"It might help if you describe to us what style you're looking for," the female representative explained, "That way, we can find a selection of dresses you can try on. If you dislike the style, we can always try something different." "Something not so white," I tried to express myself, "Do you have anything red or black? Or both?" The female representative made an uncomfortable smile, "I can have a look to see what we have." Once she left, I stopped my fake smile and looked at the champagne; I could use a drink. "Jeez," Tanya expressed, "Black? Do you think anywhere will carry that type of dress?" "I don't care," I scoffed. I caved; I needed a drink. I began pouring a glass. "What are you doing?!" Tanya rushed and pulled the glass from my grasp, "You're pregnant!" I covered my face. If only I could express how unhappy I was about this, but if I did, she'd convince me to run here and now, and I wouldn't hesitate to follow. "Then add a ton of ice and fill most of it wi
It was the night before our wedding rehearsal. To say I was nervous was an understatement. The thought of marrying Zeus so soon made my stomach turn in knots to the point where I was throwing up every day. I blamed it on morning sickness. Why was he pressing so hard? What was the point? If everything he said was true, why did he want to marry me so soon? Yes, his explanation was sound, but why the hard push? "You look stunning!" Tanya beamed, "That dress is perfect for tomorrow!" "I mean, she did put a rush on all the dresses. I'm surprised she got all four done in such a short amount of time," I commented. I love how our dresses are nearly identical—just the sleeves are different." "So expensive," she added. "Yeah, never had a dress so nice, not even when Callista and Dimitri bought them," I concurred. Knock. Knock. Knock. "Come in," I called. Eric entered my room. He was so handsome. His wet, loose, touseled hair fell around his face. He was wearing a black suit wi
I looked in the mirror at myself. The wedding dress was exactly as I described it to Pnina. The cape she made for me was perfect, with its black lace choker, shoulder coverings, and red mesh train perfectly matching the dress. I didn't eat anything to fit into it; I was gaining weight faster than I realized. It was a struggle pulling the dress up over my hips. The makeup artist and hairstylist gave me a vamp look with smoky black eyes and a deep red lip. I was already so pale I looked like I was walking to my death, which I suppose I was in a sense. How was this any different than selling your soul to the devil? "Wow," I heard a whisper from behind me. I turned to see Tanya standing in her stunning bridesmaid dress, choking back tears. "Do I look okay?" I asked. I felt self-conscious because of my weight gain. "You look breathtaking," she smiled, "You look like you." I smiled as she walked over and held both of my hands in hers. "I'm nervous," I shuttered. "You have Er
"She should be okay," a female muffled voice echoed in my throbbing mind. "Why hasn't she woken up yet?" a less muffled man's voice replied. "She will," the female's voice came into focus. I blinked the blur from my eyes to see an office-like ceiling above me. I raised my arm to feel something strange taped to it. I glanced down to see some form of IV in my arm. "Ivy!" Tanya exclaimed. I looked to my right to see Eric gripping my hand and Tanya rubbing my leg. I studied my surroundings to conclude that I was in the hospital. "What happened?" I croaked. Tanya held my cup of water and put the straw in my mouth. "I can do that-" "Drink!" she ordered. I gulped down two cups of water before being able to prop myself up. "Easy," Eric warned as he helped. "What happened?" I repeated. Eric and Tanya nervously looked at one another. "I remember the fight with Eve," I commented while wracking my foggy brain, "I remember seeing you laying there with blood coming out o
When I left the hospital, Zeus did everything I asked except write me a five-million-dollar check. The note he went with it explained that he wanted to make sure I was taken care of for the rest of my life. Little did he know that I used the money to book a first-class ticket to Monterey, CA, buy a two-million-dollar house on the beach, and never look back. I've lived here for nearly six months now. Waking up to the sounds of the waves crashing along the shoreline, followed by seagulls squawking, was peaceful. When I'd sit on my porch, all I could smell was the saltwater of the oceans, with the wind combining its fingers through my long red hair. The thought of the events that happened that day slowly faded away. Tanya and Eric were still in New York. Tanya couldn't leave until Cameron graduated from High School because of his football scholarship, and Eric was waiting for his apartment to be sold before he left. I was on my own again. I'd been going out every day, buying usel
I decided to accept Deacon's offer and come to the college. It wasn't a far walk from my beach house, making it convenient. Walking through the endless halls and classrooms, I finally came to a smaller building in the back. It was dark and quiet in this area of the college. I walked down the steps leading to two old brown double doors. I knocked before opening one of the handles, but they were locked. "Well, not here after all," I muttered to myself. I turned to walk back up the steps when I heard the bolt in luck. "Ivy! You came!" I heard Deacon's voice behind me. I rolled my eyes in annoyance; why did I come if I knew this would bother me so badly? I faked my best smile. "Yeah, I decided to see if you were a Professor or just trying to fuck me; I guess you won," I turned to leave when I felt a form rough hand seize my left wrist. "Wait, that's it? Come inside," he said. I didn't have a choice but to follow when he pulled me inside after him. It was small and dark, but
