"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 stood his cousin, another witness, who obviously didn't care about what was going on. I think I was the only one who was making a big deal out of this.
"You still haven't given me any answer about the properties I want," I added, earning a scoff from him.
"Ellie, let me remind you that all the properties I let you manage were all mine. Everything I own is conjugal, but that ends when you sign that paper. Stop this nonsense and I will transfer any properties you want under your name. Deal?" He negotiated.
No, I couldn't stay with him. I was done with this life.
"I still don't understand why you wanted to end this marriage when you're already living like a queen. What else do you want?" He added, sucking his inner cheek and watching my eyes fall down on my hand that held the pen.
Letting out a soft sigh, I chose not to answer. We never had a fight, even after I told him I was going to ask for a divorce. He was calm and composed, and I was always the one who overreacted. Maybe it was because he never really cared.
Most women who would kneel before him envied me. By the time the news came out that Valerian Blackwood was back to being a bachelor, many would celebrate.
"Time is ticking, Mrs. Blackwood," Attorney Eglin reminded me.
"I know," I accidentally spat at him. My hand flew to my head and massaged it.
What was I doing? I'd been decided since I brought it up, why was I wasting time?
I heard a clank. Valerian's glass hit the glass table. He stood up with a soft exhale, stealing my attention.
"Attorney, if you don't mind. I'm just going to talk to my wife," he excused himself, snatching the pen from my hand and letting it fall on the table.
As polite as he spoke, he dragged me to the back of his villa where all his art was displayed. The click of our shoes hitting the marbled floor echoed throughout the wide area.
His grip wasn't tight, but I felt like I was wearing chains as a bracelet.
"What do you think you're doing?" I whined, halting my steps, causing him to stop. "I don't have time for anymore of your bullshit, Val. I'm out of this relationship," I told him, putting a period on my decision.
I tried to pull my hand from him, but he didn't let go. Facing me wholly, those piercing green eyes held me captive.
I was fully aware of the kind of aura he owned. His charm would never fail to blow me away. His eyes, which reminded me of spring, were now boring holes in my face. The gaze he was throwing me was too heavy for me to carry, making my knees fold and making me unable to run away from him.
"What's your reason, Ellie? I gave you everything you want and everything you need. What's not enough?" He asked, there was no longing in his voice. It was too flat, and it was hurting my ego. "Tell me where I made a mistake. Tell me."
"You know what I want," I replied, my face stoic.
"How many times do I have to clarify it to you? I never had any women aside from you. The moment I got married was also the moment I stopped living the life I had. We had an agreement about that, remember?"
I shook my head. "You're a liar."
"Does someone else's gossip matter to you more than hearing my side? You didn't even let me explain."
"I saw it with my own eyes!"
"Then prove it to me," he challenged, taking steps closer and closer to me. But as he closed the gap between us, I was creating distance from him. "I have been faithful to you. I tried my best to learn how to love you."
"That's the point, Val. You treated me like a lecture you could learn but never paid attention to. It's a fail," I said, gasping for air as my back hit the cold wall. "It's more than fine to me, because I never really loved you as well."
The lively spring that reflected in his eyes became dark and wild.
My throat felt deserted. I tried to swallow hard, but I knew to myself that there was only one thing that could quench that thirst.
His kiss.
"Come again?"
"You heard me, Val. I'm done. I'm signing the papers." I tried to escape his cunning demeanor, but he had pinned me against the wall, offering me no exit in between his possessive grip. "Let me go."
"You never loved me?" He wasn't asking, it sounded more of a threat. It was like he wanted me to say what he wanted to hear.
"There's nothing to argue about that. Let me go," I pushed his chest, but he was too strong compared to me. "Val, what are you doing? Attorney Eglin is waiting for us in--"
I was cut off when he smashed his lips on mine. The kiss he insisted on was rough, claiming me without telling me that I was his.
Automatically, my eyes fluttered closed, and a moan escaped my lips.
