Zane's POV I maintained a steady, unwavering stare down with the pretentious guy who had barged in trying to act as if he owned the place. I don't know why he felt he needed to mark his territory but I wasn't one to back down on any kind of challenge so I obliged him. The evening had taken an unexpected turn and I found myself struggling to maintain my usually impeccable composure ever since the arrival of Ms. Ryder's so-called ‘oldest and dearest friend’.Ever the perceptive and genius child, my son Jayden, must have sensed my growing irritation because he suddenly cleared his throat, drawing my attention away from the pretentious guy across the table.“Dad,” he began in his usual steady and mature voice that is way beyond his young age. “I have been thinking… perhaps Eleanor could also attend my school?”A surge of pride instantly overcame me. Indeed my son is a genius! This idea is just perfect! This will not only solve the issue of Eleanor’s daytime care that has been at the bac
Trina's POV Standing at the kitchen sink, I submerged my hands into soapy water as I scrubbed at a stubborn stain on a pot. The house was now quiet and the atmosphere a bit more breathable since my impromptu guests have left.However, not all the tension has disappeared as I could still sense that something was bugging Justin as he gathered the remaining dishes from the table and brought them to the kitchen.When he kept them on the counter and started rinsing the plates I have already washed, he finally voiced out what was in his mind in his usual gentle tone.“I still can't believe you accepted that job, Tri.”I sighed, my shoulders drooping as I momentarily halted in scrubbing the pot.“Oof, here we go again! C’mon Justin, we’ve gone through this already. I know it sounds a bit odd, even I thought so at first but after careful consideration, I have made up my mind. This is a great opportunity for me, both at the hotel and as his personal chef.”"Personal chef, huh?" Tylor rolled h
Trina’s POV Upon checking the screen of my Samsung, a frown appeared on my face as it's an unknown number. Shrugging, I pressed the green button and even before I said ‘hello’, I heard a familiar small voice say,“Trina, it's me Jayden. Hope I’m not disturbing you at this late hour after all that hard work you did?”A small smile graced my face. This young boy is just too mature and adorable!“No, Jayden, not at all. Hope you and your dad got back home safely?” As soon as I mentioned Jayden's name, Justin stopped washing the dishes and abruptly snapped his head towards me. He quickly signaled me to put it on handsfree speaker and I simply obliged him.“Yes, we did, thank you. I just wanted to follow up on what my dad discussed with you earlier. I would like you to start working from our residence tomorrow. I need you to prepare breakfast and also a lunch pack that I’d take to school. I hate the food they serve in the cafeteria. My personal chauffeur will be sent to pick you up in th
Trina’s POV My heart instantly skipped a beat when I saw the intense and serious look in Justin’s blue eyes as he said that. Yikes! I just hope this isn't what I'm thinking it is— the moment I have been dreading for six years now. The moment that Justin confesses his feelings and hence, destroy our very good best-friends relationship since I can never reciprocate his feelings.I don't know when I stuttered. “W…what condition, Justin?”He took a deep breath before asserting in a firm tone, with his eyes still locked on mine.“You have to tell Mr. McAllister that I am your boyfriend, just incase he asks.”I finally released the breath that I wasn't aware I was holding. Thank God it isn't really a confession which I would have to reject! In order to lighten the mood that has suddenly turned too serious for my liking, I rolled my eyes at him.“Don’t be so ridiculous, Tin-tin! Why on earth would my boss ask me such an absurd question?! In case you’ve forgotten, he and I are merely boss a
Trina's POV Sitting down with my butt flat on the floor, I closed my eyes and tried to process it all. The call I received two months ago from Justin when I was still in Paris, my return, the job offer and now Justin's warning. Taking a deep breath, I asked myself, did I make the right decision? Is it really worth taking the risk? But then, as the memories of what happened two months ago came flooding back to me, I knew I just had to do it. This is a leap of faith that I will gladly take for the sake of my beloved family…Two months ago, I became very worried when I couldn't reach either Mason or Aunt Pamela anymore. Panicked, I asked Justin to help me investigate and find out why my brother and his guardian were both unreachable. And a few days later, the call that made my world come crashing down around me had come. Justin's voice had been heavy with the burden of tragic and devastating news he was about to deliver."Trina" he had said, his words careful and measured, "I'm so sorr
Trina’s POV The buzzing sound of the alarm jolted me awake. As I sat up on the bed, stretching and yawning, I realized that it was still dark outside as there's no sign of morning light through the curtains. However, I know I just couldn't afford to be lazy enough to lay back down as today is the D-day– my first day working for the enigmatic Mr. McAllister.I made my way to Eleanor’s room, gently rousing her. "Wake up, sweetie. It's time for our new adventure!"Ella rubbed her eyes, confusion giving way to excitement as she remembered. "We're going to the big house today, right, Mummy?""That's right, baby. Now, let's get you dressed in your prettiest dress!"An hour later, we were all set and ready and as soon as we heard a car stop, we quickly got out. A black Rolls Royce had pulled up, and Randolph emerged from the passenger seat with a smile on his face."Good morning, Ms. Trina, Miss Eleanor. Are you ready for your first day?"After exchanging pleasantries, we got into the sleek
