Warning/ Trigger warning This book contains strong mature content and illicit language, read at your own risk. *****A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he leaned closer, his warm breath grazing my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine. "What's your reason, may I ask?"I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper as I confessed, "I... I had a hangover."Jacob's lips brushed against my earlobe, "People only drink for two reasons, Evelyn," he murmured, the sensation sending a jolt through my body and I clenched my thighs together, "Either for pleasure or pain."If I wasn't in the pool, surely my arousal could have proven to be enough of a good reason for my dampened panties. "What is your reason?" "Both." I unknowingly confessed and A smirk curved on his tempting lips, his eyes glinting with a knowing spark."I see. You appear rather stressed. Is there anything I can do to help you relax?" That suggestive tone.....******A few days ago: Evelyn "You have no right to look this b
Evelyn.The morning sunlight infiltrated the room through the window, its warm rays rousing me from my slumber. I reluctantly pried my eyes open, only to have them promptly shut again in protest against the intrusive light.Letting out a disgruntled sigh, I buried my face in the pillow, hoping to shield myself from the unwelcome morning.Mornings. Ugh! I despised them with a passion.Even more than my periods.Groaning, I finally dragged myself out of bed, deliberately averting my gaze from the blinding sun, I stumbled my way to the bathroom. As usual, I brushed my teeth at a tortoise's pace, trying to delay the inevitable start of the day.As usual, I brushed my teeth at a tortoise's pace and took a shower. I made sure to scrub away any remnants of sleep, unwilling to risk looking like a ghost amidst the uncertainty of potential guests.While the gathering had mostly been arranged amongst family members, I vaguely recalled my dad mentioning a few of his friends being invited, too.I
Evelyn.Leaning against the balcony railing, I took a sip of my coffee, its bittersweet flavour providing a much-needed respite from the stress that threatened to consume me. By conveniently feigning a headache, I managed to escape the formalities of greeting the arriving guests one by one, effectively dodging any encounter with Jacob.Damn, that man seemed to defy logic with his ever-growing handsomeness.From my vantage point, I could see the gathering around the poolside. It was like a scene straight out of a poolside party movie. Handsome men were aplenty, some being Dad's business partners' sons, while others represented their fathers' interests.But amidst this sea of attractive individuals, my eyes only craved stolen glances at the green-eyed Italian male perched on a chaise lounge. Unlike the others, he maintained a certain air of casual elegance, leaving only a few buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of the gold chain around his neck. Every now and then, I caught a tantalisin
Evelyn"Evelyn, get the hell out of the pool....you'll catch a cold!" Dad's voice echoed across the poolside, but I chose to ignore his yell and swam to the other side, determined to enjoy the water."I am not a kid, Dad!" I shouted back, my voice laced with defiance as I leaned against the edge of the pool. "Go and get some rest!"The party had ended an hour ago, and the once lively poolside had now emptied, revealing the vastness of the mansion Dad owned. It was nothing short of a palace, capable of accommodating over a hundred people, though there weren't nearly as many guests invited. But I had a feeling the wedding day would be an exception."Evelyn, I said get out right now!" Dad ordered but once again, I paid no attention to his words.At that moment, there were only four of us left by the poolside: Clara, who was struggling to suppress her laughter; Dad, who was determined to spoil my swim; me, defiantly sticking to my decision; and Jacob, silently observing the entire spectacl
EvelynCurrently, I found myself seated in my dad and Clara's room, surrounded by a mountain of clothes on his bed. They were gifts he had purchased for his friends and relatives attending the event, and now, after sorting and packing everyone's presents, there were two identical shirts in different sizes remaining, intended for my dad's best friend.The very same person whose words from the previous day continued to echo in my mind."Why is there an extra shirt?" I inquired, placing the magazine I had been flipping through onto the nearby table."Oh, I bought two different sizes for Jacob since I wasn't sure how muscular he might have become," Dad chuckled, drawing closer and settling himself on the bed. "He certainly has built himself like a giant."I couldn't help but disagree with the notion that Jacob's physique resembled that of a giant. In reality, his physicality was far more subtle and captivating. There was a remarkable balance to his muscular frame.Even though his muscles
EvelynAs I scanned the bustling dance floor, my eyes followed the spirited movements of everyone, each finding their groove with partners and friends. But it was my dad and Clara who truly caught my attention, twirling and swaying at the heart of the floor. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. They looked absolutely adorable, and more importantly, my dad looked genuinely happy.Since my mom left, my dad had endured countless hardships, yet he never wavered in his role as the perfect father. He was the epitome of what it meant to be a dedicated parent. I yearned for his happiness, and it was evident that Clara would be the one to ensure that infectious smile never faded from his face."Hey, Evelyn."A deep, melodious voice shattered my trance, pulling me back to reality. I turned towards Jacob, who walked over and perched on the neighbouring stool, his eyes locking with mine, momentarily suspending time in its enchanting grasp.Oh... hi!" It took me a second to notice his attir
