A gentle knock on my door sometime later made me get up to dress up. I stood in front of the vanity mirror in my bathroom, carefully noting how snugly the mask fit against my face and the smoky eyeshadow disguising my regular look. But the problem with the black mask and eyeshadow was that it made the color of my eyes quite prominent, somewhat making it seem striking. A frown wrinkled the skin in between my eyebrows and I thought to wear contact lenses, but another insistent knock made me sigh in resignation. I took off the mask and picked a long fur-trimmed coat on my way out of my room. “Well, we are surely going to turn heads!” Ameera said, giving Ashley a fist bump, then made an explosive sound. I chuckled. Ashley's phone rang and she answered it immediately.“We are on our way… okay,” she said and ended the call. “The ride is here… and Bobby said the host insisted on no phones,” she added. “Wait, what?” Ameera exclaimed.“But why?” I interjected.“Privacy…” Ashley answered with
Ameera, Ashley, and I put on our masks before we exited the helicopter. I could hear the music from the floor below as we found our way down the flight of stairs to the club hall. I have been to a club before but it was of a different caliber, nothing close to this at all. Most of the invitees were men in their middle thirties and early forties. They were nicely dressed and hung about with drinks in hand. The decor and the setting were magnificent and speak of class. “Hello, hello, welcome!” A white male that was about six-foot-tall approached us. He had a kind smile and looked completely different from what I had expected.“Do you know who that is?” Ashley whispered close to my ear. Ameera leaned in so she could hear what she was telling me. “That’s Jacob McKnight, a technological entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the founder of the Canary, the free social networking site!”“I thought he would look… bookish,” I whispered back, studying the man. Aside from his impressive height, he
When we entered the club room, some of the men started hooting loudly and a few clapped. I could see that our host was seated at the center of the room with six chairs framing him to the right and left. One of the chairs was empty but the rest was fully occupied. I relaxed a little, understanding we were to pick who to dance for. Tamika and Anna went for the host, and the rest of us fan out to entertain the rest of the men. I picked the last one to the left and simply reenacted what we practiced. The man appeared a bit drunk and kept calling me baby and urging me to sit on his lap. I knew it would be a great put-off to make a scene so I did my best to manage the situation. He brought out his wallet at a point and slipped wads of cash into my cleavage when I danced close to him. “You're really beautiful, I would like to see you after this,” he said, emptying his wallet to put more money inside my cleavage. I looked to my right and saw Sam hovering. It was as if he could read my mind
“Hey,” he said, with his eyes pinning me to the spot. I swallowed and my chest quivered. “I’m sorry I missed your dance, and would very much like a private one with you… if you don’t mind,” he said, still holding my gaze as if he were trying to confirm a suspicion. I shook my head without speaking and then he added, “If it’s about payment, trust me, I can afford it.”“I’m sorry, sir, she doesn’t give private dances,” Ameera responded. I guessed my friends must have noticed how stunned I was by this new stranger. He spared her a glance and flashed that arresting but rear smile of his at her before returning his intense gaze to meet mine. “Thank you, but, I would love her to say that to me herself,” he said. My heart skipped a bit with the conviction that he may already know it was me. And with lack of what to say I said, “I’m sorry,” in an almost inaudible tone. I saw his eyes flickered with emotions and I couldn't bear to stay there, pretending any longer. I gave Ameera and Ashley
When we got to his hotel room. The door was barely shut before he pulled me back into his arms, taking off my jacket and pulling off his shirt at the same time. I couldn’t help running my hands down his bulging pectorals, and well-ridged abs. I found he was even more manly than the last time I saw him naked. He was bigger, simply magnificent. He pulled down the zipper of my leather bodysuit, trailing kisses down my chest to close his mouth around my already-hardened nipples. I moaned out loud. He dipped his hands under the band of my panties, pulled the silky fabric down my legs, and quickly took off his trousers, kicking it to a corner. I quivered when he pressed a kiss to my belly button, holding my hips in almost a painful grip. Then he straightened his spine, cupped my face, and kissed me roughly, lifting me up and I automatically wrapped my legs around him. He raised one of his hands to frame the side of my face, carrying me to the big bed behind me. The room was dimly lit, th
After cuddling for a few minutes just lying there, holding on tight with my arms wrapped around his neck and my face pressed to the side of his face, pressing my lips to his skin. He trailed his fingers down my naked back, while slowly regulating his breathing.“Baby… I’m sorry I was a bit rough, it's been…”“Shh… I know,” I whispered. He gently nudged my face and craned his neck so he could face me, and with our noses touching, he smiled at me. Christ! How was I able to survive all these years without him? I remember this smile -- this rear smile that always lights up my inside like an explosion of fireworks. This smile that I would spend a whole day anticipating and looking forward to doing something that would make him look at me like this.To my dismay, my shoulders shook and my eyes welled with tears. Why is life so unfair? Why do they have to tear me away from him? I released a shaky breath and felt his hand snaked to the side of my face and his long slim fingers gently caressed
