My fingers trembling slightly as they slid the last button from its loop, I felt a shift in the air between us. Thiago’s shirt hung open, revealing the sculpted muscles of his chest, and the heat of his skin radiated toward me, drawing me closer. My breath hitched as I realized the depth of what was about to happen—not just in the physical sense, but in the way this would change everything between us.Thiago’s gaze was fixed on me, his eyes dark and filled with a hunger that sent a thrill through my body. He reached out, his fingers tracing the line of my jaw before tilting my chin up so that I met his gaze. The intensity in his eyes was almost too much to bear, and yet I couldn’t look away.“You have no idea how much I want you, wifey,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, sending shivers down my spine. “Every single time you look at me this way is a struggle.” Thiago made guide my hand against the middle of his groin and I felt him hard again.This turned me on, eventually.My hea
I woke up the next morning to find the bed empty beside me. My head ached slightly from the lack of sleep, but that wasn’t what concerned me the most. The lingering warmth on the other side of the bed told me Thiago had only recently left. I sat up, staring at the rumpled sheets where he had slept, my thoughts drifting to the night before.Shaking my head, I tried to push the memories away, but they clung to me like a second skin. What happened between us was... intense, to say the least. I couldn’t let it distract me, not with so much at stake.With a sigh, I reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out the small pack of contraceptive pills I kept hidden. Popping one into my mouth, I swallowed it dry, a small comfort in the face of the chaos my life had become. Thiago and I had a contract, and while one of its clauses addressed the possibility of pregnancy, the very thought of carrying his child made my skin crawl.I couldn’t deny the raw, carnal pleasure he gave me—a satisfaction
The flight to the Maldives was uneventful, but the tension between Thiago and me was too awkward especially whenever I caught his eyes pinned on my short skirt. Every glance, every subtle movement, seemed charged with the unspoken electricity that had been building between us. He didn’t say much during the flight, which only made me more anxious about what was waiting for us once we landed.As the plane descended over the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives, I couldn’t help but marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the islands below. The turquoise ocean stretched out endlessly, dotted with tiny, pristine islands, each a secluded paradise. But I knew better than to let the scenery distract me. This wasn’t a vacation—this was business. And with Thiago, business always came with strings attached.When we arrived at the luxury resort where we would be staying, I was greeted with a level of opulence that left me momentarily speechless. Private villas over the water, each one with its ow
“My terms were simple, wifey, each answer I make shall require you to strip something off your clothes.” He straightforwardly answered as he rested his back on the couch while never taking his eyes of me.It would seem that Thiago was really anticipating my next move whether if I would oblige. “You’re impossible! You are treating me like a whore, Thiago!”“Oh, wifey, don’t you really have no sense of foreplay in you? We’re only having some little fun since interrogating me would only sound boring, isn’t it? Why don’t we spice it up a little bit.”I couldn't believe how smug Thiago was, even in moments when I needed him to be serious. His idea of a game—stripping off my clothes for every question I wanted answered—was not only insulting but downright infuriating. I felt my anger simmering beneath the surface, but instead of giving him the satisfaction of a reaction, I turned on my heel and walked out of the room.I needed air, space—anything to clear my mind from the absurdity of it
I leaned against the cool bathroom tiles, trying to slow my breathing. The tension between Thiago and me was reaching a dangerous peak, and I knew I had to be careful. His possessiveness was suffocating, and I was teetering on the edge of something I wasn’t sure I could control. I splashed cold water on my face, hoping to clear my mind. But as I looked at my reflection, I could still see the lingering fear and confusion in my eyes. What was I doing? This arrangement with Thiago had started as a means to get my revenge and a way to secure my future. But now...now it was spiraling into something darker, something I couldn’t easily escape.I dried my face and straightened up, trying to muster the strength to face him again. But when I opened the bathroom door, I found the suite empty. Thiago was gone.For a moment, I felt a pang of relief. Maybe he needed some space to cool off. But then a wave of unease washed over me. Where had he gone? Was he planning something?I hurried to the win
