Amber stepped out of the sleek black car, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. Henry, Mr. Carter’s driver, efficiently retrieved her luggage from the trunk.“I’ll take these up for you,” he said, already stacking the bags onto a trolley.Amber gave him a polite nod. “Thank you.”The elevator ride to the penthouse was smooth and silent, the hum of the machinery the only sound between them. When the doors opened, Ms. Gladys was waiting at the entrance to the hallway, her posture neat and welcoming.“Miss Amber,” she greeted with a small smile. “It’s good to see you again. Mr. Carter let me know you’d be staying. Let me show you to your room.”Amber followed the older woman down the hallway, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors. Henry wheeled the trolley behind them, saying nothing as he kept pace.When they reached the guest room, Ms. Gladys opened the door and gestured for Amber to enter.“You’ll be staying here,” she said, her voice warm. “It’s the same roo
Ryan couldn't stop sneaking glances at Amber. Sitting side by side in the car, the air between them was charged with unspoken tension.In a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear but quiet enough to keep the driver oblivious, he said, "Oh, right. I forgot to give you this at home."With a subtle movement, he slid a small turquoise box toward her. Tiffany's. Her heart skipped a beat as her fingers, slightly trembling, lifted the lid. Inside was a delicate platinum band adorned with a brilliant, round-cut diamond encircled by smaller sparkling stones, radiating timeless elegance.She took it out and slid it onto her ring finger. Ryan looked at her and said,"Now the charade is complete." He spoke more to himself, as if trying to grasp the reality of it.Amber simply nodded, unable to say a word.Ryan spoke next, his voice steady. "We still haven’t discussed our story. Let’s keep it simple and clean. We met at a hotel some time ago—you worked there. We won’t mention the name to avoi
Amber stood on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her bare legs. Her oversized T-shirt hung loosely, barely grazing the hem of her shorts. She held the cigarette between her fingers, the ember glowing faintly as she took a slow drag. She hated the habit, hated herself for resorting to it, but tonight her nerves wouldn’t settle.The city lights stretched endlessly before her, a sea of gold against the inky black sky. It should’ve been calming, but her mind was elsewhere—on him.The soft creak of the balcony door broke her thoughts. She stiffened, already knowing who it was.“Couldn’t sleep?” Ryan’s voice was low, still rough from the evening.Amber didn’t turn to face him. She kept her gaze fixed on the skyline. “Could ask you the same.”His footsteps were deliberate, each one sending a ripple of awareness through her. He came to stand beside her, leaning casually on the railing. The faint scent of his cologne mixed with the smoke in the air, making her pulse quicken.“I
Amber sat on the sleek leather sofa in Ryan's penthouse, staring blankly at the towering glass windows that framed the Chicago skyline. It was a beautiful view—one she had never imagined she would have—but it only made her feel more out of place. The penthouse was luxurious, immaculate, but it felt strangely empty.For the first time in what felt like forever, Amber had nothing to do. There were no deadlines to meet, no customers to serve, no bills to pay. She had lived in chaos for so long, in the small trailer park where she had grown up, and even when she worked at the strip club, there was always something. But now, everything was still.She sighed, glancing around. The quiet was deafening.Ms. Gladys, the housekeeper, had greeted her that morning with a warm smile and had quickly become a kind of comfort for Amber. Ms. Gladys wasn’t pushy, but she was always there when Amber needed a chat or a cup of coffee. But today, Amber felt an unfamiliar loneliness creeping in.Her mind wan
Amber’s knuckles were white as she gripped the armrests, her eyes darting nervously to the window of the first-class cabin. She tried to focus on her breathing, but the hum of the engines and the slight turbulence made her stomach churn.Ryan glanced at her, lounging effortlessly in his seat with a bottle of beer in hand. He tilted his head, amused by her discomfort. "You’re not going to claw the armrest off, are you?"Amber shot him a glare, her voice tense. "I’m fine.""Right. You look totally fine," Ryan said with a chuckle. "Alright, let’s make this easier. How about we play a game?"Amber frowned but turned to him, curious despite herself. "A game?""Yeah, to distract you. Something simple. We ask each other questions. You answer honestly, I answer honestly."Amber raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "That’s it?"Ryan smirked. "That’s it. Unless you’re scared of my questions."Amber rolled her eyes. "Fine. Go ahead."Ryan leaned back, clearly pleased. "Alright, what’s your favorite mov
Ryan had barely landed when his phone buzzed with a message from Tom: Good luck with your stripper... try not to have too much fun 🍆😆Ryan rolled his eyes at the message, irritation rising within him. Without a second thought, he typed back: You sound like a kid. I won’t even bother replying. Goodbye, loser.The moment he sent it, the shift in his mood was instant. The easy camaraderie and warmth he had felt with Amber on the plane were gone. Reality hit him hard, and what had felt like a connection now seemed like a distant memory.Ryan glanced over at Amber, his face cold. “Let’s go.”Amber froze, shocked by his abruptness. She thought they had come to some understanding during the flight, that they had reached a certain rapport. But now, his tone, so detached and sharp, felt like a slap in the face.As she picked up her trolley, she couldn’t help herself. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Two personalities in one?”Ryan looked at her and laughed,
