QuinnAs I quietly slipped back into the bedroom, I found Lachlan awake, sitting on the edge of the bed with a thoughtful expression on his face. He looked up as I entered, his eyes immediately locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but I could feel the nervous energy radiating off me like a beacon."Good morning," he said, his voice low and measured. "You were up early."I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep. Thought I'd get some work done."Lachlan's eyes narrowed slightly, and I could see the gears turning in his head as he studied me. "Work? At this hour?"I shrugged, trying to maintain a casual demeanor. "You know how it is. When inspiration strikes, you have to strike back."He didn't respond immediately, instead letting the silence stretch between us. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the way his eyes seemed to bore into me, searching for any hint of deception. I shifted uncomfor
As our lips parted, the world around us slowly came back into focus. The sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore, the soft music drifting through the air, and the warm, golden light of the late afternoon sun all blended together to create a sense of surreal tranquility. But just beneath the surface, I could feel the storm brewing, a tempest of emotions that threatened to consume me whole.Lachlan's eyes, those piercing grey orbs, seemed to bore into my very soul, as if searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. But I had made my decision, sealing our pact with a kiss that had left me breathless. I was in this now, fully and completely."I'll show you to your new workspace," Lachlan said, his voice low and husky, as he stood up, offering me his hand. "You'll have complete access to all my files, my schedule, and my... desires."I took his hand, feeling a jolt of electricity as our palms touched. "And what do you expect from me in return, Lachlan?" I asked, my voice bare
Quinn As I lay in bed, Lachlan's arm wrapped possessively around me, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. The events of the evening kept replaying in my mind like a broken record – the opulent decorations, the laughter, the hushed conversations, and the undercurrent of tension that seemed to simmer just beneath the surface.I thought back to the document I had discovered earlier, the one outlining Lachlan's plan to acquire a rival company by any means necessary. The more I learned about his empire, the more I realized that nothing was as it seemed. Every smile, every laugh, every gesture seemed to hide a deeper motive, a more sinister intent.Lachlan stirred beside me, his eyes fluttering open as he gazed up at the ceiling. "Sleep eluding you, my dear?" he asked, his voice low and husky.I turned to face him, my heart racing as our eyes met in the dim light. "Just processing the evening, I suppose," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant
QuinnTaking a break from my computer screen, I decided to take a walk through Lachlan's private garden. As I wandered through the lush expanse of trees, bushes and vines, an inexplicable pull guided my steps. The air was thick with the heady aroma of jasmine and the distant sound of the ocean which should have been a balm to my soul, but my mind was stayed clouded with anxiety. Cat's last email replayed over and over in my mind like a sinister song, highlighting the shadows in Lachlan's past that seemed to loom over me. Then, I saw it: a grand oak tree, its gnarled branches stretching skyward, beckoning me closer. I didn't understand what it was doing here on a desert island. And more than that, how did Cat tell me to meet her at an oak tree just yesterday and here was an oak tree. What the fuck was this?While brushing against the coarse bark, a glint caught my eye, revealing a shimmer beneath the thick carpet of leaves. My breath hitched as I sunk to my knees, fingers trembling as
QuinnThe next morning, I woke to the soft rustling of palm fronds outside my window and the hum of the ocean. Lachlan's side of the bed was empty, the sheets cold. I stretched, my body still deliciously sore from our encounter the day before that had stretched into the wee hours of the night even as my brain reeled. The events of the past few days played like a movie reel in my mind, a mix of passion, intrigue, and a growing sense of unease.I needed answers, and I needed them now. The locket was a tangible clue to one of Lachlan's secrets--a key to unlocking the mysteries that surrounded him and his past. I couldn't keep ignoring the signs, the whispers of secrets that lurked in the shadows. I had to confront him, had to know the truth.Slipping out of bed, I threw on one of the silky robes that had appeared in one of my drawers in Lachlan's room a few days ago and made my way to Lachlan's study. The door was slightly ajar, and I could hear the low murmur of his voice from within. I
I looked up at him, a smile playing on my lips. "And where are we going?"He grinned, a wicked glint in his eyes. "It's a surprise."I raised an eyebrow but closed my laptop, setting it aside. "A surprise, hmm? I thought we agreed, no more secrets."Lachlan laughed, a rich, warm sound I'd rarely heard and that sent a shiver of desire coursing through me. "It's not a secret, Quinn. It's a surprise. There's a difference."I rolled my eyes but let him take my hand, pulling me to my feet. "Fine, but this better be a good surprise."He led me out of the study, through the grand halls of his mansion, and out into the warm, tropical evening. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers I'd come to love, the sound of waves crashing against the shore, and the distant cry of seabirds. It was a paradise, a sanctuary, but still a storm raged in the back of my mind.Lachlan led me down a winding path, the setting sun casting long shadows across our path. As we rounded a bend, I gasp