He held the back of my head, deepening the kiss. While his other hand found the hem of my dress and lifted it.
My thighs felt the sultry air coming from the open windows, and a flame under my skin was made when his warm palm caressed my thigh, making its way up to my hip and playing with the garter of my underwear.
I knew I said I was over with this, but I just couldn't help myself from surrendering to his touch this easily.
There was something about his kiss that made me want to fall on my knees. There was something about his touch that made an uncontrollable wildfire inside me that could only be smothered by him, just Valerian Blackwood.
His kisses traveled down my jaw and settled on the crook of my neck where he nibbled my skin, finding my sweet spot only he knew.
I gasped when his hand slipped inside my underwear and found my wetness.
"You're so ready for me, Ellie. Let's see if you're still going to push me away if I do this," he whispered in my ear like the devil telling me to commit a sin.
And I just did.
I let him devour me.
"Valerian!" I exclaimed when he spun me, facing the wall, stripping the little thing that hid my femininity.
Shushing me, he placed a wet kiss behind my ear. "Quiet now, baby. We don't want anyone to hear what we're doing here, right?" He sipped the lobe of my ear.
My eyes rolled when I felt the head of his bare hardness on my entrance.
Suddenly, all the inhibition left in me was gone, and all I wanted was to welcome him inside me. To feel his force, his strength, and his pace. I wanted him to dominate me like how he usually did, I wanted his length to fill me, make me feel so full of his thickness.
My hands couldn't find anything to hold on to but the cold wall as he slammed his length inside me.
"Oh!" I moaned, arching my back and bucking my hips closer to him, welcoming every thrust he gave. "Vale... Ah!"
"Tell me you won't search for this, tell me, Ellie." Every word came with a pound from behind me. "Tell me you won't crave for me."
"I won't look-- oh! For this kind of heaven... ahh!" I tried to speak, but the friction inside me made my toes curl, what he was doing to me made me want to yield and let him tie me up.
No, I had to fight this. But how? He was a sinful seduction. I was running away from him, I was leaving him.
"Oh, Valerian..."
He banged me fast and rough, just like how I always wanted. I liked it the way he wanted.
My walls began to clench, my breath was hitching. I'm coming!
"Ellie, I'm so close, baby," he groaned in my ear, a call for me to release and let go of the knot that was forming in my stomach.
"Ah!" I sighed, a sigh of relief, the sound of satisfaction. My body wanted more, but my head told me to stop. This one mistake was enough.
"Elodie!" Shots of hot fluid inside me followed.
His heavy breath hitting my skin gave me goosebumps.
Catching our breaths in that position, I was the one to break us apart. I hissed when I felt him slip out of me and his semen started to drip on my thighs.
"This will never happen again," I uttered with finality, earning a senseless chuckle from him.
"Oh, really?" He wasn't convinced at all, and I just proved myself wrong when he claimed my lips and I answered his kiss.
How I hated myself!
With that lingering kiss, he sipped my lower lip, and I moaned from the sensation, a reason why he wore a smirk on his face. "Now tell me, my Elodie, are you still signing those papers?"
Back to my wits, I opened my eyes and was blessed by the sight of his beauty. "Y--yes," I stammered. Cursing silently, I pulled my chin up. "I'm still signing those papers, and you can't do anything about it."
A dangerous smile spread on his lips, pulling himself closer to me. "Make sure of that, Ellie. Because even if you divorce me right now, I know you will end up with me."
