.”Sebastian reached out his free hand and cupped her face. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again. I’m here with you, and Darcy, too.” He chuckled. “In fact, all of us Princetons. We’re family.”She smiled, appreciating his comforting words. “Thanks.”It was a few more minutes when Sakura realized they were heading toward the hotel. Of course, she was a little confused as to why they were going there and was about to ask Sebastian as he parked the car when he intercepte
Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly cha
Sakura and Sebastian stayed with Darcy throughout the morning, with Sakura entertaining Darcy by telling him about her family reunion and that Ned was actually her biological father and Beth her aunt. Of course, Darcy wasn’t surprised with this outcome, as he had known how much Ned loved Sakura. The same went for Beth.It was some time later when Darcy asked the question he had wanted answered since he’d seen the news on the television early that morning. It was about Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods, who had been taken into custody.Sebastian said, “Tara might get a lighter sentencing than Mrs. Clark and Ray Woods. She’s only an accomplice.”“And Mrs. Clark?” Sakura asked, her body tense.“Probably life in prison for first-degree murder or something along those lines,” Sebastian said.“For murdering Mrs. Taylor?” Sakura asked.At this, both Sebastian and Darcy turned to look at her, surprised. Sebastian asked, “How did you know she was one of the victims?”Sakura cast her eyes downwar
Sakura woke with a start, gasping and whimpering and her skin soaking with sweat. With her heart beating loudly in her chest, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing as tears welled in her eyes.Dream. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t lost Darcy. She hadn’t lost Sebastian. Both men were still here with her.“Sebastian. Darcy,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Just moments ago, she had dreamed of them—she and the Princeton brothers—once again on that yacht in the middle of the ocean, the storm raging above them. Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods had been there, too, torturing her.Sakura shut her eyes as she remembered the nightmare vividly.Mrs. Clark had shot her, only to hit Darcy instead. As Darcy lay there in her arms, dying from the gunshot wounds, Tara slayed Sebastian with her knife and then pushed him off the boat into the rampant sea.The thought of losing her beloved men made her feel sick to her stomach, and she whimpered softly. She shook he
Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her and helping her when she had needed someone like a parent the most reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and c