~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~I’d been holed up in my room since morning, my eyes glued to the screen of my laptop as my fingers flew across the keyboard.Letter after letter turned into words, and words morphed into meaningful sentences. I was writing again.After weeks of writer’s block, the dam had finally broken, and all it had taken was a late-night moment of bliss with Aaron.Ideas were flowing now, pouring out so fast I didn’t dare stop. If I had them coming, I might as well write them all down before they slipped away.As much as I hated to admit it, Aaron had become the muse I’d been searching for. It was baffling how one man could irritate me endlessly while simultaneously sparking my creativity. A mystery I didn’t want to dwell on for too long.The door creaked open, and soft footsteps padded across the floor. Rhoda.“Hey. Thought you might need this,” she said, holding out a steaming mug of coffee.I let myself pause, glancing at the mug before looking up at her. A small smile tugged at my lips.
~Aaron~Words couldn't begin to describe the frustration and disbelief I felt in that moment, standing in my own house, staring at Angelina with a suitcase in hand.I didn’t need to ask why she was here; the suitcase said it all. She’d come to stay, uninvited.I should have turned her around, booked her the next flight to New York, and sent her on her way. It was exactly what I should have done. But she hadn’t told me she was coming for a reason—because she knew I’d say no.It was my mistake, really, letting her know my address. If I’d kept my location private, she’d still be in Brooklyn, and my life would be far simpler.“Do I get to sleep with you?” she asked, her voice sweet and her lashes fluttering like I wouldn’t notice the audacity of her question.I didn’t bother replying, let alone glancing in her direction. Instead, I walked past her, heading to the room at the farthest end of the hallway. I pushed open the door and stepped aside for her to see. Her face fell the moment she
~Joan~The ideas I thought I had coming suddenly stopped. It was like my mind had hit a wall. And that was one of the many reasons I was sulking around the house in a foul mood.Rhoda had asked me countless times if there was a problem. I’d told her I was okay —well, partially.I stared at my laptop screen like it was the root of all my problems. Turns out it was true: Aaron was my muse.I hated that. I really did.Because he was a cheat, and I’d been stupid enough to get involved with him. I hated men who cheated. After what my last boyfriend had done, I’d promised myself I’d never get romantically involved with another man. Until Aaron.We weren’t an item. We’d just slept together once. And, sure, he brought me to an orgasm a few days ago, but now I felt filthy.The thought of being a tool in causing another woman pain burned me with guilt.Angelina was his girlfriend in every sense of the word —and, honestly, I hated her.Slamming my laptop shut, I stared out the window, my mind ru
~Aaron~“Aaron! Aaron!” Angelina’s voice rose behind me, a bite to it and relentless.As soon as Joan had disappeared from sight, Angelina had pulled away from me, immediately following me while I strolled to my room.I pushed the door open and walked in. She followed, her steps echoing behind me. “I’m your girlfriend! And you did nothing even after I told you she disrespected me!” Angelina snapped.I moved towards my bed, before glancing back at her.I unbuttoned my shirt with slow, deliberate movements, trying to keep my irritation in check.My skin prickled, my patience stretched thin. She was too close, in my space again. Moments like these reminded me why I didn’t share a room.“Who are we talking about here?” I asked, shrugging out of my shirt. My voice was calm, too calm, like a storm waiting to break out.“Your sister’s friend. Joan or whatever she calls herself,” she said with a sarcastic bite, crossing her arms. Her eyes flicked over my chest before meeting mine, her gaze h
~Joan~“I think he's going to ask me out,” Rhoda gushed, a blush creeping across her cheeks as I styled her hair. I raised an eyebrow, staring at her reflection in the mirror as I secured the last pin in place.“Oh, really?” I asked, and she nodded excitedly. Lucas had asked her to go on a date, and I honestly wondered what they could possibly be doing during all those times they met.“He was like, ‘Rhoda, I've been meaning to ask—would you like to go on a date with me?’” she mimicked, fanning herself with her hands.I chuckled, shaking my head as I spun her chair so she was facing me.She looked beautiful, with dark lashes framing her brown eyes and dark curls cascading over her shoulders. She was simply breathtaking, and Lucas apparently had good taste.“Well, don’t get your hopes up. I wouldn’t want you coming home heartbroken,” I said, and she rolled her eyes.“It’s going to happen. Just trust me,” she insisted.I hummed as I walked toward the bed, picking up her dress. “Ready to
