KARINAThe massive crystal chandelier hanging over the center of the cavernous ballroom was glittering and sparkling like a sea of a million stars, casting a warm golden glow over the entire space. But as dazzling as the light show was, my eyes were fixed on a certain point of the exit, anxiously waiting for the one man and one man only - Jason.The moment he finally made his grand entrance through the towering double doors, an instant hush rippled through the crowd like a shockwave.Dozens of heads turned simultaneously to gawk at him.My heart did a little leap of excitement in my chest, even though part of me had doubted he would actually show his face here tonight after he nearly choked me to death in his study the previous day.But there he was in all his glory, towering over everyone else as he surveyed the scene imperiously, looking every damn inch the wealthy, powerful aristocrat he was born and bred to be.His tailored black suit was cut to perfection, hugging his broad shoul
KARINAThe first traitorous tears spilled over my lashes. He had slipped through my grasp yet again, just like all the other times before. No matter what I did, what lengths I went to, Jason always managed to deny me in the end. To deny us.I was so sick of being rejected, of being seen as less-than by him.My gaze landed on the blinking red recording light of the hidden camera I had carefully set up in the far corner of the room, and a slow, bitter smile curved my lips.Crossing over to the discreet device, I cradled it in my hands like a precious object as I replayed the footage from earlier - the heated, passionate kiss, the brief yet unmistakable moment where Jason had responded to me with eager need. His hands pulled me flush against him as he lost himself to the desire before that damnable drug haze lifted enough for him to come back to his senses and recoil from me in horror.I had it all right here. The proof that, despite his outward protests and rejections, some deep part of
MAISIEMy phone buzzing on the nightstand dragged me from the edge of sleep.I blinked groggily, fumbling for it in the dark and my eyes narrowed when I saw the name displayed on the screen."Jason?" My voice was thick with sleep, confusion lacing my words. "Do you have any idea what time it is?""Come out!" His voice was low and raw, like it had been dragged over gravel. There was no mistaking the command in his tone that left no room for argument.I sat up, clutching the blanket to my chest. "It’s late. What’s going on?""Don’t make me repeat myself, Maisie. Come. Outside. Now!" The growl in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, and before I could muster another protest, the line went dead.My heart pounded in my chest as I swung my legs out of bed, the cold floor shocking me into full wakefulness.A sense of foreboding curled in my stomach as I grabbed my robe, tying it tightly around my waist.Slipping on my slippers, I stepped out into the cool night air biting at my skin as I s
MAISIEJason’s kiss wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t sweet. It was raw and consuming, full of frustration and something far more dangerous. It was as if he wanted to leave a mark deeper than skin, carving his name into my very soul so I’d never be able to forget him.My hands curled into his shirt on instinct… a desperate attempt to find something solid as the heat of his body surrounded me. But grounding myself was impossible.Jason finally pulled back when I almost passed out from lack of oxygen. His breathing was ragged and hot against my face as he pressed his forehead to mine. His eyes… they were intense, wild, and unrelenting—locked with mine, making my stomach twist in fear and something else I didn’t dare name.“Why don’t you tell me to stop, Maisie?” His low and rough voice vibrated through me. His thumb brushed my lower lip, swollen and tender from his kiss. “Why don’t you push me away? You want this as much as I do.”“I don’t—” The words faltered as they left my lips, weak and unc
MAISIEMy heart hammered against my ribcage, each beat echoing in my ears while I drew short, shallow breaths.Jason leaned in again. His muscular torso pressed into me as his lips found mine in another passionate kiss.His taste flooded my senses, intoxicating me further.Something was definitely wrong with Jason’s behaviour right now and things would spiral out of control if I didn’t stop him. "Jason," I whispered urgently, "Something's off. You’re not thinking or acting rationally." My voice trembled with apprehension."Stop. I… I’m on my period. We shouldn’t—" I trailed off, my cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.Jason paused for a moment before letting out a dark chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. "Do you think that matters to me?" He murmured with an edge that was both thrilling and terrifying.His fingers traced a path down my arm, every touch igniting goosebumps on my skin like sparks from a fire."You’ve always been mine, Maisie," he continued huskily. "Blood doesn’
MAISIEJason suddenly pulled out and flipped me over before I even had time to register what was happening.His hands firmly gripped my hips while the tip of his erection teased my entrance before entering me again from behind with a deep stroke.My moans grew louder.My body responded involuntarily with shivers as Jason filled me completely once more. He withdrew slowly, letting me feel every inch of him before pushing back in with a powerful thrust.I arched my back, spreading my legs wider to accommodate his girth.My fingers dug into his flesh, tearing at him without mercy as I braced for each of his forceful thrusts that jerked both my body and the car violently.The air was filled with the wet sounds of our lovemaking and our panting breaths. Jason's hand reached around to find my clit, expertly rubbing circles around it while his other hand grabbed a fistful of my hair and roughly tugged as he continued his thrusts. The new sensation sent me over the edge with a cry and my in
