TASHAI can't help the burning sensation brewing deep in my stomach, making me restless at the sight of Claire near Nate. Something rips inside me as I watch Claire rubbing her body all over him. Nate darts her a glare, his eyes moving back to me. I unhook the cuff of my kimono and pull the long lace jacket off my body, allowing it to slide down my shoulders onto the couch. I fold the jacket and place it beside me on the couch. The chill of the night air hits my bare skin, cooling the flames pricking my flesh at the intensity of Nate's gaze sweeping all over my body. My breath falters, my heart picking up a mad rhythm as his gaze falls to my breasts. Claire slithers her hand up to his chest, killing off my euphoria in an instant."So, are we all in?" Conrad asks, his sloppy voice distracting me out of my silent torture. He leans forward, his hazy eyes looking around everyone's faces. I wonder if he even knows that he is drunk. He passes the bottle of whiskey in his hand back to Frank,
TASHAMy heart bangs hard against my chest. A twisting feeling settles in my stomach. My eyes drift to Victor, catching the sly grin still smeared on his face. Out of all things to say, why did he dare Nate to kiss me? I look away from him and find myself staring at Nate.He is staring right back at me. I can clearly see in his eyes that he is struggling if he should go on with the dare or not. A huge part of me shamelessly wants him to kiss me so badly, burning with the anticipation of how it will feel to have him mold those plump lips with mine and make me forget how to breathe for a second. But the voice of the other minor part of me screams in my head that this dare is a very bad idea."Come on dude! We are waiting. It is just a dare. Just do it." Frank scoffs out the words.Claire shoots fire embers at me, clutching Nate's arm. Nate swats her hand away. His eyes wander to Marco for a brief moment before returning back to gaze at me. When he rises from his couch and begins to walk
TASHAI dash into the house, sliding past the crammed bodies blocking my way. My eyes search around frantically for Nate, catching him in time just as he disappears into one of the rooms by the top left of the corridor after the stairs. I hurry towards the staircase and bolt up the stairs two at a time, my heart beating hard in my chest with each frenzy step I take. Getting to the end of the steps, I rush to the door and twist the handle. The handle does not budge. I groan and after taking a deep breath, I knock on the door."Go away!" Nate's voice is loud as he shouts back. "It is me Tasha. Open the door."Upon hearing no immediate response, I try to consider leaving, but I instantly trash the thought. I need to talk with Nate.Just as I lift up my fist to knock again, the door is pulled back, revealing Nate. His messy hair curls are scattered all over his head, some falling to his face, shading his burning blue eyes a bit. His cheeks look pale, but his plump lips are moist with a fa
TASHAThick silence hovers between us as I try to wrap my head around this tension between us. Around what is happening. Around what just happened between us. He is right. I should probably leave. That seems like the logical thing to do right now.I manage a nod, and then I flee past him out of the room, darting down the stairs as quickly as possible to get to the nearest restroom I can find in this big loud house. The music is jamming in my ears. My heart is squeezing so painfully, and I really do not know why the hell tears are streaming down my cheeks. My common sense returns by the time I reach the restroom after bolting past the kitchen, barging inside and shutting the door behind me, my back leaning against it. Thankfully, the restroom is empty. Nate stopped me from making a huge mistake. With the way my body responded to him back there, I knew I wouldn't care if he ripped off my clothes and fucked me right there and then in that room. But he didn't. He pushed me away, despite th
TASHA"You might want to keep a leash around your new boyfriend Diane." I hiss out and slide past her, wishing that I did not have to see their damn faces at all tonight. I was enjoying this party until I saw their mouths eating up each other, and then that dare from Victor just blew up the rest of my peace of mind in flames. Coming to this party was a mistake.I want to go home. To have a warm long shower and just snuggle up peacefully on my bed like nothing happened tonight. My head is thumping. My heart feels like it is being ripped apart right now. I need to get out of this place.Reaching outside near the crowded pool area, I look around for Marco and Jennie. I groan when I do not see them among the people in the pool or on the lounge chairs or just loitering around.Where are they right now that I need them to help me get out of here!?Just then, my stomach rumbles in hunger. My mind flashes back instantly to the unfinished pack of cookies in the car."Fuck." I hiss under my brea
TASHAThe drive back home is odd and quiet. I feel miserable, but Jennie's soothing hand rubbing down my arm and the cookie she is stuffing into my mouth calms me a bit. Sometimes, Nate steals quick glances at me from the rear mirror, and each time, he is caught by me staring right back at him. I do not know what to feel about what happened between us tonight, about that kiss during that dare and back in that room, but I know I will be lying to myself if I pretend that I do not want it to happen again.We finally arrive at my house. After leaving the rest of the cookies to Jennie and wishing them all a sound goodnight, I step out of the car and start to drag my tired feet towards the house. I check my phone. 9:30pm. Wonderful. Just thirty minutes right before my curfew."Tasha wait." Nate's voice stops me, his hand holding me back. Electricity bolt through my skin. I didn't even notice when he left the car.I hiss in a silent breath through my teeth and take a moment before I turn aro
