Old man Blake felt the weight of his years, of a lifetime of hopes and dreams crashing down on him with suffocating finality as he stared at the numbered seconds ticking away his future, his legacy and his very life's worth.A future that stretched out before him now seemed cold, bleak, and empty of everything he had devoted his existence to building.He scratched his signature across the indicated line, forever signing away his controlling interest in the Blake Enterprises. He felt a piece of his entire soul wither and die at that moment.Luca swooped forward like a carrion bird. He snatched up the signed contract and retreated to the shadows once more.Zavian rose from his usurped throne in one graceful movement.He took a moment to meticulously brush away some invisible speck of dirt from the immaculate fabric of his tailored suit before leveling the broken old man with a look of supreme indifference."A pleasure doing business with you," he intoned blandly as if commenting on a ro
The full scope of Zavian's takeover became evident as the days stretched into a week.Board meetings at Blake Enterprises became tense affairs, with Zavian's representatives slowly but surely asserting control over every aspect of the company.Old Master Blake watched helplessly as decades of carefully cultivated business relationships and strategies were dismantled or repurposed to serve Zavian's interests.The family itself was not spared from the upheaval. Melina was unable to bear the memories that haunted the Blake manor. She left for Europe, taking her and Sam's young children with her.Thomas threw himself into his work, desperately trying to salvage what he could of the family's business interests.Jessica retreated into a world of charity galas and social events, using her philanthropic efforts as a shield against the pain of her brother's loss.And through it all, Old Master Blake found himself increasingly isolated like a relic of a bygone era.He spent long hours in his st
Emmeline stood alone in the locker room early the next morning, psyching herself up for her first workout.She changed into her exercise attire of a fitted black racerback tank top that hugged her curves in all the right places, paired with a set of skimpy gray shorts that showcased her toned legs to perfection.She felt a twinge of self-consciousness as she observed her reflection in the full-length mirror. It had been a while since she'd worked out in such a public setting, and the thought of all those strangers' eyes on her was mildly unsettling.Emmeline took a deep, fortifying breath, squared her shoulders and strode out to the main gym floor with as much confidence as she could muster.The sound of equipment in motion and the occasional grunt of exertion from other gym patrons filled the air.Emmeline scanned the area somewhat awkwardly with each passing second. She felt increasingly out of place.Just as a sigh of despair was about to escape her lips, her gaze landed on a strik
Emmeline desperately wanted to make her escape and find a nice rock to crawl under."No permission needed to use the equipment," he said with a hint of amusement coloring his deep voice.He jerked his chin toward the vacant treadmill beside him. "The machine is empty, as you can see. Feel free to make use of it... if you think you can keep up."Was that a challenge glinting in those blue depths? Emmeline's competitive spirit flared to life, momentarily overriding her nervousness.She flashed him a smile and climbed on the treadmill next to his."Minnie was meant to accompany me today, but she's got her kids to attend to this weekend," Emmeline explained as she familiarized herself with the treadmill's control panel."You can't imagine how nervous I was about coming here alone for the first time. It's not that I struggle with communication or anything… I definitely prefer having company in new situations like this."Her gaze drifted to Zavian's jacket hanging on a nearby hook, and she
Sweat poured down Emmeline’s flushed face, plastering strands of her hair to her damp skin."What are you doing, Mr. Blackthorn?" she managed to pant out between labored breaths, glaring daggers at him.Rather than responding verbally, Zavian simply reached over and jabbed another button on her treadmill's control panel, causing the belt to accelerate even faster.Emmeline stumbled.Her stride faltered as she fought against the unbearable new speed with everything she had.Her muscles screamed in protest, trying to keep up with the relentless pace.Zavian’s look was filled with wickedness. "I'll discuss adult matters with you when you’re taller," he stated flatly.His deep voice held an undercurrent of scorn, making Emmeline's cheeks burn with indignation.She gritted her teeth and her fingers clenched the handrails tightly.She closed her eyes against the dizzying rush of the world blurring past."You're so cruel," she grumbled, the words nearly swallowed by her ragged pants for air.
