I’m not entirely sure how I ended up in the same bed as Patrick. Neither of us intended for it to happen, but we were both in need of affection, and the drinks we had earlier certainly played a part in our decision. I’m still uncertain if I’m happy about what transpired between us, but at that moment, it felt right.
I shuddered as his fingertips caressed the exposed skin of my back, tracing a tantalizing path from the base of my neck down to the small of my back. With eyes closed and teeth gently biting my lower lip, I lay prone, my hands gripping the crisp white sheets beneath me.
His touch wandered further, his palm grazing my bare bottom before settling on my thigh, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from me. As his hand inched closer to my most intimate parts – still aching, dripping, and sensitive – anticipation hung heavy in the air, mingling with the remnants of our earlier passion.
Leaning in close, his voice husky with desire, he murmured, "One more time?" With a weak smile, I nodded in agreement, still riding the high of our previous encounter. "One more time," I whispered back, surrendering once more to the intoxicating allure of his touch.
He deftly turned me over, exposing my eager nipples to his hungry gaze. Patrick hovered above me, draped in the same sheet that covered my trembling form. His eyes locked with mine, a soft smile gracing his lips as he descended.
With a tender kiss, he initiated a tantalizing journey down my cheek and along the curve of my neck. Each touch of his lips sent shivers of pleasure coursing through me, igniting a primal desire within. As his lips worked their magic, his hand found its place on my bare breast, his touch gentle yet commanding. I craved more, yearning for a passion that burned hotter, fiercer.
Even when we were dating, Patrick was always a gentle lover, attuned to my every need. But hidden beneath my facade of compliance lay a hunger for something more intense, more urgent—a desire I dared not voice for fear of judgment.
In the depths of my soul, I longed for the fiery embrace of passion unbridled, yet I remained silent, bound by shame and inhibition. And so, I surrendered to Patrick's tender ministrations, silently yearning for the release that eluded me.
I closed my eyes, my body arching in anticipation as his lips trailed lower, setting my skin ablaze with desire. With each tender caress, he ignited a fierce longing within me, drawing forth a desperate moan of yearning.
His hands found their way to my aching breasts, gentle yet firm as they teased and tantalized. Frustration bubbled within me, craving a touch more primal, a passion more intense. But Patrick, ever the gentleman, persisted in his tender ministrations, softly grazing my nipples as I yearned for more.
As his tongue traced a tantalizing path along my stomach, I quivered with anticipation, yearning for his touch where I truly craved it. Yet, bound by my own inhibitions, I dared not speak my desires aloud. With a gasp, I tangled my fingers in his hair, hoping against hope that today would be different, that today he would explore me fully, that today – after a long gap, he would eat me out like I want to be devoured. But alas, his attentions veered elsewhere, trailing down my thighs with a fervent hunger that only stoked the flames of my desire. Even when we were seeing each other, he never went oral on me, nor did he let me be.
Once again, Patrick and I had sex. Patrick has always been a considerate lover, always attentive to my needs and feelings. It may sound foolish to complain about such thoughtfulness, but deep within me, a restless longing stirred. I've been accustomed to being treated with tenderness and affection, but now I yearn for something more primal, more daring. Yet, Patrick's gentle nature holds him back—he has always been too sweet, too hesitant to explore the depths of passion that I crave.
When we were dating, I never vocalized my desires to him, afraid of making him uncomfortable or straying from his comfort zone. His aversion to what he perceives as "freaky" sex only adds to my hesitation, leaving my desires unspoken and unfulfilled. I found it hard to voice any dissatisfaction, especially when he always ensures I reach climax. Though he refrains from certain intimate acts, I've never felt unsatisfied. Patrick possesses a skillful touch that never fails to bring me to climax—a testament to his prowess as a lover. And ultimately, that's all I seek in our clandestine encounters.
After a few rounds of sex, I snuggled beneath the comfy sheets while the air conditioner cooled the room. Patrick covered me up and gave me a kiss on the cheek before heading to the shower.