The air outside the hotel was thick with tension as I hurried out, my mind racing. I had to stop Thiago. The thought of him confronting Jacob, an innocent man, out of some twisted sense of jealousy terrified me. If I didn’t make it in time, who knew what Thiago might do? My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder of how little time I had.But just as I reached the entrance, a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back. I turned sharply, ready to fight off whoever it was, only to see Lucia, her face flushed and her breathing labored. She must have chased after me the moment I left the room."Madam Ceo, wait!" she gasped, holding onto me as she tried to catch her breath. "You can't go. If President Bermudez finds out you’re there, it’ll only make things worse."I pulled my arm free, my mind made up. “I don’t care, Lucia. Jacob is innocent. Thiago’s jealousy is out of control, and I’m not going to stand by and let him ruin someone’s life because of it.”“Do you really think you can sto
The night felt heavier as I returned to the hotel room, the silence almost suffocating. Lucia gave me a concerned look before excusing herself to her own room, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts. I paced the room, trying to piece together what was happening. Thiago’s sudden shift in behavior, his cryptic warning—none of it made any sense.I couldn’t sleep. My mind was a whirlpool of anxiety, each thought dragging me deeper into uncertainty. Why was Thiago so adamant about leaving? What was he planning? The answers felt just out of reach, taunting me with their elusiveness. I couldn’t even confront him since he had not return to our hotel room. Where could he be out now this late?Unable to stand the oppressive quiet any longer, I decided to step out onto the balcony, hoping the fresh air might clear my head. The breeze was cool against my skin, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. Below, the resort grounds were quiet, the sound of the ocean’s waves the only thing
As soon as we touched down in Miami, the unease that had clung to me in the Maldives refused to fade, lingering like a dark cloud on the horizon. The trip had been a whirlwind—a chaotic blend of tension, jealousy, and unanswered questions. Despite the familiar surroundings of home, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was terribly off, as though I was missing crucial pieces to a puzzle I hadn't even known existed.Thiago, on the other hand, seemed as composed as ever. His commanding presence was even more pronounced now, as if the return to Miami had only sharpened his focus. But I could barely keep up with the thoughts racing through my mind. Who would want to track me down? And were they also planning to harm me? If that would be the case, I couldn’t even come up with any idea who might be behind it?My father, my ex-husband, my stepsister—they all had reasons to resent me, but none of them struck me as the type to orchestrate something this dangerous. And yet, I co
The old pier stretched before me, silent except for the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the wooden posts. A single lamplight flickered above, casting long shadows across the damp planks. My heart pounded as I scanned the area, my breath visible in the night air.I checked my phone again. Midnight. I was a few minutes early, but whoever had sent the message wasn’t here yet.Or maybe they were watching.A gust of wind sent a shiver down my spine. I crossed my arms, not just against the cold, but against the gnawing uncertainty clawing at my insides. This could be a trap. Thiago could have sent the message, luring me here to force a conversation I wasn’t ready for. Or worse—someone else, someone more dangerous, could be behind it.I turned, about to leave, when I heard footsteps. Slow. Measured.I spun back, my pulse skyrocketing as a shadow emerged from the darkness.It wasn’t Thiago.Victor.His sharp features were cast in half-light, his expression unreadable as he stepped towar
Thiago kissed me like he was trying to brand himself into my soul—like he could erase every doubt, every betrayal, with the heat of his mouth.And for a moment, I let him.For a moment, I kissed him back, gripping his shirt like it could anchor me to something real.But reality crashed in just as fast.I shoved him away, breathless, my lips still tingling from the force of him.His chest rose and fell, his dark eyes locked onto mine with a heat that burned straight through me.“No,” I said, voice hoarse.Thiago’s jaw tightened. “Bridgette—”“No,” I repeated, stepping back. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to lie to me, manipulate me, and then kiss me like I’m supposed to forget everything.”His hands curled into fists at his sides. “I wasn’t lying to you.”“Really?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Then why do I feel like I just walked into a trap?”Thiago exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”I crossed my arms.