Amber was sprawled on the sofa, wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts, watching Pretty Woman. She had a glass of champagne in one hand and a plate of strawberries beside her, a wedding gift from the hotel. She dipped a strawberry into the champagne and took a bite, her expression unreadable as she focused on the film.Ryan walked into the room, still wearing his tuxedo shirt and pants. He stood by the sofa, watching her for a moment before speaking.“You really think this is your story, don’t you?” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You want to be the hooker who finds the prince, but I’m not the idiot in that movie. I’m not some dumbass like that guy.”Amber slowly turned her head toward him, her gaze still on the screen. She didn’t seem fazed, taking another bite of her strawberry without a word at first.“You’re talking about me now, Ryan?” she said with a hint of amusement. “I’m not some movie project for you. Don’t bring your fairy tale crap into this.”Ryan clenched his jaw
Ryan woke up the next day with a splitting headache. It had been years since he’d had a hangover like this—probably not since his college days. He groaned as memories of the night before came rushing back, particularly how rude he’d been to Amber. After a hot shower and popping an ibuprofen, he made his way to the suite’s living room.Amber was already there, having breakfast and fully dressed. Ryan couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked, even in something as simple as a red shirt, jeans, and bare feet. His gaze lingered a second too long on her feet, of all things, and he felt a wave of arousal. What the hell? Since when do feet turn me on? I really need to get laid, he thought, shaking his head.“Good morning, Amber,” Ryan greeted her as he leaned over the table to grab the coffee thermos.“Good morning, Ryan. How are you feeling?” she replied, her tone teasing, a small smirk playing on her lips.Ryan took a long sip of his coffee, letting the warmth settle him. “Starting
Amber avoided Ryan like the plague. It had been a week since she began finding reasons to distance herself, excuses piling up as if trying to build a fortress between them. He hadn’t said much at first, probably assuming she needed space. But tonight, as they sat across from each other at the dinner table in their large, cold house, Ryan finally snapped.“What’s going on, Amber?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.Amber felt her heart stutter. She hadn’t expected him to confront her so soon. She fumbled with her fork, pushing the food around her plate as if it would give her the answers she needed.“Nothing’s going on,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.“Bullshit,” Ryan countered, his tone frustrated but steady. “You’ve been avoiding me for days. You won’t even sleep in the same bed anymore. What the hell is going on?”Amber clenched her fists under the table, fighting the urge to look away.
As they entered the penthouse, the silence between them was palpable. Amber felt a knot form in her stomach, her thoughts still swirling from the gala and everything that had happened—the unexpected appearance of Jessica, the ex-fiancée, and Ryan’s tense reaction when she appeared.Amber had tried to brush it off earlier, but now, in the quiet of the penthouse, it was harder to ignore the knot of jealousy that had been steadily growing inside her. Watching Ryan’s reaction to Jessica had stung more than she expected, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more between them than Ryan was letting on.She slipped off her heels, the sound of them hitting the floor echoing through the otherwise silent apartment. Ryan stood by the door, his posture stiff, not looking at her.Amber crossed the room, unable to keep her emotions in check. “What was that back there, Ryan?” she asked, her voice tight with tension. “You acted like you were about to tear Jessica apart.”Ryan turned to fa
Amber returned to the ballroom, her head still reeling from the heated exchange in the conference room. Her body still buzzed with the electric tension of the moment she’d shared with Ryan, but now, as she made her way through the crowd, everything feltdifferent. His hand rested possessively on her waist, guiding her through the maze of guests. It wasn’t affectionate or comforting, just a firm reminder that she was there beside him, but not truly with him. They moved among the people, exchanging pleasantries and mingling, but it felt as though Ryan was miles away, both physically and emotionally. His mind wasn’t on her, it never was.Amber’s thoughts circled back to what had transpired in the conference room. “Amber, sweetheart, don’t start games you know you can’t win.” His words echoed in her mind, each syllable colder than the last. She had hoped for more between them, had allowed herself to believe that there could be something real, something beyond the cold contract that bound