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 ha
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
That kiss had my knees trembling. He still has that effect on me, and I curse it to hell!I have no idea if my stomach had butterflies or if my central nervous system was frying because I've been shaking since I woke up this morning.Memories flooded my head. Those quirky, adventurous nights—damn! He taught me things I never thought I'd learn about intimacy. He washed away my innocence, and now I'm dirty-minded as fuck.Cuffs, chains, and blindfolds. They were just ordinary things until I realized how to use those unholy tools to satisfy his fetishes.I almost forgot everything about some of the dirtier kinks I developed back then, but the man who woke up the woman in me came back and decided to knock down the wall I built."If he thinks I'm going to welcome him with my legs wide open—I mean, with my arms wide open—he's wrong. Absolutely wrong!" I exclaimed, slamming the car door behind me.Still in the depths of frustration, my morning couldn't be fixed by a cup of hot coffee.Last n
The air crackled with a vibrant energy that only New York City at night could offer, a complete opposite of the coast, and for the first time in years, I found myself missing the city's noise.Three years ago, I'd traded the honking horns and the smell of exhaust fumes for the calming scent of salt air and the endless expanse of the beach. I'd buried myself in the sand, trying to escape the noise and the pressure of my life. Now, I was back, standing in the heart of the concrete jungle, feeling a strange sense of homecoming."Still a mystery to me why you suddenly decided to grace us with your presence," my father uttered in confusion, his voice a low rumble as he poured himself a golden drink in the back of his limo. "Last I heard, you swore off these 'boring' events." He air-quoted the word 'boring,' a mischievous glint in his eye.It had been three days since I'd fled the coast like a runaway bride, ever since Valerian...My sister informed me that the contract was still pending, V
"Stop," I panted, shoving him away after our make-out session. My heart was hammering like a woodpecker on a tin roof."What's the matter, baby?" he murmured, his voice still husky from our kiss. His eyes, still hazy with desire, held me captive.I shook my head, pulling away from his touch. "This is wrong," I whispered, my voice barely a squeak. "I... I have to go." My feet felt like they were glued to the floor, like I was stuck in quicksand.He gently guided my head back towards him, his lips brushing against my neck. I bit my lip as he buried his face in my hair, inhaling my scent. "Wrong?" he chuckled, his breath tickling my skin. "There's nothing wrong if we both want this.""W--why would I want this? I'm over you."Valerian pulled back, his emerald eyes burning into mine. "Oh, really?" His lips curled into a smirk.I know that tone. He's challenging me. And that smirk he has tells me that he's excited to prove me wrong."Then why are you here with me?" His hand, which had been
"Leaving?" Dad's voice was a mix of confusion and disbelief. "But you just got here." My ass landed precariously on the edge of his visitor's chair, my butt barely touching the seat. "Yeah, well, I had to see a doctor this morning. Turns out, last night's… mishap might have done some damage." I winced, remembering the throbbing pain in my hip and my butthole. "Mishap?" Dad raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Just a little… accident," I mumbled, trying to avoid eye contact. "You know, I'm not a fan of my daughters lying to me, Elodie," he said, his voice low and serious. "I know, I know," I sighed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "But Bree called last night. Emergency at the resort, you know how it is." "And here I thought you were going to stay for a week, like you promised," he said, his voice laced with disappointment. "Oh, right," I groaned, slapping my forehead. "I completely forgot I told you th
"Yeah, I swear!" I practically shouted into the phone, exasperated. Bree had just asked if I was telling the truth. "I don't know what Dad's up to, but I have a feeling he's shoving me towards Valerian, and I hate it."Bree's laughter made me pull the phone away from my ear. "Goodness, E. Your life sucks," she snorted."Thanks for the reminder," I groaned, leaning against the balcony railing. The ocean of city lights stretched out before me. I hoped Valerian was at the other end of this glittering sea, far, far away from me.Last night's paradise? Forget it! I didn't want to relive those memories.My stomach still felt like a knot. I still feel like I won't be able to deposit what I eat because my butt still hurts. My hips ached like hell. It felt like I'd fallen out of a tree and landed on my ass."By the way, your lover boy with the killer butt and, I'm pretty sure, a massive… well, you know, sent a whole army of workers to the resort," Bree informed me. "Oh! And we've started accep