EvelynFrustrated and overwhelmed, I leaned against the kitchen counter, trying to calm myself down. I took a deep breath, attempting to push aside the swirling emotions that threatened to consume me. I couldn't deny the truth, though. My feelings for Jacob ran deep, and his obliviousness to them only intensified my frustration.Oh, how I loathed it! His enigmatic ways. His riddles and ways of overlooking the very things I wanted him to understand.It was solely intentional, a calculated choice. He was not a damn child to be clueless about the fact that I have liked him for years and I still did. I was fucking obsessed with him and this dude simply couldn’t care less to give a fuck about that.Enough was enough! I was done.Fuck Jacob Adriano!"Guess there's one thing you can't..." The bitch inside my head interjected, maliciously aiming to worsen my already frayed mood with her offensive remark."Well...to hell with you too, you little snake!" I snapped back, silencing the conversati
EvelynI awoke to the merciless grip of a pounding headache. A very bad one indeed.Grimacing, I instinctively pressed my fingers against the throbbing side of my forehead, while taking small sips of the coffee Clara had handed me just moments ago."Why does your headache scream of a night drowned in alcohol?" Dad asked, arching one of his eyebrows as he nonchalantly crunched on a packet of chips.Dad and his knack for suspicion. Just unbelievable!"Yes, I drowned in a tank of it.” I scoffed.A frown etched across his face as my words sank in, but before he could respond, Clara swiftly intervened."Samuel, let her be,” she scolded, her voice firm, “Don’t bother her!” "How am I bothering her?" Dad asked, his disbelief evident."You are," Clara asserted, her tone unwavering. "By bombarding her with pointless questions at this moment.""I was merely curious about the cause of her sudden headache. There must be something more to it," Dad persisted, his suspicious gaze fixated on me once
EvelynAfter what felt like an hour of relentless bickering and a barely controlled wrestling match, Jacob and Bianca finally collapsed onto the couch. Both were panting, disheveled, and bruised—though we all knew Jacob had gone easy on her. Let’s be real: one solid punch from him could probably send ten Evelyns and ten Biancas straight to heaven."Are you two done now?" I asked, trying—and failing—not to laugh. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I’d witness two grown adults behaving like this."Yeah," they grumbled in unison, their synchronized reply only making my lips twitch with amusement."Great," I said, standing up. "Once you two finish catching your breath, we’re setting the table together. I’m starving, and I’m sure you are too."Jacob, of course, couldn’t help himself. "Well, I doubt we can eat if Bianca cooked."Bianca’s head snapped up like she’d been personally insulted by the gods. "Excuse me, you absolute piece of shit in the name of human! If you don’t want to e
Evelyn “We’re already late,” I sighed, resting my chin against his chest. “We really need to get up and head to Bianca’s, or she’s going to kill us.”“We can be a little late,” he murmured, effortlessly flipping us so I was on my back, with him hovering above me. Slowly, he buried his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. “God, you smell so good.”“Dummy,” I chuckled, threading my fingers through his hair and massaging his scalp. “It’s already past breakfast time. If we don’t get there soon, she’ll be plotting our deaths.”He hummed, pressing a kiss to the spot between my neck and shoulder before trailing his nose along my jawline. “Trust me, baby. Since she invited us for breakfast, she probably has a secret dinner planned too. Besides, she knows us.”“She knows us?” I raised an eyebrow, gently grabbing his jaw and making him look at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“What I mean,” he began, his left hand slipping under the duvet and tracing my inner thigh, “is that she k
Sometimes, just when you think you’ve finally reached solid ground, life finds a way to pull the rug out from under you. One moment, everything seems to be falling into place, and the next, it's unraveling faster than you can hold it together. Evelyn and Jacob are bracing for the fiercest storm they've ever faced—a storm that will test them in ways they never imagined. This isn't just another bump in the road; it’s a plunge into depths they’ve never explored. Get ready, because this time, they’re on a rollercoaster that’s about to dive even deeper, with twists and turns they may not come back from unchanged. It’s time to dive deeper. *** “You’re too young for a child, Evelyn. Don’t you get it?” Jacob’s voice thundered. “You can’t have that baby.” “Why not?!” I shot back, defiant and trembling. “I have a say in this too! This is my choice. I’m keeping the baby, Jacob, whether you like it or not.” Jacob groaned, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “Evelyn, I really don’t h