~Joan~“Are you avoiding me, kitten?” Aaron asked, leaning casually against the kitchen island while I focused on arranging the flowers in a vase.I didn’t bother to respond. He doesn’t get to stroll in here, acting like everything is fine, like he hasn’t done anything wrong. Because he had, and he knew it.I grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and took a long sip, more to buy time than to quench my thirst.“That’s a question that requires an answer,” he said. His voice was calm, but I could feel the weight of his gaze as I placed the glass down on the counter.His eyebrow lifted, his sharp eyes probing mine, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. He was smart enough to figure out I was ignoring him, so why was he pushing?Turning my back on him, I tried to walk out of the kitchen, but his hand shot out, gripping my arm. Heat flared in my chest as I glanced down at his fingers pressing into my skin.“You don’t walk away while I’m talking, Madison.” His voice had
~ Aaron ~She kissed me back, just as fiercely, just as intensely. It was one of the many reasons I couldn’t figure her out, why this woman intrigued me so much.Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling—hard. I broke the kiss for just a second to look at her, really look at her.Her green eyes burned with that maddening mix of anger and desire, sharper now than it had ever been before.I slid my hand down her back, gripping the back of her thighs and lifting her up. Her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively, like she belonged there.“Tell me, kitten, is this what you want?” I asked, my voice low. I wasn’t the monster she thought I was—not entirely. I wasn’t going to force anything on her. Whatever she thought of me, I was more than that.Her head tilted slightly, green eyes dragging slowly over my face before settling on my lips.“Backing out now, Thompson?” she shot back, and I gritted my teeth. This—this right here—was why Joan and I were always butting heads.I didn’t reply, di
~Joan~“Okay, good luck!” Rhoda said over the phone. I drew in a deep breath, a small smile creeping onto my face.“Thank you. I’ll drop by this evening,” I replied softly, and she made some kissy sounds before hanging up. I took a moment to check my appearance in the mirror.I wore a crisp white button-down and a black skirt, my hair tied back in a neat bun. A touch of makeup brought some color to my face, but not too much. I needed to look professional, and I hoped the nerves twisting in my stomach wouldn’t show.Grabbing my bag, I locked the door behind me and stepped outside, only to feel it again—the strange, creepy sensation that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. It sent goosebumps prickling across my skin.I froze. Someone was watching me.I glanced around, scanning the quiet street. Indie’s door was shut—she had traveled to Germany for some vague reason she’d mentioned last week—and my other neighbor had left early this morning.The street was empty.I shook off the feel
~Unknown~“Any updates on the man she’s seeing now?” I asked, exhaling a trail of smoke into the cold, heavy air. I crushed the cigarette under my heel, the ember dying with a faint hiss, before I turned back to face him.The man standing before me shifted uncomfortably. His brown hair clung damply to his forehead, either from sweat or the misty drizzle outside. I could see the faint tremor in his hands before he clenched them into fists, forcing himself to stand straighter.“He’s… uh, he’s kind of a big deal in the tech world,” he said, his voice betraying the fear he was trying to hide. “Runs a company. He’s loaded.”I said nothing, letting the silence drag out. My gaze flickered back to the window, the dark cityscape stretching before me. It was late, but the lights of the distant skyscrapers still blinked, like dying stars.“I don’t know if they’re officially dating,” he continued, as though my silence compelled him to fill the void. “But they spend a lot of time together. More th
~Joan~A moan slipped from my lips as I tangled my fingers in Aaron’s hair. There was no better way to wake up than with a man between your legs.I was sore. Last night had been the most action I’d had in three years. Aaron was a beast unleashed, taking me in ways I hadn’t even imagined—against the wall, on the bed, blindfolded. He’d left no stone unturned.Exactly why it surprised me to wake up with his head still buried between my legs, his mouth teasing the swollen bud of my desire. One of his large hands cupped my breast, rolling the sensitive nipple between his fingers as I arched into him. I was sore, but I didn’t care.“You’re so wet for me,” he murmured, his voice like gravel against my skin as he slid a finger inside me.His other hand pressed down firmly on my stomach, holding me in place as my hips bucked.His rhythm started slow and deliberate, every movement building the pressure until I broke apart beneath him. My body melted into the bed, trembling with release, as he r
~Joan~I’d never seen anything more sensual than a blindfolded woman swaying to a rhythm only she could hear.Joan’s hips moved in lazy, deliberate circles, her hands gliding down her body as if savoring every inch of herself. She turned slowly, her movements hypnotic, while I sat perched on the edge of my bed, hard as stone and completely captivated.The red dress she wore hugged every curve, a second skin that left little to the imagination. The thought of Matthew’s eyes raking over her creamy skin earlier sent fury rising in my chest. One strap slid off her shoulder, then the other, leaving the dress barely clinging to her chest. Her movements slowed, teasing me with the inevitability of the fabric’s fall. My eyes snapped to her face—those full lips parted slightly as her breathing quickened. Lips I wanted to taste. Lips that drove me insane whenever they opened to argue.Then, slowly, the dress slipped lower, revealing the perfect swell of her breasts. Firm, round, flawless. Min