Trina's POV Taking a deep breath, I made my way back to the ultra-modern kitchen with the tray. To my relief, the friendly housekeeper, Lila, had returned to the kitchen and so together, we snacked on the desserts and coffee while having small talk.Later, Lila went about her duties, leaving me to start prepping for lunch. I felt kind of lonely when she left because the vastness of the mansion, the opulence and splendor… it all made me feel overwhelmed. Though I was born in wealth, my scheming father and stepmom never let us enjoy our mother's vast wealth and hence, I'm not used to such opulence. However, as I moved through the kitchen, preparing lunch, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of belonging. The atmosphere in the grand mansion is quite welcoming and the occupants very accommodating.In fact, the way all the domestic staff treated me, it was quite amazing. Just like they did earlier when I made breakfast, no sooner had I finished cooking lunch than Sally and Anna came
Trina's POV Finally, after lots and lots of careful thinking and meticulous cooking in the spectacular kitchen, I finished preparing dinner. And as Anna and Sally helped me set the table, I carefully set Mr. McAllister’s own portion of the meals in a very attractive set of food warmers I found in one of the kitchen cabinets.And later as we sat down to dinner, I couldn't help but smile as I watched Eleanor choose a seat right next to Jayden on the large, exquisite dining table that could accommodate up to thirty dinner guests. She had really taken a huge liking to him, almost as if she looked up to him as her idol and role model ever since they met. Was it just yesterday? It feels like ages ago due to how close we’ve all gotten in such a short time!But as the three of us were all seated, my gaze shifted to Randolph, Lila, Sally and Anna who were all standing dutifully at attention near the wall. I instantly felt uncomfortable at how formal and odd everything felt to me. They're all
Trina's POV Zane's words hit me like a terrible physical blow and as they sank into my brain, I felt the whole world crumble beneath me. My legs gave out beneath me and I collapsed onto the edge of the bed while my body began trembling as the room seemed to tilt and spin around me. Zane had made so many staggering revelations all at once that my brain was finding it too hard to process it all. He said my name– my real full name– the same name my dad and evil stepmom had ensured that it doesn't exist anymore as they have completely erased it from all databases. So how on earth did he find out about it?! But that's not even what shocked me the most or what made my entire world shake in an instant. Zane… is that mysterious handsome stranger who I slept with in this same room six years ago?!I stared at him, withmy eyes as wide as saucers while the red lace lingerie I had no idea were still clutched in my shaking hands slipped to the ground. My breath came in shallow, uneven gasps as m
Trina's POV Every night since that last heated kiss we shared in Texas, try as hard as I may, I just couldn’t stop dreaming about Zane. Slowly and surely, he had dominated my thoughts both when I am awake and when I am asleep. I keep having vivid, erotic dreams of him with his hands exploring all over my body with an unrelenting hunger and his lips following shortly after. Sometimes I wake up breathless, tangled in my sheets, with my heart pounding with an ache I didn’t want to acknowledge and at other times, I wake up startled, horrified by the realization that I wanted more— not just in my dreams, but in reality. I wanted him so badly and not just for him to kiss me or touch me erotically but to make full-fledged wild, passionate and sweet love with me.And that was what scared me most of all. I know I just can't resist him any longer so I began to avoid him. And when we returned to New York, I deliberately planned my usual routine in such a way that I could continue to prevent our
Zane’s POV Rising, I met her lips in a toe-curling kiss while my arms wrapped her waist and lifted her off the desk in one fluid motion. She wrapped her legs around my waist instinctively, with her arms looping around my neck as I carried her to the plush sofa in the corner of my office. With my foot, I pressed the button to convert it into a sofa bed before I gently laid her down, pausing only to strip off my hanging shirt, leaving us skin to skin.I pressed my body against hers, groaning at the heat of her skin beneath mine. My lips found her neck, her collarbone, her breasts once more. I took my time, savoring the taste of her, the way her body arched and writhed beneath me as I explored every inch of her. Her soft cries and whispered gasps were a symphony, driving me to the edge of control.When my lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, she let out a low, shuddering moan that sent fire coursing through me. My name came out like a breathless plea on her lips, and I capt