"Take off your clothes," Deacon ordered. I nervously laughed, "What?" "Take off your clothes," he repeated. "Why would I do that? Why can't you paint me dressed?" I defended. "Are you afraid?" he asked. "No, I'm not afraid to be seen naked," I scoffed. "Then what frightens you?" he questioned. I pressed my tongue to my cheek in annoyance. Can I not want to get naked in front of a man I barely know? It had been months since anyone had seen me naked. Perhaps I was a little anxious; why wouldn't I be? I don't know this man. I looked back at him and froze; I could have sworn I momentarily saw Zeus in Deacon's face. A pang of hurt hit me, and I didn't know how to feel. "I don't know," I confessed, "I don't know what's stopping me." With that confession, I dropped my purse to the ground and sat on the lounge chair. I fought the tears that were battling their way along my tear ducts. "I never meant to hurt you," he solemnly said, "I know how you feel. Unless someone bl
"That's all I could do," Deacon dropped his head in shame. There were balls of paper covering his feet and other attempts he had made while trying to sketch me. You can tell that he hadn't drawn in some time: the shaky lines and oblong faces to the langolier-like fingers. I looked back over at him to see his head still hanging low. "Hey, maybe I can come by after hours, and you can use me to practice until you get it right," I offered, "I'm sure it's like riding a bike, right?" "Don't you have to work?" he asked. "No, I don't work," I stated, "I could if I wanted to, but I don't." His confusion shined, "H-How-" "Buy me a drink, and I'll tell you all about it," I interrupted. "You don't need me to buy you a drink, remember?" he joked. "Shut up," I nudged him, "Come on, I'll buy you one." I strolled out of the classroom, and Deacon followed. Once we reached the bar, we met the bartender, who recognized me and brought out a shot glass with my bottle of Bushmills.
Only a few doctors in Ireland could get me a DNA test. Zeus did this on purpose, and he knew it. There was no way he couldn't find out who Aodhan's father was, and he had to change his money within the blink of an eye to ensure he was his father. "You knew what you were doing. Admit it, Zeus. You've always been a conniving, selfish man," Dimitri commented. Ivy wants to go back home and have a doctor of her choosing. Not to ensure that there were very few near here, so few that you could manipulate it into ending the way you want." "Which is what, exactly?" Zeus sighed, "Is this because I punished you? Are you still not over that?" "You're lucky I didn't kill you," Dimitri growled. "Did you like what I did to you? Is that it? Do you care about me-" Dimitri swung, his fist landing its target, Zeus's chin. Zeus staggered, a small trickle of crimson blood seeping from the corner of his lips. The sadistic smile that came across his face said it all. The blood coming across
"There's no way Rowan is your son," I stated, "I'm going to do this DNA test with a doctor I choose. One you have never met and will never meet. Doctor Rick can go fuck himself if he thinks I'll believe anything he says to me." I threw the DNA papers on the floor. Their results had to be faked. There's no way he's Aodhan's father. Then again, how would I know? If he is Aodhan's father, there's no way I'd let him know. The type of man he is scares me. "What makes you think I've ever agreed to something like that?" Zeus scoffed. I dropped my head, taking a step closer to Zeus, making sure that he knew I was serious, "If you mess with me or my son, if you even think it, I'll shoot you again." Zeus cleared his throat before walking to the window, "How am I supposed to believe that?" "You don't have a choice," I glared. "What makes you-" "Try me, Zeus!" I hollered. My voice echoing the walls of his new mansion. From all the information I gathered, Doctor Rick and his team
Zeus's hand never left my wrist until we were in the air. Strangely, he ensured we were through a bottle of champagne before speaking with me. He knew I was nicer when drunk. Asshole. "I thought I killed you," I huffed. "You're not a good shot," Zeus confessed, "But I am a good actor. "I saw the blood, the bullet hit you," I reminded. "No, Reign's bullet hit me," he corrected, "You missed entirely." "You killed Eric!" I cried while tossing my drink in his face, "You sorry, son of a bitch!" With that, Zeus sprung up, jerking me with ease, stumbling over his knee. "No!" I cried out. Zeus spanked me so hard it brought tears to my eyes. "Please! Stop!" I cried out in pain, "Agh!" Zeus abruptly tossed me to the ground as the jet landed. I rubbed my ass, the soreness made it unbearable to stand. Zeus threw me over his shoulder. "Put me down!" I demanded, "Now, Zeus!" This was all too familiar. We'd done this before. No matter how much I fought, his strength overwhe
