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Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Office Shenanigans (I)
BRIANNA The next day at work, I tried to focus on my tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to the encounter with my mother. My phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I saw my mother's name flashing. I peeked at Jayden, who was engrossed on his screen. I wasn't sure he would let me pick up the call. I swiped it and returned to work, thinking, 'Maybe I'll call back later.' The phone started ringing again, and I decided to mute it. I looked up and found Jayden staring at me. "Aren't you going to take that?" he asked. "It's not important," I said, pushing it aside. We both continued to work, but the phone kept vibrating. "Pick your call, Brianna, it's fine," Jayden waved me off. I took a deep breath and stepped outside Jayden's office to answer the call. "Hey, Mom," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady. "Brianna, sweetheart! How have you been?" my mother's voice echoed through the phone, a hint of genuine concern in her tone. "I'm managing,
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Family (II)
JAYDEN As I stepped out of my sleek black car, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. The click of my Italian leather shoes echoed through the marble foyer. In the expansive living room, my half-brother, Ethan, reclined on a couch, engrossed in his tablet. The two brothers nodded. “Long day at the office, Jay?” Ethan asked, not looking up from his device. “You have no idea,” I replied, loosening my tie as I moved further into the manor. My mother, Eleanor Steele, stood at the top of the stairs, an imposing figure with a stern countenance. Her disdain for Ethan, my half-brother, was apparent, a constant reminder of the infidelity that had fractured our family. “Jayden,” Eleanor nodded, her piercing gaze assessing me. “Mother,” I replied with a curt nod, keeping my composure. Ethan’s eyes flickered between us, silently observing. He knew his presence was the reason for a lot of our disagreements. I moved towards the stairs, the air heavy with tens
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Hello (II)
BRIANNA I had returned to work. Most of the day was spent in the office, so I didn’t have to deal with the bitches downstairs. Jayden seemed swamped with some proposals, so we were busy. After endless papers and clauses, Jayden finally decided the proposals were perfect. I stretched as I walked away from the table, looking for something to drink. I glanced at the time and frowned. It was almost closing hour. Just how many papers did we go through? “Brianna?” Jayden called from his desk, dark eyes meeting mine as I looked up. “Yes?” He stared at my outfit for a few minutes, seemingly thinking about something. “What is it?” I asked, shifting on my feet. “We have a meeting at The Rutherford Tower in a few minutes. Get what you need; we’ll be closing from there,” he finally responded. “Oh, okay,” I said. Now I was looking at my outfit. The Rutherford Tower was an upscale skyscraper immersive restaurant in the most expensive suburb of the city. I rushed to the toilet to see what I co
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Old Faces
BRIANNA "I've been searching for you, Brianna," he said with a grin that revealed too much confidence. "Wasn't sure it was you at first. You've changed a lot." The blood drained from my face as I stared at him in shock. It was Luke, my ex-boyfriend from years ago. The memories of our toxic relationship flooded back, and I instinctively tried to pull my hand away. His grip tightened, and I winced, the pressure bruising my skin. "You shouldn't have come here," I managed to choke out, my eyes locked onto his. "Couldn't stay away, could I? Missed you, babe," Luke continued, his cold and predatory eyes tracing over me possessively. Fear coursed through my veins as I assessed my surroundings, searching for an escape route, an ally—anything. The restaurant's patrons continued their oblivious chatter, and it seemed no one paid attention to the waiter or the poorly dressed woman caught in an uncomfortable situation. "And Leo, too. How's our little guy?" Luke's voice lowered, sending a chi
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Thoughts
BRIANNAThe kiss caught me off guard, its suddenness and intensity leaving me breathless. Jayden's lips pressed against mine, a surprising warmth enveloping me. But just as quickly as it began, he pulled away, leaving me slightly dizzy. I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest that the kiss had ignited. He didn't let go, and I didn't want him to. His hand stayed on my waist, holding me flush against him. I rested my head against Jayden's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It lulled me into a warm sense of safety. We stood in the elevator, his arms around me, a comforting strength in his hold. The elevator chimed, and the doors opened to reveal the bustling lobby. Jayden led me towards the exit where the car was already waiting, still holding my hand. The ride back to wherever Jayden was taking me was silent. I stole glances at his profile, dishevelled appearance, and the blood splatters on his shirt—he had stepped up for me without hesitation. Sitting beside me, Jayde
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Office Shenanigans (II)
BRIANNA As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think about all that had happened. Back when... I never expected to see Luke again, and certainly not this way. Our relationship had started so well. He had come into my life soon after I found out I was pregnant with Leo. He had been nothing but kind and supportive, making sure I didn’t fall into depression from overthinking. We went places I had never thought of going and tried new things together. We even decorated the nursery together. There were certain things he did that were a bit untoward, like having the final say, trying to isolate me from friends and coworkers, saying things like “Oh, I just want it to be the two of us,” or “I’m your best friend; you don’t need anyone else,” Luke’s once-charming demeanour became overshadowed by possessiveness, and his eyes betrayed a simmering rage beneath the surface—one moment, showering affection; the next, succumbing to an explosive rage over trivial matters. As our relationshi
