“Yes, I understand.” She mumbled softly.Rhys hummed letting his gaze wander on her face and let go of her thigh, and resumed feeding her. Amara ate obediently. She hadn’t eaten anything since morning, and Rhys had exhausted her – both physically and emotionally.Her heart would skip a beat recalling the way she shattered in his arms, the way he collected her and then enthralled her whole.It was both fascinating and dangerous. She was losing herself in him in an unexplainable way. Strangely, more than fear, she was feeling at ease the more he pushed her boundaries and forcefully let himself in.Amara was aware of the way her heart would betray her in his presence. How her body would tingle for his feathery touches, and her eyes would be captivated by him. In his presence, she was a goner.Stealing furtive glances at him her heart wrestled with a flurry of conflicting sensations. The air crackled with tension, mirroring the unease in Amara's chest. Rhys exuded an aura that both intrig
The cosy kitchen bathed in a delicious, soft aroma. Amara fidgeted with her fingers recalling how rude was to Martha. Guilt swept over her and she hesitated to face her. Martha was the only one after Rhys who took care of her when she wasn’t able to walk. Helped her walk and never let her feel alone in this huge mansion, and what did Amara do in return? Hurt her with her sharp tongue, inconsiderate of the relation they had.Her chest felt heavy as she recalled the look of hurt on Martha’s face. Amara contemplated, shifting from foot to foot when Martha suddenly turned around with a whisk in one hand and the bowl in another. Her eyes widened and her hands stilled their motion.“Amara?” Surprise laced her voice. Amara stood there, her internal conflict reflected in the uncertain crease of her brow. The weight of guilt bore down on her, rendering her momentarily speechless. She desperately searched for the right words to express the remorse that churned within.With a hesitant swallow,
Amara knelt beside the bed of flowers, her fingers delicately tracing the edges of the petals. Rhys watched with a rare smile on his lips as Amara’s face lit up. His eyes took in her angelic and captivating aura. Eyes that had entrapped him, made him their slaves, making him wish to seek refuge in those dark orbs. Captivated by the cascade of her beautiful, long hair. A tender smile played on his lips as he found himself lost in the dark strands, thinking that perhaps he should dwell within their shadow. And stay there for eternity. The desire was both overpowering and lethargic, something he hadn’t felt for anyone. Taking a step towards her, he stood behind her while she caressed the delicate petals of the peonies. “I don’t understand why you’re so obsessed with flowers.” He asked curiously with his hands in the pockets of his dark slacks. Amara frowned and looked up at him with glossy eyes. A small pout on her pink lips. “If you don’t like them, then why did you plant them?” R
Amara was flushed to her core. Her insides were dancing weirdly and her body in his arms was feeling so hot despite the cold rain as he carried her inside. Her legs had given up on the strength, and so did her arms. She was thankful Rhys was carrying her. Cause she didn’t know how she would’ve managed to climb the stairs with a tremble.Her breaths, heart, and time seem to be still all together. These feelings she was experiencing were so strange and somewhat familiar like she had gone through them sometime earlier. Hiding her face into his neck, Amara breathed in his scent. Her lips met his neck unconsciously, drinking in the rain droplets, tasting his skin.Rhys’s breath hitched as he looked down at her in his arms. If she kept provoking him like this, he’d end up doing something crazy. His self-control was slipping, and she kept teasing him with her innocence. Those slanted eyes, dark locks, parted lips, and vulnerability in her eyes. Fuck. F
Amara stirred in the soft morning light that streamed through the curtains, the golden glow casting a warm hue on the room. The air carried the refreshing scent of rain-kissed earth, a reminder of the storm that had passed. Groggily, she opened her eyes, feeling a sense of confusion until the memories of the night before flooded back. As the sleepiness wavered, Amara became conscious of strong arms encircling her waist, a comforting warmth pressed against her back. She blinked, the details of the room coming into focus, and then turned her head slightly to find Rhys sleeping peacefully beside her. His tousled hair and relaxed expression softened the rugged edges of his features. Her cheeks flushed as she felt something warm tickling her neck. Rhys had nuzzled into the crook of her neck, his breath sending a gentle shiver down her spine. She couldn't help but feel tingles at the unexpected tenderness. Growing more aware, Amara shifted, attempting to free herse
Her cheeks were burning and so was her thigh where his hand rested. The way he touched her so shamelessly and boldly both scared and thrilled her. Rhys leaned back on the couch, a mischievous glint in his eyes, teasing Amara relentlessly by pushing his hands up her thighs and teasing the rims of her panties."Easy there, Amara. I wouldn't want you to turn into a permanent shade of red," Rhys teased, a playful smirk on his lips. Amara clenched her jaw, her lips pouting as she shyly mumbled."Don’t touch me."Rhys chuckled lowly. “You look so beautiful, little one. I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up eating you out instead of the food.”Amara’s wide eyes stared at him in disbelief. Rhys pecked her nose and gently put her down before getting up. “Eat your food. I’ll take a quick shower. Need to take care of some business.” Amara frowned. What business he be doing in the bathroom?Rhys disappeared into the bathroom, and she took a moment to compose herself. Moving to the mirror, she dec
