Gerald made sure Damian had a seat at our table, and although I was there as his date, my eyes spent most of the night fastened on my man. We even played footsie under the table a few times, and at one stage he held my hand. It’s like we crave some kind of physical contact when we’re in each other’s presence. That’s how I feel, I crave him. I’ve never felt so drawn to someone as I am to him. It’s both scary and wonderful.Gerald was kind enough to let me travel back to his house in Damian’s car. I even got to kiss him goodnight before Robert arrived to collect me. I floated all the way home.All day Tuesday I’m on a high, anticipating our impending date. By the time I arrive at Anne’s for inspection, you couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face if you’d tried. Which in hindsight, was a huge mistake on my part. I’m so caught up in my own little world that I’d forgotten to hide my new found happiness from Anne. “What are you looking so pleased about?” she asks suspiciously the minut
“Fuck!” He abruptly stands and starts pacing “like what the hell?” “Calm down Damian, please” I beg my voice low. “The fuck Emily? How can that sick woman adopt and do this to you?” He stops pacing and look hard at me “and you’re telling me to calm down?” “Please” I say closing my eyes as he continues pacing. My stomach churns as I wait for him to calm down. Have I just ruined things between us by telling him the truth? Does he think I’m disgusting? Weak?A few minutes passes before he stops. I’m sure my apprehension is showing as I open my eyes slowly to gaze up at him. In one swift motion, he pulls me off the lounge and into his arms. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart” he says. When he holds me close I can feel his body trembling against mine. I have no idea why he’s sorry. He’s done nothing wrong.He clings to me for the longest time. Neither of us speak. I know I’ve already said too much, but I suppose my confession may help him better understand my situation, if no
I’m trying hard not to lose my cool here. The last thing I want to do is frighten Emily. This situation is so much grimmer than I originally thought. By the sounds of it, she’s already been through way too much in her short life. My heart is bleeding for her right now. Everything in me wants to march straight over to that bitch’s house and wring her neck for what she’s put Emily through. Never in my life have I had the slightest inclination to hurt a woman, but if Anne was in front of me now, I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’d do. This shit ends today. “I’m going to help you” I say.A brief smile forms on her lips. “Thank you, but I can’t let you do that, Damian. She’s dangerous and I’d never ask, or expect you to put yourself in harm’s way to protect me” she says I kiss her. For now, this conversation is over. Doesn’t she realise the lengths I’d go to for her? I’m not afraid of Anne. I’m prepared for anything that monster throws at me. I grew up with a ruthless bastard, so I’v
I set my plan in motion while Emily’s in the bathroom drying her hair, getting ready to leave. I barely slept after our marathon sex session last night. I kept going over everything in my mind. She has no idea what’s about to happen. I thought it best to keep my ideas to myself for now, otherwise she’d worry unnecessarily, or worse, try to talk me out of it. But my mind is made up, there’s no going back.Thankfully, in my line of work I need to have a lot of cash on hand. You never know when a crisis will pop up in the middle of the night. This may not be work related, but it’s a crisis nevertheless—a huge motherfucking injustice to someone I care very deeply for.After gathering what I need from the safe, I write a quick note to enclose with the money. Fuck, I hope this goes the way I’ve planned.Otherwise, the only way Emily will be going back to work for that monster is over my dead body. Fo Emily’s sake, I hope it doesn’t come to that. She’s going to need me now, more than she r
I keep pacing as butterflies churn in my stomach. I wait for Damian to re-enter the house. I have no idea why he needed to see Robert alone, but it concerns me. Maybe he’s going to ask him to keep a closer eye on me. There’s no need for that. Robert takes great care of me. I’d be lost without him in my life. I know he’s under Anne’s iron rule just as much as I am, but he helps me out whenever possible.Minutes pass and Damian still doesn’t return. Pulling my phone out of my bag, I check the time. What’s taking them so long? Anne is going to be pissed off if we don’t leave soon. Like really pissed, and I don’t like her being pissed.My head snaps up the moment the front door opens. The solemn look on Damian’s face does nothing to ease my mind. My heart starts to beat out of my chest as he approaches me. “What is going on?” I ask my eyes searching his. “You’re staying here” he say putting his hands in his pocket. “What?” I ask?Has he requested me for another night? “
“I’m not naive enough to think she’d let you out of your contract without payment” he says nonchalantly. “You paid her?” My voice seems to draw his attention back to my face. Jesus!What is it with rich people? They think because they have money, they can use it to buy whatever they like. I’m sorry, but I’m a human being. I’m not for sale. I work for Anne because she made me feel like I owed her. I don’t owe Damian shit. I go to stand, but he tightens his grip on my waist. “Don’t run from me, Emily. I did the only thing I could. Money talks, especially to someone like her” he pleads. “So you bought me?” I ask my voice betraying my hurt. “No no, I bought your freedom, sweetheart” I sigh at his words. Although they melt my heart a little, I don’t like this situation. I don’t like it one bit. Anne thought she owned me. Is that how Damian’s going to see things now? “I’m sorry, it’s just, I don’t want to feel indebted to you. That’s what got me into this whole