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Talks
JAYDEN Walking into the house that evening, I already knew something was up. My mother was seated with Ethan, and they weren't in the middle of an argument. "Evening," I said, making my way straight to the stairs. "Evening son, I would like to have a word with you," she said. "Yes? Is there something you need me for?" I asked, standing at the base of the stairs. "Come now, child, I can't cram my neck to speak to you. Come sit," she said, waving towards one of the couches. I sighed and walked over; I had things to do. "I am busy, mother; let's keep this short," I said, sitting across from her. Ethan cast a questioning look my way. I gave him a subtle nod, signalling that I had no idea what was going on. As I settled onto the couch, my mother wasted no time in getting to the point. "Where did you say you went on Tuesday?" she asked, drawing my attention back to her. "What?" I frowned, confused at the sudden interrogation session. "Where were you last Tuesday?" she asked a
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Talks (II)
As I stepped into the office, the usual buzz of activity seemed overshadowed by tension. I had hoped that the chaos would stay confined to the online world, but as I glanced around the office, I realized that was wishful thinking. Colleagues huddled in small groups, whispering fervently and casting furtive glances in my direction. I ignored their stares, heading straight for the elevator, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. "Did you see those photos of Jayden and that mystery woman?" "Yeah, who do you think she is?" "She's probably just another one of his flings. I mean, why else would she be with him?" My fists clenched. These fools were always thinking with their lower halves. Everyone in the world was as fickle as them. "Hey, Brianna," one of my colleagues called out, a sly smirk on her face. "Did you see the news about Jayden's new girl? Seems like you might know her since you're always hanging out with the boss." I forced a polite smile, trying to brush off the insinuatio
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Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Gala Night (IV)
JAYDENThe door to my office slammed shut behind me, rattling the framed photos of my family on the wall. I leaned against the desk, my pulse still racing, trying to push down the anger clawing at my chest. The night had gone to hell, and it was all because of Brianna. Or maybe because of Marcus.Damn Marcus.I ran my hand through my hair, tugging hard at the roots as I stared blankly at the floor. Every time I saw Brianna with him earlier, it twisted something deep inside me, something dark and possessive. He had no business being around her, not like that, with his stupid charming smile and easy-going demeanour. She had smiled at him. She had laughed with him. She hadn’t listened to me at all, Stylsmin was not a good set of people to be around.What was I doing? My head pounded, my thoughts a chaotic mess. I could still hear the click of Brianna’s heels as she walked away from me earlier, her back stiff and her shoulders squared. I hated how that walk always drove me insane. That pe
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Gala Night (III)
JAYDENI watched her from across the room, my eyes narrowing as I noticed the way she laughed with him. Marcus Stylsmin. I knew him well enough—an up-and-coming business tycoon with a reputation for being charming. Brianna threw her head back and laughed again. Too charming.I adjusted my cufflinks, a practised motion that helped me maintain my calm. Olivia's shrill laughter was grating to my ears, but I barely registered it. My focus was on Brianna. She looked relaxed, almost happy, in a way she hadn't looked for a while now."Jayden, are you even listening?" Olivia's voice cut through my thoughts.I hummed absentmindedly, it was probably her usual nonsense about travelling and clothing brands.My gaze flicked back to Brianna and Marcus. They had moved to a more secluded corner, and Marcus was pouring her a drink. My jaw tightened. The hell were they thinking? "Excuse me," I said, not really caring for a response as I left Olivia's side and made my way through the crowd. The annoy
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Gala Night (II)
BRIANNA I sighed as I sipped my drink, watching the guests talk to one another. Jayden had ensured I was by his side for most of the night after the run-in with Alexander. I was confused as to why he was so tense. Well, I mean, I guess I get that Alexander gave off a weird vibe that didn't sit well with me, but Jayden was acting like Alexander had tried to run off with his fianceé. I took another sip as I watched Jayden and his real fianceé from across the room. She had probably had enough of us standing together and came to drag Jayden away a few minutes ago. She kept talking and laughing quite obnoxiously. Even with the music and conversations, I could still hear her. The fundraiser officially started after long speeches and the whole Steele family, plus Jayden's fiance had moved to the stage for that. I had tried to follow, as his assistant, don't get me wrong, but some bitch Jayden hadn't introduced me to yet had stopped me and asked if I was slow, saying something like "Try not
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Gala Night
BRIANNA The day of the Gala finally came. It was to be held at the Steele manor. Yes, I had been there a couple of times now, but I never went past the living room and Jayden’s study, so seeing the greenhouse area be turned into this huge outdoor dining space was definitely something. The crunch of gravel beneath my heels echoed softly in the stillness of the afternoon. Glancing down at my outfit, I smoothed out the fabric of the dress. The deep blue hue complemented my complexion, and I chose a subtle smoky eye for my makeup. Jayden had said to make a statement, so I went for the last dress I tried on that day. I decided to leave my hair down so it fell in loose waves around my shoulders, the soft curls framing my face gently. My crystal stud earrings caught the sunlight as I walked down the path. It was a chance to mingle with the city's elite, network, and maybe even make some valuable connections. But they have been rude, condescending, and irritable since I started working
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Who are you?
