The toy...I sighed for the tenth time, lying lazily across the bed with the diary beside me, yet my mind was too troubled to read it. After hearing from the nurse that Damon had stayed through all four of her surgeries, I realized he was never going to pull the plug. I was too blinded by my emotions to see that—he was just trying to pull me out. Turning to the other side of the bed, facing the window, my consciousness ate at me as I remembered the hurtful words I said. I even involved his mother. I resisted the urge to smack my head.Sitting up, I grabbed my phone and checked for any response to my messages asking him to talk. The blue ticks mocked me—he had ignored me for a week now. I sighed again, feeling the weight of my own actions.Jessie burst into the room, tossing her bag aside and rushing towards me. "Remember how we dreamed of going to Paris?" Her voice bubbled with excitement. "You never convinced Damon to take us, but guess what?""Yeah?" I replied."Zach's cousin is g
The toy...I soaked myself in the bath after a full body scrub, ensuring my skin was glowing and soft. Emerging, I rummaged through my luggage for something seductive yet subtle. Damon is a very stubborn man, and if he sensed my intentions, he would resist. I settled on a mini skirt and a crop top.In front of the mirror, I adjusted my cleavage to be more pronounced and sprayed my body mist—its vanilla and rosy scent filled the room. I lined my lips and applied a glossy sheen, then tousled my hair just enough to give it a sultry touch.Standing outside his door, I reminded myself: the goal was to seduce him, not the other way around, and to seek forgiveness, not for him to come back. “House over the garden,” I said to myself before opening the door.My eyes widened, and my goals slipped away as I saw him. He had just showered, his hair slicked back, not a strand falling to compete with his piercing eyes. I froze, my gaze trailing down his masterpiece of a body, from his broad chest
The CEO..I walked out of the room in a daze, headed straight to the cabinet, and pulled out a bottle of wine and a glass cup. Within minutes, I was sitting on the balcony. Although the night breeze was cool, my body still simmered with anger. My heart was heavy, feeling betrayed. I remembered how my heart raced when she wrapped her legs around me and the smile that spread across her lips—I wanted to kiss them. My body yearned for her. Yet the image of her kissing Logan was still digging pits in my head and giving me headaches.Pouring wine into the glass, the ice cubes clinked softly. I downed it in one go, trying to drown out her words echoing in my mind."Warm actions, cold words," I muttered bitterly to myself, remembering how I couldn't promise her a future yet ended up with Lucy down the aisle.I refilled the glass and sipped it. Aunt Tracy's advice slipped into my head. I felt even worse; it was so much easier not to blame myself for her being with the bartender.My phone buz
The toy...With a blink of an eye, I was sliding down the slick, wet road, my back scraping against the surface. The protective gear I wore was the only thing keeping the rough asphalt from shredding my skin.My heart raced, and I wanted to scream, but I stifled it. Screaming would only make things worse for Damon. He was probably more terrified than I was, blaming himself for this mess.I felt a firm grip as Damon groaned and flipped me over, positioning himself between me and the harsh road. His body formed a protective barrier with his arms and legs.Damon opened his visor. "I've got you. Hang on tight," he said. "You're going to be okay. Just stay calm."My heart pounded, and the cold air stung my nose as I gasped for breath."I know you're scared. Just listen to my voice. Block everything else out. Just focus on me," he urged, his voice soothing as his grip tightened.I shut my eyes and concentrated on his words."It’s going to be fine. I'm right here. You'll be safe," he reass
The CEO..My body stiffened as I saw Lucy talking to Binky, her annoying wide grin stamped on her face.Without a second glance at Binky, I grabbed Lucy and yanked her out of the hall.Once we were outside, I scowled."What the hell are you doing?“I had business to attend to here, so I decided to stop by,” Lucy stated. “You’ve been having fun with her, right? That’s why you didn’t bring me along.” Her eyes flickered with annoyance.“I didn’t bring her along. Zach brought her best friend, Jessie, and Jessie brought her,” I explained.I had to make her believe me, or all my efforts—eating her horrible food, cuddling her body that made my skin crawl—would all be in vain.Lucy's lips curled into a condescending smile.I held her by her arms as gently as my body could permit, resisting the urge to snap her in two.“I am trying to fall in love with you.” Lies nowadays just seem to roll off my tongue like it’s nothing. “Why would I want to ruin my efforts?” I forced a smile at her as I pul
The toy..I sat in the therapist's office three days after returning from Paris, not just because of the doctor's advice but to seek a cure for this madness called love. The soft powder-blue walls created a comforting atmosphere.I thought I would be uncomfortable, but here I was, rambling about how Damon was torturing me."What keeps you connected to this particular person despite being in another relationship?"Amelia asked with a soothing voice that matched her features—black hair, brown eyes, calm face."Are you sure everything I say here is confidential?" whispered, as though someone else was in the room with us.Amelia explained the limits of confidentiality and when it may be breached.I sighed and answered, "The contract." I proceeded to explain what the contract was about and how I got into it."What emotions or thoughts come up when you consider the possibilities of ending the contract?" Amelia's question opened the door to this feeling that chewed at me. I struggled to ar
The CEO...Tracy and I met at our rendezvous—the VIP section of Greysville Lounge. I had purposely arrived three hours later than the agreed time; I wasn’t about to wait for two hours like that day.“Good evening,” I greeted as I settled across from her, gesturing for the waiter. “The usual,” I added as soon as he arrived.“Forget that. Bring juice,” Tracy ordered, turning to me. “No alcohol today.”I raised a brow. “Just get me water, then.”“So, what have you done?” Tracy asked, clasping her hands together.“Mr. Isaac is taking care of the building’s renovation,” I replied, pouring water into my glass and taking a sip.“We’re making progress, then.” She began.“I need your help with something,” I interrupted, leaning in. “How good are you at putting on an act?”Tracy adjusted her seat and leaned in, a cunning smile spreading across her lips. “Depends.”“I’ve been trying to get secrets out of Lucy, but I’m not making any progress,” I said, taking another sip of water. The bland tas
The toy..."What the hell?" Jessie yelled, her eyes widening in plain horror as she watched the video.I nudged her as our colleagues turned their attention to us in the crowded office."How did this happen?" she whispered. "What did Logan say? What is the person asking for?" She kept shooting questions at me, with no space to reply."Logan is as dumbfounded as I was, and we're not on good terms," I began to explain. "The person isn't saying anything, just sending emojis and commenting on how sexy my body is." The hollowness in my chest just kept getting deeper."Note to self: never have sex near a big window like that," Jessie quipped, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm sorry."I nodded, knowing her attempts at comfort were awkward at best. The video had been taken through that big window."Why aren’t you on good terms?" Jessie asked.I sighed heavily, the horror of last night slowly creeping into my mind. "I mentioned Damon while having sex with him."Shock was written wide across h