CHAPTER 1ArielThere is always a way out of every situation, my Mom would tell me. She would go on and on about how everything has a loophole, and you just had to look carefully to find it.Usually, I would agree with her. Lately, it hit me that I had let my mother's philosophy rule my everyday life until things fell apart. Then, I decided that no one had the right explanation, philosophy, or theory about what really works in anyone's life. So I decided again that everyone should shut up!"Shut up!" I screamed at Jim Rohn's face on my TV screen and angrily switched it off, throwing the remote away from me.Jim Rohn had been going on and on about the way one was supposed to live an ideal life. What was even an ideal life, anyway?I didn’t have one yet, and I wasn’t sure how it worked.Too many motivational quotes from people I was sure found it just as difficult to put their lives together as I did. I grabbed the popcorn bowl beside me, threw some in my mouth, and some at the TV s
Lucas She didn’t know who I was!I watched Ariel’s reaction with an interesting surprise. She didn’t flinch.There had never been a time I called those names to someone and didn’t get a reaction from them. Everyone knew Nicholas Donovan. Therefore, everyone knew Lucas Donovan, his son. Boston's billboard was littered with my picture, and my company was featured in almost all popular magazines in America. However, here I was with a woman who didn’t have the tiniest idea of who I was. Somehow, I found it fascinating. Nicholas Donovan, my father, was a reputable and highly infamous business tycoon. He owned large telecommunications companies, factories, hotels, classic restaurants, and several other businesses spread across the globe. My father’s face was on several billboards in Boston a few years back. Due to our uncanny resemblance, most people could hardly tell my father apart from me. Our faces were featured in various interviews on TV screens, in newspapers, and all over the
Ariel Ariel I wished for once Lucas would stop looking at me like he could see my sins through my skin. He folded his arms as he asked me to tell him what I knew about him. I was sure I met him at the Iris Hotel the night Ryan and I broke up, and he'd given me a lift to Joan's apartment. However, Lucas' denial could only mean he was some sort of undercover agent who didn’t want to blow his cover. “You’re an undercover agent,” I spilled out without knowing how silly I sounded, “You don’t have to worry about your identity.” I moved my hand on my lips, “My lips are forever sealed.” Lucas rolled his eyes as if he hadn’t heard anything sillier. “I’m not an undercover agent, Ariel. Can I close my door now?” I didn't say any more words. I let Lucas close the door behind him as the tone of my name in his mouth rang into my ears. How could someone call my name so perfectly? I wished he would call me once more so I could sink into it. Suddenly, speaking with Lucas this morning made
Ariel“A classic Manhattan, please,” I called the bartender whose back was to me. He was getting a bottle from the drink shelf.“Ariel?” The bartender called, turning. “Ariel! I knew I would recognize that voice anytime,” Gary said excitedly.Gary had been the bartender in this club for as long as I could remember. He was a friend, the kind that you gossip with. Gary had information about everyone and everything in Woodstock.“Hi, Gary.” I wasn’t in a mood for chit-chat.“Hi, Gray? Where’s that from?” He was surprised at my sober mood. “Don’t tell me you’re now a stuck-up old lady!”“That’s what happens when you stay cooped up in your room for too long. My drink, please.”Gary went about pouring the drink and pushed the glass toward me. “This one’s on the house.”“Thank you.”“I never got to apologize about what happened that night.”“I am sure you ain’t sorry.”“Ariel, you know I didn’t have a choice about calling the bouncers to take you out.”“We all have choices. But don’t worry,
LucasMy first thought was…oh, hell! I couldn’t even remember my first thought.Ariel’s lips fixed on mine, and I couldn’t even remember what I wanted to say. Her lips were soft. Extremely soft.They felt like rose petals against mine. I couldn’t help but lose myself as her hands caressed my face, and her breath danced across my skin.Every nerve in my body came alive with the sensation of her touch, and it felt like I had tasted nothing sweeter.I knew I was tipsy. Just a bit…but Ariel’s lips fusing with mine did a lot more to make me dizzy than any whiskey.She didn’t attempt to touch any other part of my body, just my face, and just when I placed my hand on the small of her back to pull her closer, a deep voice startled us.“Ariel…?”Ariel broke the kiss, but she didn’t pull away from me. Instead, she placed both her hands on my shoulders, leaning into me.She turned to the guy, staring at him passively.“Do you want me to let you two talk?” I asked Ariel, trying to be polite. I wa
Lucas“This…is a major bad idea.” I managed to say.Ariel didn’t seem to be listening to me; she raised her hands and touched my face lightly. My breath caught with the impact of her cool fingers on my bare skin.This is a totally bad idea, Lucas! Remember why you’re in Woodstock!! Flee… The voice in my head was loud and clear; I caught Ariel’s wrist, holding it firmly. She didn’t struggle, didn’t flinch.All Ariel did was lock her eyes in mine, and I seemed to drown in their depths. It was all the confirmation that I needed. All the go-ahead.Flee, Lucas. Now!!!Instead of listening to the wise counsel inside my head, I ruined it all by wrapping my hand around her waist and pulling her into me.God! She felt so good!!! The rebellious voice screamed in my head.I didn’t think twice about placing my lips on hers. The taste was the same, but the feel…oh gosh…the feel of her lips.I pushed my tongue in, and so willing, she granted me access to the ocean of her mouth. My tongue dived pas
