~ Joan ~The days flew by quickly as Rhoda and I enjoyed ourselves. Well, it was safe to say our version of fun was... unconventional. After the incident at the club, things only got worse.Rhoda had always been drawn to danger, which led us to our latest escapade.“We're not supposed to be here, Jo,” Rhoda whispered, clamping her hand over her mouth to stifle a chuckle. I nudged her as we crept deeper into the now-silent tower.It was past midnight, and we’d been explicitly warned that guests were not allowed in the tower after that hour.We’d stuck around—sneaking, to be precise—out of sheer curiosity. What could be so special about this place that it had to be closed at midnight?Climbing the staircase, we treaded lightly, using our phones as flashlights.A flicker of movement in the corner caught my eye. I lowered my flashlight and squinted, trying to make out what it was.Rhoda turned, shining her light in the same direction. A rat squeaked and scurried toward us.And that’s when
~Aaron~“Dress up,” I said, tossing her dress over to her. She sat up on the bed, staring at me with wide eyes as she clutched the dress to her chest, shielding her breasts from view.Not that I was looking anyway.She regarded me quietly as I moved around the room, picking up my phone and wristwatch.“Where are you going?” Angelina asked. I gritted my teeth, irritated.“My study. I have work to catch up on,” I replied coolly. I was already dressed in simple black pants and a T-shirt.Ever since I returned to Brooklyn, work had been my escape—my way of keeping my mind off things I had no business dwelling on.Like a certain green-eyed woman with red hair who’d been invading my thoughts all week with the most inappropriate images.Angelina narrowed her eyes at me. She leaned forward, her breasts mirroring the movement. My eyes darted to them for a split second before I quickly looked away.Angelina had a stunning body, as expected of a model and fashionista. She had the kind of figure
~Aaron~“Where are they?” I asked, following the officer, who happened to be one of my acquaintances. He shook his head at my impatience as he led the way.I had arrived in Spain a few hours ago, and it was still quite early in the morning. After signing the bail papers—for both girls, of course. Not like I’d leave Joan here, knowing full well she had no one else to rescue her.I had once been tempted when she and Rhoda were arrested back in New York. I’d left with Rhoda, who cried all the way home, and eventually bailed Joan out, instructing the cops to keep my identity hidden.To her, I had abandoned her to rot, and it might just be one of a thousand reasons why she hated me. The good news was, I didn’t care.Rhoda immediately stood up when she saw me. She had been curled at the far end of the prison room with a few brutal-looking women. Joan, however, remained seated. Her knees were drawn to her chest as she watched us quietly.I paused for a second, taking in the expression on her
~Joan~I hate my boyfriend. He sucks.Those were the only words I’d written since an hour ago when I turned on my laptop. The cursor blinked at me like it was mocking me, daring me to write something meaningful. But no, all I had was resentment and an empty brain.Rhoda was in the middle of a bad mood swing, thanks to her brother freezing her accounts and blacklisting her. Honestly, I’d be pissed too.So I had wandered through the house and discovered that the infamous Aaron actually owned a library. It was massive, artistic, and packed with books—so many books that, for a moment, I mistook it for a bookstore.It was quiet, dim, and cool—the kind of space where inspiration should’ve flowed. Yet my mind was blank. Was writing horror always this hard, or was my brain just betraying me today?And then I felt it.The hair on the back of my neck prickled, and I knew someone was there. I didn’t need to turn around to confirm it—I felt the presence. I knew who it was.My body told me before
~Joan~“Hey, you want to go for a walk?” I asked, sitting on the bed next to Rhoda, who had pulled the blanket over herself like it might shield her from the world.She stared at me for a second before shaking her head, her lips pressed into a tight line.Her bad mood was starting to affect me. We were supposed to have fun —not the jail kind of fun—but the kind where we could let loose and just be ourselves. Then Aaron had to ruin everything.“Come on, Peach, you can’t be like this all day,” I nudged her lightly, trying to draw her out. She pursed her lips, the same way she always did when weighing her next words.“He froze my accounts, Jo. I’m so mad at him right now,” she muttered, her voice low and bitter.I blinked. “Permission to kill him?” I teased, and for the first time all day, she laughed—a soft sound, but enough to loosen the tight pressure in my chest.“Unfortunately, no. I still love him,” she said with a shrug, sitting up abruptly. “Besides, he’s the only family I’ve got
~Aaron~The girls were a couple of miles away from me, holding hands, whispering to each other, and giggling.And me? I was trailing behind, far enough to give them space but close enough to keep an eye on them. My gaze stayed locked on them, even as my phone stayed pressed to my ear.“Denzel...” I sighed, rubbing a hand down my face as I tried to focus on the call.I’d been on a call with one of the few friends I had—also a business associate—when Joan and Rhoda decided they were going out.Joan had been right earlier. There was a lot I needed to handle after flying out here abruptly from Brooklyn.My company wouldn’t exactly crumble without me, but there were certain clients I was supposed to meet with. Ones who expected me to handle their matters personally.“Man, it’s blackmail. He’s been extorting money from the poor girl. All you have to do is wipe the video, and that’s that,” Denzel said, his voice carrying that same confident tone he always had.I leaned against a nearby post,