Amara stood still at the entrance of the gigantic bookstore, her eyes widening in sheer amazement. It was a place unlike any she had ever seen before. Rhys had brought her to a haven of the world she wished to live in. It always amazed her how much he knew her, from her dislikes to the things that could make her heart flutter. It was dangerous yet formidable. The intimacy one should have with their spouse, Rhys filled that void.She teased her bottom lip. The sensation from earlier crept up her chest caging around her heart and gently shook it. Chest tightened and the butterflies in her stomach flapped their wings vigorously.“You like it?” she yelped feeling his warm teasing breath on her ear. Taken by surprise, her eyes widened and her lips parted. Rhys grinned like the devil he was and leaned in, “You like it.” This time it was a statement than his earlier question. Amara flushed averting her eyes from his hypnotizing grey eyes and cleared he
Amara found herself captivated by the stormy depths of his eyes, where chaos seemed to reign supreme amidst the swirling grey. With a heavy sigh, she averted her gaze, seeking solace amidst the orderly rows of books that lined the shelves."Then what can I do to truly understand you?" she asked, her voice soft yet heavy."Be mine," he responded, his tone carrying an air of certainty that both intrigued and unsettled her."Am I not already yours?" she questioned, her brows furrowing in confusion.He considered her words for a moment before replying, his voice tinged with a hint of longing. "Perhaps, but I desire more than mere possession. I wish to intertwine our souls in every sense, to be enveloped in the essence of your being, regardless of its shade."She hesitated, acutely aware of the societal boundaries that loomed over their connection. "You know the consequences... it's deemed sinful, punishable."He took a step toward her, caging her between the shelf and his chest."By whom?
A lush garden filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. In the centre lies a small, serene grave adorned with a single peony. Rhys with a weathered face and gentle eyes, slowly approached, his steps heavy with the weight of memories. Raindrops fell softly, casting a melancholic veil over the scene.He smiled down at the grave and replaced the weathered Peony with a new one. “Another day, my doll.”With trembling hands, he delicately placed a fresh peony on the grave, its petals glistening with raindrops. He knelt beside it, his movements slow and deliberate. Sitting beside the grave, he gazed at it with a mixture of longing and acceptance.Twenty-five years have passed and he still couldn’t fill the void in his chest.He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. Can you feel the rain, my love? It's as if the heavens weep with me.He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold stone of the grave. A soft smile graced his lips as he recalled memories long past.“Do you remem
TWO MONTHS LATERRhys focused his attention carefully on the picture in his hand, slowly analyzing each detail captured within it, memorising it. His face remained void of any noticeable emotion, leaving his inner sentiments hidden from his friend’s eyes. However, Lorcan despite this, managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of longing and despair that momentarily flickered across Rhys’s dark eyes. It was an invisible twitch of his jaw and a subtle clenching of his fist that Rhys was attempting to hide. Lorcan instinctively lowered his gaze, avoiding direct eye contact with him, before repeating his previous words.A bouquet of soft pink peonies was on his lap. The one he'd never forget to bring. “Doctors said we can shift her-“ He started looking pitifully at Rhys. The man destroyed Francis and Abigail in days, and his brother behind bars, but couldn’t save his destination.“She’ll come back, right?” Rhys mumbled caressing the picture in hand. It was of them, as children.“Of course…” Lo
Two weeks laterNo matter if I am alive or not, you must always be with me, residing inside me. If I were to face death, my only wish is to spend my final moments in your arms, Amara. Whenever the rain troubles you, consider me as the raindrops. And when the warmth of the sun touches your feet, know that it is my essence within those sun rays.Rhys gripped the pen tightly in his hand, his eyes staring in darkness and he watched the stars dissipating behind the clouds in the dark sky. His heart was heavy and his eyes blurred with unshed tears.The chords of his heart were broken, his nights were sleepless. Yet he couldn't stop recalling the last look of panic and concern on her face. He should be happy that she felt something for him, but at what cost? On the verge of losing her...Whom I should ask, Amara? You are not here. Where do I search for your touches of laughter, this world is filled with silences. Where do I find happiness, Amara, when you are not here? I don't know how many