We had never done anything like this before. It was all so new to me. Since breaking up with Patrick, I hadn’t been with another man or even gone out for a drink with one. But tonight was different. Atlas's words hurt me deeply, and I needed a distraction, so I reached out to Patrick.
We went out for a drink, and as the night wore on, we both drank more than we should have. One thing led to another, and we ended up renting a room. I felt a rush of wildness, a sense of adventure that I had never experienced before.
Even in the throes of passion, I didn't find the spark I was so desperately seeking. I don’t think Patrick felt it either. After it was over, an awkward silence settled between us as we both came to terms with what we had done. The realization that we were trying to fill a void neither of us could truly satisfy hung heavily in the air.
I couldn’t lie—I was worried about what was coming next. I didn’t know what was going on in Patrick’s mind. He was always hard to read. When he came out of the shower, I waited anxiously for him to speak. Knowing myself, if Patrick asked to resume our relationship, I wouldn’t be able to say no, even though my heart wasn’t with him. The thought made me nervous about what he might propose.
He sat beside me, and for a few minutes, we just sat there, side by side, fully clothed and enveloped in complete silence. As the quiet started to weigh heavily on me, I decided to break it. “What we did...” my soft voice trailed off.
Patrick heaved a sigh and finished the thought for me. “Didn’t feel right.”
My eyes widened as I turned to look at him. He gave me a soft smile, and I instantly felt a weight lift off my shoulders. He chuckled quietly and said, “Let’s be honest, Harp. We were never meant to be together. As much as we care for each other, we aren’t in love. I don’t know what we were trying to do together, but let’s just say it can’t go on?”
It was strange. Patrick and I were so similar, yet we couldn’t feel a genuine spark for each other. Perhaps what they say is true: opposites attract. In our case, we were too much alike. I couldn’t help but smile gratefully at him. “I don’t think it can,” I gently agreed.
I exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. “It’s sad, though. I mean, we could have made a nice couple if our hearts were in the same place,” I said with a chuckle.
He chuckled too and nodded. The tension I had felt just a few minutes ago vanished in our honest conversation. Patrick was a nice guy, and I sincerely wished he could find someone who could make him truly happy.
Returning home wasn't my desire, but it was a necessity. Atlas was already upset with me for missing Eva's arrival, and I couldn't bear to disappoint him or his girlfriend two nights in a row. Despite my inclination to avoid the lovey-dovey atmosphere, I knew I couldn't evade it forever. So why not confront it tonight?
Before heading to the hotel, I fibbed to Atlas via text, apologizing for my earlier absence and assuring him of my presence to greet Eva that evening. Though he didn't reply, I knew he had read the message. Before parting ways at the hotel, we exchanged promises to meet again soon—but under different circumstances. Deep down, we both knew that we wouldn't be seeing each other anytime soon. Each of us was heading toward our separate destinations, embarking on different paths that would likely keep us apart.
I returned home to find it eerily quiet, the emptiness of the house palpable. Atlas wouldn't be back from the office for a couple more hours, and Eva's return time was uncertain. As I stepped in, the aroma of cooking filled the air, signaling that dinner preparations were underway. It was clear that Atlas had instructed the cook to prepare an elaborate meal for tonight.
Approaching the kitchen, I couldn't help but inquire, "What's on the menu tonight?"
The helper beamed at me, her enthusiasm evident. "Oh, a feast awaits! From appetizers to the main course, and of course, indulgent desserts—all of Miss Eva's favorites," she exclaimed.
A heavy sigh escaped me, my chest tightening with an unexpected weight. Swallowing hard, I felt a lump forming in my throat. Atlas had never gone to such lengths before, not even for my birthdays or when I achieved milestones like entering university. Yet, here he was, catering to Eva's preferences without hesitation. It was a stark realization, one that left me feeling both resigned and disheartened. Well, good for Eva, I suppose.
I retreated to my room, seeking a brief respite to gather my thoughts and muster the strength for what lay ahead tonight. When I awoke, the room was cloaked in darkness, the day had slipped away unnoticed. Cursing softly, I hurriedly changed into a simple ensemble—a white crop shirt paired with jeans. A touch of lip gloss and my hair tied up in a casual bun completed the look. Normally, I'd adorn myself with jewelry, but tonight, I opted to forgo it. Dressing up felt futile, given the circumstances weighing heavily on my mind.
