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Chapter 34
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2022-06-13 02:50:19Related chapters
Struck by Love Chapter 35
“Well, she and Nikolas have been married about four years now. He met her at the annual museum gala. They seemed to hit it off right away. She hung out with our family a bit. He proposed six months later. She expressed an interest in our business. She had finance and economics degrees and graduated top of her class, so we gave her a job. She’s been working for Tsar ever since, heading up our financial services sector.” “She seemed quite friendly with you the night of the ball. I got a really cold feeling from her.” Laura wanted to say this next part as delicately as she could. “Did you and she ever…?” “What? No! She’s with my brother.” He was clearly offended. “I mean before that. She seems quite…flirtatious, very touchy-feely with you.” He sighed. “It doesn’t mean anything. She’s just like that.” “And that doesn’t bother you or your brother?” Angelo paused, feeling some buried emotions coming to the surface. “He did once say something to me, but that was a
Last Updated : 2022-06-13Struck by Love Chapter 36
It was Tuesday night and Angelo was home alone after getting in from a long day at the office. He looked at the clock. 9:15 p.m. He was hungry, but tired. He flicked on a lamp, took off his suit jacket, and flopped on his couch. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to decide what to do. He unbuttoned the first several buttons of his shirt. His life seemed like it was just one frustration after another these days. He’d had it with just about everything and everyone. The business announcement they had made earlier today had been immediately met with mixed reviews and he and Laura hadn’t spoken since last night. He was still fuming over what he felt was a constant barrage of accusations from her. He felt attacked on every side lately. He decided to start by pouring himself a glass of scotch. He got up to grab a glass when his door buzzer rang. He grunted in frustration. He wasn’t expecting anyone and it was late. “Seriously, can’t people just leave me alone for a c
Last Updated : 2022-06-17Struck by Love Chapter 37
Angelo was momentarily stunned by her brazen maneuver. Her hand was almost brushing against his crotch. He was getting a bad feeling about where things were going. “Sure,” he said, quickly standing up and not making eye contact with her. He grabbed her glass, which wasn’t very empty and headed back to the kitchen. She watched him walk away, grinning from ear to ear. She liked having a man caught off guard. She stared at his backside, admiring how his pants fit and flattered his well-built physique. He was taller, bigger, and stronger than her husband. She gazed after him until he disappeared into the kitchen. Angelo set the glasses down on the island. He was rattled. He knew Portia was a handful and now she was alone with him in his apartment. He wasn’t sure what she was playing at, but he knew she was up to something. He took a deep breath. He considered what he should do when he spotted his phone on the counter. He thought for a moment. He made a decision. He topped
Last Updated : 2022-06-17Struck by Love Chapter 38
He grabbed her hand before she could get a hold of him. “You’re not touching me. Go home to your husband if you want that.” He took a step back from her, gripped her hand tight for a moment, then let it go. She looked at him, her face etched with shock. She had never been turned down by a man before, especially not with this level of come-on. She laughed sarcastically. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re a single guy, you’ve got a nearly naked beautiful woman in your place, ready and rarin’ to go and you’re going to turn that down? Turn me down?” She held her hands out at her side. She dropped her voice. “This is our chance to be together.” “Portia,” he said, his face tense, his jaw clenching, “I don’t know how the hell you’ve got this idea into your head that there’s something between us, but you’re sadly mistaken. Even if there was, which there isn’t, I would never do that to my own brother!” Her face again twisted into an expression of fury. “Please!” she shout
Last Updated : 2022-06-17Struck by Love Chapter 39
Angelo listened to the recording on his phone. He had captured everything from when Portia had started her intense, but ill-fated seduction attempt. He was relieved she had left, but was saddened and stressed over the necessary consequences of her actions. He knew what had to be done though. He sat down at the glass and stainless steel desk he had in the far corner of his living room. He enjoyed doing his work there when he needed to bring it home. Looking out over the expansiveness of Central Park helped to relax him and give him perspective. He gazed out at the colorful lights of New York beyond and let out a long sigh. Things would be different from here on in. He hooked his phone up to his laptop and copied the recording onto his hard drive. He saved it in three different places, plus on a memory stick for safekeeping. Next, he picked up his phone and texted Nikolas: 'Need to talk ASAP. It’s urgent. – A.' He then drafted a quick email to Nikolas and attached a
Last Updated : 2022-06-17Struck by Love Chapter 40
He swallowed hard. His blue eyes regarded her for a few moments. He nodded. “I understand why you feel that way. I do. But please just give me one last chance, for the things we’ve shared, for our time together. Just give me a chance to talk to you. That’s all. Then I’ll go.” Laura felt shaky, her emotions were bubbling to the surface. She had to go inside before she started crying in front of her building. Finally, she nodded to him, then silently went and unlocked the door. Relieved, he walked up behind her, still keeping a bit of a distance so as not to unsettle her any more than he already had. She didn’t look at him, but held the door open. He took it and followed her up the stairs a few paces behind. They hadn’t said a word on the way up to her place. Laura felt incredibly conflicted. Sarah would kill her if she knew that she was letting Angelo into her place right now. But part of her was curious about what he had to say. Still, the memory of him leaving