Amber moaned into the kiss, melting against him as his hands moved down her back, lifting her up and pressing her against the cold, hard wall of the conference room. He ran his hands up her thigh-high stockings, feeling every inch of her silky skin. His fingertips left a trail of goosebumps on her thighs, causing her to shiver with anticipation.Ryan's tongue and lips trailed down her neck, sending chills down her spine. She gripped his shoulders tightly as he reached for the zipper on the back of her dress, lowering it in one swift motion.The black satin fabric pooled at their feet, leaving her in nothing but a matching black lace bra and panties set that accentuated her curves perfectly.Ryan's eyes darkened with desire as he took in the sight of her half-naked body, his breathing ragged. "You're so beautiful," he whispered before claiming one of her erect nipples between his lips through the lace.Amber moaned as he teased and sucked on each peak in turn, sending electric shocks s
Amber was talking to a man who couldn’t stop staring at her, his eyes roaming over her body, taking in every curve of her black satin dress.Ryan was at the bar, his jaw tightening as he watched. He could feel the irritation building, deep in his chest. He didn’t want to admit it, but the jealousy was there, gnawing at him. The longer he watched, the more he hated the way the guy was looking at her. He started to regret coming to the party in the first place.He had known from the moment he saw her in that dress that the night was going to be a problem. The dress wasn’t even that daring. It was modest compared to what most of the women were wearing tonight. But it didn’t matter. It was her. The way she moved, the way she held herself—she owned the room. And he hated that she was giving all that attention to someone else.Ryan downed the rest of his whiskey in one gulp, his eyes never leaving Amber. He stood up, his movements deliberate, and walked toward her."Brady, I see you've met
Ryan stood silently at the edge of the bed, watching Amber's serene, unguarded form. Completely nude, he moved silently towards her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Gently, he pulled the sheet down, revealing her smooth skin and delicate form.His fingers trailed along her inner thigh, moving gradually closer to her center. He applied light pressure, ensuring his touch was gentle but deliberate. With each stroke, he aimed to stir her from sleep, carefully watching her reaction. He started by caressing her thighs, then moved upwards, his hand gliding over her stomach before finally reaching her slit.Amber moaned softly in her sleep as she felt the touch, her body instinctively responding. She woke up with a start, her eyes snapping open, locking onto him with a mix of surprise and something deeper, more knowing."I see you're awake now," Ryan said with a smile on his face. "I've been dying to taste you again." Before she could say anything, with the help of a sleepy Amber, Ryan t
The London skyline stretched out beyond Ryan's hotel room, a hazy blend of historical architecture and modern skyscrapers. He leaned against the glass, his phone buzzing in his hand. A message. From her. Amber.Ryan's lips curled into a smirk as he unlocked his phone, her name lighting up his screen.Amber: Do you miss me yet? Or are you too busy exploring all the pleasures London has to offer?He chuckled, feeling a surge of excitement at her bold words. His fingers hovered over the screen, debating his response before typing back.Ryan: Trust me, I have plenty of time for both. But right now, all I can think about is the way you taste and feel.Her reply was immediate, as if she had been anticipating his words.Amber: Is that so? Maybe we should put technology to good use and give each other a little preview of what's to come when we're reunited.Ryan grinned, eagerly accepting her proposition.Ryan: Oh, I'm all for that. Show me what you've got, Amber.The next message that came th
Ryan was already tired of being at the party. John Broodworth was an insufferable bootlicker. Tom and Ryan exchanged a glance, both equally fed up with hearing his endless stories. Ryan discreetly checked his watch once more.Amber was further ahead, chatting effortlessly with a group of women. As always, she excelled at small talk. Ryan couldn’t help but admire how stunning she looked in her emerald-green dress. Tonight, her hair was styled in a classic updo, and though she looked breathtaking, Ryan silently admitted to himself that he preferred her hair down.With a low grunt of irritation, he excused himself from Broodworth’s presence and made his way toward his wife. Lightly touching her arm, he said, “Amber, darling, there’s someone over there I’d really like you to meet.”Amber turned to him, nodded gracefully, and bid farewell to the women she’d been conversing with. Noticing that Ryan was leading her out of the ballroom, asked him, “Where are we going?”“You’ll see,” Ryan repl
Ryan wasn’t sure when the shift had started, but the air between him and Amber had softened in recent weeks. It wasn’t something dramatic or sudden, but subtle and steady, like the first thaw of winter giving way to spring.It was in the small things—a passing smile, the way her shoulders didn’t stiffen when he entered a room, the way her gaze lingered just a second longer than before. The house, which had once felt like a battleground, now felt... lighter.Tonight was no different. The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Ryan stood in the kitchen, watching Amber as she pulled two mugs from the cabinet, her movements easy, unguarded. She’d offered to make coffee, a gesture so simple yet so unlike the woman she’d been when they first married.“Dark roast or decaf?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.“Dark roast,” he replied, leaning against the counter with a small smile. “You’re spoiling me tonight.”Amber smirked, pouring the freshly b