~Joan~“Where are we going?” I asked as Aaron took a different route, one that didn’t lead to either of our houses.“It’ll ruin the surprise,” he said curtly. I raised a brow as he pressed harder on the accelerator, the hum of the car filling the silence.“I don’t like surprises,” I stated. He glanced at me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, before speeding up again. The wind whipped my hair, tangling it into a mess. I should have tied it up.“Are you kidnapping me, Thompson?” I asked, a hint of humor in my voice. He smirked but said nothing. Resigned, I leaned back in my seat, watching the streets blur past.Matthew wasn’t thrilled when I told him I had to leave suddenly, claiming an emergency. He’d offered to come along, but I declined, knowing the last thing I needed was him crossing paths with Aaron. That was a suspicion I wasn’t ready to fuel.Aaron eventually pulled up in front of a gate flanked by high walls. I shifted uncomfortably as it slid open.A house came into view, an
~Joan~I listened to Matthew ramble on about his mother. His mother. Calling it boring felt like an understatement. I knew I’d regret this the second I agreed, and now, halfway through the date, I was wishing I could teleport back home.Has he always been this dull?“…She was really surprised that night. My siblings and I were happy we were able to do that for her,” he said, taking another sip of his drink. He’d brought me to a local Chinese restaurant, which was fine—if he’d bothered to ask if I even liked it here.His eyes flicked to my plate. The steak sat there untouched, glistening under the dim restaurant lights. I hadn’t had a chance to place my order. Matthew, in all his wisdom, had just assumed I was a steak lover.“You’re not eating,” he said, his tone unsure. I nodded, leaning my chin on my hand.“Well, I don’t really like steak,” I said flatly, watching as his face turned a faint shade of red. He shifted in his chair, suddenly looking like a kid caught breaking the rules.
~Joan~I went back to work the following week after submitting my documents at an advertising company, hoping they’d call me soon. The coffee shop was busy as usual, the smell of fresh pastries and coffee lingering in the air.“Hey,” Matthew greeted as he came around the counter while I attended to a line of customers.“Hey. Help me out here, will you?” I shot him a glance before handing a paper bag to a customer, smiling politely as they left.Matthew scratched his hair, hesitating for a moment, before moving around the counter to stand next to me.“Uh, sure,” he said, grabbing a pen to take some orders. Together, we served customers in quick succession, the sounds of the register and muffled chatter filling the space, until we’d finally finished.“That was… thank you,” I said, giving him a brief smile before grabbing a towel to wipe my face. My back ached from standing since the beginning of my shift, and I could feel a dull throb forming in my temples.He gave a curt nod, his expres
~Aaron ~I was annoyed. That much was obvious.Joan always managed to get under my skin, but this? This fucking hurt.She thought I had some ulterior motive, like I was trying to win points or manipulate her, when all I wanted was to make her life a little easier.Over the years, I’d overheard Rhoda mention Joan’s painful periods. Sometimes, Rhoda would spend the entire week with her just to make sure she was okay.Now Rhoda was busy enjoying herself with her boyfriend, so I thought I could step in and help out. And what did Joan do? She accused me of having an agenda.Who the hell does that?I pressed harder on the gas, the car almost leaping off the road. My phone rang again, the same way it had been ringing nonstop since I stormed out of Joan’s apartment.No way was she calling to apologize. Joan never admits she’s wrong, and that was exactly why I ignored it.If it was Denzel, he’d just have to wait.The phone kept buzzing. With a groan, I pulled over, ready to snap at whoever it
~Joan~“You disappeared! I couldn't find you anywhere,” Rhoda said and I sighed, lying on my side and automatically cuddling my pillow. “Had to return home early, I got my period,” I muttered and she gasped. “Oh my God, Jo. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help,” her voice sounded a bit muffled through the line and I closed my eyes. “Yeah, it's all good. Your brother let me use his bathroom.. Good of him,” I said, keeping out the remaining details. He'd carried me, ran a bath for me, let me wear his shirt and drove me home. He was sweet, when he wasn't acting like he had a stick up his ass.“Oh. That's nice of him,” Rhoda said, but she sounded quite odd. “Should I come over?” she asked and I shook my head. The last thing I wanted was details of how she and her boyfriend had sex. At least not now. “Nope. You stay with Lucas, I'll be fine,” I muttered, just as a knock came on my door. I groaned. I honestly don't want to leave my bed right now. I'd been sleeping ever since I returned