With my heart pounding in my chest, I descended the stairs, the sound of feminine laughter mingling with Atlas's voice echoing from below. Part of me hesitated, almost reluctant to face what awaited me, yet I pressed on nonetheless.
Descending the stairs, I stumbled upon a scene straight out of a romance novel. They were nestled closely on the couch, sharing intimate moments over glasses of wine. Atlas's arm encircled her shoulders, his whispers and gentle kisses prompting giggles from her. It felt as though a sharp blade had pierced through my heart witnessing their affection.
I couldn't bear to linger and watch. My vision blurred with unshed tears, and I felt the urge to flee back to the solace of my room. But before I could act on that impulse, Atlas's voice rang out, pulling me back to the harsh reality. "Oh, hey there! Harper's here," he announced, causing Eva to turn her gaze in my direction as well.
Her beauty captivated me instantly, a blend of elegance and grace. With her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and piercing blue eyes, she exuded a natural radiance that rendered makeup unnecessary. Her flawless skin and enviable figure, accentuated by the royal blue skirt that hugged her curves just right, left me feeling envious. Each detail of her ensemble, from the sleek black heels to the way her hair fell effortlessly over one shoulder, seemed meticulously chosen to enhance her allure. Resentment gnawed at me as I observed their seemingly perfect union, the contrast between her poise and my inner turmoil painfully evident.
"Come join us, Harper," Atlas's voice broke through my reverie, jolting me back to reality as I stood there, gripping the railing tightly, a silent witness to their happiness.
Atlas radiated happiness, a sight that both warmed and wounded me deeply. It was a happiness I hadn't witnessed before, and the realization that it existed without my presence cut me to the core.
Atlas was unusually talkative tonight. I had never seen him so animated and full of energy. It almost seemed like he was making an effort for Eva and me to get along, though let's be real, there wasn't much about her I didn't like aside from the fact that she now shared a home with the man I love so desperately. Eva appeared genuinely pleasant, and that annoyed me. I wanted so badly to find fault with her, but she gave me no reason to.When I first descended the stairs, she greeted me with a soft smile. Even when I apologized for missing her moving-in yesterday, she brushed it off with a wave of her hand and a chuckle, "No worries at all. I understand life gets busy, and besides, I wouldn't expect anyone to drop everything for me. We all have our lives, so don't fret. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said graciously.Seeing the proud and affectionate look on Atlas's face whenever he looked at her only fueled my resentment. Inside, I seethed at the sight of them together. My heart bur
The Impact of Childhood Adversities on Criminal Behavior. I wrote this title at the top of my register, underlining it twice for emphasis. This was the topic I had chosen for my final semester capstone research. It felt both daunting and exhilarating to take on such a significant subject. I tapped my pen against the notepad, contemplating the weight of the words I had just written. This would not be an easy journey, but the importance of the research propelled me forward.As I mulled over the title, Jess, who was sitting beside me, glanced at the notepad and smiled. “That topic sounds very interesting,” she remarked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Do you have any supervisor in mind? There are only a few professors who specialize in forensic psychology, and you’ll need someone with the right expertise to guide you.”Her question lingered in the air as I considered my options. The university’s forensic psychology department was indeed small, and the competition for supervisors was f
I had a lot to work on. Even though I had a clear idea of what my research would entail, detailing a research proposal was a tough task to complete in a night, and it took me all night. As soon as I returned home, I showered, changed into my cotton shirt and plain pink shorts, tied my hair up in a messy high bun, and got to work.In my room, I have a writing table where I spend hours working on my projects. I sat there, typing away to create a decent research proposal. When my back started to ache, I moved to my bed and continued working from there. I wrote and rewrote countless times, determined not to present Dr. Lawson with a sloppy proposal. He is a perfectionist, and I didn’t want to disappoint him. This was my last chance, and I was giving it my all.Throughout the night, I didn't eat. The house helper came to my room asking if I would be eating soon, but I told her no and asked her to go home. I was capable of heating my own food if needed. While the house helper checked on me,