His lips trailed down the slope of my chest until they covered my nipples, he suckled gently and I moaned, arching my back to give him full access to my chest. In reflex, I turned my face to have better access to his thumb that was brushing the corner of my mouth, and closed my lips around him, licking and sucking it. I heard him moaning out my name. The rush of his hot breath on my breast stimulated me further. I felt my vagina respond as the heat increased in between my legs. I reached down to cup his face, making him edge up so I could taste his lips. I wrapped my legs behind his long legs, moving them up a bit, and tightened my hold on him. Putting my self-defense class actions to use, I overturned him and peppered kisses on his pectorals, using my teeth to pull out his flat nipples. I sucked him, lapping and licking him till they hardened. Evan moaned and his frame quivered. I dragged my open palm over his front, loving the control I have over him, and his reactions, enjoying hi
After the night I just had and the blow I was dealt, it was hard moving from that spot, where I sat on the edge of the bed, still clutching the piece of paper in my hand. I continued to breathe, concentrating on the sound, trying to stay in the bubble I had been in for the past hours. And with her sweet scent lingering on my skin, swirling in the air, and filling my nostrils it was quite easy. The thought of staying curled up on the bed, just inhaling her scent was tempting. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips when the scene of her laughing in the bathroom a few hours before played in my head. My heart tightened painfully. I reached for my phone, flicked my thumb over the screen, and dialed Jacob. He answered on the second ring.“Evan?”“Yup,” I responded.“You finally decided to join the real world, huh?” he said and chuckled. If only he knew how astute that statement was. “Thank you for inviting me, and sorry I bailed on you,” I found myself conversing as if my inside wasn’t
“I do not want to hear about your sexual escapades, Evan Sterling!” she said through gritted teeth, still glowering at me. I made her widen her legs for me as I fit myself in between her legs. The dress she wore had ridden up, giving me the chance to place my hands over her naked thighs. “After you, I didn’t want anybody else. I was obsessed with making sure you stayed mine,” I said, stroking her naked thighs. Her eyes softened. I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I had had time to think about my reactions, and now, I know when Edward showed me that video, I accepted it to be true as a result of my experience, but I walked to the chalet to get confirmation from you. But of course, you weren’t there, and I didn’t come after you because I was scared to confirm it. So, deep inside me when I accepted that you had fucked my father for money. I didn’t believe it. Otherwise, I would never have had sex with you when I saw you at Jacob’s bachelor’s party. For me to believe it, I
I felt Estera's hand slowly slip into mine as we drove through the Sterling Estate gate. I opened my hand wide, giving her room to interlace her fingers with mine. She leaned across from the passenger seat to rest her head against my shoulder and I stopped the car so I could reach for her. Cupping the side of her face, I made her lift and crane her neck to receive my kiss. I pressed my lips against her forehead then her lips. Kissing her slowly as if we have all the time in the world. She let out a shaky breath when I let her go, gazing lovingly into my eyes. "Don't be scared. Nothing or no one here can hurt you ever again. I need us both to put this to rest. We had an amazing time here, on this ground and I want us to take that back. Separate it from the nightmare that came after. I hate this place…." "Evan…" she whispered, raising her hand to cup my chin. I let out a soft chuckle. "I need to let him stay buried and not continue to hurt us…to hurt me. Please," I said. She nodde
Evan had prepared a special table for my aunt, his mother, and Mary Antoinette Dallas. My aunt—I could see–-had rescued Ashley and Ameera and had taken charge of our boys and when we approached the table I saw four men in black suits, hovering close to my aunt Sophia and the boys. I gave Evan a side glance but his eyes were held forward. Lowering my gaze, I saw how the men monitored the boys' every move and let out a sigh. Evan was quite serious about our children’s safety and with the look of it, it seemed he couldn’t even take a risk when they were with family. Mary Antoinette Dallas beamed at me. I gave her a warm smile, pretty glad the other woman was much better despite the ravaging chemo after her surgery. I had thought she might resent me a little when she found out about Evan’s duplicity in regards to his marriage to her but the woman took it in her stride. With Charlotte Sterling's help, she went back home to pay her last respite to her mother and bury the tortured soul. I h