Zane’s POV I didn’t think at all, I only felt and acted on those feelings. Trina’s lips were so warm and soft beneath mine, and the moment they parted for me, an uncontrollable fire ignited. I kissed her hungrily and passionately as if my entire life depends on it, as if kissing her is my source of oxygen and livelihood. I devoured her, with my tongue tangling with hers in a dance of unrestrained need. Her taste was intoxicating, like sweet temptation, and I just couldn’t get enough. My hands tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against me until every curve of her body molded perfectly against the hard planes of mine.She melted completely into the kiss, with her fingers clutching at my shirt as though she needed something to hold onto, as if she's light-headed and dizzy from our steamy kisses. The sound undid me. In response, I deepened the kiss, with my lips moving over hers with a fierceness that spoke volumes of my desperation. Her hands fumbled at the buttons of my shirt, a
Zane's POV For the second night in a row, I just couldn't bring myself to fall asleep and just as I did the previous night, I kept tossing and turning on the bed in the guest room but to no avail. The knowledge of the presence of the subject of all my desires, who is gradually becoming the bane of my existence in the room just a few doors away, was a constant, maddening reminder of our heated kisses and what I was missing right now. It took every ounce of self-control to remain where I was, to not give in to the overwhelming urge to go to her.That was how I spent the night without sleeping even a wink and as dawn broke, my phone's shrill ring pierced through the silence. Grateful for the distraction, I answered immediately, with my voice rough from lack of sleep.It was my CFO and he immediately went straight to the point."Mr. McAllister Sir, there's an urgent situation at the headquarters that requires your immediate attention.”I sat up, instantly alert. "I'll be there as soon
Zane’s POVSince I was preoccupied with disturbing and tumultuous thoughts and feelings, sleep had eluded me for most of that eventful night, because try as hard as I may,I just couldn't stop thinking about Trina. And not just about the passionate kiss we shared and the way my body was aching for more. No, I was also thinking about the possibilities that she might be the mysterious woman I had a one night stand with.Despite my reputation of being a human iceberg and a man of control, I know without any iota of doubt that there's no way I can be able to sleep in the same room with Trina without touching her. No, it has already been established that she makes me lose any kind of control. Therefore, I had made my way to one of the spare guest rooms in our wing after making sure no one was around. However, after taking yet another cold shower and laying down, I just couldn't fall asleep. The bed felt both too large and suffocatingly small as I kept on tossing and turning all through the
Zane’s POV After we returned to the ranch house from the pharmacy, I made sure Mandy took the right dosage of the drug that Noah had prescribed for her but as I attempted to leave the guest room Nicola had accommodated her in, she kept coming up with excuses to make me stay longer. I humored her for a little while but after some time, I couldn't handle it any longer. She and Nicola had interrupted us when things were just beginning to get heated up and even though I pride myself in self control, I I don't think I can withhold the pent up feelings inside of me any longer. I need a release and I need it now!However, after I finally extracted myself from Mandy and I stepped into our dimly lit room, what I saw made me stop dead on my tracks. My eyes were immediately drawn to Trina's still form on the bed. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, with her face turned away from me. To any onlooker, she appears to be peacefully asleep but as I looked closer, I instantly realized that s
Trina’s POV Just as things were about to escalate further, just as those lips that have driven me crazy with their erotic ministrations on my skin were about to close around a part of me which longed for them– my tingling, erect nipple, a sound penetrated through the haze of desire surrounding us. At first, it sounded faint and faraway, barely registering in my brain which is foggy due to immense desire. However, the sound came again, louder and more insistent this time around, and that was when it finally registered in my hazy brain.Knocking. Someone was knocking at the door.Zane and I both froze on our spots as both our eyes, which I was even aware were closed, fluttered open. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other, with chests panting and heaving as if we had just finished a marathon race. The look in Zane's eyes… it simply took my breath away. Ever since I met him, I have never seen his eyes look as expressive as they were now. His usually guarded and inexpre
Trina’s POV The moment our mouths collided, it was as though a firestorm erupted between us. His lips were warm, firm, and utterly intoxicating. I kissed him with everything I had, pouring all the tension, frustration, and desire I had been holding back for a long time, perhaps ever since I first met him, into that kiss.For a heartbeat, he froze, with his hands hovering in the air as if he’s undecided, perhaps still worried about me having a ‘boyfriend’. But then, like a dam breaking loose, his emotions won against his rational thought and broke loose, and his hands suddenly gripped my waist with a force that made me gasp as he took charge. He pulled me flush against him, and I felt every inch of his hard body molding against my soft one as his lips moved against mine with fierce hunger.Zane kissed me like a man that has starved for far too long. His lips moved against mine with an urgency that sent shivers racing down my spine while his hands tightened their grip around my waist a