It was a Friday, and all day long Sofia had tried her best to avoid Ethan, even though all the forbidden pulls were pulling her toward him. Amber's words kept playing in her mind the entire day. Ethan had not failed to notice that Sofia was disturbed, but she had made excuses every time he asked, avoiding the closeness every single second he made advances.When Ethan stepped out earlier that evening, Sofia felt a wave of both relief and anger wash over her. He wanted him close, just like he wanted him away. His going out meant that she wouldn't have a hard time pretending that she didn't want him, or his touch, or even his riddles."Well, aren't you done yet? Almost everyone has left already." Liz asked in a rash as she sauntered into the office.Sofia looked up from the computer, shaking her head. "Not yet. I have a few things to go over before I can leave. But it won't take long. In thirty, I will be done."Liz frowned, her expression pleading. "Sorry, bestie, I can't wait up for yo
With shaky legs, she stood and walked over to Ethan’s chair across from hers. It still carried his scent—a mix of cedarwood and secretion that only intensified her yearning. She placed her phone on the table, propelling it up so the picture was still in view. Her fingers fumbled as she climbed onto the desk, the cool surface sending a shiver through her heated body. Her skirt hiked up her thighs as she sat on her knees, leaning toward the phone. “Ethan,” she whispered, his name falling from her lips like a prayer. Her eyes remained fixed on his image, on the thick, throbbing length he had so shamelessly shown her. It was definitely intentional. He knew he would get into her. He knew what the picture would do to her, and she just could not control it.It was right there, staring right at her, tormenting her. And she imagined it—the bulge teasing her entrance, stroking her, seeking entrance. It was huge, something that was supposed to worry her, but she conformed to a moth under heat
Her face burned crimson as she backed into the edge of the desk, her hands gripping the surface for support. “I don’t know what came over me,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Ethan tilted his head, his eyes roaming over her disheveled appearance—the undone buttons of her blouse revealing the swell of her breasts, her flushed cheeks, her trembling hands. “Really? You did not know what came over you, huh?” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “You know exactly what came over you.” His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she swallowed hard, her knees threatening to give way under his penetrating stare. Of course, her white lie sounded like a joke to Ethan. Even she almost laughed at herself for trying to sell such a cheap lie.Ethan set the phone down on the desk and leaned in, placing his hands on either side of her, caging her in. The scent of his cologne surrounded her, intoxicating and overwhelming, burning her whole.“I sent that picture for a reason,” he mur
Sofia had never been more nervous in her entire life than she was that day. After the long, nerve-wracking stare they had outside the door of Ethan’s office, he just led her out without a word, and like a confused puppy, she followed without hesitation.The ride from the familiar to the unfamiliar streets felt like an eternity. Silence was the only sound in the car, and both Amber and Liz’s words crashed into her head. One had warned her to steer clear of the man beside her, while the other encouraged her to fight for what her heart yearned for. And there was Ethan, taking her to the unknown. The thrill was strong.Night had subdued the night, yet the car greased past the sprawling Savannah and towering acacia trees, her mind still racing with the overwhelming thoughts. Ethan seemed composed, seemingly appreciating the silence as if a single word would cause a distraction he couldn’t handle.After about an hour of silent driving, they arrive at Ethan's bungalow, tucked away in the ser
Sofia's hands trembled as she sorted through the documents on Ethan's desk, trying her hardest to ignore the weight of his gaze. His eyes hadn't left her since she walked into the office that morning, and she could feel her heartbeat quicken every time he moved in his chair. His powerful presence made it hard to breathe, let alone concentrate. Like always, she tried to shake it off, but the heat kept burning her. Even with the distance between them, it felt like there was really no distance between them. He felt so close.Ethan sank into his leather chair, his expression indecipherable. "Sofia," his voice was deep, almost a growl, cutting through the silence of the room. "Are you sure you are working on the files, or do you have a special file in your mind that you are trying to work on?"Her hands froze on the papers, but she didn't look up. How could she? The man knew she was not herself. The man could tell how much effect he had on her. "I don't know what you mean, sir." She mumble
Their kissing was cut short by the ringing of the phone. They both let out growls of frustration as they broke the kiss, Sofia rushing to her duties.Her breath was still uneven even after all the efforts she had employed to stabilize it as she picked up the call, "Mr. Montereal's secretary speaking." She took the phone from her ear to get some more breath to stabilize herself. She saw Ethan smirk at her unbalanced self as he walked back to his desk."This is the reception desk. Please inform the boss that the Vandaal's company president has arrived. He is waiting for him in the meeting chamber." The receptionist spoke.Sofia nodded, gathering the files. "Serve him our usual and let him know that Mr. Montereal will be with him shortly."She dropped the call and spiraled up, almost colliding with Ethan, who met her halfway. She stepped back, creating some distance between them. "You were all over me a minute ago, and now you are shy?" He spokeShe cleared her throat, stubbing down the
