Jace POVWhen the feather brushes against her inner thighs again, her legs tremble, parting slightly without thought. I watch as the tension in her hands loosens, her fidgeting slowing, her mind beginning to quiet. She’s sinking into it now, letting the sensation take over.Setting the feather aside, I reach for the pinwheel and an ice cube, the stark contrast between the two designed to overwhelm her senses.The moment the cool metal of the pinwheel makes contact with her hip, she shudders, her skin tightening under the delicate prickle of each tiny spike. I roll it up her side, the subtle drag leaving a trail of awareness in its wake. Her breathing shifts, turning into soft, shallow pants as I circle the pinwheel along the curve of her breast, teasing but never fully touching.At the same time, I press the ice cube to her lips. Her gasp is sharp, instinctive, her mouth parting slightly from the shock of cold. I take advantage of the moment, dragging the ice along her neck, leaving g
Jace POV“Count for me,” I instruct, my voice firm but steady. Without waiting for a response, I bring the paddle down with more force against her upper thigh.“One,” she gasps, her body tensing before quickly relaxing into the sensation.I continue, alternating between her thighs, her ass, and the curve of her hips, watching as her skin warms under each controlled strike. I push the intensity just a little further each time, testing her limits, feeling her reactions shift between sharp gasps and breathy moans. By the time we reach ten, her body is flushed a beautiful shade of pink, her muscles loose, her breaths uneven.“Good girl,” I murmur, setting the paddle aside. My voice is low, soothing, meant to anchor her even as I prepare to take her further. “Now for something different.”I pick up the flogger, letting the soft leather strands dance over her sensitized skin. She shivers instantly, her breath catching, her body trembling under the featherlight touch. I watch as anticipation
Serena POVI feel calm in a way I can’t explain. The weight that always lingers, the constant suffocating pressure, is gone. I wasn’t sure what my plan was when I walked in here. I woke up, heard the shower running, and something inside me just moved, pulling me toward the sound, toward him.The moment I stepped inside, I saw him. Water running over his tense body, hands braced against the tiles, muscles locked tight. When I touched him, he jerked like I had shocked him. His body reacted before his mind could stop it. That reaction sent a thrill through me, something I hadn’t felt in so long.I step further into the shower, walking around until I stand directly in front of him.“Firefly, out,” he mutters, voice tight.I move closer instead. There’s something about him that makes me want to be near him, that makes me crave that feeling he gives me, the one where I feel real, feel alive.“You didn’t fuck me,” I whisper, searching his face. I’m not saying it because I feel like I need hi
Serena POVI press closer, my hands still against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. His skin is warm beneath my fingers, solid, grounding. I don’t know what this feeling is, this pull between us that I’ve spent years ignoring, but it’s there, impossible to push away.I move without thinking, tilting my head up, my lips barely brushing his jaw. His breath hitches, his hands twitching where they still rest over mine. Encouraged, I move higher, my mouth ghosting along his neck, tasting the heat of his skin.But then he grips my wrists and pulls my hands away.“Stop.” His voice is rough, controlled, but there’s tension behind it, like he’s barely holding himself together.I frown, trying to step into him again, but he holds me back, shaking his head. “Not like this. Not until I know you’re not just going to walk away again.”I laugh, not because it’s funny but because I don’t understand. “So you spent all those years waiting for me, and now that I’m right in fr
Serena POVI shake my head, my throat tightening. “You say you love me. You say you waited for me. But the moment I try to give you what you’ve been waiting for, you reject me. You call me out on my shit, but what about yours? You’re standing here, acting like some fucking saint, like you’re above me, but you’re the one who doesn’t even know how to want someone without making it some big fucking deal.”Jace’s jaw clenches, his whole body tensing like he’s barely keeping himself from snapping. “You don’t get it. I don’t just want you, Serena. I love you. I have since we were kids, and no matter how much I’ve tried to push it down, no matter how much I’ve tried to forget, it’s still there. I didn’t wait for you just because I was holding onto some fantasy. I waited because I wanted my first time to mean something, and I wanted it to be with you. But I won’t touch you until I know you aren’t going to disappear on me again.”The intensity in his voice, the sheer force behind his words, ne
Jace POVShe thinks she can break me down, that if she pushes hard enough, I’ll cave. But I won’t. It’s not about what I want, because of course I want her. But if I give in, if I let her twist this into something casual, something that doesn’t mean anything, then I’m just feeding into her delusions. I’m enabling her, and I won’t do it. Maybe I’m fucked up for holding sex over her like some kind of bargaining chip, for refusing to touch her until she promises to stay, but it’s the only leverage I have.It’s a weak power, but it’s all I’ve got.I pour myself a drink, sitting down, giving her time to process, to decide what the hell she’s going to do next. I’ve said what I needed to say. Now it’s her turn.“You think it’s easy,” she whispers, her voice distant, like she’s talking more to herself than to me.I sigh, rubbin