Zavian's lips curved into an inscrutable smile at her words, though the expression didn't quite reach his eyes. "A soft stomach is better than a muscled stomach for a woman," he stated flatly.Emmeline bristled at his words. Who was he to dictate what was or wasn't attractive on a woman's body?Zavian jerked his chin toward a nearby machine with a curved, padded track before she could voice her indignation."That's an ab roller. Use that for your core," he instructed.Emmeline hmphed then moved to stand before the indicated machine.She eyed it with a bewildered frown as she tried to puzzle out how it was meant to be used.Zavian let out a sigh, clearly resigning himself to providing guidance."Put your knees on the seat—be careful, it moves. Fix your arms on the support and hold the handles, " he explained in a clipped tone punctuated by his exertions.Emmeline followed his curt instructions to heart and straddled the padded roller, pulling her lower body off the seat with her hands
"The problem is that your ass becomes visible whenever you bend your legs," Zavian growled in a tone of dark censure that seemed to vibrate against her very bones. "And the man behind you is almost devouring you with his eyes."A furious blush flooded Emmeline's cheeks at his bold words.The heat of it spread rapidly through her body when Zavian wrapped his other arm around her waist as well.He effectively caged her against the solid wall of his chest, the hard planes of his body molding to the softer curves of hers in a way that made her head spin.She opened her mouth, determined to respond - to protest his forwardness or at least ask him to give her some space - but all that emerged was a strangled squeak.Emmeline’s mind raced, torn between indignation at his presumptuous behavior and a traitorous thrill at his possessive display.Who did he think he was, manhandling her like this in public? Yet... a bigger part of her reveled in the feeling of being claimed and the object of his
Zavian sat back down on the weight bench after grabbing what he wanted. He reached for one of the small metal discs resting on the floor beside him and gripped it between his thumb and forefinger.Then he stuck his index and middle fingers through the hole in the center of the ring and began moving them up and down in an unmistakable motion.His dark blue eyes never left her face, glimmering with a sinister, burning promise that made Emmeline gulp down her saliva.A flush crept up her neck at the overtly suggestive display that made her skin prickle with embarrassment and an unexpected frisson of arousal she struggled to tamp down.She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, feeling hyper-aware of every inch of her body under his scrutiny. "What are you trying to do now, Mr. Blackthorn?" she asked.Malice seemed to dance between Zavian's heavy-lidded eyes and the corner of his lips twitched with the faintest hint of a smirk as if he had been hoping she would inquire about his p
Minnie's jaw dropped. Her wide eyes darted between Zavian and Emmeline, disbelief etched across her delicate features."Did you hear what your lover just said?" she exclaimed, turning to Emmeline. "Inevitable collateral damage? What kind of dinner conversation is this?"Emmeline squeezed Minnie's arm gently with a reassuring smile softening her features."Don't mind him," she explained. "He sometimes forgets he's not in a boardroom."Taehyung took advantage of the momentary silence to tease Emmeline.His lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Look at you defending him so naturally now. That's serious progress!""I think Emmeline is very comfortable with us," Minnie observed, satisfaction filling her voice. "Our ice queen has finally thawed."Emmeline gestured toward the elegant table setting, her confidence momentarily faltering under the weight of hosting such an intimate gathering."Please, sit down," she invited.Taehyung handed her the bottle of expensive wine he had been carrying.
True to his word, Zavian let her finish decorating in peace, though his eyes never left her as she completed the message on the cake.When Emmeline was done, she carefully covered the masterpiece to protect it until dessert.Together they loaded the prepared dishes on serving trays: stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil, elegant canapés topped with smoked salmon and carried them out to the dining area.They arranged everything on the table with efficiency, working from opposite sides of the elaborate spread as if they'd been hosting dinner parties together for years.Crystal glasses caught the light, sending prisms dancing across the pristine tablecloth. Silver cutlery gleamed beside fine china plates… everything was positioned with meticulous attention to detail."So, are we still on for Valentine's Day?" Emmeline asked, excitement bubbling in her voice as she placed the final dish which was a platter of colorful roasted vegetables arranged in a spiral pattern.T
The crude imagery made Emmeline’s cheeks flush. She took a deep breath and then gave him a pointed look. "Zavian," she admonished, trying to calm her racing heart.She'd spent the last hour perfecting the dessert for their dinner party, and now only the decorating remained. It would have been a peaceful task if not for the man beside her."I need to finish this cake before everyone arrives." Her fingers tightened around the piping bag as she tried to focus on creating the delicate rosettes along the edge, but his intense gaze made concentration nearly impossible.Zavian untied his apron with intent slowness, the simple action somehow becoming sensual under his touch.The fabric slid from his broad shoulders, revealing the crisp white shirt beneath that hugged his athletic frame in all the right places. "I've done my part. The appetizers are prepared, the wine is chilled, and now I think I'll watch you work. It's quite... entertaining."Emmeline searched desperately for a distraction be