JASONJason carried Maisie's trembling, emotionally and physically drained form back into her apartment.Her petite frame was practically boneless against his chest in the aftermath of their intense, uncontrolled tryst in the backseat of his car.She was barely conscious. Her eyes were glazed and unfocused, her body limp with utter exhaustion.He shouldered open the front door quietly, making sure not to wake Donovan up.A broken whimper escaped Maisie's parted lips as they crossed the threshold, the sound cutting straight through Jason.Her hateful words seconds ago still rang in his mind on repeat. His jaw clenched so tightly his teeth ground together with the effort of restraining himself.He hated himself in this moment more than he could put into words. Hated what he'd been forced to do to her. He had violated her in the most unforgivable way because of his own idiotic, careless mistake.The memory of Karina's smug, vindictive smirk flashed through Jason’s mind and his grip tight
JASONJason didn't remember much of the rest of that night after leaving Maisie's house. It passed in a blur of whiskey burning its way down his throat in an effort to numb the gut-wrenching ache in his chest.He drank until the bottles ran dry, until his vision swam and the memory of her anguished screams faded to a dull ringing in his ears.When he finally resurfaced sometime after the sun had climbed high in the sky, he was splayed shirtless across his bed, reeking of stale booze and something else...something that made his stomach twist violently.Shoving himself into a sitting position, Jason squeezed his eyes shut as the room spun violently.That's when he caught sight of his hands… of his fingernails still caked with reddish-brown stains that could only be one thing - Maisie's blood.The realization slammed into him like a freight train, bringing with it the memories he'd been trying so hard to drown.Her naked body trembling in the bath… The way she'd looked at him with such d
MAISIEI wiped away the tear that had rolled down my cheek and turned off the microphone. Looking up, I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself.Being an emotional person with so many feelings can be absolute torture sometimes.I gasped when the door suddenly opened only to sigh with relief upon seeing Jason standing there.My coat hung casually over one shoulder, my bag dangling from his hand."Are you done?" I asked, walking toward him."I finished seconds before you spoke on the microphone," he admitted. "I was listening to your words while I was in the corridor."Mentally reviewing everything I'd just said, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. Damn the alcohol for loosening my tongue!"Did I say too much?" I asked, my cheeks warming.Jason lifted my coat, holding it open for me to slip my arms through."No," he said softly. "And you know what? I won't hate him even if he despises me to my core. I'll protect him and always stand by his side, even against his will. I'll
MAISIE"I’ve learned to control myself even more when you're with me," Jason murmured, turning his chair to face the computer.His fingers resumed their effortless dance across the keyboard, yet his thoughts were nowhere near the screen. "It feels like my soul is constantly on the verge of escaping, rushing toward you. No matter how much I look at you, it never feels like enough. I memorize the way you move, the way you sit in stillness. Every little detail of you pulls me in, and my heart beats in sync with your smile."He exhaled softly. "I love you so deeply, so fiercely, that I have to hold myself back. Because if I don’t… I might lose myself entirely."If I had to name what we shared, I'd call it a safe relationship. I'd found myself in the hands of a man who saw beyond my physical form, who cherished the essence of who I was.In this era dominated by cravings and instant gratification, the worst thing that could happen would be surrendering to those shallow expectations and beco
MAISIEJason propped his chin in one hand while his fingers danced across the keyboard."Outrageously beautiful!" He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.I placed my foot on one arm of his chair and pulled my hair back with deliberate slowness. The silky strands slipped through my fingers as I held his gaze."Doesn't my outrageous beauty make you feel anything?" My voice came out huskier than intended, betraying my nervousness."Something like what?" He threw his weight on the back of his chair and placed his warm hand on my leg.His touch sent electricity through my skin, making it difficult to maintain my composure.I bit my lower lip, hesitating for several seconds while gathering my courage. The office suddenly felt too warm, too intimate."Jason... do I not excite you?" The words tumbled out before I could reconsider.His eyebrows rose slightly as he began stroking my leg with gentle, circular motions.My heart hammered against my ribs, and confusion clouded my thoughts."Do
