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Resisting The Playboy's Charm 78
CarolinaAfter Brandon throws up for the first time, he gets progressively more miserable over the course of the next half hour. He throws up twice, and after the second time, I hold a hand to his forehead. His skin feels warm, and his cheeks are red."I think you have a fever," I tell him gently. "Let me go ask your dad for a thermometer, okay?"Brandon nods, pressing his cheek against the toilet seat.I go out to the kitchen, where Evans is standing at the counter, a grim look on his face."How is he?" he asks immediately when I emerge.I sigh and shrug. "He's definitely coming down with something. I'm out here to find a thermometer—I think he has a fever."Evans's jaw tightens. "There's one in the cabinet next to the sink."As I fetch the thermometer, Evans paces up and down next to the island, his hands wrung together. I've never seen him this jittery before.Back in the bathroom, I take Brandon's temperature—one hundred point seven degrees. Definitely a fever."Oh, I'm sorry, bud
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 79
EvansCarolina and I are up late into the night, continually checking on and taking care of Brandon. We bring him fresh cups of water, clean out the trash can, and try to coax him into eating a plain, unbuttered slice of toast.Carolina also digs through the infrequently-used medicine cabinet, searching for a kids' fever reducer. She urges Brandon to swallow a capful of it, and he frowns at the unpleasant taste of the thick, purple liquid.Meanwhile, on her instruction, I pour cool water onto a hand towel, then fold it up to lay it across Brandon's forehead.Carolina is calm and collected throughout. She seems to feel bad for Brandon, and talks to him softly, trying to comfort him, but she herself isn't afraid.I wish I could say the same. Fear grips me each time I look at the little boy, so small and fragile, bundled underneath his blankets, sweating out a fever. The weight of the responsibility I took on when I adopted Brandon always weighs extra heavy at times like these.Of course
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 80
CarolinaI open my eyes to the soft morning daylight spilling in through the window, casting a pale glow over the walls and bed.There is a tickly sensation brushing over my inner thighs. I shimmy my hips and push the sheets down to reveal a full head of jet black hair and broad, muscular shoulders pinned between my legs.I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and suppress a whimper, planting my hands on Evans's back as he keeps kissing his way up my inner thigh."Good morning," I whisper."Good morning, angel. I was getting impatient waiting for you to wake up, so I thought I'd take matters into my own hands."I dip into the mattress as arousal tingles in my veins, stirring me more fully awake. "Congratulations. Your efforts are paying off."He plants another thigh kiss. "They always do." Another kiss, traveling slowly, achingly north.I reach my arms up over my head and stretch. "What time is it?""Almost eight. But Brandon isn't awake yet.""How is he?""He's doing well." Evans doesn't
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 81
CarolinaDespite my initial reservations, it doesn't take long for Evans to get me out of my own head the way he always does. I find myself surrendering to everything, my inhibitions vanishing when I'm with him.His tongue slides inside me, and I let out a whimpering moan, my hips shaking between his strong hands."Mmm... fuck, angel. Just like that," he groans, pausing to nip at my clit before pressing his tongue into me again."Evans..." I trail off in a panting, whining moan.My fingers tighten around the headboard, and I roll my hips against his face, grinding harder, chasing that pressure that feels so good it makes me melt."Good girl. Fucking ride my face."He keeps going, teasing me and devouring me as he murmurs filthy words against my pussy, praising me and telling me how good I taste, how perfect I am. It all goes to my head, and I lose track of time as I let my head fall back, my hands tight on the headboard.I know I'm soaking his chin, but I can't even care about that ri
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 82
CarolinaIt only takes a couple of days for Brandon to recover from his bug, and things quickly go back to normal. Forty-eight hours after he first threw up, he's back in the living room, feeding Swimmy his fish flakes and laughing brightly.Evans is visibly relieved to see Brandon back in his regular spirits, and I feel comforted both by his happiness, and by Brandon's. The little boy is back to his usual energetic self, and only needed to miss one day of pre-K, much to his consternation."School is important," Evans reminds him as we're about to head out the door on Tuesday. Brandon is a little dejected, having enjoyed his day off yesterday. "If you don't go, you'll fall behind the other kids. You don't want that, do you?"By the end of the day, Brandon seems to have forgotten all about his desire to stay home. He's talking at a mile a minute when I go to pick him up—he told all of his classmates, and the teacher's goldfish, about Swimmy.When the weekend rolls around, I volunteer a
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 83
CarolinaSince I started working for him, Evans has gone over to his friend Declan's house for poker every couple of weeks. He told me that he used to be the regular host, before he hired me; hosting poker night at his place allowed him to spend time with the guys while still keeping an eye on Brandon.Tonight, he's finally decided to invite Declan and Reed back to their usual spot. I can hear them laughing and joking with each other downstairs as Brandon and I head up to go to bed.It was nice to see the way they interacted with Brandon. Evans's friends are intimidating, but Brandon seems completely comfortable around them, calling them "Uncle Dec" and "Uncle Reed." There's a familiarity between all of them that's touching.On the way upstairs, Brandon tugs on my sleeve. "Why can't I stay up later? They're still playing.""Sorry, bud," I say. "You know the rules. Bedtime is bedtime. And besides, they probably want to have some grown-up talk.""What do grown-ups talk about?"I think f
