TASHACage.The name keeps ringing in my head as we push through the doors of the underground gym, walking into a swarming, cheering crowd already going crazy. The air is acrid with sweat and smoke and heat, and for a couple seconds, I try to adjust my nostrils and lungs to a new temporal pattern of breathing.I push my way through the noisy crowd chanting Cage! Cage!, staying close enough to Jennie and Marco as we head towards the front to get a better view. Sounds of heavy grunts and punches coming from the ring fill the smoky air, mixing with the buzzing chaos of the crowd, booming louder to my ears the closer we get to the front.We eventually arrive. My mouth falls open, and I finally get a glimpse of why the crowd is so damn fucking loud and crazy.The fight has already begun.Nate sharply evades a deadly blow from his opponent, a massive muscular guy who looks like a grim tattoo drawboard with so many black tattoos coating almost the entire skin of his back and running down his
TASHAI knock a couple times on the door of the room before hearing Nate's low tired voice from inside telling me to come in. After taking in a couple breaths to calm myself, I turn the door handle and enter the room.I shut the door and turn around.My heart gallops against my chest at the naked sight of Nate's bare back facing me, looking sweaty from his fight, also bearing a couple tiny bruises. His back and arm muscles flex with his movement when he turns around. His eyes widen when he sees me standing in the room and staring at him. A small smile tugs up his upper lip as he lifts the white towel in his hand and begins to wipe his chest."I almost thought you were not going to come." He says, walking past me to sit on the single sofa in the room.I try to focus my eyes on anywhere else in the room except him. "Well, I am learning how not break any of my promises again. And I am glad I did. Congratulations.""Thank you." He trails his fingers through his hair. Silence settles betwe
TASHAMy phone begins to vibrate in my bag, tearing us out of our trance. We let go of our fingers tangled with each other. I bring out my phone and see that it is just a measly stupid alarm reminder I forgot to delete. I curse silently under my breath and turn it off, deleting it before putting it back into my bag.I tuck my hair behind my ear. "Nate, you deserve every right to be happy doing what you love. And I really hope your dad will understand. But, definitely, just know that everything will work out one day."He raises an eyebrow at me. "How sure are you about that?"I shrug. "I don't know, but it will." I chirp.He chuckles a laugh at my funny reply, extreme relief washing all over me instantly at the sight of the smile spread across his face. I want to freeze this moment, to keep it with me. I do not know if this night is the last time we get to be like this. To be close together like this. My heart is feeling excited and sinking into the pool of fear at the same time. If th
TASHAA couple knocks on the door stops our kissing. Nate groans, rubbing the tip of his nose over mine before pulling his head back. His fingers tickle along my jawline before he pulls them back and stands up. He flashes me a smile before turning and heading towards the door.Fuck, I still can't believe he is my boyfriend now. To be honest, it is kind of a big deal, but I guess my entire being will absorb our new status one step at a time.I descend back to reality at the sound of the door being pulled open by Nate.Marco's head pops in. "Congratulations dude." His eyes move to Nate's disheveled hair and then shift to me before returning back to Nate. "Uh, can I come in? Or are you guys. . . .kind of. . . .in the middle of something?" He stutters, a sly smile spreading across his face. I do not know why the hell I am smiling too, but Marco is really a he-devil."Get out dude," Nate throws the words at Marco, moving to bang the door to his face, but Marco steps his foot into the slit
TASHAMy ragged breaths pant helplessly off my lips as his hand and mouth continue to devour my breasts, shooting bolts of pleasure straight to my throbbing clit again and again. His mouth leave my breast, trailing down kisses from the center of my chest down to the middle of my stomach, stopping just at the waistband of my trousers. His hand on my breast pinches my nipple slightly, his other hand playing around the button of my jeans, killing me slowly with the throbbing anticipation in my core begging for release."I am taking these off," his hands unbutton my jeans in a second and unzips it. I bite down my lower lip in a smile and lift up my hips a little from the sofa, allowing him to pull the trousers off. With my trousers now on the floor, I am left only in my blue underwear.A smile tugs at his lips as his fingers tingle my skin down my stomach towards the small space between our bodies where my legs are parted, caging around him. I gasp when his hand rubs softly over the thin l
NATEMy mind swirls, need darting straight to my throbbing cock at what Tasha is offering. She sits up on the sofa, her fingers clawing at my chest, making their way down to the waistband of my shorts. Her tongue swipes over her lips, turning me on the more. Her hands shove my shorts down my thighs, making me hiss through my teeth when the material grazes over my bulging cock. Fuck, I have always imagined this a million times with her. My hardened cock strains when her eyes trail the outline of my erection, settling on the tip."You are fucking perfect,” she whispers, her fingers tracing the shaft from my balls upwards to the tip. "So big and long. I could stare at this all the time.""I am glad you like what you see," my fingers dig into her hair, tugging slightly at it, bringing her face closer to my aching cock begging for the relief of her warm mouth to be wrapped around it. Her mouth tugs up with a smile at me as she shakes her head, pushing me to lie back on the sofa. She moves
TASHAAfter a couple more minutes of resting and cuddling up against each other on the sofa, we both decide, for obvious tempting cautious reasons, to take different turns freshening up in the mini bathroom situated in the left corner of the room. The warm water feels so good on my skin, but I do not spend so much time immersed in it.Later, after dressing up and turning off the lights in the room, Nate and I step out, meeting just a few people still in the gym. Just then, my mind clicks. I dart my eyes to my wristwatch.Oh thank God. I sigh out in relief. It is just 9:15pm. I promised my mom to be back home from the cinema on or before 10:30pm. I definitely do not want her suspecting my folly."Uhm, do you wanna grab some dinner?" Nate's question deflects my thoughts back to him, his fingers lacing into mine."Sure." I nod. "I'd love that. We just have to be quick though because I lied to my mum about going to see a movie with Jennie and I also told her that I will be back by 10:30pm
TASHASundays are specially made for me enjoying my lazy ass on my bed, especially if I do not have any homework to do. It is also one of those splendid days of the week I choose to binge watch tons of movies while cuddled up close to my mum on the sofa, just like I am doing right now.I throw some popcorns into my mouth as I continue watching the TV show, stealing quick glances up at my mum, who seems obviously engrossed in the film, her arm draped on my shoulder, with her hand subconsciously rubbing my arm. Moments like this make me wish I have the superpower to just attend my dream college from home when the time comes. But I guess some things are just inevitable. They are just a part of the processes of life and growth.I nuzzle closer to her to inhale more of the papaya scent of her shower soap, which feels more like a sedative to my busy brain right now. I am thinking about a lot of things. About how crazy my past weeks have been. About how I found my peace within myself and my s
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