TASHA"Goodbye mum." I bang the door of the car shut and blow her an air kiss."Goodbye darling." She says, blowing me back an air kiss of her own before pulling out of the school's parking lot, driving away.I am left standing alone and staring at the tall school building in front of me. I had a shitty weekend, and now I am here in school. On a Monday. God I hate Mondays. The school clock just stops ticking faster. Classes become longer and tedious.And assignments. Tons of assignments from Miss Paxton, the Geography teacher. Her long intellectual class is first two periods today.I groan and take in a breath. Today should be different please.I adjust my mid-thigh black jean skirt and black crop top before I start walking over to the school building. A group of three scantily dressed girls with heavy makeup scoff directly to my face as they parade past me.What the hell? And why do they even look like they are trying to apply for stripper positions in a club?I huff out their audaci
TASHAI breeze past the offices, racing towards the only quiet dark place I have in my mind to seek solitary comfort. It may not be one of the fanciest places, but it will give me the silent solace I need right now.Reaching the door of the storeroom, I push it open and barge inside, meeting a stark darkness that matches my anguish inside. I bang the door shut behind me and latch the door bolt into place.My hand brings out my phone from my bag and turns on the torchlight. I search the wall behind me for the light bulb switch of the room. After finding it, I turn on the switch. The white bulb light illuminates the small room instantly, but it does not eliminate the dark sorrow flowing within every single vein and bone of my body. I turn off my phone's torchlight, my legs wobbling. I sink to the floor, bowing my face in-between my hunched up legs, my tears streaking down my cheeks.I have been such a fool. A big massive stupid fool. I loved him with everything I had. I cared for her wi
Dearest Reader, My heart is full. Writing Diane and Leo’s story has been a beautiful unforgettable adventure, and I hope it brought you as much joy, tension, laughter, and definitely a few buckets of tears as it did to me. Diane and Leo are two characters I will never forget. Their journey from enemies to friends and finally to hardcore soulmates was crafted with the same ups and downs that make real life so beautifully complex. My baby girl Diane, most especially, gripped me by the throat throughout her journey in this book, and I cried several times whenever I found myself digging and exploring deeper and deeper into her mind and who she truly is. Leo King, well, he played with my heart as well. He made me believe he was some rich fucking brat who couldn't care less about anything, only to crash me with the truth of who he really is—a true lover king with so much indepth layers that had me lusting and thirsting for more. Thank you for staying with Diane and Leo through every twi
THREE YEARS LATER DIANE I wake up submerged in paralyzing pleasure that sends shivers sizzling down my spine. Warm lips, a hot tongue, and the unmistakable expert touch of the man I love. My body reacts instantly, stretching beneath him as I surrender to the bliss he is inflicting into every cell in my body. This is Leo’s favorite way of waking me up—and, if I am honest, mine too. I love our morning fun so damn much. “Leo…” I breathe out, my fingers threading through his dark strands, clutching tightly as he teases me, pushing me toward the edge of pleasure with every flick of his tongue, every stroke of his fingers. He knows every spot, every way to pull me apart and put me right back together again. I feel myself melting into the softness of the bed, barely able to keep my eyes open. Leo is there, between my legs, working his magic, his mouth and fingers moving with a determination that is both sweet and very sinful. I tangle my fingers in his hair, holding him to me like he
‘All I do is win.’— All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg & T PainFOUR WEEKS LATER DIANEThe entire departmental auditorium is buzzing with energy, filled with students, distinguished professors, and families all seated in anticipation.It is the annual game competition event, and the tension in the air as everyone waits for the announcement of the winners is so thick that a knife can easily slice through it without stress.I am standing beside Crys amongst other competitors, our hands clasped tightly together as we look up at the stage. My heart pounds as I take in the scene before switching my attention to the rest of the audience, searching for the same familiar faces there that are present to cheer me today.My parents. Tasha and Nate. Marissa. Dante. Asher.And the king of all, my Leo King.He is seated beside Marissa, looking so dashing and magnificent in a dark blue tailored suit with a seductive smile added to his smexy appearance. Despite how far ap