Forty minutes is all it takes for all hell to break loose. Forty minutes from the time Robert left, to the time Anne is banging on Damian’s front door like a psychotic crazy woman on a mission to take me back to my living hell. I knew it. “Go upstairs and lock yourself in my bedroom” Damian demands.Even though I’m trembling again, there’s no way I’m leaving him to face this on his own. “I’m staying right here” “Listen to me, Jade” he says, forcefully gripping my arm. “Go upstairs and lock yourself in my fucking room now” “No!” I’m trying my best to act calm and not let my true feelings show, but the truth is, I’m petrified of this woman. Still, I refuse to leave him. “I know you’re in there, open this door immediately!” I hear Anne scream, in that don’t-fuck-with-me voice I’ve come to know well over the years. “Jesus fucking Christ” Damian snaps. “I can’t protect you if you don’t listen to me” “I’m staying, so you may as well open the damn door”Da
I should be concerned that there’s a gun pointed at my head, but I’m not. My only concern in this moment is Emily. The stupid prick doesn’t even know how to hold a gun properly.I scoff. His finger is resting alongside the barrel instead of hovering over the trigger. I’m grateful for that. It assures me that, whenever I make my move, the gun won’t go off. I just have to bide my time, then this fucker’s going down. I’m highly trained for situations like this.My eyes are locked on him, but in my peripheral vision I can see Emily being pulled through the doorway by her hair. Rage consumes me. Fuck. I should’ve locked her in my damn room myself. I promised I’d protect her, so I need to act as fast as I can. “Let me go,’ I hear her whimper as my gaze leaves the gunman’s for a split second. Seeing her being manhandled like this sets off something inside me. My eyes move back to the cocksucker standing before me. He gives me a smug look and I use that as my cue. He may be built like
“That’s it baby. I’m taking you to the doctor. No flu is going to have you throwing up for two weeks straight” Damian says, holding my hair for what seems like the hundredth time.I rest my head on my arm that’s lying on the toilet and take deep breaths. I am so sick of being sick. For the past two weeks all it seems I do is eat, throw it back up, and sleep. I’m exhausted and I’ve gained a lot of weight. I know Damian is right and I need to find out what’s wrong.I lift my head and see Jaxon holding a glass of water out for me. I stand on shaky legs and gratefully take the glass from him. My first sip gets swirled in my mouth and then spat out into the sink. I chug the rest of it like I haven’t had anything to drink in days. I next brush my teeth, because not to would be gross.I turn to face Damian and lean against the counter. He steps up to me and places his hands on the counter on either side of my waist. His expression is worried. He’s noticed the weight that I’ve g
Six months laterI leave the kitchen carrying a batch of freshly baked Snickers cookies. It’s my own recipe and one of my bestsellers. Buying that chocolate at the airport turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. That insignificant moment changed my life. Damian still says that, to this day, he can’t walk past a Snickers bar without thinking of me.The bell above the door chimes just as I place the hot tray on the counter. Taking off my oven gloves, I turn to greet my first customer for the day. It’s been almost three months since I opened my patisserie. It’s everything I dreamed it would be, and more. I decided to name it ‘Life’s Sweet’, because that’s exactly what life has become—sweet. I’ve come a long way from where I once was. Thanks to my husband and new found family, the horrors of my past seem like a distant memory.As hard as it was for him, Damian didn’t interfere, and let me pay for everything with the money I’d earnt from working for Anne. He likes to spoi
Anne’s trial finally rolled around. Both Robert and I were subpoenaed as witnesses. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but on the other hand, I was eager to see this through to the end—to finally be able to put Anne, my past, and everything I went through behind me. I have a wonderful life now and a family who loves me, so there’s no point dwelling on something I can’t change. I know Robert is keen to see justice served, and the monsters responsible for his daughter’s death finally held accountable.To my dismay, I’m the first to be called to the stand. I’ve been dreading this day. Under the circumstances, the court offered to let me give my evidence by video link, but that would be the coward’s way out. I refuse to let her take one more piece of my dignity. I’d forever be disappointed in myself if I didn’t face her. I firmly believed standing up to Anne is exactly what I need to finally be free. It’s something I’ve yearned for. She bullied and intimidated me for far too