Evelyn “Welcome back.” Jacob scooped me up the moment I stepped inside the apartment, spinning us around before I even had a chance to take a step on my own. I laughed, holding on tighter as he twirled us, our laughter filling the familiar space.“Silly,” I whispered as he settled us on the couch, cradling me in his lap like a baby. Jacob always treated me like one, and honestly, I didn’t mind being spoiled. After the long flight, I should’ve felt tired, but the moment we breathed in the air of Italy, any exhaustion disappeared. And being back in this apartment, where we’d built so many memories—the good, the hard, the unforgettable—felt as sweet as it was bittersweet.“You have no idea how empty this place felt after you left,” Jacob murmured, his eyes scanning my face as if memorizing every detail. “It was like I was dying a little every day. The silence, missing your warmth, your scent, the soft sound of your footsteps… it all just killed me, baby. I love you.” His forehead presse
Evelyn“God, you are beautiful,” Jacob murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. I snuggled closer to him under the umbrella on the chaise lounge, wrapped in his warmth and the safety of his arms. This was, what, the third time he’d told me this today? I couldn’t lie; I loved every word, every look he’d been giving me. Lately, it was like he couldn’t get enough of me, like he was falling all over again, and if I claimed not to enjoy it, I’d be the biggest liar. Well, I was a liar at times but when it came to Jacob, or anything about him, I’d was nothing but honest.“Careful there,” I giggled, glancing up at him. “You’re becoming obsessed with me.”“Too late for that, Evie. I’ve been obsessed with you for as long as I can remember.”“Oh, really?” I teased, brushing my nose against his.Just then, Jennie’s groan cut through our bubble. “Please, stop. I’ve been watching this for the last hour, and if I have to see any more of this lovey-dovey nonsense, I’m going to need another drink. L
Evelyn"Black suits you better," Jacob said, his voice a low murmur, "That peach one was far too plain.""Fine," I relented, handing the black dress to the sales assistant, who’d practically become our shopping partner at this point. Jacob and I had been here for the past hour, and just when I thought we were done, he'd find something else—matching shoes, bags, accessories, even items I knew would just sit in my closet collecting dust."I want to see the blue one," he directed at the assistant, who promptly retrieved it."More?" I protested, glancing at the growing pile of bags. "Jacob, I’m running out of closet space. Where am I supposed to keep all this?"His lips curved into that irresistible, teasing smile. "Better figure it out, baby, because I’m not done yet. Now, go try this one too.""Jacob—""Go, Evelyn.""Fine. But if I never wear half of these, it’s on you."He laughed softly, and I felt myself fighting a smile, masking it with a glare as I stepped into the dressing room. T
EvelynI drew in a deep breath, feeling the thick silence that had settled over the room. Jacob and I had discussed this trip to Italy at the café earlier, and although nerves hummed beneath my skin, a larger part of me was thrilled. Going back would be a fresh start, a chance for us to be together without the cloud of past events hanging over us. Last time, circumstances hadn’t allowed for much happiness, and yet here we were, hoping to rewrite that story.This trip could be really be different and thousand percent better.But there was one catch: my dad.He’d always been protective, and after everything that happened there, I knew he might see this as a risk—a trip he wouldn’t want me to take, not so soon. I glanced at Jacob, feeling his hand give mine a small, reassuring squeeze under the table as Dad emitted a long sigh. He reached for more veggies, placing them on his plate with a practiced calm, chewing as though he hadn’t heard the question Jacob had asked moments earlier.Was
Evelyn“If you two were going to make up this fast, then why the hell did you fight like that?” I glared at Dad and Jacob, incredulous. They were laughing, clinking their glasses together like they hadn’t been at each other’s throats this morning. I’d practically dragged Jacob out of the house, and forced him to sit in a coffee shop with me to calm down, maybe even let out a little steam. And while I was doing damage control, Dad had called me, saying, “Kick his arse, and come home without him. Don’t even think about bringing him back.”Yet here we were, hours later, with them acting like nothing had ever happened. I had no clue what changed. All I remembered was Jacob getting a call from Dad, his face going from stormy to smiling in seconds. “Let’s go,” he’d said, just like that. “My friend’s calling me back.”I clenched my fists. What was the point of putting Clara and me through their drama if they were just going to wave it off like it didn’t matter?“Hey, remember that girl? Yola
EvelynJacob and I sat across from Dad and Clara. Dad looked ready to grill us both, clearly expecting some lengthy, soul-baring explanation, while Clara seemed keen to move past the awkwardness as fast as possible. Honestly, I was right there with her. I had zero interest in dissecting our reasons—or lack thereof—for behaving like complete idiots, knowing full well it was wrong yet pressing on anyway.Truth was, if “no answer” were a valid response, it would top my list.Jacob and I exchanged a look as Dad wrapped up what felt like his hundredth question. We both knew we had nothing concrete to offer. Sure, we might’ve had a few scattered reasons, but none Dad would actually find acceptable."Listen, you two," Dad barked, "stop staring at each other and answer my questions right away. Chronologically, starting from question one.""Sorry, what was the question again?" Jacob’s casual tone almost made me laugh, but I caught myself, noting the way Dad’s expression twisted between irritat