No, you weren't.”“It was a spur of the moment. We were dying and you were being a chivalrous idiot.”“You loved it. You loved it so much that you were going to kiss me there.”“You are such a bastard.”Articles you may likeMastering Interview Preparation: EssentialShe pushed him, but he was so sturdy in his spot that she ended up unbalancing herself. All amusement left him as he bent forward to catch her, the relief sharp when his grip didn’t slip. He swung her back up, then pulled her legs around him to lock her in place. This time, she didn’t pull them away.“Stop falling for me,” he teased lightly, his hand coasting down her shivering back.“Stop looking at me like that,” she shot back, voice frayed. Tense.“I can't help it.”“Then help it.”He breathed on her cheek, then over her lips. He wrenched her even closer and took what those parted lips offered, a temptation that could no longer be fought. A gasp got stuck somewhere in her throat where his thumb caressed and her mouth o
The muscles are still there. He didn’t lose weight and he’s alert. I might have to test out that alertness later. He didn’t respond to me when I rubbed against him earlier. He didn’t even kiss me.”“Maybe he needs two of us rubbing against him. And kissing him. He would like that kind of welcome, wouldn’t he?” the female beside Jyss suggested, tone vibrating with anticipation.How many days had passed since they were gone? It had only felt like a few days on that strange island, but the way these people talked made it seem like more. And heavens, was being surrounded by women his desired life before?Prince.He was a prince, not a commoner—the future ruler of the Winter Court.It was suddenly too overwhelming, her brain unable to catch up and her body just wanting to get out of there. She shuddered at the energy and took a step back, then another until she thought she made progress and wouldn’t be paid attention to. A hand wrapped around her wrist.“Brian?”A couple of heads turned in
“Oh.” She stopped in her tracks, touching his arm. “Mine too. I’m sorry. It never hurts less.”He nodded. “But they are still king and queen until we are of age, which we will be in a few years in magic terms. Technically, we don’t need to step in yet because the court runs itself when it comes to daily activities. It’s during wars, breaches, and huge political decisions that we have to exercise our command.”“So, there are trusted advisors?”“Bronco runs the castle in general and his sister, Jyss, plans the events. There’s another magic who runs interior domestic stuff and more who run individual things like the outside activities, the island security, the castle security, and trading—not that we do trading often. The Winter Court is known for being able to sustain itself.”“And being formidable pricks,” she said lightly. “Your court is one that no one wants to get entangled with.”He smirked. “Then we are doing a good job of maintaining our security. Anyway, any shift in the routine
Yu, you seem excited.”“Very excited. No parties at home.”His brows rose. “Not even the giants?”Yu wrinkled his nose. “Giants are enemies. No parties. Party poopers.”difference had a lot to do with the giant versus pixie discourse. But then again, their unique brand of aggressiveness might have something to do with that too.“It’s not a party, per se. It’s more of a welcome banquet. So, more about food and mingling.”“No dancing?” Yu asked, visibly disappointed.“Maybe some dancing too.”That was enough to kick up the pixie’s excitement again. After a few minutes of more puttering, it dawned on him that Yu was already practicing dance moves, awkwardly and wobbly to some but adorable to him. He tried not to react, leaving the small fellow to his devices and continuing to put on his clothes. Halfway through dressing up, a knock sounded on the dressing room’s door.“Your Majesty, it’s Jyss. I came here to help you dress up.”Jyss didn’t wait for his response, already sauntering in wit
How do you know Tru and why haven’t you told me about it?“Party. Late,” Yu announced again.Setting aside the nagging curiosity, Mabel sighed.“A late appearance makes for a grand entrance, but not where my sister is concerned—and we don’t want you two in hot water. Come on. Let’s give youAs far as banquets went, this one was grander than the one he was used to in his court, but far less intimate, as everyone was in attendance and the event spiraled from a warm welcome to just his folks hanging out in groups and eating their hearts out. He carefully selected plates of food for Brian and Yu, warning them not to accept food offered vocally by others. Her eyes lit up.“That’s in the books,” she said. “They say that once you eat a magic offered feast, you are magically bound to him and his home and can never find your way out.”“I’m sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but we don’t need to offer you food for that. I’m just being cautious of poison and ingredients that might not sit w
“I didn’t mean my fingers, Brian.”Oh, if only he could take a picture of the moment when those green eyes blazed with heat, darkening them with desire. It was gone in a second as she lifted her chin.“We’re not fucking. I’m not going to be another notch in your bedpost.”He knew, from the way her nipples tightened against him and the way her fingers drifted lower, that all it would take was a few choice words before he got her in his bed and she let him do things to her. But he didn’t want it easy, not when Brian was worth fighting for and her full, uninhibited consent meant more than anything in the world could. That blew his mind even while he nodded…even while he fought damning it all to hell and just dragging her out of here so he could do everything he had been fantasizing about.“All right,” he said, hard as a rock but voice steady. “I will respect that decision. I won’t fuck you unless you say yes.”Her gaze narrowed, trying to catch any sign of mischief. “I’m glad we’re on th
