**************CHAPTER 59~Kaia’s POV~I stared at Blaze, my mind spinning from everything that had happened. The drug. The fight. The hotel room.And now… this conversation.Well, it was apparent we had concluded. My craziness yesterday hadn’t landed me in bed with Blaze Black.My fingers tightened around the blanket as I sat up a little more. “Okay, serious question—how did you change my clothes?”Blaze smirked, leaning back against the chair beside the bed. “Kaia, I can disable a bomb without looking. You really think I can’t change your clothes with my eyes shut?”I exhaled, letting my shoulders relax. “Fine. Fair point.”Then, just as I started to let it go, he added, “Doesn’t mean I didn’t look.”I blinked. “You—”Blaze chuckled, but before he could finish his laugh, I grabbed the nearest pillow and launched it at his face. He caught it effortlessly, amusement dancing in his sharp blue eyes.“You’re impossible,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.“You love it.”I glared at him, but
**************CHAPTER 60~Summer’s POV~My breath came in short, panicked gasps. My pulse pounded so hard it echoed in my ears. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Blaze wasn’t supposed to care about Kaia this much.Not enough to do this. Not enough to terrify me in a way I had never known before.I yanked at the ropes binding my wrists, my nails digging into my skin. “Blaze,” I forced out, trying to keep my voice steady, “you don’t have to do this.”Blaze exhaled. He rested his elbows on his knees, watching me like a predator studying his prey.“You’re right,” he said calmly. “I don’t have to. I want to.”I swallowed hard.This was bad.Really, really bad.“I just…” I tried to force my voice into something sweet, something desperate enough to pull at his heart—soft, something that might appeal to the man I used to know. “Blaze, I just—”His chair scraped as he leaned forward, cutting off my words with nothing but his sheer presence.“Shut up, Summer.”The way he said my name
**************CHAPTER 61~Kaia’s POV~"Okay, this looks good," I muttered to myself. With my hands resting on my hips, I stepped back to take one last look at the table. The aroma of roasted lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, and honey-glazed carrots filled the dining room. The table was set elegantly, with a simple but classy arrangement of silverware, wine glasses, and a bottle of aged red wine."I hope he likes it."It wasn’t every day I did something like this—cooking for Blaze. It wasn’t because I couldn’t cook but because I had never really felt the need to go out of my way for him. But after everything that had happened the day before, after how he had taken care of me, I wanted to say thank you in a way that felt more personal.Just then, I heard the sound of an engine pulling into the driveway. My heartbeat quickened. He's here.Quickly, I untied my apron and smoothed out my short green dress. I checked my reflection in the hallway mirror, running my fingers through my hair t
**************CHAPTER 62~Kaia’s POV~After dinner, Blaze stood, stretching his arms before glancing at me. “Come on.” He nodded toward the living room. “Let’s sit for a bit.”I hesitated for a second but then nodded, following him. The warmth of the wine lingered in my veins, and my body felt lighter than usual. It wasn’t just the alcohol. It was this—this unfamiliar but not unwelcome feeling between us.Blaze settled into the couch, his arm lazily draped over the backrest. I sat beside him, tucking my legs beneath me as I turned to face him.“You didn’t have to do all this,” he said after a moment, his voice softer than usual. “The dinner, the effort… But I appreciate it.”I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “It’s a thank you.”Blaze arched a brow. “For what again?”“For taking care of me yesterday,” I admitted. “You didn’t have to, but you did. Also, you could have taken advantage of me like I so not and yet wanted but you didn’t. That’s something.”Blaze’s smirk softened into som
**************CHAPTER 63~Kaia’s POV~It didn't take long before we entered his room. Blaze placed me gently on his bed. I leaned back on the mattress, watching as he reached into the nightstand and grabbed a condom.I licked my lips, anticipation and need bubbling inside of me as Blaze stepped in between my legs."This is happening," I breathed."If you're not sure, we can stop. I'll stop."I shook my head. "Don't you dare. You had me the moment you kissed me."Blaze's mouth curved into a cocky smirk. "Just kissing, huh?""Yes, and you're so good at it, Blaze. So, please, don't make me wait." I surprised myself and Blaze with those words coming from my mouth. Unlike me, Blaze recovered quickly. Placing the condom down, he moved forward between my legs and kissed me deeply while his right hand slid up my stomach to cover my left breast.I moaned, arching against his touch as his lips trailed down my neck, his teeth scraping against my collarbone.My fingers tangled in his hair, pull
**************CHAPTER 64~Kaia’s POV~When the last wave finally faded, he withdrew his hand and straightened.I lay there, panting, watching through heavy-lidded eyes as he licked his fingers clean, just like before."Fuck, Kaia, you're so fucking sweet," he murmured, his blue eyes dark with lust. I couldn't respond. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. "You ready for more, baby?""I'm always ready.""Good," he said, coming down to kiss me again. I could taste myself on his lips and the thought was oddly arousing. We exchanged a few more heated kisses before his hands grabbed the sides of my panties. In one quick movement, he ripped them apart."Hey!""Don't worry," Blaze murmured. "I'll buy you new ones."Before I could reply, his mouth trailed down, leaving a blazing path of kisses on my chest, stomach, and hips, until he was positioned in between my thighs.My pulse skyrocketed as I watched him part my legs. My cheeks heated as his hungry gaze fixed on the place that t
**************CHAPTER 65~Kaia’s POV~I didn't reply. Instead, I bobbed my head up and down his length, slowly and deliberately, making sure my tongue rubbed along his entire shaft."Oh, shit," he muttered, his hand tightening in my hair. Blaze was thick, and he got length, but I was determined to prove to him that I could handle his length and make him feel good, just like he made me.I hummed around him, and he jerked, his hips bucking against me.I took things slow, too agonisingly slow if you asked me, as Blaze tensed every passing second, fighting back the urge to moan my name and plead for me to go faster."Fuck, Kaia, you're torturing me. Come on, baby, stop being such a tease and put it all in your mouth," Blaze urged, his eyes opening to stare at me."I am putting it all in my mouth, Mr. Black," I said, pulling back."You're taking your time. It's almost like you don't know what you're doing," Blaze challenged.I knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to egg me on and
**************CHAPTER 66~Kaia’s POV~"Cum for me.""BLAZE!!!!!!"The tension snapped, and a wave of pleasure washed over me. My body stiffened, a cry tore from my throat, and my fingers curled into the sheets as I came hard.Blaze continued thrusting into me, dragging out my orgasm.When the last waves faded, he pulled out, flipped me around, and entered me again.My back arched, a whimper leaving my lips."You okay?""Y-yes.""Good." He moved up, his lips trailing soft kisses around my neck and shoulders as he pulled out of me and thrust in deeply.He repeated his actions, thrusting into me, this time harder and faster, making me cry out again."Oh, fuck, you're still so fucking tight," Blaze grunted while his hands reached under me to grab both breasts and fondle them."Blaze," I gasped when he pinched my nipples, tweaking them. In response, I clenched my walls tight around his dick, and he moaned in my ear, moaning my name with reckless abandon.I turned my head and met his lips,
*****************CHAPTER 119~Kaia’s POV~Walking into Apex Global that morning felt like slipping into a familiar suit of armour.The moment I stepped through the revolving doors, the crisp chill of the air conditioning clung to me hard. I had barely slept, but I dressed sharply—black fitted trousers, a white blouse, a blazer, and heels that clicked purposefully against the marble floors.No more hesitation. No more distractions.I was here to work.As I approached the executive wing, Blaze’s secretary stood up from her desk, her hands folded professionally.“Good morning, Mrs. Black,” she greeted with a small nod. “Mr. Black is in his office… but there’s someone inside waiting for you.”I arched a brow. “Waiting for me?”She nodded. “Yes. He said it’s important.”“Right.” I adjusted my blazer and walked up to the double doors.I knocked once before pushing them open.Blaze stood near the windows, hands in his pockets, staring out like he was too focused on anything but the tension
*****************CHAPTER 117~Acer's POV~The club was dimly lit, the kind of place where the lights were low, the music was expensive, and the drinks even more so. Perfect for unwinding, or scheming—whichever came first, just like how Kelvin loved to call it.I slid into the leather booth, where Kelvin and David were already halfway through their drinks. Kelvin raised his glass in greeting, and David nodded.“About time,” Kelvin muttered. “We were starting to think you got lost in the city.”“I don’t get lost,” I said, grinning as I grabbed the drink waiting for me. “I just take scenic routes.”David smirked. “You always had a way with dramatic entrances.”I leaned back, sipping the whiskey. It was smooth. Just how I liked it.We talked shop for a bit—business, upcoming deals, the usual power-play conversation. Then Kelvin pulled out his phone, flicked to a picture, and slid it across the table toward me.“By the way, David’s been losing sleep over this one,” he said, half-laughing.