The next morning, I dragged myself to class feeling utterly worn out and famished. Sleep had been elusive, my mind consumed by perfecting my proposal. I had been so excited about my ideas, but as I pored over them again and again, flaws emerged like cracks in a fragile facade. I was too tired to fix them properly.The idea of facing Dr. Lawson after class made my stomach churn with nerves. What if he didn't like my proposal? The thought of having to redo everything under Dr. Thompson's critical eye made me shudder. Dr. Lawson was the one I wanted to impress, the one who could truly understand and support my research.My stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder of my neglected hunger. I hadn't eaten since who knows when. With my first class not until ten, I had managed to snatch a few hours of sleep before waking up to the presence of Atlas and Eva in the house. I stayed hidden in my room, unable to bear the sight of their affectionate moments. Each glimpse felt like a knife to the h
I fidgeted with the pen in my hand, unable to contain my curiosity. "How did you meet Aaron Torres's brother?" I inquired, my eyes fixed on Dr. Lawson, who was engrossed in reading my revised proposal.He hummed in response, flipping through the pages as he spoke. "I was part of the team of therapists assigned to help him," he replied, his focus still on the document.Intrigued, I squinted my eyes. "And? What else did you learn about him?" I pressed eagerly.Dr. Lawson lifted his gaze and chuckled softly. "Are you truly that interested to know?" he teased, his eyes meeting mine.Without hesitation, I nodded enthusiastically, a wide smile spreading across my face. My excitement was palpable, evident in the sparkle of my widened eyes.Dr. Lawson's smile softened as he placed the proposal on his desk. "I can't disclose more information about him," he stated, causing my shoulders to slump in disappointment. I had been so excited, only to have my hopes dashed. I twisted my mouth in frustra
As Atlas mentioned, Eva did leave on Friday, and her absence somehow made me feel free. Since she moved in, I haven't left my room without a reason. I used to enjoy strolling through the garden behind the house, but since she arrived, I've mostly stayed locked in my room. Today, Atlas came home early because he had to drop her off at the airport. He asked if I wanted to join them, but I politely declined. I wasn't going to waste my time dropping her off when I could savor every second of my newfound freedom. Besides, I would have been intruding on their moment. It's bad enough that I live with them. I'm sure Eva didn't want me to go either. She didn't ask me to join them—only Atlas did.I know I’m painting her as the villain in my story, even though she hasn’t done anything to deserve it. She has been nothing but civil to me. It’s me who ignores her. I can’t stand her because she has what I’ve always wanted: Atlas. Knowing that I never stood a chance hurts, and maybe that’s why I harb
I don’t know why I decided to share such an intimate part of my life with Atlas. We have never been close enough to talk about our personal lives and relationships. I never believed Atlas saw me as someone he could confide in, but tonight, for the first time, he opened up about something happening in his life. I felt compelled to share my part as well, but this was not something I should have disclosed. I hadn’t even told Jess, mostly because Patrick is her brother. I had planned to keep this information to myself, and I should have kept it that way. As soon as the words escaped my mouth, I panicked.“Umm, I mean... I... uh,” I stammered, closing my eyes tightly in embarrassment. I exhaled and shook my head, opening my eyes with a chuckle of shame. “You know what? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that. I didn’t mean to share that piece of news with anyone, and I just... I don’t know. I guess I have trouble keeping my thoughts to myself,” I continued, nervously ranting. I opened my
I watched as he knelt in front of me, carefully cleaning and dressing the wound on my knee. His touch was tender, and his focus unwavering. "This might sting a bit," he warned before applying the antiseptic. As soon as the cotton ball touched the small cut, I hissed and jerked my knee. Atlas’s hand came to my thigh, holding it firmly in place. His cold, wet palm gently squeezed my thigh. "Hold still," he softly instructed.I gulped, watching him kneeling in front of me, completely soaked. His white shirt clung to his body, revealing the contours of his chest and arms. His attention was so keen on my injury, his face so close to my knee that I could feel his warm breath on my skin, sending shivers up and down my legs. When he pressed the cotton ball on the wound again, I hissed once more but didn't jerk my leg this time as he was holding it steady.“It’s okay,” he muttered gently, cleaning the wound with care. It wasn’t a big injury, just a small cut. One swipe and it was clean. After