I haven’t stopped smiling since the moment I got out of bed this morning. Even though Damian already feels like family to me, today it becomes official.In under an hour I’ll be Mrs Emily Stone and I can’t put into words how happy that makes me. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for this moment. I’ll finally belong to someone. “You look beautiful” Robert says as he straightens my veil. “I’m honored to be giving you away today” “There’s no one else I’d rather” I reply. And that’s the truth. “You’re the closest thing I have to a father” “I’m so proud of you, Emily” I have to fight back the tears when I hear his voice crack. “From the moment I met you, I hoped that one day you’d find happiness. I’m so glad I get to witness it” “I love you, Robert” I say as I wrap my arms around him. I’ve never told him that before, but I do. “Emily” he replies, choking up. “I love you too. Although I lost a daughter, I’ve gained another in you. I’m extremely grateful t
find Emily in the kitchen when I arrive home a week after our return from Paris. She gives me a beautiful smile as I place an envelope on the table and go to her. It hurts my heart to know I’m about to wipe that smile off her pretty face. I’m having serious misgivings about pushing her into this now. But I’ve found information on Emily’s family, and everything she needs to know is now sitting in that large white envelope. Her father’s lawyer was very helpful, but the news is going to gut her.At least she won’t be left wondering for the rest of her life.I plant a soft kiss on her lips. “Hi, beautiful” “Hi, handsome”Stepping back, I pull her with me until I’m seated at the table and she’s on my lap. “Is everything okay?” she asks. “You look grim” “I have some good news, and some bad news” I watch as her eyes move to the envelope sitting in front of us. “It’s about your father” “You found him” she whispers as her hands cover her mouth. Her eyes fill with tear
After pulling me in for a scorching hot kiss, he releases me and walks toward the bed. I quickly grab what I need before ducking into the bathroom.Emerging a short time later, I find Damian sitting at the foot of the bed. His arms are positioned behind him, taking his body weight. His long legs are extended out in front of him and are crossed at the ankle. He’s unbuttoned his shirt, and I can see a hint of his toned and tanned chest. There’s a sexy smile on his lips and a glint of what’s yet to come in his eyes. It makes my pulse quicken.His gaze leaves mine and slowly travels down my body. He was wrong about the red shoes being his memory, because they’re about to become our memory. He told me once that he’d like to see me wearing nothing but these shoes.Wish granted.A smile explodes onto his face when he gets to my feet. “Fuck me” he gasps. “My favorite shoes”He goes to stand. I immediately hold my hand out to stop him. I’m nervous, but I want to do something I used
“Monsieur et madame, de cette manière s’il vous plaît” a man says, smiling pleasantly. “Why does he want us to follow him?” I ask as my hand latches around Damian’s elbow. “He’s taking us to the lift that will take us up to the top of the tower”For a minute I thought—I don’t know what I thought, but whatever it was, it wasn’t good. I guess Damian weirding out on the way up has put me on edge. But I hope bungee jumping off the Eiffel Tower is illegal, that’s all I’m saying.The moment we step into the other lift, Damian goes all weird again, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. It makes my stomach churn. He’s never acted this way with me before. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to” I whisper. I’m grasping at straws, trying to find out what’s going on inside his head, all the while hoping to God it has something to do with heights or confined spaces, and nothing to do with us or our relationship. “Do what?” he asks as he stops pacing and tu
I have nothing to be nervous about; I have a natural talent for cooking, so I’m sure impress, but I’m really nervous. Placing his finger under my chin, Damian raises my face to meet his. “Impossible. You’ve got this in the bag, sweetheart. You may even show him a thing or two” “That’s very sweet of you to say, but I highly doubt it” I say, laughing. “Don’t underestimate your talents. I’ve eaten at some of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Your cooking rivals the best, and I’m not just saying that to get in your pants” “You have a permanent invitation to my pants, Mr Stone” I say, placing a soft kiss over his heart. “I’m glad to hear that” he moves his hands down to squeeze my arse. “Now let me get dressed before I do something that’s going to make you late”Damian’s confidence in my ability gave me the pick-me-up I needed. Though I’ll admit I’m a little starstruck when we meet Pierre, I’m completely taken aback when Damian drap
Emily is up and ready to take shower. I can tell she is filled with a mix of excitement and nerves about meeting Pierre.It was a long flight with a five-hour layover in Dubai, and we had no plans for the rest of the day, so we spent it in bed.That sexual energy she exudes, her beauty, her desire, her cunt, her orgasms. I want them to be mine. All mine.I never planned to let her go, but now I know I can’t.I have to have her, and just having her isn’t enough. It’s easy to keep her body captive, but I want her mind and maybe even her heart. Extending my hand to her, I help her down off the bed. “You want to shower” I ask alluringly. “Don’t I look like I’m about to?” She asks ra “Yeah. But before you get clean” I say, pulling my cock out, “you can clean me off. With your mouth of course” “Of course” she says with a smile speeding on her lips. “On your knees, mouth on my cock,” I order.Is that a blush I see on her obstinate cheeks as she parts her li