The next few months proved to be a struggle. In addition to gaining another twenty pounds, I grew tired more frequently. Trying to keep the peace with Ariel was proven difficult; she wasn't as open to Reign and Dimitri as I was. They were there, though, the moment I went into labor. All three of them were there when I needed them most. I was now two months postpartum, and they made it so easy that I didn't even feel like a mother to my newborn son, Rowan. "Hey, we were going to go grocery shopping. Is there anything in particular you want?" Dimitri asked. "No, thanks, though," I smiled while pecking the two of them on the cheek. "Mom! Can I go with them?!" Aodhan added. "Of course," I agreed, "No sugar." "Awe!" he groaned before running after Dimitri and Reign. "Finally, alone," a deep, terrifying voice filled my spine. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. A silent tear of fear trickled down my cheek. I trembled, unwilling to turn and put a face to the voi
Weeks passed, and Ariel didn't pick up the phone or call. Dimitri and Regin have taken great care of my son and me. Being nearly six months pregnant, I'm starting to show. I only gained thirty pounds with Aodhan, and the doctor told me I wouldn't be getting much more significant than my first, so I wasn't worried. "Hey," Reign entered my room. I was standing in the window doorway, watching the sunset. "Are you hungry?" Reign asked, "Do you need anything from the store?" "Why do you love me?" I asked. Reign ran his hands through his hair, "No foreplay, just straight to it. Truth be told, I don't know myself. When I close my eyes, I think about fucking you. Every time. I would love to have you to myself, but Dimitri also loves you." "How do you know that?" I questioned. Reign walked gently towards me and tenderly held my left hand in his right, "Do you truly think he or I would endure knowing that you will be with whomever you want, and we'll never leave? Now that you
Dimitri continued to unsparingly spank me with his belt as Reign held me in place. I was unable to do anything but take the punishment they gave. Something cold and thick dripped down the crevice of my cheeks, causing a tremble that rattled me to my core. Before I could object, I felt a finger shove its way up my ass. "Agh-" Reign covered my mouth to prevent my son from hearing as Dimitri shoved his finger in and out of my ass relentlessly. Tears of pleasure began streaming down my cheeks. "Shh," Reign hushed as he spanked me while Dimitri's fingers were still inside. My muffled cries only encouraged the both of them more. Reign shifted beneath me, sliding a finger of his inside of my slick opening. Being fingered by both ends was something I wasn't used to. The burning pleasure and feeling my holes expanding with each thrust almost caused me to cry out in ecstasy. I dug my nails into Reign's chest and arched back into each thrust. "Fuck!" I cried out. Reign's fingers
"We're back!" Dimitri announced. "Mom! I learned how to ride a bike-" "What happened to your knee?" I interjected. "Calm down, all kids scrape their knees," Reign hushed. "I fell a few times," Aodhan said sadly, dropping his head, 'But I did it!" "He did. We got a video for you," Reign confirmed while extending his phone. I glanced at the phone and then at my son, "Why don't you go shower? Dinner's almost ready." I watched the video of Aodhan successfully learning to ride the bike for the first time—the victorious look on his face from succeeding. "You aren't going to leave, are you?' I questioned. "No," they replied in unison. "Nervously, I bit my lower lip, "Well, I work a lot with the bar, and I can't be home as often as I'd like, and Aodhan looks happy that you're here." They both perked up in a pompous way. "If I think you need to leave," I warned while closing the gap between us, "Then you leave." "We're not leaving-" "I'm not negotiating," I interr
How could this happen? How did they find out?! What do I do now? "Why don't you both just leave? You won't get the answers you want," I grimly groaned while drinking my espresso. "We know he's one of ours. We won't be leaving," Dimitri responded while cooking breakfast. "We'll both stay and raise him if you insist on not having a DNA test to see which of us is his father," Reign added. With a frustrated grunt, I tossed my espresso aside and wanted nothing more than a drink. Only I couldn't drink. This situation was making my head spin in circles. "You think you can just move into my home?" I snapped. "I think you'll let us," Dimitri replied. "Why's that?" I huffed. Dimitri's eyes met mine. Fuck. Why did he have to be so handsome? "I'm a good father, and Reign is an exceptional young man. We both love you. We'll both love Aodhan in the same way. We have a right to be in his life. He shouldn't grow up thinking he had a father that didn't love him," Dimitri stated.
The dinner was nice, but Cameron's intentions were clear. Anyone with a brain would know what he wanted. Ironically, all I could think about was Dimitri and Reign. One of them was the father of Aodhan, and now, my baby is growing in my belly. I didn't want anyone but both of them. Sure, Cameron was a very handsome young man, but I don't feel like having another man's cock shoved up in me with my son in there. I decided to talk at home; it was a beautiful, warm night. Ring. Ring. Ring. "Ariel, how's it going? Everything okay?" I answered. "Well, there's two men here, Dimitri and Reign, and they said they needed to talk to you about Aodhan?" Ariel said. I felt my heart sink to my stomach. I froze, the tightness in my throat growing, making it more and more difficult to breathe. My lips began to tingle, a numbness filling me. Without thought, I started sprinting home. "How long have they been there?" I panted. "They just got here. That's why I called," she replied, "I