"Fuck, Amara! Don't die on me!" Rhy’s fear was palpable as he carried her inside the car, his growl echoing in the tense atmosphere. The urgency in the air increased when Lorcan swiftly followed suit, his actions mirroring the sound of distant gunshots that pierced through the day."Rhys... Rhys.." Rhys clenched his fists as she muttered through her mouth drawing in deep breaths. Her hand limply slipped through his fingers.Lorcan wasted no time in sliding into the passenger side, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats. With a surge of adrenaline, he pressed his foot on the accelerator, causing the engine to roar to life, matching the intensity of their situation.He felt a rush of adrenaline. It was too intense and too overwhelming as he felt sweat trickling down his back."Drive fast!" Rhys muttered as a few cars followed them. Lorcan cursed in Italian and pulled the windows down.Rhys’s concerned gaze fixated on Amara’s complexion, which appeared remarkably pale, while
A sharp agonising pain stung the side of her body as she moaned in pain. She panted as she tried to blink the blurriness away. There was a long silent pause for a moment when a scream left her mouth as her body was jerked forward. Confused and panicked she yelped as she felt something trailing down her arms.Looking down she saw blood oozing down her arms, the pain came afterwards when she realised she had a deep cut over her upper arm. The tattered piece of shirt dug into the wound as she winced at the stinging sensation. Crawling on her legs she pushed herself up as she swayed at the dizziness.With unfocused vision, she breathed heavily trying to stand still but due to weakness and exhaustion, she stumbled a step back before a large pair of hands e flushed her in a warm embrace.There was chaos all around but what stood among them was shooting sounds. Amara felt her heart pounding loudly in her chest as she looked baffled at the person behind her. Her eyes widened as she saw his fa
"Get up." Amara looked confusedly at two men towering over her. Dressed in black clothes and scary tattoos.A deep frown formed on her face, accompanied by a sense of discomfort and unease. Having remained in a stationary state for a long duration of nearly a day or so, her legs had gradually succumbed to a numbing sensation, rendering them almost unresponsive to her commands. Thus, when she attempted to move, her steps were unsteady and unstable, causing her to stumble momentarily. The guard hastily and instinctively reached out, swiftly grasping her arm. With a swift motion, he began to lead her towards the door with an undeniable urgency.A sudden surge of panic forcefully swept over her entire being, overwhelming her senses and plunging her further into a state of trepidation. It was as if a new, more potent wave of fear had washed over her, intensifying the gravity of the situation. As her gaze frantically scanned the surroundings, her eyes inevitably locked with the piercing sta
"YOU PROMISED SHEʼD BE SAFE! YOU FUCKING PROMISED!" Adrian bombarded in Rhys’s office unannounced. Rhys’s jaw ticked a subtle frown of annoyance on his handsome face."And she will be," Rhys said nonchalantly ignoring him. Rhys didn’t pay him any attention, all his focus was on his computer screen where he was looking at the files on Francis. If these filed were to be released in public, Donovon's reputation would be in ashes in less than an hour. "HOW?! YOU LET THOSE FUCKERS TAKE HER!" Adrian slammed his fists on the table as Rhys glared at him. Adrian looked dead in his brother’s eyes, his orbs dilating as his teeth clenched. "You said you won't let anyone touch her again!" Rhys tilted his head, remembering he also sent the video footage to Adrian a day ago, which explained why he was in Spain. The videotape. Ever since Rhys had seen that, he hadn't been able to sleep. The pain and humiliation his little doll went through was bone-chilling. It took every ounce in him to not do s
Amara shrieked in fear, she woke up terrified from the nightmare, her body drenched in sweat. Her heart racing and her hands trembling as she tried to catch her breath, the memory of the terrifying images still fresh in her mind. She didn't understand what she exactly saw a nightmare or twisted fragment of her lost memories. It all seemed too real to be called a mere nightmare.Reality blurred with the remnants of the nightmare, leaving her disoriented and unsure of her surroundings. Anxiety coursed through her veins, a relentless tide threatening to overwhelm her fragile sense of composure. She longed for the comforting embrace of Rhys.Yet, despite her desperate yearning for solace, she found herself hesitating to close her eyes again, afraid of what horrors the night may hold. Each moment of wakefulness was a precarious balance between the desire for rest and the dread of reliving the nightmare's torment. She was scared. Terrified. Top of FormShe patted her cheek when she felt som
He clenched his fists, teeth grinding as he looked down at her unconscious frame. The straps of the dress had slipped down to her shoulder exposing the delicate collar bones. A flash of raging blood flashed through his eyes as his dark eyes zeroed in on the hickeys on her neck descending under her blouse. It infuriated him when he saw Rhys with her, and it angered him more knowing that the bastard had her. So many days without her. "I fucking don't care. I am not backing down." He raised his head ever so gradually as his dark eyes held his Francis. Francis clenched his jaw as he said. "I can kill for her too. And I won't hesitate, not even a bit." Francis let out a frustrated sigh as he ran his hand through his dishevelled hair. He looked at Amara and another stressed breath left his mouth. He was fucked, along with his son. Not only did he mess with Rhys, but Rhys De Luca would also crush them under his feet. ***** Amara woke up with a pounding sensation and dizzy head. The firs