The rest of the week flew by in a blur—work, spending time with Jess, and the constant flood of calls and messages from Atlas. I didn’t pick up a single one. His texts, all variations of the same theme, piled up on my phone, each one a hollow echo of regret. If Atlas had proven anything over the past few days, it was that he was sorry. But that word, sorry, had lost all meaning to me.I used to be the girl who’d drop everything for him, who’d bend to his will with a single word. But not anymore. I was too hurt, too broken, to let his apologies soften me. Even if he meant them—truly meant them—I didn’t want them. They couldn’t fix what he’d shattered.Saturday arrived faster than I was ready for, leaving me standing in front of my cupboard, staring at the meager selection of clothes. I blew my cheeks out in frustration before turning to Jess, who was casually perched on my bed, lost in her book. “I really need to get the rest of my stuff back from Atlas,” I muttered.Jess looked up, he
“Are you going to tell me what happened? Is this about Amanda? Did she say something to you?” Jess's voice trembled slightly as she stood outside the bathroom door where I had locked myself. I had tried to pull myself together before coming home, but the effort had been futile. The moment I stepped into the apartment, Jess took one look at me and knew something was wrong. When she asked what happened, the dam broke. Tears streamed down my face, and when she wrapped her arms around me, I collapsed into sobs. She didn’t press me for answers, just held me, her silent presence a comfort.After what felt like hours of ugly crying, I finally excused myself and retreated to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to erase the evidence of my breakdown. As I wiped my face with a towel, I noticed streaks of makeup staining the fabric. It was a small thing, but it felt like a mark of my defeat. I tried not to catch my reflection in the mirror, but when I did, the sight of myself o
He didn’t need to guide me. I knew exactly what to do. While he remained standing, steady and composed, I could feel my legs trembling with the overwhelming pull of desire. The weight of it was too much, and I made my way to the bed, the cool sheets beneath me a stark contrast to the heat building inside.I waited, expecting him to join me, to close the distance between us, but he didn’t move. He stood there for a few long, torturous seconds, his eyes narrowing as he watched me. I could see the thoughts swirling in his mind, hidden behind a carefully controlled expression. He was a master at masking his emotions, but there was one thing he couldn’t hide—lust. It blazed in his eyes, a raw, primal hunger that made my heart race.I was certain he would climb into bed with me, that he would let go of the restraint I could see him struggling to maintain. But instead, he surprised me. He dragged the armchair from the corner of the room, pulling it closer to the bed. He sat down, his gaze ne
Walking back to the living room, I felt a heavy weight inside me. I was nervous and ashamed. Every glance in my direction made me feel like they knew what I had done and what I was doing. As I stepped out, Aunt Rosa's concerned voice met me.“Oh sweetie, I hope you’re okay. You were gone for a while and you look flushed,” she said.Her words heightened my anxiety. I hadn’t even thought to check myself in the mirror before reentering. Pressing my lips together, I decided to lie.“Uh, yes. I’m fine. The food just didn’t agree with me,” I said softly.She gave me a sympathetic smile, her hand gently stroking my arm. Over her shoulder, I saw Atlas reenter the living room from outside. He must have taken the back door earlier and now returned through the main entrance, maintaining the illusion that he had been outside all this time. His calculated move made me feel slightly less nervous. He offered me a quick glance as he passed us and walked over to Philippe.My stomach knotted at the sig