BRIANNAWhen I arrived at work the next day, I half-expected Jayden to act as if the dressing room incident hadn't happened, as he usually does. However, he surprised me by complimenting my outfit, causing me to blush when I realized I was wearing a green dress.Things felt tense whenever our hands brushed or our eyes met. I found myself making excuses to leave the room, unsure of how to handle this sudden directness from him.I stepped out to retrieve some documents for Jayden to sign and encountered some men dressed in expensive suits and slicked-back hair. They walked past me as if I didn't exist, which irked me, though I was in a hurry.There was something about them that gave me the creeps.They stepped into Jayden's office without knocking. "Steele! I brought mt man over for some business." one of them shoutd as they entered."Lucas, it's been a while," I heard Jayden's voice trail off as the door closed."Mr. Steele, I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me," Mr. Larms
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Day Out (i)
BRIANNA After my meeting with my mom, I was in a bad mood. I threw myself into work, and the Gala preparations made that easy. The hum of the city outside provided a steady backdrop to the muted office atmosphere.Jayden sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed on me as I tried to organise the day’s reports. After a prolonged silence, Jayden’s voice cut through the ambient hum. “Ria,” he called, his tone low and deliberate. “Why do you keep dressing like that?” I looked down at my cotton gown. I agree that it had seen better days, but why did Jayden have to ask about it like that? “Like what?” I retorted, meeting his gaze. “Your wardrobe is hardly suitable for the image I want to project.” His steel blue eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “What’s wrong with my wardrobe?” I challenged. He circled the desk, his steps deliberate and measured. His gaze swept over my outfit, a calculated assessment that left me feeling exposed. “It lacks sophistica
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Talks (II)
As I stepped into the office, the usual buzz of activity seemed overshadowed by tension. I had hoped that the chaos would stay confined to the online world, but as I glanced around the office, I realized that was wishful thinking. Colleagues huddled in small groups, whispering fervently and casting furtive glances in my direction. I ignored their stares, heading straight for the elevator, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. "Did you see those photos of Jayden and that mystery woman?" "Yeah, who do you think she is?" "She's probably just another one of his flings. I mean, why else would she be with him?" My fists clenched. These fools were always thinking with their lower halves. Everyone in the world was as fickle as them. "Hey, Brianna," one of my colleagues called out, a sly smirk on her face. "Did you see the news about Jayden's new girl? Seems like you might know her since you're always hanging out with the boss." I forced a polite smile, trying to brush off the insinuatio
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Talks
JAYDEN Walking into the house that evening, I already knew something was up. My mother was seated with Ethan, and they weren't in the middle of an argument. "Evening," I said, making my way straight to the stairs. "Evening son, I would like to have a word with you," she said. "Yes? Is there something you need me for?" I asked, standing at the base of the stairs. "Come now, child, I can't cram my neck to speak to you. Come sit," she said, waving towards one of the couches. I sighed and walked over; I had things to do. "I am busy, mother; let's keep this short," I said, sitting across from her. Ethan cast a questioning look my way. I gave him a subtle nod, signalling that I had no idea what was going on. As I settled onto the couch, my mother wasted no time in getting to the point. "Where did you say you went on Tuesday?" she asked, drawing my attention back to her. "What?" I frowned, confused at the sudden interrogation session. "Where were you last Tuesday?" she asked a
Lust and Luxury: A Billionaire's Return Office Shenanigans (II)
BRIANNA As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think about all that had happened. Back when... I never expected to see Luke again, and certainly not this way. Our relationship had started so well. He had come into my life soon after I found out I was pregnant with Leo. He had been nothing but kind and supportive, making sure I didn’t fall into depression from overthinking. We went places I had never thought of going and tried new things together. We even decorated the nursery together. There were certain things he did that were a bit untoward, like having the final say, trying to isolate me from friends and coworkers, saying things like “Oh, I just want it to be the two of us,” or “I’m your best friend; you don’t need anyone else,” Luke’s once-charming demeanour became overshadowed by possessiveness, and his eyes betrayed a simmering rage beneath the surface—one moment, showering affection; the next, succumbing to an explosive rage over trivial matters. As our relationshi