Emmeline found herself out of breath so quickly. His proximity was overwhelming her senses.The solid wall of his chest against hers, his scent, the heat radiating from his body… it was all too much and not enough simultaneously. "Stop what you're doing," she pleaded weakly. "You're turning me on."A dangerous gleam transformed Zavian’s face into something almost predatory.She should have been alarmed by the sight, yet it made her more aroused. There was something primal about the way he looked at her, something that spoke to the most basic part of her."I deserve to see you aroused after my absence," he murmured. "To hear you beg for the ecstasy only I can give. Every word you speak while under my spell is drenched in love and laced with desire… mine and yours, tangled together."The poetry of his voice clashed deliciously with the vulgarity of his touch and his hand unapologetically exploring the most sacred parts of her.He tasted her cream with unashamed delight before letting go
Zavian brought his finger to his mouth and sucked it clean all the while his eyes never left hers.The gesture was possessive and sent a fresh wave of heat through Emmeline’s body."Your taste is just for me. No one else gets even an accidental sample."Laughter bubbled from Emmeline's throat.She turned back toward the table, attempting to regain some semblance of normalcy. "If anyone knew what we were doing while making their cake, they'd be horrified.”Zavian moved to the sink embedded in the kitchen island and turned on the tap. "That's why I prefer home cooking," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. "You never know what happens in restaurant kitchens."He shut off the water, drying his hands on a nearby towel with methodical care. "Professional chefs can't be trusted," he added dryly. "They're a passionate bunch, prone to impulse.""Hey, I'm a chef too," Emmeline protested with mock indignation, placing her hands on her hips.The stance emphasized her curves,
Zavian ignored her half-hearted objections, clearly enjoying how she melted under his attention. His eyes remained locked on hers, dark with an intensity that made her knees weak.The warm pressure of his tongue sent heat spiraling through Emmeline’s body, awakening nerve endings she'd never known existed. Every stroke of his tongue on her skin seemed to connect directly to more intimate places."Ahh, Zavian…” A low, sultry moan escaped her lips. “P-Please stop," she whispered in a voice betraying her arousal.The plea lacked conviction, undermined by the way she swayed toward him rather than away. "You're giving me thoughts I can't handle right now. Making me want things we don't have time for."Her free hand moved to his shoulder, ostensibly to push him away but instead curled into the fabric of his shirt.Zavian withdrew her finger from her mouth with reluctance, the cool air a shock after the heat of his tongue.A thin strand of saliva connected them briefly before breaking."What
Emmeline turned away with embarrassment and desire coloring her cheeks as she faced the cake again. "Hand me that knife," she requested, extending her hand without looking at him.Zavian placed the decorating tool in her palm and his fingers lingered on hers longer than necessary.The brief contact sent awareness tingling through Emmeline.She quickly pointed to a bowl of cream on the counter. "Fill that piping bag so it's ready when I need it."Zavian picked up a spoon with his left hand and the bag with his right, concentrating on the task.His movements were precise despite his unfamiliarity with kitchen tools. "That looks easy," he commented, focused on not making a mess.Emmeline watched him for a moment with surprise crossing her features. "I always forget you're left-handed."Zavian continued working, his attention on the bag he was filling. "We're special that way."Emmeline laughed. "And modest too."With that, she returned to smoothing the cake's frosting."So about today's c
Zavian kissed her like a man starved.Emmeline tried to match his intensity, her inexperience showing but only making him want her more.He took turns with her upper and lower lip, occasionally letting his hot breath slip into her mouth.The counter dug into her back as his body caged her in. When his tongue finally slipped past her lips, pleasure escaped her throat in a moan she couldn't hold back.Zavian’s hand moved from her chin to grip her waist tighter. He explored her mouth thoroughly. Their lips moved in perfect rhythm while their tongues danced together. Every so often, he pressed his hips forward, letting her feel how much he wanted her. Each contact pushed her excitement higher.Eventually, they had to break apart for air.Their eyes reconnected, glowing with obvious love."Damn everyone who kept us apart this week!”Their lips stayed inches apart while they caught their breath.The look between them was almost physical in its intensity."I've always gotten what I want witho
The group split up at the parking lot.Emmeline slid into her brother's car passenger seat while Minnie moved toward their own car.She caught Emmeline’s eye from across the lot, offering a small supportive smile before climbing into her husband's car.On the other hand, Brody's convertible roared to life with unnecessary force before peeling out of the parking space and disappearing down the street.The drive home stretched into an exercise in silence.Emile gripped the steering wheel with his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.Tension filled the car.Emmeline turned toward the window, watching the familiar streets of Riverwalk blur past. The town that had always been her home now felt like a place she was preparing to escape."Mother called while we were in court," Emile finally said.Emmeline traced a pattern on the condensation forming on the window. "What did you tell her?""What needs to be said.”Emmeline turned to face him, already knowing what he meant. "You shouldn't make p