For the next five minutes, I remained frozen. I couldn't bring myself to speak or excuse myself. When I glanced at Atlas, his calm gaze met my panicked eyes. I gulped, feeling both anxious and thrilled. This was something I'd never done before—something so controversial. Fear and intrigue mingled within me. I wanted to know what would happen if I excused myself to the washroom, so I finally gathered the courage.Clearing my throat, I gained everyone's attention. Offering a small smile to Aunt Rosa, I stated, "Please excuse me. I’ll be back in a minute. You all carry on." As I stood, the chair scraped against the floor, making me wince. I straightened my dress and, with a quick glance at Atlas, aimed for the washroom. Unsure of which washroom to go to, I decided to head to my old room.Each step felt like a journey as I made my way down the hall, my heart pounding in anticipation. What would Atlas do next? The thrill of the unknown sent shivers down my spine, making my steps both hesit
When Philippe learned that I already knew Dr. Lawson, he echoed my thoughts with a chuckle, "What a small world." Dr. Seth was then introduced to Amanda and Aunt Rosa as Philippe's nephew and my professor/boss. The moment felt awkward, perhaps because I now realized Dr. Lawson was connected to a distant family member who might uncover aspects of my life I preferred to keep private.Amanda's reaction added to my unease. She arched an eyebrow upon learning that Dr. Lawson was my professor, a glint of mischief in her eyes before she smirked softly. It sent a chill down my spine. While I hadn't done anything that could tarnish my reputation—at least, nothing Amanda knew about—I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension. Being around Amanda always made me wary, and this situation was no exception.But I wasn’t the only one feeling awkward. Dr. Lawson seemed equally uncomfortable. After his initial greeting, he avoided making eye contact with me. Instead, he engaged in a polite conversatio
It was a weird and dangerous game we were playing. I still didn’t know how Atlas truly felt about me. Did he like me? Did he love me the way I loved him? Or was it all just physical for him? All I knew was that whatever he felt for me had been simmering for a while. I wanted to ask him, but I didn’t want to ruin what we had. I knew I was on the path to getting hurt again, but I loved his attention. It was exactly what I always craved, and now that I had it, I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t going to tell Jess either because I knew she would never approve of my choices, and rightfully so. I was being incredibly dumb and naïve. I wasn’t thinking with my brain. I was letting my heart lead me to my doom.“How horrible is it to ask you to come back home?” Atlas asked softly. I was sitting on the couch in his office with my feet up while he leaned against the very desk he had bent me over, his arms folded across his chest. Our little session had ended a few minutes ago, but my ass was still
Eva's words echoed in my mind, each one striking me like a blow. I still couldn’t wrap my head around what I had just learned. All this time, I thought Atlas was cheating on Eva with me, but I was utterly wrong. He ended their relationship the night I left.Why hadn’t Atlas told me? Why hadn’t he come back to me? My heart skipped a beat, a flicker of hope sparking within me. Had he ended things with Eva for me? Did he want me as much as I wanted him? But then, my heart sank into my stomach, a cold dread washing over me. If that were true, why hadn’t he reached out? Was I just a pawn in his game? What was I to him? What was he doing with me?I felt a storm of emotions raging inside me—confusion, hurt, hope, and despair all mingling into a nauseating swirl. I didn’t tell anyone about meeting Eva, not even Jess. She was too consumed with guilt for setting me up with a guy like Dylan to notice how distracted I was when I got home.The revelation that Atlas was no longer with Eva kept gnaw
I couldn’t shake off the memories of what happened between Atlas and me in the washroom. It has gotten to the point where I can’t visit public or office washrooms without recalling the incident. What happened between us was wrong and so embarrassing. I was truly ashamed of myself.It has been a week since I last saw Atlas, and I'm glad for the distance. But even in his absence, the memories occupied my mind, causing my work to suffer. Dr. Lawson noticed and called me out, saying, “Miss Miller, if you’d rather be somewhere else than be here, maybe you should just leave.” I apologized and tried to focus on taking notes during therapy sessions with different juvenile convicts. I was so mad at Atlas. I couldn’t concentrate on anything at work, and this incredible opportunity was slipping through my fingers because of him.The week was finally over, and the weekend was on the horizon. Jess had started her internship, so she was busy during the week as well. It was Friday night, and I was b