Jace POV“Do you black out often?” I ask carefully, watching her reaction.“If I’m too late with my meds, yeah. Sometimes when I have manic episodes, I don’t remember everything either, but it’s mostly when I forget my meds. That’s when it gets really bad—when I start feeling like things are crawling on me, when I get paranoid and can’t focus on anything.”A cold knot tightens in my stomach. That doesn’t sound right. Missing one dose of her meds shouldn’t send her spiraling like that, not in just a few hours. I stare at her, the pieces not fitting together the way they should.Something’s wrong. And whether she realizes it or not, someone’s been fucking with her.I guide her toward the bed, keeping my grip steady as I ease her down. She’s exhausted, I can see it in the way her body sways, in the way she keeps blinking like she’s struggling to stay ground
Serena’s POVWaking up alone, an uneasy feeling spreads through me. I already know I’m late taking my pills before I even look at the time. My body feels off, restless. I move quickly, getting dressed while scanning the room for Jace, but he’s nowhere to be seen.I don’t like waiting around.Sighing, I leave and start walking through the building. There’s only one floor I can access; the others need codes, and I don’t have one. As I move through the rooms, searching for Jace, my irritation grows. The longer I walk, the more aware I become of the fact that I don’t know this place.I push open a door and groan when I see it’s just a basic storage closet filled with cleaning supplies. As I turn, I hear something—footsteps? My head whips around, but there’s nothing there. I swallow hard, shaking off the feeling, and keep searching, opening doors, stepping into empty rooms, finding nothing. Still, tha
“Hey.” I cup his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to carry everyone. We’re okay. I’m okay.”He looks at me, his eyes searching mine, and I can see the walls he usually keeps up start to lower. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me tighter, his fingers splayed against my back like he’s afraid to let go.“You’ve been my everything,” I whisper, my voice catching. “You saved me when I thought I couldn’t be saved. And I’ll never stop loving you for that.”He closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. “You’re the reason I keep going,” he murmurs. “You’re everything, firefly. You always have been.”The way he says it, the raw honesty in his voice, makes my throat tighten. I slide my hands down to his shoulders, holding him as close as I can. “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”For a long moment, we just sit there, holding each other in the middle of the noise and laughter of the party. It’s like the r
Serena POVThe music thumps lightly in the background as I sit on one of the plush couches in the corner of the reception hall, leaning back against the soft cushions. People are milling about, laughing, drinking, swaying to the music under the warm glow of fairy lights. It’s the end of the weekend, the final night of all the chaos and celebrations, and while I should be tired, I’m not. There’s a relaxed energy in the air, a sense of satisfaction that everything went off perfectly.Rich flops down beside me, a glass of something amber in his hand, and he’s grinning like a cat who just stole the cream. He stretches his legs out, looking entirely too pleased with himself, and I can’t help but laugh.“What’s that smug look for?” I nudge his arm.“Smug? Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about, sunshine.” He takes a long sip of his drink, his grin never fading. “I’m just happy. Look around, Dante’s hitched, Callum’s married, and no one set the place on fire. That’s what I call a win.”I
Jace POV“Oh, come on,” Dante presses, still grinning. “You don’t think it’s a little weird how you two always seem to know everything about each other? Like, everything.”Callum chimes in, shaking his head with a smirk. “I mean, it’s impressive, don’t get me wrong. But it’s also kinda suspicious. Like, how close are you two, really?”Rich leans back in his chair, spreading his arms. “What can I say? Jace and I just have that connection. Isn’t that right, Jace?”“Cut it out, Rich,” I snap, though I can feel the heat creeping into my face. It’s not that they’re serious, they’re just fucking with me, but the teasing is relentless.“Relax,” Dante says, raising his hands in mock surrender. “It’s not like we’re judging. We’re just saying… You two are close. Like, really close.”“Nothing wrong with that,” Callum adds, his grin widening. “In fact, it’s kind of sweet. You guys trust each other. You share things. Intimate things, apparently.”“Intimate my ass,” I grumble, grabbing a piece of t
Jace POVI watch her disappear into the bathroom, the sheet trailing behind her. As soon as the door closes, I lean back against the headboard, running a hand through my hair. “What the hell, Rich?” I grumble, turning my glare on him.He’s standing there with a coffee cup in one hand and a mischievous grin that I’m too tired to deal with. “You’re welcome for not barging in earlier,” he says, handing me the cup.I take it, wrapping both hands around it, and let the warmth sink in. “You could have waited a little longer. Or, I don’t know, knocked before coming back in.”“Where’s the fun in that?” He slumps into the armchair in the corner, watching me with that unshakable smirk. “You’re way too easy to mess with in the morning.”I take a long sip of coffee before responding. “I was already hungover. Now I’m just annoyed.”“Annoyed is better than dead, and I like living, so…” Rich trails off, still grinning. “Besides, you wouldn’t kill me. You like having me around too much.”I groan, but