Ariel Luca’s eyes danced on mine as he dropped the question on me. For a split second, it felt like he was proposing marriage to me. “What!” Was all I could bring myself to say. Was he sure what he was asking from me? Did he realize we just had mind-blowing sex? Did he know how complicated things were already for us as neighbors? Why did he want to make it more complicated by making me work for him? Lucas continued, and this time, I could see that he meant every word he said. “I plan to leave this place for a duplex downtown. You can work for me as an in-house chef while I pay you handsomely.” I listened to every tone of his voice. Every note sounded right. I chuckled uncontrollably. He’d only met me a few days ago. I’d only had a one-night stand with him because I was in distress. But working for him was way out of my plans. Lucas’s face widened as he watched me laugh. “Did I mention anything funny?” “Yes!” My voice pitched. “And what is that?” “You don’t know me,” I continu
LucasI stopped short when I saw Ariel standing outside the door with Fiona. The look on her face told me everything I needed to know. My sister had toyed with this one, too, and Ariel obviously fell for it. When Fiona showed up last night at my duplex, it was all I could’ve done not to send her away at such an hour. Then, I saw Kelvin, and I could’ve sworn I killed him with the looks I gave him. Seeing him, I didn’t have to ask how Fiona knew how to find me. Kelvin, my assistant, the one person who was supposed to be my ally, had brought my sister to my doorstep.How soon till my parents show up?! I didn’t even want to start thinking of that.Fiona was leaning on the door and immediately flung herself to me when she noticed my presence in the room. “Oh, dear Luc, your guest has been waiting for you! Who is she?”I knew what game Fiona was playing. She did the exact same thing to every girl who came looking for me. Some would leave angrily and later on called me to call me all s
ArielFiona’s gorgeousness would be missed in the house. She was a natural at looking classy. A natural blonde, too, who picked her words carefully and smiled a lot. She was everything I would never be. Fiona had casually made jokes with Lucas, and I watched Lucas’s hard exterior slowly crumble. I hated that I had overheard Fiona’s conversation with her brother, and now I felt like a fool for having the idea that she might be a woman Lucas had over.Though, Fiona seemed like a nice person, I couldn’t stop thinking about the satisfying look on her face as she watched me make a fool of myself with my wrong assumptions. Oh, I had been terribly mistaken. I wish I could unhear her and Lucas’ conversation as she told him about Kimberly. Whoever Kimberly was, Lucas wanted nothing to do with her.And to think Fiona made it clear that Lucas’ parent were on Kimberly’s side…? I sighed; getting my head wrapped up in Lucas’ business was the worst thing I could do to myself.At least now, I
LucasI stopped short when I saw Ariel standing outside the door with Fiona. The look on her face told me everything I needed to know. My sister had toyed with this one, too, and Ariel obviously fell for it. When Fiona showed up last night at my duplex, it was all I could’ve done not to send her away at such an hour. Then, I saw Kelvin, and I could’ve sworn I killed him with the looks I gave him. Seeing him, I didn’t have to ask how Fiona knew how to find me. Kelvin, my assistant, the one person who was supposed to be my ally, had brought my sister to my doorstep.How soon till my parents show up?! I didn’t even want to start thinking of that.Fiona was leaning on the door and immediately flung herself to me when she noticed my presence in the room. “Oh, dear Luc, your guest has been waiting for you! Who is she?”I knew what game Fiona was playing. She did the exact same thing to every girl who came looking for me. Some would leave angrily and later on called me to call me all s
Ariel Luca’s eyes danced on mine as he dropped the question on me. For a split second, it felt like he was proposing marriage to me. “What!” Was all I could bring myself to say. Was he sure what he was asking from me? Did he realize we just had mind-blowing sex? Did he know how complicated things were already for us as neighbors? Why did he want to make it more complicated by making me work for him? Lucas continued, and this time, I could see that he meant every word he said. “I plan to leave this place for a duplex downtown. You can work for me as an in-house chef while I pay you handsomely.” I listened to every tone of his voice. Every note sounded right. I chuckled uncontrollably. He’d only met me a few days ago. I’d only had a one-night stand with him because I was in distress. But working for him was way out of my plans. Lucas’s face widened as he watched me laugh. “Did I mention anything funny?” “Yes!” My voice pitched. “And what is that?” “You don’t know me,” I continu