MAISIE"What about Don?" Jason quirked an eyebrow, sliding his hands into his pockets elegantly.The realization hit me. Don! How could I forget?I slumped back into my seat dramatically, resting my forehead on the cool surface of the table."I really wanted to go with you," I mumbled, frustration evident in my voice. Something inside me yearned to be near him, like a magnetic pull I couldn't explain or resist.Miriam's gentle hand patted my head. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you get what you want?"I lifted my head, confusion written across my face. "What do you mean?""The audio equipment is rented for today only," Miriam explained, leaning closer with a conspiratorial gleam. "I need to return everything before ten tonight. I'll tell Don he needs to help me because Nathan has a headache. We'll take our time, maybe drive around a bit before I drop him off. You just need to be back before we return.""I don't have a headache!" Nathan protested.Miriam shot him a wa
MAISIEThe atmosphere between the two tables instantly chilled.Klay stood up, his posture rigid with barely contained anger."Follow me!" he commanded Dame:But Dame merely smiled provocatively. "Why?"Her defiance visibly increased his anger. He fixed her with a penetrating stare and said through clenched teeth, "Why?...""Should I care about your anger?" she challenged, lifting her chin.I swallowed nervously, watching the tension escalate between them. I'd never seen this side of their relationship before."Shut your fucking mouth and stand up fast!" Klay growled. His usual composure was completely shattered.Dame matched his intensity with a withering glare. "Stop cursing! You're not the only one who can do that, you ugly motherfucker!"Professor Hunt placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Wait, Dame... calm down."Klay's gaze zeroed in on the professor's hand like a laser sight. "Get your hand off her!"I looked at Miriam nervously, and she returned the same anxious glance.The
MAISIEI stopped at the door of Nathan's office when I got there. I peered in and saw Jason deeply absorbed in going over some papers, his face furrowed.I knocked softly on the doorframe and adopted a playfully formal tone. "Will you let me in, Principal Harding?" I teased, referencing his serious demeanor.He looked up with his expression immediately softening into a smile. "Come in."I stepped inside before closing the door behind me with a gentle click.Making my way across the room, I settled into the chair across from him while he returned his attention to the papers in his hands."I got you a surprise!" I announced, holding up the plate with a flourish."Surprise, is it a piece of cake?" he replied without looking up, though I could detect a hint of amusement in his voice.I raised my index finger dramatically as if making an important point. "Wrong, it's not just any cake... it's chocolate cake!"His eyes remained fixed on the documents before him. "No, thank you."Disappointm
MAISIEJason stopped briefly to get a bottle of wine on the way to Nathan's place. I was astonished by the label when he came back to the car and gave it to me."You didn't have to!" I exclaimed, examining the expensive bottle."It's not in my nature to arrive empty-handed, butterfly."When we arrived at Nathan's place, I carefully balanced both gifts in my arms as we got out of the car. Even from outside, I could hear Miriam's voice through speakers singing the birthday song.She had mentioned planning something special, but knowing Miriam, I expected something much wilder than whatever was happening here.We made our way directly to the back garden, where the celebration was taking place. As soon as Miriam spotted us, she set down her microphone on the table where Nathan sat and jogged over to greet us.She looked stunning in a modern black dress that showed off her legs with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.The garden around us was beautifully decorated in white, creating an atm
MAISIEJason didn't follow—perhaps he knew better than to try.I tried to concentrate on wrapping Nathan's present that had finally arrived, but my hands were shaking too much to fold neatly or tie the right ribbons.The sound of an ambulance arriving next door kept drawing my attention away from my task. The sirens wailed, cutting through the evening quiet like a harsh reminder of what had just transpired.I'm not saying Jared didn't deserve consequences for his actions. He had caused immeasurable pain with his interference in our lives yet did he deserve to be injured badly enough to need emergency medical attention?The question troubled me, even as I struggled with ribbon and tape that refused to cooperate with my shaking fingers."Stop giving people second chances they don't deserve, Maisie. It's maturity to accept that no good can come from some people!" Jason's words echoed in my mind.Perhaps he was right. Perhaps no good could ever come from Jared. However, the violence I'd w
MAISIEMy heart pounded against my ribs as I followed them. I knew what was coming: violence, pain, and more fuel for the cycle of hatred that seemed inescapable between these brothers.I hurried down the path to Jason's house, my footsteps quick but hesitant. The front door stood open, swinging slightly in the evening breeze, and I could hear crashes coming from inside. Furniture being overturned, glass breaking.I paused at the threshold with my hand gripping the doorframe. Did I really want to witness this?A particularly loud shatter from the living room made my decision for me. I stepped inside, drawn by concern despite my better judgment.The scene that greeted me was chaos. Jason stood in the center of his once-pristine living room, unwinding his silk tie from around his bloodied knuckles. His breathing was measured but heavy, like a predator conserving energy between attacks.The white shirt beneath his suit jacket was now spattered with crimson droplets."All my troubles bega