We both stopped, eyes locking. Panic shot through me like a caffeine overdose, but that jerk? Calm as a cucumber.“Damn it,” he muttered, clearly not planning on answering the door. He began thrusting inside me, making me moan."Val... Oh... The door," I gasped."Fuck!" The bell rang again, followed by a knock. “Coming!” he yelled, pulling himself out of me, the sudden friction sending goosebumps racing across my skin.“Who’s at the door?” I asked, palms suddenly clammy, pushing myself to stand up straight.With zero concern and maximum annoyance at the interruption, he carried me to the bed.“I’ll find out,” he said, setting me down and tucking the covers over me as though I’d vanish into the bedspread.I watched as he threw on boxers and a robe, his muscular back rippling as he strode out.From where I am, I couldn’t see a thing, but the sound of my dad’s chipper voice hit me like a slap as Valerian opened the door.“Shit!” I hissed, sinking deeper under the blanket, as though it co
Sitting on a flat rock, my eyes twinkled. Valerian really took me to an unforgettable place.I lost count of how many times I complained about walking along the trail, but as soon as we sat here and just stared at the night view, I had to admit that the dark hike was worth it— even if I had become the mosquitoes' dinner on our way here."Whoa..." I chuckled, biting my lower lip to stifle my enthusiasm about what was in front of me."Since you're a 'sucker' for nature views, feast your eyes on Hudson Valley's beauty," he said, gesturing his hand in the air before joining me—eating up all the space beside me. "Let's appreciate the 'beauty' for a while."My playful mind wandered to what he meant by 'sucker.'Glancing at him from the corner of my eye, I could see how he was looking at me."The view is in front of us, Valerian, not on my face."He only hummed before following my gaze. "I'd like to be the guy I failed to be when we were together. My only question is... how. I want to know h
"You're going on a bed date with Valerian the hottie, not off to church to play Mother Teresa!" Bree chirped, watching as I checked myself out in the mirror.The minute I walked into the room, her judgmental eyes locked onto me. I had no choice but to give her a bit of the story—well, not everything.Seriously, this woman has eyes everywhere."Look, I’m not actually going to his room. What am I, a bimbo?" I said, wrapping my coat around my waist. "I'm heading out. I need some air.""Because he banged you hard on that yacht?" she shot back, smirking as she poured herself tea."Very decent of you, Bree," I snarked, flipping my hair back and grabbing my purse. "If Dad asks, tell him I went out to date myself.""Yourself, or with your Valerian?" she teased.I shook my head, left the room, and made a beeline for the elevator, low-key terrified Valerian might catch me sneaking out.How did things happen so quickly? I could barely keep up.I ended up down by the dock, staring at rows of yach
"This dinner looks like my last supper," I remarked, eyeing the lavish treat laid out before me—so many dishes that they practically mocked the ability of my stomach. "Are you planning to kill me tonight?"A low, seductive chuckle slipped from Valerian's lips as he gestured for the sommelier to pour us each a glass of champagne. "I took your energy earlier, didn’t I? Thought you could use some refueling. You’ll need all the strength you can get because, believe me, I’m planning to take it again after dinner."Valerian was true to his word, and he held nothing back. He knew exactly how to make me let my guard down, and it was far too effective.My legs were still trembling, and I felt a delicious soreness between them. He was strong, healthy, and insatiable. And me? Just a poor, enamored girl with a weakness for him."Very considerate of you to give me a forewarning," I said with mock sarcasm, leaning in to whisper, "But don’t you think owning me all over that yacht was enough?"I glan