Lucas“This…is a major bad idea.” I managed to say.Ariel didn’t seem to be listening to me; she raised her hands and touched my face lightly. My breath caught with the impact of her cool fingers on my bare skin.This is a totally bad idea, Lucas! Remember why you’re in Woodstock!! Flee… The voice in my head was loud and clear; I caught Ariel’s wrist, holding it firmly. She didn’t struggle, didn’t flinch.All Ariel did was lock her eyes in mine, and I seemed to drown in their depths. It was all the confirmation that I needed. All the go-ahead.Flee, Lucas. Now!!!Instead of listening to the wise counsel inside my head, I ruined it all by wrapping my hand around her waist and pulling her into me.God! She felt so good!!! The rebellious voice screamed in my head.I didn’t think twice about placing my lips on hers. The taste was the same, but the feel…oh gosh…the feel of her lips.I pushed my tongue in, and so willing, she granted me access to the ocean of her mouth. My tongue dived pas
LucasMy first thought was…oh, hell! I couldn’t even remember my first thought.Ariel’s lips fixed on mine, and I couldn’t even remember what I wanted to say. Her lips were soft. Extremely soft.They felt like rose petals against mine. I couldn’t help but lose myself as her hands caressed my face, and her breath danced across my skin.Every nerve in my body came alive with the sensation of her touch, and it felt like I had tasted nothing sweeter.I knew I was tipsy. Just a bit…but Ariel’s lips fusing with mine did a lot more to make me dizzy than any whiskey.She didn’t attempt to touch any other part of my body, just my face, and just when I placed my hand on the small of her back to pull her closer, a deep voice startled us.“Ariel…?”Ariel broke the kiss, but she didn’t pull away from me. Instead, she placed both her hands on my shoulders, leaning into me.She turned to the guy, staring at him passively.“Do you want me to let you two talk?” I asked Ariel, trying to be polite. I wa
Ariel“A classic Manhattan, please,” I called the bartender whose back was to me. He was getting a bottle from the drink shelf.“Ariel?” The bartender called, turning. “Ariel! I knew I would recognize that voice anytime,” Gary said excitedly.Gary had been the bartender in this club for as long as I could remember. He was a friend, the kind that you gossip with. Gary had information about everyone and everything in Woodstock.“Hi, Gary.” I wasn’t in a mood for chit-chat.“Hi, Gray? Where’s that from?” He was surprised at my sober mood. “Don’t tell me you’re now a stuck-up old lady!”“That’s what happens when you stay cooped up in your room for too long. My drink, please.”Gary went about pouring the drink and pushed the glass toward me. “This one’s on the house.”“Thank you.”“I never got to apologize about what happened that night.”“I am sure you ain’t sorry.”“Ariel, you know I didn’t have a choice about calling the bouncers to take you out.”“We all have choices. But don’t worry,
Ariel Ariel I wished for once Lucas would stop looking at me like he could see my sins through my skin. He folded his arms as he asked me to tell him what I knew about him. I was sure I met him at the Iris Hotel the night Ryan and I broke up, and he'd given me a lift to Joan's apartment. However, Lucas' denial could only mean he was some sort of undercover agent who didn’t want to blow his cover. “You’re an undercover agent,” I spilled out without knowing how silly I sounded, “You don’t have to worry about your identity.” I moved my hand on my lips, “My lips are forever sealed.” Lucas rolled his eyes as if he hadn’t heard anything sillier. “I’m not an undercover agent, Ariel. Can I close my door now?” I didn't say any more words. I let Lucas close the door behind him as the tone of my name in his mouth rang into my ears. How could someone call my name so perfectly? I wished he would call me once more so I could sink into it. Suddenly, speaking with Lucas this morning made
Lucas She didn’t know who I was!I watched Ariel’s reaction with an interesting surprise. She didn’t flinch.There had never been a time I called those names to someone and didn’t get a reaction from them. Everyone knew Nicholas Donovan. Therefore, everyone knew Lucas Donovan, his son. Boston's billboard was littered with my picture, and my company was featured in almost all popular magazines in America. However, here I was with a woman who didn’t have the tiniest idea of who I was. Somehow, I found it fascinating. Nicholas Donovan, my father, was a reputable and highly infamous business tycoon. He owned large telecommunications companies, factories, hotels, classic restaurants, and several other businesses spread across the globe. My father’s face was on several billboards in Boston a few years back. Due to our uncanny resemblance, most people could hardly tell my father apart from me. Our faces were featured in various interviews on TV screens, in newspapers, and all over the
CHAPTER 1ArielThere is always a way out of every situation, my Mom would tell me. She would go on and on about how everything has a loophole, and you just had to look carefully to find it.Usually, I would agree with her. Lately, it hit me that I had let my mother's philosophy rule my everyday life until things fell apart. Then, I decided that no one had the right explanation, philosophy, or theory about what really works in anyone's life. So I decided again that everyone should shut up!"Shut up!" I screamed at Jim Rohn's face on my TV screen and angrily switched it off, throwing the remote away from me.Jim Rohn had been going on and on about the way one was supposed to live an ideal life. What was even an ideal life, anyway?I didn’t have one yet, and I wasn’t sure how it worked.Too many motivational quotes from people I was sure found it just as difficult to put their lives together as I did. I grabbed the popcorn bowl beside me, threw some in my mouth, and some at the TV s