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 84
CarolinaI pick up the glass and take a tiny sip. The whiskey itself is acrid and dry, but overall, it isn't bad—not that I particularly know what I'd be looking for. But to get in on the joke, I make a big show of spluttering, wrinkling my nose in disgust as I slam the glass back on the table."That's disgusting," I declare. "The worst whiskey I have ever tasted."Evans looks at me, incredulous. "Oh, for the love of—"Whatever else he has to say is drowned out by the laughter of his friends. Reed guffaws loudly, pounding on the table; Declan's laughter is more subdued, but there's a glimmer of amusement in his eyes."You know what, Evans?" Reed says, wiping away a fake tear from the corner of his eye. "I like this one."Evans's reaction to that is mixed—he seems pleased, but his posture also stiffens defensively. I can imagine why. Reed is reacting to me the way someone might react to their friend's new girlfriend.It's nice to fit in so well with Evans's friends, though, even if he'
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 85
EvansCarolina's eyes search mine as if she's trying to filter through the emotions in them to find the truth beneath. I'm not even sure I know how to figure out my own emotions right now.Maybe I don't want to feel. Maybe I want to escape.Getting lost in her beautiful gaze seems like a good start.Part of me is numb. Part of me wants to scream or throw something in frustration and sorrow for what I never had, what could have been, what I've lost. For my father never being who I needed him to be.Part of me wants to close my eyes and pass out. It is late, and the combination of finding out my estranged father is dead and the whiskey flowing through my veins has me feeling like there's something buzzing beneath my skin.Carolina's eyes burn into mine, caramel flecks glinting in her irises in the low lamplight of the living room.She's the first to lean in, and I find myself drawn toward her like a magnet. I hear a rush of breath leaving her lungs just before her lips press against min
Last Updated : 2025-04-22
Latest chapter
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 113
CarolinaFor a few seconds, I'm silent, in shock. Then the tears start, and I'm powerless to stop them. "Of course," I manage to choke out, a feeling of weightless elation filling my heart. I feel as though I might drift straight out of this Ferris wheel, up into the sky. "Of course I will."Evans smiles, pressing a kiss to my lips over Brandon's head."Yes!" Brandon shouts, delighted, and Evans and I break apart. I smile at Brandon through my happy tears."What's up, bud?""You're getting married to each other!" Brandon exclaims, beaming. "This is the best birthday ever!" Then he frowns abruptly, noticing my expression. "Why are you crying? Are you sad?""No," I assure him. "Sometimes, people cry when they're very, very happy."The Ferris wheel lurches back into motion, and I feel Evans's hand on my shoulder, his fingertips brushing my neck.As we near the ground, I peer down at the crowd, my eyes widening when I recognize a few familiar faces. "Wait—Evans, is that Olivia?""I invite
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 112
Carolina"Go easy on the cotton candy," I chide Brandon, whose lips are sticky and purple from the confection. "That stuff is gonna make you feel sick.""But it's my birthday!""I know," I say, "but you don't want to be sick on your birthday, do you? After all, you haven't ridden the roller coaster yet."He frowns, considering this, his gaze straying to the kiddie roller coaster across the fairway. Then he shrugs, conceding the point. "Okay," he says. "Everyone else can share the rest of mine."He hands the remaining candy floss over to one of his friends, Jazz, who eagerly tears off a chunk and passes it to the next child.I smile, stepping back to stand beside Evans. Brandon wanted to invite his entire class back to the amusement park for his birthday—a huge fling that would've been immensely difficult if it weren't for the presence of some of the other parents, extra watchful eyes on the kids."We should go on the roller coaster next," Brandon says, trying to cajole his friends. "W
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 111
EvansAfter I finish, Carolina is silent for so long that it terrifies me.I just unloaded my entire heart to her, but for the first time in my life, I'm not sure if I said the right thing. I'm not sure if there's anything else I should say, or if another word might only make things worse.I've always known how to handle myself in any situation, always prided myself on being able to manage whatever came my way. But as I gaze at Carolina, desperately wanting her to believe me, all of that confidence slips away.There are tears in the corners of her eyes. Did I just make her cry? Is she upset? Did I just fuck up again?I open my mouth, not sure what else is going to come out—probably a babbling mess of nonsense, to be honest—but before I can stammer a single word, Carolina leans up to kiss me.We stay there for a few moments, locked in a deep kiss. All I can think about is how soft her lips are against mine, the scent of her floral shampoo that I sought in the sheets of my empty bed for
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 110