Silence.“Do you have a suspect among them? Someone in line with your sister?”“No. And we haven’t proven that it’s my sister.”But his face said that it wasn’t out of the question, not when his sister was the one who could benefit the most from his disappearance. Her chest ached. Her family had always been her most dependable anchor, the ones who would never betray her despite their differences. That he might not have that with his sister…Don’t get emotional.“Where have you been, anyway?” she asked casually.“I just had a little errand.”“Your sister was looking for you. I don’t think she was pleased that you left before she could talk to you.”“Talking with my sister involves hours of her discussing ways to improve our court, complaining about our court, and nagging me about my…not-so-tame habits.” Light danced in his magenta eyes, then sobered. “Why did you leave the festivities?”“I wanted to explore.”“I see. Here.”She looked down at his extended hand, expecting him to either
“I know. But your kind shuns everyone.”The arousal in his features died a bit as he frowned, mulling over her words. Slowly, he shook his head.“Discrimination is for the weak—those who can’t see past their heads stuck in their asses. I might tend to think that magic folks are among the superior breed, but we’re not the only superior ones. It also doesn’t mean that other creatures don’t have unique qualities that are more than impressive.” He grimaced. “Now, I’m not a huge fan of vampires, but there’s no denying that they could rip my heart out and cut my head off the moment I lower my guard around them.”“Vampires are crazy,” she agreed. “I wouldn’t want to mess with them.”“Hmm.” His gaze flicked to her mouth. “You’re a witch. Your powers have people’s knees trembling, and I bet you could choke me with a snap of those fingers.”“Maybe. With the right chant outside this castle.”“It’s hot as hell,” he murmured, low voice washing over her senses. “What else can you do with that magic
Giovanni waves it off with a dismissive gesture. "That happens in offices. It's important not to get carried away with things."I feel a surge of jealousy, but I also like that he doesn't seem interested in her. He gets a mischievous glint in his eyes and comes over to sit on the edge of my desk."Why do you seem so upset about it?" he asks, leaning closer."No reason," I lie, looking away from him. But he leans even closer, his breath warm on my cheek as he teases me about my possible jealousy."Never thought of it, but maybe I'll go for it," he teases me further, his voice low and dangerous. "It would be cheaper than hiring a prostitute, and she definitely seems like she'd put out."My blood boils, and I glare at him with rage in my eyes, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. He has the audacity to grab my chin, brushing his thumb against my lips as if he's daring me to say something."Are you jealous?" he asks again, a devilish smirk playing on his face."Absolutely not," I snap, try
"Of course," I reply, trying to maintain my composure.She downs the rest of her wine, a rosy flush spreading across her cheeks. "That was delicious. It's been ages since I've enjoyed a glass like that – you should know, I'm a bit of a lightweight.""Marvelous," I say sarcastically, and she grins – then, unexpectedly, she reaches up and boops me on the nose. Her playfulness catches me off guard, but I smile in response.Setting her empty glass on a nearby table, she slips off her shoes and places them on the stone steps leading to the garden. "What are you doing?" I"I want to feel the grass beneath my feet," she replies, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Life is all about getting a little dirty, don't you think?"As she runs barefoot through the garden, laughter bubbling from her lips, I watch her with a mixture of admiration and desire. There's something about her – not just her body, but her mind and spirit – that captivates me. In her presence, my rigid, work-driven life seems to l
Something tells me you do listen, Teddy," I say to him, my eyebrow raised.He shrugs and gives me an innocent smile."Thanks, Teddy," I say gratefully. "You're seriously the best."He smiles, but his eyes betray his exhaustion. "I should probably go to bed. Had a tough night.""Goodnight, Teddy," I reply, watching him leave the kitchen.After finishing whatever I found in the fridge, I start to head back to my room. As I walk down the hallway, curiosity gnaws at me. What is Giovanni up to right now? My heart rate picks up, and a flush of arousal spreads through me as I tiptoe toward his room. The idea of catching him with another woman both disgusts and excites me. I try his door, and once again, it's open. Why doesn't he lock it? Does he not consider that someone might pose a threat in this mansion? He should never underestimate me.A dark thought crosses my mind – the kitchen is full of knives, and his door remains unlocked at night. But no, that's not who I am. I won't resort to vi