~Joan~I kept tossing on the bed, unable to find a position that felt right. Had it always been this hard to sleep?Rhoda was already fast asleep. She’d crashed the moment we got home from the long walk—our mistake.We’d told Aaron not to bring his car because it was supposed to be a walk, not a drive. Besides, he wasn’t exactly great company.Throwing on a pair of shorts and a top, I slipped out of the room, carefully shutting the door behind me. Rhoda was a deep sleeper. Once she was out, she was out.The house was dark, but I managed to make my way to the living room without bumping into anything. A small accomplishment, but I celebrated it in my head anyway.Light was spilling faintly into the living room, and I wondered if Rhoda had forgotten to turn off the kitchen lights. Both siblings seemed to thrive in darkness, especially at night.I changed course, heading to the kitchen. I’d switch off the light and grab a drink while I was at it. But I froze when I saw him.There he was—
~Joan~Spreading both my legs open with one of his hands, he inched closer. So close, his breath ghosted over my lips, sending shivers through me.His eyes locked onto mine, dark and intent, as he trailed a finger up my thigh. The small circles he drew teased and set me alight, just shy of where I ached for him most.“You want this, huh?” His voice was low, gravelly, thick with desire. Bracing myself on the cool counter, I turned my head slightly, feeling the strands of my hair loosen and tumble free from the bun.Aaron’s gaze dropped, tracking each strand as if it were the most captivating thing in the room. His pupils darkened, a shift in his control as the moment stretched taut between us.With precise fingers, he unfastened the button on my shorts, his knuckles brushing against my skin. I lifted my hips instinctively, inviting his movements as he slid them down my legs in one fluid motion.The wetness between my thighs was unmistakable now, and the cool air kissed my skin as he tu
♧Joan♧"Can he not go with me, please? It’d make me feel… well, uncomfortable," I said, pressing my lips together.Aaron glanced at me briefly before turning his attention back to his laptop, fingers tapping away.I crossed my arms in front of my chest. Oh, so now he was playing the silent role, wasn’t he?"Aaron." I called his name, and he sighed, finally lifting his eyes to meet mine."I thought we already talked about this?" He turned his seat around to face me fully. "It’s not safe for you or the baby to be out alone without a bodyguard.""It’s just dinner with my colleagues," I pressed on. "It’ll be awkward having a bodyguard hovering around like a shadow," I added, watching as he pinched the bridge of his nose."Babe…""Just this once. I’ll be good, I promise," I muttered, my voice softer now. He stared at me for a long second before exhaling a slow sigh. I took it as a yes.A grin broke out on my face, and I quickly closed the distance between us, pressing a soft kiss to his l
~Joan~ "When are you leaving?" I asked as I moved around our bedroom, pretending to busy myself. Aaron sat on the bed, adjusting his sleeves, humming softly. I glanced over my shoulder, watching him. "In two hours," he muttered, before meeting my gaze. "I need to stop by the company before heading to Seattle." I looked away, rummaging through the closet for... nothing. Just something to keep my hands occupied, to stop him from noticing how much I hated that he was leaving. Two days might not seem like much, but it felt long enough. "I thought you had more time," I murmured, my voice quieter than I intended. Silence followed. My fingers brushed against the shoes on the rack, neatly lined up in their places. He could’ve at least said something. Pressing my lips together, I turned around, only to find him standing behind me, arms crossed, head tilted slightly as he studied me. He raised a brow before leaning in. "You were saying something," he said, his voice lower now. I sh
♤Aaron♤ "You'd go slow, yeah?" I asked, my voice low. She nodded, biting her bottom lip, her green eyes flickering with anticipation. I leaned in and kissed her, my hands sliding over her waist as I pulled her onto my lap. She straddled me instantly, her body pressing against mine. Her breasts bounced with the movement, and a soft gasp left her lips as she rubbed herself against my growing arousal. I groaned, dropping my head to capture a nipple between my lips, rolling my tongue over the sensitive peak while my hand kneaded her other breast. I had read somewhere that nipple stimulation helped pregnant women reach pleasure faster. With Joan, it proved true every time. She was more sensitive now, her body responding instantly to my touch. And I loved it. I loved how she changed each day, how her curves became fuller, her hips softer, her ass more tempting. Slowly, she sank onto my length, and we both let out a moan of pure ecstasy. She rocked her hips, and I matched her moveme