*****************CHAPTER 116~Kaia’s POV~Ever since our little scandal situation with Crystal, I was glad Blaze wasn’t running to Shyne just yet. Even though he got angry with me, it was understandable, yet things still felt so shaky.My mind thought back to the vacation house we stayed at and how Snow was planning something about getting me pregnant. I shook my head, not wanting to think of it and focus on my drive back home.I hadn't spoken to David since then and I know he wanted to hear from me. I did not wish to play a game and dance in anybody’s hands anymore. Back home, I dropped onto the bed, still slightly damp from my workout. The silence in the room wrapped around me like a blanket I didn’t ask for.My phone buzzed. It was a message from the office.The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, 9:30 AM, with Kayne Kyle and Kaia Black.Great.I stared at the screen for a long time, then tossed the phone on the bed.Why did it feel like I was being thrown into a fire that Blaze
*****************CHAPTER 115~Kaia’s POV~I was halfway through reviewing the quarterly reports when a knock came at the door."Come in," I said without looking up.My secretary stepped in, holding a sleek folder in her hands. "Ma’am, I wanted to inform you of a new assignment."I raised a brow, finally glancing up. She looked... hesitant. That immediately put me on edge.She placed the folder gently on my desk. "Effective today, you’ve been assigned to lead the negotiations on the Apex Global energy expansion project."I blinked. "Wait. What?""Kayne Kyle will be the lead from the investment firm’s side. You’ll be working directly with him over the next several weeks to secure the partnership terms."My mind froze for a second. Kayne Kyle? The same man from Draven’s files? This was… sigh."Does Blaze know about this?" I asked carefully, keeping my voice calm even as my pulse picked up.She nodded. "Yes, ma'am. He was at the meeting this morning when the announcement was made. His fa
*****************CHAPTER 113~Blaze’s POV~The morning came too damn fast.After what happened last night in the second parlour with Kaia, I didn’t sleep. I just couldn’t. All the while my mind kept replaying her words. They were stuck to me like a thorn—“You seem incapable of love.”I wasn’t even sure if I was angry, heartbroken, or just numb.But before I could make sense of it, I got a call from the office.Emergency board meeting. No warning prior but then again, it was my company, shig like this happened especially with my father as the Chairman.I left without seeing Kaia. Didn’t say goodbye. Didn’t even look toward her door when I passed it.She was probably still asleep… or pretending to be.By the time I got to Apex Global, the city was already moving like it had no time for heartbreak.As soon as I got in, the conference room buzzed with tension. I sat at the head, flipping through the project files, trying to stay focused, but my mind was scattered. My team filed in one b
*****************CHAPTER 113~Kaia’s POV~The city lights flickered in the distance as we pulled up to Blaze’s house. I didn’t say a word. Neither did he.I just wanted to be alone.Once inside, I headed straight for my room and let the silence swallow me. The hot bath I took was meant to relax me, but even with the steam and lavender-scented soaps, my thoughts wouldn’t settle. Still, I emerged feeling lighter. Not better, but… lighter.I slipped into a simple blue off-shoulder gown, the fabric soft against my skin. It cinched at the waist with a thin strap and fell just past my knees. My hair was damp, tumbling down my back, and for once, I didn’t bother taming it.I had one more thing to do before I could let this day go—I needed to check in on Blaze’s grandmother. The way I left… it wasn’t right.I needed to apologise and explain my sudden departure. She deserved that, at least.I walked softly through the hallway and stopped outside her room. My hand hovered over the door before
*****************CHAPTER 112~Kaia’s POV~I didn’t sleep that night. Not really. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the waves crashing in the background like a metronome counting down to goodbye.Morning came too fast.I got up, showered, packed my suitcase, and took one long look at the view from the villa window. It was beautiful.But beauty didn’t mean peace.I zipped my bag and stepped out into the living room.Blaze was already there. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept either. He stood when he saw me. “Kaia.”I didn’t give him a chance to speak.“This isn’t working,” I stated rather firmly, more so than I felt, so he did not try to sway me. “I need to go back.”To my surprise, Blaze didn’t argue. Didn’t ask me to stay. He just nodded once. “As you wish.” Even though I did not wish for it, the silence and stoic face he gave hurt the most.“Okay. See you later.”***************~Blaze’s POV~I watched Kaia walk away, her suitcase wheels rolling across the floor without wait
*****************CHAPTER 111~Kaia’s POV~I stormed into the bathroom and shut the door—not too hard, but enough to make a point. My fingers gripped the edge of the sink as I stared into the mirror. My reflection didn’t look as calm as I wanted to feel. I took a few deep breaths, trying to push back the swirl of emotions crawling under my skin.How was this even happening?Everything felt so sudden. One second, we were still untangling our mess, and the next, we were being shipped off to some luxury villa like we were on a second honeymoon. Not like we had one in the first place. Grandma meant well, but… this wasn’t how healing worked—not for me or us.I splashed water on my face and stood there, letting the cold sting pull me back to earth.When I finally walked out, Blaze was on the couch in the living room, his shirt sleeves rolled up, fingers sliding across his iPad as he scrolled. The villa was silent except for the gentle hum of the AC and the occasional rustle of palm leaves
*****************CHAPTER 107~Kaia’s POV~We arrived at the vacation suite later in the night. I stood outside the private villa, arms crossed tight over my chest. The soft breeze from the ocean did nothing to calm the irritation bubbling inside me."This is ridiculous," I muttered.Blaze sighed beside me, rubbing his temple like he was the one being ambushed. "I didn’t plan this.""Sure you didn’t," I snapped, dragging my suitcase across the smooth stone floor and inside before I said something I’d regret.The villa was stupidly perfect. Warm lights. Floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the beach like a painting. A giant bed with silky sheets that screamed honeymoon. There was even a jacuzzi out on the terrace, already bubbling like it had been expecting us.I didn’t care. I stomped in anyway.Blaze shut the door behind us and loosened his tie, eyes trailing after me as I flung my bag onto the bed and started unpacking. A little more violently than necessary. Okay, a lot more if I