"Actually, yeah," she admits, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. "I am.""Great. There's a mall across the street. Let's grab some lunch at the food court and talk about the job." I gesture for her to follow, and she does.As we make our way down the elevator, the hum of the machinery filling the small space, and she studies me with a curious expression. "You know, I'm surprised you're a food court kind of guy.""What do you mean?" I ask, raising anShe gestures vaguely, taking me in – my designer suit, the sleek building we're descending through, the aura of power that seems to cling to me like a second skin. "You just seem more... upscale restaurant than cafeteria, if you catch my drift."The elevator door slides open, and I shrug as we step out into the mirrored hallway. "Food courts are efficient. Normally, I'd send my assistant across to the mall to get me something, then bring it back so I can work through lunch.""Ah," she says, her voice a mix of understanding and disapp
My hands ball into fists as I pace the room, the plush carpet beneath my feet doing little to soothe my nerves. My mind races, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions threatening to overwhelm me. But beneath it all, there's a kernel of determination that won't be extinguished."Next time," I promise myself, even as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Next time, I'll get away."ChapterEightWith a heavy sigh, I slide back into the driver's seat of my sleek black car, the irritation coursing through my veins. Lulu's incessant escape attempts - as futile as they are - have me spending far too much time in this godforsaken mansion. My penthouse in the city beckons to me, but she refuses to cooperate."Damn her stubbornness," I mutter under my breath as I drive up the curving driveway, the tires crunching over the gravel. The guy carrying her back to her room follows closely behind.As soon as I step out of the car, the grandiosity of the mansion looms over me, its imposing presence a con
She tells him how glad she is that he called, how much she missed him. His response is harsh and biting: "Shut up."I'm taken aback by his coldness, wondering what kind of woman would willingly subject herself to such treatment. But she only giggles, seemingly unfazed. He slaps her ass. "Shut up and take it like the whore you are." Slowly, he pushes his cock into her asshole, her moans making it clear that she loves every inch of it.I stand there, transfixed. I've never seen anal sex before, never even considered it. But seeing Giovanni at the center of it all, dominating this woman with such raw intensity, it's undeniably hot.No, not hot. I'm here to find something to use against him, I remind myself. But my fingers itch to touch myself, to bring relief to the ache that has settled deep within me.A slow feeling of electricity courses through my body, warming my veins and leaving me breathless with anticipation. My skin prickles with desire, and I am aware of every sensation around
The blissful silence shatters as an alarm pierces the air. Panic grips my chest, and I stumble in my haste. My ankle twists beneath me, sending a bolt of searing pain up my leg. I curse under my breath, clenching my teeth as I try to push through the agony and make my escape."Damn it," I hiss, realizing that my attempted flight is short-lived. Almost immediately, a burly man emerges from the mansion, his eyes locked onto me with hawk-like precision. He's the rover, one of Giovanni's loyal enforcers—a massive, intimidating figure who seems to move with an eerie silence despite his size."Hey!" I shout, fists clenched. "Do you seriously have nothing better to do than chase after me?"He doesn't reply, instead closing the distance between us in a matter of seconds. Before I can react, he scoops me up effortlessly, as though I weigh nothing more than a feather. I kick and scream, pounding on his back in a futile attempt to"Put me down, you brute!" I demand, but he remains silent, carryi
The sun hangs high in the sky as I stand next to my father near the docks in Miami. My heart races, and for the first time in a long time, I feel excited about this meeting. As the oldest, it's something I've always wanted – to be included in the family business, to prove to my father that just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't run the Manuel Syndicate as well as any man.A salty breeze blows through my curly hair, carrying with it the scent of seaweed and diesel fumes from the fishing boats swaying gently in their berths. The squawking of seagulls mixes with the distant hum of traffic as they search for scraps of food among the detritus littering the dockside, creating a cacophony of life."Lucia, pay attention," my father chides, snapping me backA man approaches us, his dark hair slicked back and his darker features giving away a lifetime of experience. I eye him up and down, taking in every detail, before he introduces himself as Axe. My father waves off his introduction wi
You can keep that truth to yourself. I have plenty of others to share,” she countered.“Many supplied by me,” I interjected. “The perk of working so closely with your many high-powered campaign donors.”“There’s no proof.” Harris narrowed his eyes at the both of us. “Not a single paper trail would lead to me.”“You’re forgetting the kind of influence I have over humans. What I could promise for a few small favors.” I gave him a crooked smile to remind him of what I“And what am I supposed to do, then? What about all the good I have done for the community?” He was starting to scramble. “The charities or beautification projects that I personally founded to make this state a better place? Were those things for nothing?”The thing about ambition is that it can be blinding,” I said. I looked down at Evie and cupped her cheek to bring her eyes to mine for a moment before finishing my last point to Harris. We both needed the moment of connection. “No matter how good your intentions are, you’v