CarolinaIt's a long drive, all the way from Evans's place up to the Bronx. With each passing minute, I grow more confused, until finally, Evans pulls into a tree-lined asphalt drive, dappled with sunlight.I don't know what destination I was expecting, but whatever it was, it wasn't this. We're at Woodlawn Cemetery.Evans drives slowly through the wrought iron gates, then up the winding access road, in silence. I turn to him, frowning."Evans—""Almost there," he says.He stops the car beneath the sweeping branches of a massive maple, then steps out, gesturing for me to do the same. I hesitate for a few moments, watching as he crosses the street and approaches a simple, granite headstone.Finally, my curiosity gets the better of me. I climb out of the car and approach him. He turns to face me."I wanted to take you to meet my sister," he says. He's smiling, but there's something sad in the depths of his eyes. "I thought that the most important ladies in my life should get the chance
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 109
CarolinaOutside of Evans's ceiling-high windows, there's a flawless view of the winding branches of the oak tree in the backyard. I wake to the sound of a bird, sitting on the branch, chirping a morning tune.I'm nestled into Evans's arms, and that feels... good. Warm. Right. He's still asleep; the bird hasn't woken him. I spend a few seconds dwelling on the blissful feeling, the pleasant soreness in my muscles, as I watch the chickadee hop around on the branch and finally take flight.As soon as it vanishes out of sight, the reality of everything starts to sink in, and I bite my lip as a knot forms in my stomach.Shit. What did I just do?This was a huge mistake. The wound of our breakup was finally starting to heal over, enough that we could have a nice dinner without any awkwardness and with minimal hurt.And now, after this, I've definitely just reopened it, to its fullest extent.It's just going to get harder and harder every time I let myself have a taste. I can't let this cycl
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 108
CarolinaEvans trails his mouth over my neck and shoulders, teeth scraping my skin as I hook my legs around his waist, both of us desperate for the other."So fucking perfect." His voice is muffled against my skin, as if he can't bear to pull away long enough to speak. "You taste so good, Carolina. Every inch of you. I need you so goddamn badly."His hands move to the waistband of my pants, working the button and zipper down, and I rock from side to side a little, lifting my hips enough for him to slide them off. He takes my panties with them, and I hiss out a breath as the cool marble meets my bare skin."I need to be inside you," Evans groans, nearly ripping my pants off my legs as I desperately kick off my shoes. The heat between us is like an inferno, and I swear the rest of my clothes are about to burn to ash just from touching my skin. "Can I...?""Yes!" It's a breathless gasp, and I nod, reaching for his pants too.He's still wearing his shirt, and so am I, but I hardly even ca
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 107
CarolinaA rush of memories hits me as I walk down the second-floor hallway, especially as I walk past the room I lived in while I worked here. Unable to help my curiosity, I pause outside the door, leaning in to survey my old living space.It's almost empty. The bed is made, but it looks like it hasn't been touched since I was here. It's a little depressing, so I move on quickly.Brandon, in his room, has already put on his pajamas with lightning speed. He's crawling into bed as I enter."Story, story, story!" he chants, an eager grin on his face."Ah, ah," I say. "What are you forgetting?"Brandon frowns for a moment, unsure; then realization dawns on him. He climbs back out of bed and goes into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Only once he's back do I settle on the side of his bed, racking my brains for a story.Eventually, I spin a tale about our two betta fish meeting in a stream and becoming friends. Given what I know about betta fish, this is a pretty fanciful story—if Gill and
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 106
CarolinaWe all head up to the registers together, and once everything is paid for, I pause by the door awkwardly, glancing back at Brandon and Evans."Well, it was really nice to run into the two of you," I begin, expecting to ungracefully part ways."You should come have dinner with us!" Brandon bursts out loudly—he's having an energetic day.I cringe internally, glancing over at Evans. "Um, I don't know if that's a good idea, kiddo.""But it would be so fun!" Brandon cries.Evans nods, his eyes warm as he meets my gaze. His voice is sincere as he says, "Please. You should join us."Whatever I was expecting Evans to say, it wasn't that. I open my mouth to refuse, then close it, considering. It couldn't hurt to just go over for dinner. In fact, it might help with the heartache I've been feeling—a reminder that time moves on, or something."Okay, sure," I say hesitantly. "I didn't have anything to do this evening, anyway."Rather than taking the subway back to my place, I get into the
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 105
CarolinaThere are at least fifteen different brands of fish food at the pet store, which makes shopping for my still-unnamed betta fish way more difficult than it needs to be.It's a low maintenance creature, so I don't know what could possibly necessitate all of these different brands. One promises shinier scales, and the other claims to promote healthier fins. I shake my head, weighing one option in each hand.Finally, I decide to make the choice at random. If I picked wrong, my unnamed fish will just have to cope with subpar pellets.I toss the box into my shopping basket and continue down the aisle. I have to pick out a new filter for his little tank, then I'll be on my way.As I round the corner into the next aisle, I almost run straight into someone. I stumble back, startled, and drop my basket. The box of fish food slides across the floor."S-sorry," I stammer, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment."No worries," says a familiar voice.I freeze with my hand halfway to the fish