I have indeed come a long way to be wearing a 30 million dollar diamond embellished bridal gown, and an equally sparkling tiara that contained about 2,000 tiny cut diamonds. I was almost afraid to move. But the very sight of the tall, broad-shouldered, handsome man, waiting with the bluest intense eyes in the front of the room drew me forward. Evan -- was breathtaking! He wore the traditional black tuxedo with a white undershirt but with a custom-made hand-printed silk scarf, knotted with two loops in the form of a bow tie around his collar. However, there was nothing traditional about the price tag. He went all out for this wedding anniversary slash renewal of wedding vows. My heart skipped a beat at the knowledge that this beautiful man was all mine and he loved me with all his heart and soul. The lighting of the cathedral was dimmed and as I moved the light shined off the diamonds, creating a wonderful sparkle. I let out a shaky breath and my aunt Sophia looped an arm to mine, l
I doubt anyone was as happy as I was to know Cole Foster was doing fine. Now I can breathe easily. Being without Estera and my boys these past few days has not been easy for me. I was constantly checking my phone and seemed impatient in my dealings.Edward's funeral was a private one. I had figured only my mother and I would be present with the minister, of course, and a few chosen staff, but then Estera's aunt had shown up. An act that got my mother pretty emotional.I never did pay much attention to the relationship between the two women in the past. I knew now they were closer than just an employer and employee and I was glad someone was there for my mother other than me. I figured Mary Antoinette would like to be present for her mother's funeral and had Antony buried immediately. I heard no one showed not even his employees. That showed the kind of man the fucker was. Aside from handling all the burial arrangements, I was also keeping taps on Gaius’ case. Estera’s parents’ lawyers
“I’m sorry … I should have known better and gotten help--” “Don’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault. I am just glad you weren’t taken from us—” “Please, tell me Doctor Benjamin and Doctor Rasheed got off unhurt,” he said. “They are fine — traumatized, but fine,” I replied. “Thank God. What happened to Edward Sterling?” “He died … the police killed him when they discovered their men weren’t responding to their radio call anymore.” “Shit. I tried to help them. He didn’t let me.” “You could have bled to death too if Evan hadn’t risked speaking with Edward to make him let you, Ashley and Ameera go.” “He must feel like hell … I know I would. Having a man like that as a father must be tough.” “He is happy you are alright—” I said. He sighed. “Where is he now?” “In Charlestown … helping his mother take care of Edward, Antony, and Anastasia Dallas’ burial arrangements--” “Shit! She didn’t make it?” “No…” “Her daughter?” “Mary Antoinette is responding to treatment, although she is
I stood back from the grave unable to contain the anguish filling me up inside. It was pretty intense and it felt like I was drowning in it. My eyes stayed glued to the name on the headstone although unseeing. I was completely blinded by tears.“Estera Roberts, I am so sorry for your loss…” a familiar voice said from my right and I raised my eyes to meet the older woman’s gaze. Mrs. Pincushion, my homeroom teacher, peered down at me with sorrow-filled eyes. A deep frown furrowed my eyebrows. Something doesn’t feel right. Why the hell would the petite woman be at this funeral? Wait… whose funeral is this?!”“Roberts?” Cole's familiar husky tone called me. I jerked my gaze away from Mrs. Pincushion and my eyes opened and I found myself in a dim-lit room. The beep--beep sound of the heart monitor reminded me I was in the hospital room, lying next to Cole on the bed. I sat up, rubbing my hands over my face.“Shit!” I muttered, realizing it was a mere dream. I let out a sigh. It was a no-b
The gunshot sounds weren’t coming from down the building but up, that was how I knew it must be from Edward’s ward. My heart pounded, hoping he hadn’t done something stupid to worsen his case. I had no idea where my mother was, but I knew she was in the building. I put a call through to her and her phone rang and rang but she didn’t answer. I clenched my jaw, finding my way up the flight of stairs. On getting to the floor before the one my father was on, I saw men in black trousers and white shirts with gun holsters around their waists gingerly going up the stairs. I assumed they were part of the men sent to watch Edward. “What’s going on up there?” I asked one. He threw me a hurried gaze and his eyes settled on my bandaged arm and shoulder. “You shouldn’t be here. This place is sealed we have a hostage situation—”“Is the aggressor Edward Sterling?” I asked. He stopped to give me his full attention. “I didn’t catch your name, sir?”“Evan … Evan Sterling,” I said. A deep frown fur
One of the kitchen staff brought them to my office shortly after. I thanked her and gave her a tip. Closing the door, I placed the food on the coffee table and went to make coffee for Evan, placing the mug beside his plate, I went to press a kiss to the side of his lips, placing a hand over his forehead to be certain he wasn't running a temperature. “Baby?” I called. “Mmm … love you waking me with a kiss,” he muttered. I giggled. “Get up, sleepy head, and come eat, so you can take your antibiotics.”“Yes, ma’am,” he said and got up, towering over me. Without heels, I was quite aware I must look like some midget beside him. He first went to plant kisses on the twins' forehead and cheeks, causing them to laugh before straightening his spine to gaze down at them with loving eyes. I reached for his good arm, urged him to the sofa, made him sit down and gestured to him to serve himself and eat. “Where did you get all these so early?” he asked.“Hospital food … but for the doctors,”