The moment stretched to eternity. The lady's blue eyes pierced around them in a way that made them feel small and irrelevant before her."I see that there is so much less work in this company in that all you petty pests can do best around here is just gossip, right?" The lady spoke in utter scorn, her eyes resting on Sofia."We are sorry, miss...""Sorry for your lazy, miserable ass!" Her insult echoed in the entire office, making Liz lean back in shock and shame. "Is this where you are assigned to work?" She added.Liz shook her head, bowing down. "No, miss.""Then I want you back to where you are stationed if you don't want to be jobless in the next one minute!" She ordered.Liz ran out after excusing herself, while Sofia was still swallowed in bewilderment. The woman didn't look familiar to her at all. Who she was and what authority she possessed to treat them like that was still a puzzle she was trying to crack in her head. However, something about her felt familiar."Goodness! Wh
The air in the office thickened with tension. Even the said fiancee, who was so full of herself a minute prior, seemed to have swallowed her tongue. Sofia was torn between the lady selling her off to her fiancee and fathoming how Ethan would react."What in the world are you doing here?" Ethan's stern voice echoed. He had walked a few steps further, avoiding his desk, which left Sofia confused. She wondered if that was the expected reception of a couple. I mean, what happened to hugging and kissing? Even just a 'hi babe?' wasn't heard anywhere."Then again, what do I know about the rich people? All I know is that they are all strange in all aspects," Sofia said inwardly.She cleared her voice, deciding to save her boss the trouble of having to figure out what happened. "I am sorry, Sir Ethan. I was just about to go get your fiance some coffee. Excuse me, sir. I will be right back," she excused herself, avoiding eye contact with him at all costs. How was she supposed to look at him?"O
Sofia had never been more nervous in her entire life than she was that day. After the long, nerve-wracking stare they had outside the door of Ethan’s office, he just led her out without a word, and like a confused puppy, she followed without hesitation.The ride from the familiar to the unfamiliar streets felt like an eternity. Silence was the only sound in the car, and both Amber and Liz’s words crashed into her head. One had warned her to steer clear of the man beside her, while the other encouraged her to fight for what her heart yearned for. And there was Ethan, taking her to the unknown. The thrill was strong.Night had subdued the night, yet the car greased past the sprawling Savannah and towering acacia trees, her mind still racing with the overwhelming thoughts. Ethan seemed composed, seemingly appreciating the silence as if a single word would cause a distraction he couldn’t handle.After about an hour of silent driving, they arrive at Ethan's bungalow, tucked away in the ser
Her face burned crimson as she backed into the edge of the desk, her hands gripping the surface for support. “I don’t know what came over me,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Ethan tilted his head, his eyes roaming over her disheveled appearance—the undone buttons of her blouse revealing the swell of her breasts, her flushed cheeks, her trembling hands. “Really? You did not know what came over you, huh?” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “You know exactly what came over you.” His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she swallowed hard, her knees threatening to give way under his penetrating stare. Of course, her white lie sounded like a joke to Ethan. Even she almost laughed at herself for trying to sell such a cheap lie.Ethan set the phone down on the desk and leaned in, placing his hands on either side of her, caging her in. The scent of his cologne surrounded her, intoxicating and overwhelming, burning her whole.“I sent that picture for a reason,” he mur
With shaky legs, she stood and walked over to Ethan’s chair across from hers. It still carried his scent—a mix of cedarwood and secretion that only intensified her yearning. She placed her phone on the table, propelling it up so the picture was still in view. Her fingers fumbled as she climbed onto the desk, the cool surface sending a shiver through her heated body. Her skirt hiked up her thighs as she sat on her knees, leaning toward the phone. “Ethan,” she whispered, his name falling from her lips like a prayer. Her eyes remained fixed on his image, on the thick, throbbing length he had so shamelessly shown her. It was definitely intentional. He knew he would get into her. He knew what the picture would do to her, and she just could not control it.It was right there, staring right at her, tormenting her. And she imagined it—the bulge teasing her entrance, stroking her, seeking entrance. It was huge, something that was supposed to worry her, but she conformed to a moth under heat