Last Updated : 2022-06-17Struck by Love Chapter 41
Surprised by the sudden, unexpected turn of events, he moaned softly as she pressed herself down between his legs, her body lying against his big frame. “Laura,” he started to say, then inhaled deeply as her hand slipped down the side of his hip and started stroking him there. He groaned. “I want to be with you, but are you sure you want to do this right now…it’s just…you know you can get me going in a hot minute.” “Good,” she said as she continued the suggestive movements. She soon felt his body respond with a distinct firmness between his legs. “I like doing this to you…very much.” His lips were parted and his eyes were half-lidded with desire. “You know you can have anything you want from me, any time you want it.” He closed his eyes as his body hardened. “Mmmm,” she said, still writhing on top of him and stroking his hip, “what a wonderful thought.” He was breathing heavier now. “There’s just something about you,” he said, his voice deep and low. “I’ve gotten h
Last Updated : 2022-06-17Struck by Love Chapter 42
Angelo spent the night at Laura’s apartment at her invitation. They had laid on the sofa together for awhile, both having fallen asleep after the emotional turmoil and adrenalin rushes they had experienced with everything that had happened. When they awoke, they had a quiet dinner in, another delivery from Frankie’s Pizzeria, and spent the rest of the evening talking openly and honestly about what had happened and how they had felt. It was a gentle, trusting, open exchange, something they needed to do to move forward and past their troubles. They went to sleep later that night, both feeling safer and loved, with Laura curled up in Angelo’s big, warm frame, and Jasper cuddled up near her stomach. Angelo offered to drive her into work the next morning, which Laura gratefully accepted. After they got ready, she took care of Jasper and made them some coffee and a light breakfast before they left. As they started the drive into Manhattan in Angelo’s silver Jaguar, a thought
Last Updated : 2022-06-17
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Struck by Love Chapter 54 (Telos)
Six months later, Laura woke up feeling happier and more complete than she ever had in her life. She was now Mrs. Tsarkopolis. She lay there for a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the soft light streaming through the white curtains. She smiled as she felt the soft swaying of the 120-foot luxury yacht, the Sea Star, that Angelo had chartered for their two-week honeymoon through the Greek islands. He had wanted to show her where his family was from and do it in style. She closed her eyes again. She found the sensation of being on the water relaxing. She stretched and yawned, then rolled over. Angelo was still sleeping. The white sheet had slipped down to around his waist. Laura lay there looking at her husband. They had just spent their first night together as husband and wife. His face looked peaceful. She looked at his thick, dark hair, all askew, framing his face; the humidity giving it a wilder look. She loved it; it gave him an almost boyish charm. She looked at his long
Struck by Love Chapter 53
Laura's jaw dropped in total shock. She recognized the tune right away. She looked to Angelo. “This is my favorite song!” He smiled. “I know. Sarah was kind enough to provide me with some valuable intel.” Sarah winked at her. The guitarist and keyboardist started playing the familiar melody. It was instantly recognizable to the audience, who again cheered. Shanna closed her eyes, and swayed to the music. She started singing her song: Dreams Carried Me Through. Her distinctive, rich voice was clear and soulful. Laura’s eyes began tearing up as she listened. She loved this song. She couldn’t believe this was happening, what Angelo had done for her. He saw her reaction and held her close, kissing her cheek. Nikolas was swaying to the music. Sarah and Barry smiled at them and held hands. Sarah knew how much that song meant to Laura. She had talked about it often, how it spoke to her. The audience was rapt, listening to Shanna’s unique and beautiful voice singing the well-
Struck by Love Chapter 52
Three weeks after Laura had enthusiastically accepted the offer of a future position within the soon-to-be newly formed Bell Star division of Tsar Enterprises, Angelo arranged a celebratory evening at Painter’s Cove on Saturday night. Along with Sarah and Barry, who was taking the night off to just enjoy himself, Angelo brought Nikolas along. Painter’s Cove was three quarters full at this point and felt warm with colorful lights strewn about, giving a soft glow over the murals. Nikolas commented how it was a welcoming place, not pretentious, just comfortable and artsy. The five of them sat down at the best table in the house, with a good view of the stage, which Barry had taken the liberty of reserving. Laura snuggled into Angelo, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. His thick, dark hair had his usual tousled look. He was dressed in casual black jeans, a dark grey jacket and light blue button down shirt that set off his eyes nicely. His shirt collar was open a tasteful thr
Struck by Love Chapter 51