~Joan~By the time we got to the apartment, it was already late, and Aaron and I had, well... thoroughly exhausted ourselves in the car. That was another wish ticked off my bucket list—getting fucked in the backseat. I wouldn’t deny it—it was hot. Just thinking about it sent a rush of warmth between my legs. I had never asked for a better birthday. "Why is it so dark?" I asked Aaron as we stepped out of the car. From the windows, I could tell the lights were out inside, though I was sure they had been on when we left. I hesitated mid-step. Aaron glanced down at me, and I swallowed hard. "Did someone break in?" I whispered, hating how quickly those ugly memories resurfaced. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, drawing me closer. "No one broke in, and no one can," he muttered before pressing a kiss to the side of my head. I leaned into him. He smelled like me and that earthy musk of sex—a surprisingly intoxicating mix. "I'm moving out soon," Aaron said, and I tilted my head
~Aaron~Joan was acting weird. These past few days, her entire attitude had shifted, and trying to understand her was becoming impossible. Worse still, she wouldn’t even tell me what was going on. I hadn’t pushed further because, well, she was the type to recoil into herself when pressed. So, I waited, hoping she’d come to me in her own time. And, well, that wasn’t happening either. I’d stayed up the whole night—not because I couldn’t sleep, but because I was anxious. It was Joan’s birthday today, and while I’d planned an entire party for her, that wasn’t the only thing on my mind. I was going to ask her to be my wife. Now, I wasn’t so sure she’d say yes because, fuck, I barely understood her anymore. I glanced at my side, where she lay curled up... on her own. We always cuddled in bed—something I once hated but learned to love because Joan was involved. But last night, she asked me for space, said she wasn’t comfortable with me breathing down her neck. I let her have her way, but
~Joan~I stared at the piece of paper in my hands, my eyes fixed on just two words. Pregnancy: Positive Doctor Jax cleared his throat, and I looked up at him. He gave a small, warm smile. "You're in your first trimester, so your body will start changing," he said gently. I leaned forward, my mind racing. This wasn't real, right? I let out a small, awkward laugh. "I don’t think this result is mine. I mean, I feel fine. No dizziness, no nausea, nothing," I muttered. He nodded, unfazed. "Symptoms are different for every woman. You might not be throwing up or feeling dizzy, but you’ll notice other changes—mood swings, weight gain, and certain parts of your body getting fuller." I pressed my lips together, unable to respond. "We’ll need to register you for the antenatal program. You’ll come in twice a week—Wednesdays and Fridays—until you're due," he continued. I stared at my hands. Oh God, I was going to be a mother. It didn’t feel real. I had no idea how to react. Happy?
~Aaron~I arrived home at exactly 10 p.m. to see Joan curled up on the sofa. My steps slowed as I approached her. Her hair had fallen over her face, hiding it from view. She was asleep—I could tell from her slow, steady breathing and the quiet stillness around her. A small smile crept onto my face. She’d probably fallen asleep waiting for me. My stubborn girl. I dropped my briefcase on the floor before crouching in front of the couch. Gently, I brushed her hair away, revealing her peaceful face. Her lips were slightly pursed, and her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks. She was beautiful. So goddamn beautiful that I had to look at her twice, still wondering how this amazing woman had fallen in love with me. I ran my hand down her arm, and she mumbled something, curling further into herself. She had put on a little weight lately, and while I loved that for her, something felt off. Something was going on. And aside from the secret I was keeping from her, we told each o
~Joan~"That's... great news," I muttered, downing the last drop of my lemon juice. Rhoda gave a small smile from where she sat opposite me. We had been trying to rebuild our relationship, starting from scratch, piecing together the trust we had both broken. "You really want him to move in with you?" I asked, watching as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah? I don't know. But I want him closer," she said, her voice unsure. I pursed my lips and glanced around the small restaurant. She had texted me earlier, asking to meet after work, and while I would have preferred to spend time with Aaron, fixing things with her was just as important. Even though Aaron acted like our strained relationship didn’t affect him, I knew better. "Should I tell him?" I asked, tapping my fingers lightly against my empty glass. She pressed her lips together into a thin line. "He would overreact, but I think it's better to let him know Lucas is moving in with me," she said. I nodded, starin
~Unknown~The door creaked open, and I heard footsteps. Not just one set—I knew there were more.A switch flicked, flooding the dark room with harsh, artificial light. I kept my head hung low, trying to pry my swollen eyes open, but the effort was almost impossible. Every pulse of pain reminded me just how badly they had beaten me.Before I could process what was happening, ice-cold water crashed over my body. I gasped, the shock rattling through me as I jerked violently, straining against the binds cutting into my wrists.What the fuck?“He actually has the audacity to sleep,” someone snickered.I raised my head slowly, vision swimming, but I could still make out their faces. I recognized them.“Ace. Ace. Ace.” A man stepped forward, his voice dripping with mockery. Sparrow. I knew that voice anywhere.“How does it feel being held captive, knowing damn well you’re going to die?” he asked.I gritted my teeth, ignoring the way pain knifed through my jaw.I never expected it that night.