LEOI swing the door open and step into Frosty's room.My eyes land on her and Tasha sitting together on the bed. They look so happy, with Frosty's face glowing so bright that the sight tugs at something deep within me, causing warmth and relief to settle right in the center of my chest.“Oh, hey, Leo,” Tasha says, spotting me with the small bag containing Frosty’s medications in my hand. Before I can even respond back, she turns swiftly to Frosty and taps Frosty's lap gently.“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone," she teases, giving her lap a gentle squeeze before she stands up. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”“Wait I'll escort you to—”“Don't worry.” Tasha stops her from getting up from the bed. “Just lie back. Also remember to take your meds, alright?”Frosty nods, giving her a soft smile. “Thanks, Tash. For everything.”“You're welcome darling. Goodnight.”They both hug each other before Tasha moves past me, patting my shoulder on her way out.“Take care of her, Leo.”“I will.” T
DIANEI am alive.It has been a few days since the nightmare with Cole. The police officially informed my family that he is fucking dead.He is gone. And so is my nightmare too.Being back in the familiar warmth of my bedroom is pure heaven. I have never liked hospitals, but my stay there was worth it and wasn't boring for me. Crys and Dante always came to see me, Asher dropped by too with lots of dark chocolates. My parents were already with me the next day after I was brought to the hospital.And Tasha, well, she barged in a few hours after my parents first arrived and literally slept in the hospital with me and Leo throughout my entire stay there.The duration was short though, because I didn't sustain deep injuries and was just kept there for a few checkups and to stabilize my health.Now, I am back home, and thank God that I am propped up in my bed, with a cozy blanket draped over my body. Tasha’s boyfriend, Nate, couldn’t come, but he sent his love, as well as a giant, absurdly
LEOIt is fucking scary how the people we love can be ripped away from us so fast in the blink of an eye.A chilling wind whips through the abandoned warehouse district as I pull up to the location that bastard sent to me. Yesterday's passing has stretched my nerves to their breaking point, and every second I spend away from Frosty feels like an eternity of torture since I got that horrifying call.I step out of the car and close the door, my gaze set firmly on the cold bricked structure in the distance.Gripping the money bag tightly,—one million dollars in cash—I feel the leather biting into my skin. My heart pounds, fear clenching in my chest and making it difficult for me to breathe properly.But I can't let my fear and anxiety show. Not with Frosty’s life on the line. Not with that deranged bastard waiting to kill her if I slip up.Detective Kane stands a few blocks away, spying on the area with his team. I don't need to turn to check if he is in position because I know he alread
DIANEMy eyes flutter open, my vision still a little blurry as I survey my surroundings.The dimness of this dusty place looms around me, doing nothing to help stabilize my sight. My wrists ache, and I realize that I am tied to the back of a chair, with the cold metal digging into my skin.I struggle against the binding ropes, feeling bruises forming from each twist and pull as I yank forcefully.However, it is pointless.The ropes are too tight, and every time I shift, the chair groans, echoing ominously through the vacant space. Fuck.I can barely wrap my mind around the horror of what is happening to me. Today was supposed to be filled with good news. The new hopeful beginning I now have with my mum. The moment I have dreamed and waited my whole life for.The closure, the forgiveness…No evil omen should have happened today. But now, being here like this, I feel like my life is about to be taken away from me.This situation nauseates me, and my stomach churns at the thought with a
DIANE A WEEK LATER “Mum, I am only here because Dad convinced me so much to give you a chance. And because I want to. I'd hate if it all goes for nothing.”My voice is steady, although the emotions swirling within me now feels like a storm I am barely trying to prevent from crashing all over me.Sitting here with Kate Brandon feels almost like I am watching this moment from the outside of a charred plane of glass. She is settled across from me in the quiet corner booth of the diner I chose, the one where Dante, Crys, and I came to when she first moved into her new apartment.I chose this place because its familiarity feels like a shield of protection, not some alien restaurant that only brings me nausea and tension.My mother looks at me with softened eyes, nodding slowly. Her hands are clasped tightly around her mug of coffee as if it is her lifeline.A small frown is creased across her forehead as she speaks. “Thank you, Diane. I know I don’t deserve this. Not after everything. I.
DIANEI am lying on Leo’s bed, feeling the warmth of his skin pressed against mine as he stretches out beside me. We are freshly showered and now wrapped in each other's arms.His steady breaths match the rhythm of my own, and I am here with him, wearing one of his oversized shirts that does little to hide my ass. The cotton feels soft against my skin, and I'd be lying if I deny that I am not falling in love with him all over again because of how fucking good his familiar scent keeps intoxicating me.Gosh.We both have been quiet for a while, just enjoying the warmth of each other's skins and letting the morning light filter in through the blinds, casting its soft streaks across the room and over us.Leo is my safe haven. He makes baring out my mind and feelings to him so easy and without any fear of judgements.I know I have told him so many things about me, secrets that I don't share with just anyone. And that is because he earned my trust. He didn't take advantage of me when he cle