Serena POVI nuzzle closer to Jace, his arm tightening around me as I try to relax again. The warmth of his body against mine is soothing, and for a moment, I think I might actually drift off. But then Rich lets out a soft mumble from the floor, his words indistinct but definitely audible.“Goddammit,” Jace mutters under his breath. “I knew it. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep with him here.”I tug him closer, resting my head on his chest. “Shh,” I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw. “He’s not that loud. Just try.”He sighs, his hand running down my back as if to settle me. “Firefly…”“Try,” I repeat, pulling him in even tighter.He doesn’t reply, but I can feel him relax, his breathing evening out against mine. After a moment, the room quiets again, except for Rich’s occasional muttering. But Jace doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he rests his chin against my head, holding me close. His steady breathing finally lulls me back into sleep, and soon I fall asleep again.Waking
Serena POVI’m maybe a little drunk, but not that drunk. Hugging Luna and Lilly, I walk out and head to the place I’m staying with Jace. As soon as I step inside, I throw myself onto the bed.Not long after, the door opens and Jace walks in. He gives me a lopsided smile and makes his way over, collapsing onto the bed beside me.I kiss him softly, smiling. “Have fun?”He mumbles something unintelligible, which just makes me laugh.“So much for not drinking much,” I say, nudging him with a smirk.“Blame Dante,” he groans. “He gave me the shots.”I raise a brow. “Dante? Wait, so this wasn’t Rich? I’m shocked. Did he actually behave for a change?”Jace rubs his face and lets out a long groan. “He’s probably more sober than I am. Don’t ask me how.”Yep, he’s wasted. Shaking my head, I climb off the bed and help him sit up so I can get his clothes off. His smile grows wider as I tug at his shirt.“No,” I warn, “don’t get any ideas. You need sleep or you’ll look like death at the wedding tom
Serena POVI can’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I think about it. I never thought a book like this would make me feel, well, anything beyond shock. “But still,” I say, flipping back to the scene where Dominic starts breaking down, “this guy spent his whole life preaching about purity. Then the devil shows up, and suddenly it’s all out the window.”“That’s the beauty of it,” Lilly says. “It’s not sudden at all. The cracks were always there. The devil just gave him a push.”The more we talk, the more I find myself leaning in. The details they’re pointing out, the way they’re pulling apart each character’s motives, I can’t look away. Even when the conversation shifts to the dark, twisted scenes I would’ve written off before, I’m still right there, asking questions, offering my own thoughts. I don’t even notice how much time has passed until Luna mentions needing another drink.By then, I’m not just listening. I’m in it, flipping pages, debating over whether Dominic had any real cho
Serena POVI walk into the room and my eyes immediately land on Lilly and Luna. We’ve done a few video calls together before, but seeing them in person is different. Luna is the first to react, springing up from her seat and coming straight over to pull me into a hug.Luna introduces me to the others, pointing out a few names as we walk further into the room. A small group of women sit in a circle of couches and chairs, chatting quietly. They each give a friendly wave or nod, and I offer a polite smile in return. Luna explains who’s who, though I’m not sure I’ll remember everyone’s name by the end of the night.Meanwhile, Lilly is still in her chair, completely absorbed in a book. She hasn’t even glanced up since I came in. It’s not until Luna calls her name that she finally looks over. Her face lights up when she sees me, and she closes her book carefully before coming over and giving me a warm hug.“Finally! You’re here,” Lilly says with a grin. “We were starting to think you’d gott
Jace POVRich leans back, shaking his head. “Man, it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. From that cramped, shitty apartment to this. And through it all, you’ve still managed to put up with my crap.”“Barely,” I say with a smirk. “You’re not exactly easy to deal with, you know.”Rich grins, leaning forward again, resting his chin on his hand. “Yeah, but you’d be bored without me. Admit it.”I roll my eyes, but I’m laughing now. “Fine. Maybe a little.”“Damn right,” he says with a wink.Rich’s grin softens just slightly as he swirls the remaining whiskey in his glass. “You know, Jace,” he says, his voice lower now, almost contemplative. “You’ve always been the steady one. Even when we were broke, when everything felt like it was falling apart. You never lost your cool.”I huff out a laugh. “You sure about that? Because I remember a few nights where I definitely lost my shit. Especially when you kept betting more than we had.”“But you always kept us out of real trouble,” Rich counters