"Gotcha!" Panic flooded through me. For a second, I thought I was getting dragged under by a kraken—turned out it was just some jackass thinking it'd be hilarious to play a prank on me. I splashed water right in his face, swimming away as his laugh echoed across the entire ocean. "Motherfucker! You think that's funny?" I yelled, heading back toward the yacht. But before I could climb on, Valerian pulled me—not by my arm, leg, or waist, but by the ribbon of my bikini top. "Oops..." he chuckled, as my glare burned into him. "Didn't mean to; my hand just did it on its own." He ran a hand through his wet hair, flexing his muscles and giving me one more reason to feel weak in the knees and wet my pussy. "I so hate you right now," I grumbled, narrowing my eyes as I splashed him again. With a mock pout, he swam closer, slipping an arm around my waist to hold me still. "That's sweet," he whispered, tugging my top and tossing it onto the deck. "Love you too, Ellie." Control? Yeah, the o
"You’re saying you brought me here just to leave me?" I confronted Dad as soon as he told me to stay put in the hotel while he checked the plantation with Bree. He adjusted his necktie in the mirror, tilting his head awkwardly. "As you know, your sister knows more about business than you, and Breeden insisted on coming with me. Besides, I told you to look around, have fun, and breathe in the air you desperately need." "It’s weird hearing it like that," I shot back with sarcasm. "I should’ve just flown back to the coast. At least the resort needs me." Excuses... excuses... "Any good businessperson knows their company survives with or without them physically present," he lectured, straightening up to face me. "How do I look?" "Like a fifty-year-old trying way too hard to impress someone younger than his daughters," I deadpanned, making him chuckle. "But seriously, Dad, I can’t just stay here. And if you forgot again, you still owe me an explanation." He checked his watch. "I bette
My left eye kept twitching, and no, it’s not because I lack magnesium—or his cum! I mean, it’s not about lacking anything in my body; it’s all because of the anger, the fury, the raging flames inside me, and just me embodying the temperature of hell all mixed up. Summer is supposed to be hot; I get that. But it didn’t help me extinguish the burning rage within. "Dad said you have an impressive talent, E! I watched the video, and it was superb!" Bree chimed in enthusiastically as she plopped herself on the couch next to me, checking her neon green nails. "It was almost Broadway-level drama. I should've been there." Last night was the most embarrassing moment of my life. How many times do I need to remind myself never to get drunk? I drunkenly drove in my lingerie and robe, broke down and cried, and ended up getting pranked, a little? But it was all my father's fault. Valerian was in the hospital, sleeping, because he got punched in the jaw by some huge brawny guy after causing a s
"When a person plays with their food, it usually means two things: they don't like it, or they're thinking about something." Dad's voice pulled me out of my trance. "I'm assuming it's the latter since you're a big fan of my pasta dishes. So, what's bothering you?" Discussing my weaknesses wasn't my favorite thing to do, and my problems weren't exactly the topic I wanted to talk about. Forcing a smile, I crunched my nose, hoping I could pull off the act of a great liar. “It’s—” “Nothing? Yeah, I thought so,” he interrupted, swirling his wine. “But what’s that nothing about? I’m curious.” I shrugged, still feeling the ghost of Valerian’s touch on my shoulders. I twirled some pasta on my fork. “I’m just being a woman,” I mumbled, taking a bite even though I had no appetite. Dad sipped his wine. “Does being a woman make you a liar?” I almost choked. “What? No!” "What am I going to expect? I've encountered so many women in my life, and all of them have this unusual att
Rub two stones together, you get fire. Pour oil on it, it burns brighter. But between Valerian and I, we made a wildfire that lasted for hours.I was still catching my breath, eyes closed, feeling his kisses trailing a path from my lips down to my neck. Licking and nibbling my skin. It was like a freaking inferno down there.My hands, weak as a kitten's, lifted to run through his hair."Please," I thought, "just a little more," I wanted to say but my whole body was so weak, so exhausted, and so... used.Valerian was a freaking machine. Still had the energy for more.His hands, big and strong, were all over me, soothing me, while his kisses took whatever was left of me."Tired?" he whispered in my ear, lifting his head to meet my sleepy eyes."Very," I admitted, leaning my face into his hand that was resting on my cheek."Regretting asking me to fuck you hard?" he teased, that wide grin plastered across his face. "Pussy sore badly, huh?""Shut up," I rolled my eyes, pushing him away wi