Laura slept in with Angelo on Saturday morning. They took a shower together and he made her breakfast. She needed to get home to Jasper, so he gave her a ride home to Brooklyn. They had agreed to meet at Angelo’s place, Sunday around 11 a.m. to help with the preparations for Nikolas’ move. She was excited to finally meet his brother. She spent a few hours doing things at home and had some quality kitty time with Jasper before meeting Sarah at Painter’s Cove for dinner and drinks to get caught up on one another’s love lives. When Laura arrived, Sarah was already there, sitting at the bar talking to Barry. She noticed immediately how affectionate they were with one another. After a quick greeting, she and Sarah went and sat down at their own table to talk privately. Laura was happy to learn that Sarah’s relationship with Barry had also progressed rather well. They toasted to the fact that they had both now fallen in love with great guys and secretly shared a few choice detai
Struck by Love Chapter 50
His eyes were riveted on her. She wore only his t-shirt, which was huge on her, and panties. She grabbed his hand and placed it under the roomy t-shirt, on her stomach. Her eyes were warm with desire. He leaned forward, pulling her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her stomach. She held his head in her hands, running her fingers through his thick, dark hair, still damp from his shower, and bent over him. He could feel the touch of her breasts through the t-shirt. He slid his hands up and caressed her bare back, relishing the feel of her skin. “I constantly crave touching you, feeling your body.” “And I want you to,” she whispered into his ear. She writhed in his grip, letting him know his touch was pleasurable, desired. His strong hands moved to her waist, then felt the curve of her hips. She swayed her hips in response, inviting his further touch. His hands tightened their hold on her hips. He felt the edge of her panties, and
Struck by Love Chapter 49
Laura hesitated, then turned back. She made it back to her doorway then stopped. She placed a hand on the doorframe, not sure which way she should go. She felt a swell of emotion for the man behind the door at the end of the hall. She took a deep breath and padded down the hall to his door. She listened. She didn’t hear anything. She looked down. The light was still streaming through. “Here goes nothing,” she whispered to herself. She knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again, this time a little louder. “Angelo? Are you still up?” Still no answer. She was about to turn back around when she felt a swell of confidence. She knocked one more time. “Angelo, can I come in?” Still nothing. She bit her lip. She placed a hand on the doorknob, then turned it. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest. She opened the door and peered inside. He was sitting up on the far side of his king-size bed, propped up against some pillows, his bedside lamp
Struck by Love Chapter 48
They held each other for a while, looking at the flames flickering in the gas fireplace, each lost in thought about their conversation tonight. Angelo got up to make them some herbal tea. Laura sat staring out his large windows, marveling at the nighttime view. She felt like she was in a dream. But she wasn’t. This was real. He was real. And she loved him with all of her heart and soul. Angelo came back with the tea and they stayed up talking for hours. The night was growing late and soon they grew quiet again. Finally, Angelo had to ask a question. “It’s getting late. I don’t mean to pressure you or anything, but I wanted to let you know that you’re welcome to stay the night here. With me. If you wanted.” She looked at him. She wanted to, very badly, but part of her still felt slightly guarded. She hesitated to answer. “I, um, hadn’t planned to stay. I didn't pack an overnight bag or anything.” He looked at her and nodded. “And I suppose, much of tonight's
Struck by Love Chapter 47
He nodded, looking down at her hand. “They’re married now, that also happened pretty fast. When the engagement ended last year, I stopped dating for awhile…until I met you.” He looked back up at her and smiled. “Really?” she asked, the surprise evident on her face. “Really. Why do you look so surprised?” he asked. “Because, you were one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors, and like I said you’re gorgeous, young, successful. I would think it would be impossible for you not to have women constantly hanging all over you, workaholic or not.” He shook his head. “After the kind of experiences I had I felt pretty used and rather jaded. Plus, my father also died last year and when I was appointed CEO, my life changed dramatically. It was hard to lose him like that and at the same time get thrust into such an all-consuming and demanding role.” Laura felt for him. “That must have been a terribly difficult time for you.” He nodded. “I wasn’t in a good place so
Struck by Love Chapter 46
She squeezed him tight. She actually felt relieved to have gotten that off her chest. After a few moments, she figured she’d just get the rest of her rather unremarkable dating history out. She sighed. “After that there’s not a lot to tell. I’ve had a couple of dates with guys who never called back, some dates where I just wasn’t feeling it. Nothing that lasted too long. After Aaron, my longest relationship was about three months. His name was Brad. He ended up getting a job in Dubai. I had no intention of moving. But it wasn’t that big of a deal, we weren’t really that serious.” She looked over at the fireplace, then down at her glass. “The last guy I dated, we went out for maybe three weeks, split as soon as we'd slept together. That was not quite a year and a half ago.” She looked over at Angelo. “Not the best track record, hey?” “It helps me understand you better,” he said gently. “Why I might’ve made you nervous.” Laura felt her face flush. “Well that, and just the fa