It was a Friday, and all day long Sofia had tried her best to avoid Ethan, even though all the forbidden pulls were pulling her toward him. Amber's words kept playing in her mind the entire day. Ethan had not failed to notice that Sofia was disturbed, but she had made excuses every time he asked, avoiding the closeness every single second he made advances.When Ethan stepped out earlier that evening, Sofia felt a wave of both relief and anger wash over her. He wanted him close, just like he wanted him away. His going out meant that she wouldn't have a hard time pretending that she didn't want him, or his touch, or even his riddles."Well, aren't you done yet? Almost everyone has left already." Liz asked in a rash as she sauntered into the office.Sofia looked up from the computer, shaking her head. "Not yet. I have a few things to go over before I can leave. But it won't take long. In thirty, I will be done."Liz frowned, her expression pleading. "Sorry, bestie, I can't wait up for yo
Sofia's fists clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to stay calm. She wasn't going to let Amber get to her, no matter how hard she pushed. She smirked, even though deep inside she felt like bursting with rage. "It is your audacity to come to my house to throw insults and insecurities at me for me. Now that you are here, I would like to ask you something just to jog your brain because it seems like your brain left for a vacation." Amber leaned back in shock. She was not expecting Sofia to fire back like that. She also didn't expect to see that carriage from Sofia. The girl seemed so brave for the weak being that she appeared to be. Sofia continued, leaning in and whispering, audible enough for Amber to hear. "For someone who holds the pedigree, wealth, and reputation that Ethan does, he must be feeling something so strong and real for him to stoop so low to my level, don't you think?" Amber shook. She furrowed her eyes, swallowing hard the bitter words. "You wish!" Sofia smi
Bariole residenceSofia's houseTime had ticked by since Sofia ran from the office. She wanted so much to stay and be with Ethan, but something else warned her against that idea. That was how she found herself running out of the office.After dinner, as usual, her stepfamily had no need for her, so she retired to her room. Sofia was now searching through her belongings in her room. Something seemed to have been missing. Something important because she was almost losing her mind searching for it."But this is where I returned it last night," she murmured to herself as she opened the drawer again, looking at the empty space. Definitely, what she was looking for had disappeared from where she thought she had kept it.The door swung open, and her stepmother walked in. As always, she looked at her with a look of disapproval. "If you are looking for the money that you were hiding, I took it!" The woman said it flatly.Sofia stopped her futile search, turning the woman. How does she take the
But Amber just laughed softly, leaning in until her lips were inches from his. "Go where, my tiger? To the truth?" She twisted her wrist free of his grasp and circled around him slowly, her eyes gleaming with savage delight. "Don't even delude yourself that you can handle her differently because you can never beat that beast, Ethan! No matter how hard you try to be the gentleman for her, the good, safe man... it is only a matter of time before the darkness creeps in. You will want to tie her down, too. You will want to hear her beg for you the way I do. Because that is who you really are."Ethan's chest tightened with each word. His mind flashed with images-memories of him and Amber, in those dark moments when everything was raw, primal, and overwhelming. Where the line between pleasure and pain blurred, and the control he exerted was absolute. It was a part of him that scared him. But with Amber, it had been welcomed. She had thrived on it, drawing him deeper into it, craving the int
Amber's eyes blazed with fury, and for a moment, she was silent. Then she took a step closer, her voice low and threatening. "Shield her all you want, Ethan, but that tramp will never have you. I refuse to lose to some nobody like her. If it means destroying you just to make sure that woman does not take my place in you, so be it, darling! Don't say I didn't warn you!"Ethan's jaw tightened, but he didn't flinch. He knew Amber wasn't bluffing. She had the connections, the power, and the will to make good on her threats. But he had drawn the line, and there was a way he would blur it. Sofia was the woman he now desired. Her innocence, her naivety, her purity, her respect-she was everything that he didn't know he lacked all those years.Amber stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, Ethan thought she might lash out, but instead, she smiled-a cold, twisted smile that sent a shiver down his spine. He knew her well. She was never the type to give up.She turned on her heel w
She emitted a bitter chuckle, the faints of it dying soon after. "Maybe I would have accepted this if only you could have used those balls between your legs and slapped the truth to my face like a real man! I wish you didn't have to be a coward to hide behind those fucking excuses!" "You see?" His face grew darker, springing to his feet. They stood before each other, each fighting their own demons. "Your disrespect for people sucks the hell out of me! You think just because you are Amber Montana, you can insult even me, and I will stick to you. And you, of all people, know that I am far from being close to a coward. Never insult me again if you want us to part ways in peace." "Then why couldn't you tell it to my face when you decided to set your eyes on some other fucking bitch?" Her anger knew no boundaries, clearly. Ethan hugged his cool tight. He didn't want to lose it that night. Not before her. "I told you what I was obliged to tell you. I don't know what else you are talking a