I forced myself to meet Santiago’s gaze, schooling my expression into something unreadable. If he was here, breaking into my penthouse in the middle of the night, it wasn’t just to chat.He wants something.I wasn’t going to give it to him.“You have about ten seconds to explain why you’re here before I call security,” I said, gripping the wine bottle so tightly my knuckles ached.Santiago smirked, the kind of lazy, self-assured grin that made my stomach twist. He took a slow step forward, completely unfazed by my threat. “Security?” he mused. “Mmm… You could call them. But we both know they won’t get here in time, mi amor.”His voice was smooth, practiced, laced with the kind of confidence that came from knowing he held all the cards.I refused to let him see the flicker of unease tightening in my chest.“I don’t have time for games, Santiago.”“I know,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Which is why I’ll get to the point.”In one fluid motion, he reached inside his suit jacket. I
His lips moved against mine with a slow, deliberate hunger, as if he was savoring every second of my surrender. I should have pushed him away. I should have turned and walked out of this penthouse, out of his life, like I swore I would.But the second his hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, every ounce of resistance melted away.Thiago knew my body too well. He knew exactly how to unravel me with a single touch, how to make me forget logic and consequences. His fingers trailed down my spine, sending a shiver through me, his kiss deepening until I was breathless.I tore away, gasping, my palms flat against his chest. “Thiago—”His forehead rested against mine, his breathing just as uneven. “Don’t tell me you don’t want this.”My fingers curled into his shirt, torn between desire and the storm raging in my mind. “It’s not about what I want.”He exhaled, a humorless chuckle escaping him. “Then what is it about, Wifey?”That nickname. The way it rolled off his tongue like a promise
The hallway felt too small, too suffocating with both men standing there—Victor rigid with frustration, Thiago exuding that quiet, commanding presence that had always been my undoing.I should tell him to leave. I should push past this moment and pretend my heart wasn’t beating too fast, that I wasn’t already losing this battle.But I didn’t.Instead, I met Thiago’s gaze head-on. “What do you want?”He tilted his head slightly, studying me, before stepping closer. Too close. The scent of him—expensive cologne, faint whiskey, something distinctly him—wrapped around me like a noose.Victor shifted beside me, his tension palpable. “You’re wasting your time, Bermudez. She’s done with whatever game you’re playing.”Thiago let out a quiet chuckle, his eyes never leaving mine. “That so?” His fingers twitched at his side, like he was resisting the urge to touch me. “Because she hasn’t told me to leave yet.”Damn him.Victor exhaled sharply. “Bridgette.” His voice was low, a warning.I swallow
The silence stretched between us, thick with words left unsaid. Victor's gaze remained steady, unwavering, as if he could will me into understanding the danger I was walking into. Maybe he could see the fracture lines forming beneath my skin, the way I was slowly unraveling under the weight of my own choices.But what choice did I have? Thiago was a shadow I couldn’t outrun. No matter how far I went, how fiercely I tried to carve out a life separate from him, he was always there. And worst of all, some part of me still wanted him to be.I exhaled sharply, shoving past Victor toward the kitchen, needing space—needing something to ground me before I lost myself completely in this never-ending push and pull. I reached for the half-empty wine bottle on the counter and poured myself a glass. My hand trembled slightly as I took a sip, the bitter liquid burning down my throat.Victor followed but didn’t say anything right away. He just leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest,
The silence between Victor and me stretched, taut and suffocating. He watched me like I was a puzzle he had almost solved but was too frustrated to finish.“Bridge,” he finally said, his voice softer now. “You don’t have to do this alone. You know that, right?”I swallowed against the lump in my throat. Victor had always been my safety net, the one person who saw the mess I was and still chose to stand by me. But even he couldn’t save me from myself.I turned away, rubbing my arms as though that could shake off the cold creeping into my bones. “I’m tired, Vic. Can we just—can we not do this tonight?”His eyes darkened, but he nodded once, reluctant. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him. I waited, standing frozen in place until I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway. Then, with a shaky breath, I turned and pressed my forehead against the door, letting my eyes close.Not five minutes later, my phone vibrated on the counter.I didn’t wan
The weight of Lucia’s words lingered long after she was gone, settling over me like an unwelcome shroud. The air in my apartment felt heavier, thick with the ghost of Thiago’s presence.I set the wine glass down with a soft clink, pressing my fingers against my temples. My head throbbed, not from the alcohol but from the war waging inside me. Thiago was a storm—unrelenting, consuming, and I was the fool who kept stepping into the rain without an umbrella.I forced myself to move, needing to shake off the static thrumming in my veins. One step, then another, until I was standing before my bedroom mirror. The woman staring back at me looked like a stranger. There was defiance in her eyes, yes, but beneath it, something else lurked—uncertainty.My gaze dropped to the ring, still snug on my finger. I could almost feel the phantom trace of Thiago’s touch lingering there. My hands curled into fists. I should take it off. I should have done it the second he walked out that door.With a sharp
The elevator ride to my apartment was silent except for the dull hum of the machinery. My fingers hovered over the ring on my hand, debating whether to rip it off before I stepped through the door. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I stepped out into the hallway, my heels clicking against the polished floor, my pulse a steady drumbeat in my ears. As I neared my door, a whisper of hesitation curled in my chest, but I ignored it. My fingers trembled only slightly as I unlocked the door and stepped inside.The lights were already on.I froze.And then…“I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”Thiago’s voice curled through the space, rich and smooth, wrapping around me like a silk noose. He was there, lounging in my living room like he belonged. A bottle of wine sat open on the table, two glasses half-poured. Like he’d planned for this. Like he knew I’d come.My breath stuttered. “You broke into my apartment.”Thiago smirked, tilting his head. “Now, now, wifey. You gave me a key, reme