LachlanAs I stood on the deck of my yacht, the warm breeze whipping my hair into a frenzy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of turmoil brewing inside me. Quinn, with her piercing green eyes and unyielding spirit, had managed to awaken a maelstrom of emotions I thought I'd long buried. My desire for her was all-consuming, a flame that threatened to engulf me whole. Yet, it was more than just lust that drove me. I yearned for her to love me, to accept me for all that I was—dark past, secrets, and all.But there was a catch, a dichotomy that tore at my very being. My need for power, for control, warred with my longing to surrender to her. I wanted to give her everything: my truth, my heart, my soul. However, I also craved something in return—her complete and utter submission. I wanted her to be under my spell, to crave my dominance as much as I craved her love.As we sat down to dinner, the soft glow of the candles casting an intimate ambiance, I found myself drawn to her like a moth to
LachlanLeaning down, my lips captured hers in a searing kiss, my tongue dueling with hers as my hands continued their exploration. I traced the curve where her waist flared at her hip then dancing across her skin to tease the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. She mewled and writhed under my touch as she recognized my dominance over her, body and soul.With effort, I broke away from her sweet lips, trailing kisses down her neck, lingering at the delicate spot where her pulse raced. My teeth grazed her skin, a gentle bite eliciting a pretty gasp from the mix of pleasure and pain that hardened my cock even more. Biting back my own groan, I continued my descent, my lips and tongue tracing a path down her collarbone, her sternum, until I reached the valley between her breasts.My hands moved to her wrists playing with the soft cuffs that held her firmly in place. Her fingers grasped the edges of the leather as she squirmed beneath me, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps, her eyes l
The air on the island felt different now, heavy and charged, as though the approaching storm wasn’t confined to the sky. The once serene paradise had become a pressure cooker, the weight of it pressing down on Quinn’s chest. She stood by the tall windows of the villa’s living room, the horizon marred by dark clouds rolling in from the sea. The wind had picked up, rustling the palm fronds outside and carrying the salty tang of the ocean through the slightly open windows.Behind her, Lachlan paced like a caged lion, his phone pressed to his ear as he issued crisp, controlled orders. Yet, even in his attempts to exude calm authority, Quinn could see the signs of strain—the way his fingers flexed open and closed at his side, the tension in his jaw as he ground his teeth. His shirt, usually perfectly pressed, was rumpled, and his hair stuck up in places from where he’d clawed his fingers through it repeatedly.“Double the security at the perimeter,” he barked, his voice sharp enough to cut
The study was steeped in shadows, the late afternoon sun filtering through heavy blinds and casting fractured light across the room. The scent of old books mingled with the faint tang of salt carried on the sea breeze, but the air inside was heavy, suffocating.Lachlan stood behind his imposing oak desk, a figure carved from granite, while Clara lingered by the window, her silhouette fragile and waif-like against the glow. Quinn hovered near the doorway, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her mind caught in a tangle of questions she couldn’t yet untangle.Lachlan’s voice cut through the silence, low and sharp. “Start at the beginning. How were you kept from me? Why didn’t I know you existed?”Clara turned from the window, her eyes soft but resolute. “You have to understand, Lachlan, our mother wasn’t like other mothers. She made choices—choices she believed were necessary. Choices that tore us apart.”“Necessary?” Lachlan’s voice rose, his composure cracking. His hands gripped t
Quinn"I'm here to see Lachlan," the woman announced, a musical lilt barely imperceptible in her soft voice.I stood there, rooted to the spot, as Sims' thin lips tightened into almost invisibility. We all stood like statues staring at each other for several breaths before Sims finally ushered the woman inside. She moved with a grace that belied her frail appearance, her eyes darting around the grand hallway as if she took in every detail. It didn't look like she was familiar with the place.I couldn't help but stare at her, my mind racing with questions. Who was she? how did she know where this place was? Did Sims know her or not? I couldn't tell. And why did she seem so familiar?Sims led the woman to the formal drawing room, instructing the maid who had been lurking in the doorway there with a tray and coffee, to fetch Lachlan. I followed despite the austere butler not inviting me, my curiosity piqued. The woman sat down on the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap
QuinnThe seaplane landed smoothly, the water spraying up like tiny crystals under the sunlight. I'd been surprised when Lachlan had shown me to the small plane as we watched the yacht turn into a small dot on the water the morning after the traumatic ritual I'd witnessed."I need to get home as soon as possible and I'm sure you want to get back to work." His answer had been taciturn and not at all fulfilling when I'd asked, but I'd let it go. At that point, all I wanted off this island as soon as possible and didn't really care what Lachlan's reasons were.Once back on Lachlan's home island, he helped me out of the plane, his hand lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary. As we walked in silence towards the grand house, the waves crashing against the shore the only sound accompanying the slide of our footsteps, I wasn't sure whether I should feel relief or trepidation in returning to the now familiar spaces. With as few words as possible, I retreated to the beautiful roo
QuinnAfter our encounter on the island, we'd come back to the yacht and the gentle rocking of the ocean had lulled me into a state of drowsy contentment as I lay nestled in the plush bedding, the remnants of Lachlan's scent clinging to the sheets. The events of the past few hours swirled in my mind, a chaotic mix of horror, confusion, and a strange, unsettling arousal.The image of the woman on the altar, her lifeless eyes staring up at the moon, the blood dripping from the sacrificial dagger…it played on repeat in my memory, a macabre slideshow that continued to send shivers down my spine. Lachlan's explanation, his insistence that it was all a charade, a necessary deception to maintain control within the Order of the Serpent…it echoed in my ears, a desperate plea for understanding, for trust.And then there was the knife. He had shown me the prop dagger. I had held it in my hand and it had collapsed allowing it to seem to stab but not really. But it was still sharp. My skin pebbled
**Reader warning - This chapter involves consensual knife and blood play. If this is disturbing to you or not your yum, move on, you won't miss any major plot points. If you thinks it's hot, or if you're a little curious, read on dear reader! Don't yuck the yum before you read it! :) xoxo**Lachlan Quinn's body trembled under my hand but she nodded, her eyes never leaving the blade. I smiled to myself. "I need your words for this, my love." "Green, sir," she breathed, and relaxed against the cool wood making my cock jump in anticipation. Jesus, the surrender made me harder than the acacia wood I had her laid."Oh, mo chroi, what a good girl you are," I growled, trailed my free hand through her hair and down her bare back. "Now stay very still unless I tell you." I slipped my fingers under her loose pants followed by the sharp edge of the blade and a second later, they fell to the floor with her shirt leaving her perfect body bare before me spread over my desk. It was a sight I'd co
LachlanThe weight of Quinn's gaze bore into me, her mossy green eyes reflecting a tumultuous sea of doubt and fear. I could see the gears turning in her mind, the struggle between wanting to believe me and the horror she had witnessed. I knew I was asking a lot of her, perhaps too much. But I also knew that our bond, the connection that had grown between us, was stronger than the webs of deceit spun by the Order.I reached out, tracing the line of her jaw with my fingertips. Her skin was soft, warm, and slightly flushed from the emotional turmoil she was experiencing. She didn't pull away from my touch, but her eyes remained wary, questioning."Quinn," I murmured, my voice low, soothing. "I know this is hard for you. I know it's a lot to take in. But I need you to trust me. I need you to believe in us."She bit her bottom lip, a habit I found both endearing and arousing. "I want to, Lachlan. I just…I need something more. Something to hold onto, to prove that what you're saying is tru
QuinnLachlan’s grip felt warm and strong around mine, a stark contrast to the icy grip of fear that still clenched my heart. He led me back towards the villa, his steps measured and calm, as if we were returning me from a collapse at the edge of the sea after witnessing a horrific ritual sacrifice. I stumbled along beside him, my mind a maelstrom of confusion and terror. The image of the woman on the altar, her lifeless eyes staring up at the moon, blood dripping from her fingers was burned into my retinas.He led me back to a study, almost a duplicate of the one in his home on his personal island leaving no further question in my mind as to who this home belonged to."Sit, leannan," he said, depositing me on a small couch. He poured me a glass of amber liquid pressing it into my trembling hands. He sat opposite me in a dark teak armchair, his gaze intense, searching. "Quinn," he began, his voice low and soothing, “what you saw…it wasn’t real.”I stared at him, the brandy sloshing ove
QuinnBefore me lay a sight that would haunt my dreams forever.A sprawling, ancient-looking temple loomed in the center of the clearing, its walls adorned with twisted, serpentine carvings. The air was heavy with the stench of incense and something far more sinister. The chanting grew louder, a cacophony of voices that seemed to come from all directions. My mouth gaped open. I shut my eyes for a long moment, not able to believe what I was seeing. It was like I had dropped into that old movie Romancing the Stone. Surely once I opened my eyes again, it would all be gone.But when I dared to look again, my eyes locked on Lachlan standing at the top of the altar, his eyes closed, his face tilted upwards as if in supplication. He was dressed in a long, black robe, the hood thrown back, revealing the handsome, chiseled features I would know anywhere. Except this time, the face I'd grown to love was cast in dangerous looking shadows, the fire from what had to be hundreds of torches mimickin