Days were dragging on, like one of those movies I was forced to watch with Dad. No action, no excitement, just the same old crap. But inside, I was about to blow. Seriously, I was pissed off, and I had no idea why! The sky was a fiery orange as the sun dipped below the horizon. I was stretched out on a beach chair, wearing my swimsuit and sunglasses. But behind those sunglasses, my eyes were burning with anger. The ocean was beautiful, with lots of people enjoying the start of summer. The waves were gentle, and the air was filled with happy sounds. But all I could see was him, the guy in black swim trunks, talking to a journalist who couldn't stop looking at him with those big, flirty eyes. Valerian Blackwood. Ugh, I wanted to throw him in the ocean and watch him drown! He was standing right where the waves were crashing on the sand. His hair was wet, and seawater was dripping down his body, making him look even more annoyingly handsome. He was holding his towel that hangs by his n
"Whoa," he chuckled, a low rumble in his chest, as I pushed him back onto the couch. "Ellie, don't do anything you'll regret tomorrow," he warned, but his grip on my legs tightened as I straddled him."Who says I'm going to regret this, Mr. Blackwood?" I asked, my hand settling on his chest, his back pressed against the plush cushions."You're drunk, baby." The honeyed sweetness of his voice was almost as intoxicating as the tequila, but it had a deeper effect on me than the alcohol ever could."I'm not drunk." Why was everyone telling me that? "I just had a few shots of tequila, that's all." I leaned close, burying my face in his neck, my teeth nipping at his skin. His moan was a delicious sound."Those tequila shots had you this wild?" He hummed, pushing me back by my shoulders. "Baby, as much as I want to ram you hard right now, I don't want to take advantage of you."I scoffed. "Sweet, but where's the fun in that?" I smiled, catching him off guard, but quickly withdrew it. "Or is
My head throbbed. I groaned as soon as I woke up. It felt like a battleground in there, either free and comfortable or heavy and worse. The blanket kept me warm in the air-conditioned room, but the sunlight streaming through the window did nothing to help my headache. Roaming my eyes around, I gasped in realization— I wasn't in my room. "Shit!" I muttered through my lips, recalling what happened, what I did. "Now you've just proven to him that you're a desperate bitch," I scolded myself. As I closed my eyes, the memories of last night flooded my head, including what I'd heard him say last... What was it he told me? That he... he... The door burst open, revealing Valerian in a white tank top and his favorite Hawaiian-style shorts, holding a tray of food in his hands. He moved carefully, tiptoeing to be exact, until he saw me. His eyes lit up brighter than the sun, a grin spreading across his face. He smelled like a noble king, looking tastier than the best meat in the world, a
"No, Valerian. There's no way I'm going downstairs!" I exclaimed under my breath.Valerian, ever the charmer, had bought me a dress as soon as he woke up. A beige maxi dress and a pair of sandals… without any underwear. He was clad in a simple white shirt and khaki shorts that matched the color of my dress.He was leaning against the wall, both hands in his pockets, acting as if there was nothing to worry about. His mother had literally knocked on his door while we were in the middle of… business.What was even more devastating was that Ute knew I was with Valerian. Shit!"Mom was only asking if we could join her for breakfast," he said, trying to convince me, but his voice was unconvincing. He crossed his arms, his biceps bulging, defining how well-built he is."Yeah? With your whole family. What are they going to think once they see me coming down the stairs with you, and specifically coming from your room?" I was close to hysterical, but I saw no understanding in his eyes, only smu
"ONCE YOU sign that paper, it's all over for us, Ellie."My soon-to-be ex-husband, Valerian Blackwood, sat across from me, legs crossed, a scotch in his hand. He didn't seem to care about our separation at all.Two years of marriage, and all I was fed up with were the endless scandals about him and his mega-ton amount of women chasing his round and soft ass. Who was I to question it when my husband was Valerian Blackwood? A drop-dead gorgeous billionaire. He was smart, sophisticated, and just perfect in every way. What else could I even ask for?But the life I was looking for was far away from what he'd given me. After all, we were nothing but a couple for a cause."Isn't that the purpose of divorce, Val?" I retorted, unsure whether I should let the ink stain the paper or take my time.On his side sat Attorney Eglin, tapping his thumb on his knee, his fat ass plopped on the chair. His eyes were bored, and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to witness a couple breaking up.Behind Valerian
THREE YEARS LATER..."I thought you said you were managing the resort well? Then what the hell is this?" Bree, my older sister, asked as soon as I stepped into the villa lobby.Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, I let my heels hit the carpeted floor and sighed heavily. I'd just come back from a board meeting my dad had set up in D.C., and I was greeted by Bree's less-than-welcoming words."Lose more guests, and you'll find your business sailing out to sea and away from you," she added.Bree's my sister, but she's also my advisor. I take her ideas, opinions, the spits coming out of her mouth, and even her snarky comments seriously. But sometimes, I just want to shove a mouthful of sand down her throat.I stood by the grand piano, placed my baguette on top of it, and took the glass of orange juice offered by the staff."Bree, summer season is just approaching, okay? We've already received a lot of reservations. Give it time, we'll have the resort full. Just relax," I told her,
MY HEART was pounding so loud it drowned out the chatter around me. I was hyperventilating, needing a breather.I was about to turn back to the elevator, but I thought, wouldn't that make me look like a coward?Lifting my chin, I met his gaze and even offered a small smile as I approached the table.I saw the way he studied me from head to toe. Then, a spiral of emotions began to take over my body.Suddenly, all the memories of his touch came flooding back."Ellie," he called my name, and I thought my knees were going to give out.He stood up from his chair, and boy, oh boy, the jerk hadn't changed a bit. He was still yummy as fuck."Pleasure to have you here," he said as he pulled out a chair for me and held out his hand.I think I had been holding my breath for too long. "It is a pleasure to have 'you' here, Mr. Blackwood. I didn't know you were willing to discuss this proposal with me." His hand was still outstretched, and I was awkwardly standing by the chair."Shake my hand?" A s
I knew I had told myself that I would never follow wherever he went after the dinner we shared, but looking back, I'm grateful for accepting his invitation to visit his resort. The place felt like stepping into the Garden of Eden.As we entered the lobby, a few staff members were present. His secretary offered his services, but this jerk immediately dismissed him, raising my eyebrows.He led me to the beachfront, which didn't seem much different from mine, except for the surfboard decors and the name of his resort, 'BB Beach Haven'. Whatever that stood for."It's very... natural," I commented, my eyes taking in the surroundings with a glimmer.There was no doubt that business would thrive under Valerian Blackwood's leadership. He excelled at decision-making, managing his company with precision and equality.The design of the place was a stark contrast to my own resort. Everything exuded a natural vibe, from the wood-dominated interiors to the dark varnish reflecting his surname."Like