Emmeline returned the erotic novel to its place on the shelf in the private library upstairs and carefully slid it into the space between the other books.Just then, the folded jacket she had hidden among the other dust jackets to disguise its real nature caught her eye. It was Zavian’s jacket that he had lent her at the gym a few days ago.She took the jacket out, holding it close to her face and inhaling the lingering masculine scent.The rich, spicy aroma had a powerful effect on her, causing her heart and thoughts to spin out of control as her body went numb with a peculiar tingling sensation.She quickly shoved the jacket back into its hiding spot and hurried to prepare to welcome her mother-in-law, who could be considered even worse than her dead-beat son.The doorbell rang before lunchtime.Emmeline hurried to answer it while clad in a casual floral dress. "Hello, Mom, how are you?" she greeted with a forced smile on her face.The imposing older woman was dressed in an elegant
Emmeline sauntered up to the bar, shrugging off her autumn coat before she addressed the bartender with a bold confidence. "Your strongest drink, please."The handsome young bartender gave her an appraising look before mixing up a vibrant blue cocktail and setting it down in front of her.She took an experimental sip, the flavor stinging her tongue and indicating just how potent the drink was."Exactly what I wanted," she said with a satisfied smirk.The bartender's gaze lingered on her as he wiped down the polished wooden bar top. "You're new here, aren't you?"Emmeline met his eyes with surprise then her brow furrowed quizzically. "What makes you say that?"She looked around at the packed bar, filled with people laughing and conversing over the low thrum of jazz music that seemed to vibrate through the very walls. "This place doesn't really seem like the kind of exclusive bar with a limited clientele. It's absolutely packed tonight. How did you know I was a newcomer? Can you and tha
Emmeline swallowed hard. "My life is so empty..." She took a deep, steadying breath.Lifting her cocktail glass to her lips, she took a fortifying sip before continuing in a carefully measured tone. "I was a happy teenager, but the reasons for my happiness just...decreased little by little over the years until it became completely non-existent. Some things that used to bring me joy are no longer fulfilling. Is it just because I'm getting older?"All the while, Zavian didn't stop the torturously slow caress of his fingers along her inner thigh.Had it not been for the low thrum of jazz music filling the smoky bar, she was certain he would have heard the desperate, ragged pants of her quickening breaths, silently begging him to touch her aching core."There must be something blocking the flow of happiness in your life," he murmured.Emmeline felt her face flush hotly at his words and the utterly incongruous combination of his philosophical tone plus the molten path his fingers were trai
Zavian's large hand clamped down on her hip with branding intensity then pulled it snugly against his as their dance turned into a sinful roll and grind of their lower bodies.Emmeline dropped her head to avoid his blazing stare but he simply dipped his own to recapture her gaze, refusing to let her retreat."A great many things happened," he mumbled in a voice gone rough with restrained desire. "Your petite stature, those pretty little sundresses you wear, your sweet, innocent way of speaking - those were all reasons I viewed you as a child at first."Emmeline felt her flush deepening at his frank assessment, the heated glide of their bodies making her achingly aware of every inch of him pressed against her.She struggled to keep her breathing measured and even as his hand continued its torturous path along her lower back and over the swell of her backside."But then we met at the gym," Zavian continued in a low tone. "And my opinion changed rather dramatically..."Emmeline couldn't
"I want you, Emmeline! In the dirtiest, most carnal sense of the word. I want to take you, claim you, make you mine in every way a man can possess a woman!!"A desperate, needy sound escaped Emmeline's throat at his wicked confession.She dropped her hand to press against the solid plane of his chest as if to put some distance between their heated bodies. But instead of pushing him away, her fingers simply clung to the soft material of his shirt and pulled him impossibly closer.Then she arched shamelessly against the rigid length trapped behind the fly of his slacks."M-Mr. Blackthorn...we can't cross that line," she protested weakly, even while her hips undulated in a sensual rhythm against his."Oh lord…! This is wrong, so wrong—"Her words were swallowed by a desperate moan torn from her very soul when Zavian finally sealed his lips over the thundering pulse in her neck.He parted them to suck heated, open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive column, his tongue lashing out to taste
"I plan to make you see entire galaxies behind your eyes, little girl. The kind of stars that only come from soaring to the pinnacle of pure ecstasy..."A shudder of blatant feminine need rippled through Emmeline at his sinful promise.She bit down on her plump lower lip, her thighs clenching with a fresh gush of arousal."Is that so?" she breathed, tilting her head back to meet his intense stare through her lashes. "And just how do you plan to make that happen, Mr. Blackthorn?"Zavian's lips curved ever so slightly and his gaze was dangerous.He pulled her body flush against his once more, allowing her to feel every rigid inch of his arousal grinding against her aching core."The sky outside is perfectly clear tonight," he rasped against the heated skin just below her ear. "We'll be able to see the stars shining down on us..."Emmeline shook her head slowly, forcing herself to think rationally despite the relentless throbbing between her thighs."But the marina is at least two hours
Zavian's pace didn't falter, even as a low growl of pure possession vibrated against her parted lips."Don't worry, little girl. By the time this night is over, you'll have seen entire galaxies you didn't know existed." He drawled.A tremor of anticipation shuddered through Emmeline's body at the wicked promise in Zavian's gravelly words.She clung more tightly to him as he carried her out of the bar with her legs still fastly secured around his lean hips.She could feel the rigid length of his arousal grinding against her aching core with every step he took, the delicious friction making her breath emerge in desperate little pants against his heated skin.The sultry night air caressed her flushed cheeks in a warm embrace when they finally emerged from the crowded interior of the bar.Emmeline blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the darkness cloaking the deserted street.The only illumination came from the soft glow of the crescent moon reflecting off the gently rippling waters of
Emmeline had an incredibly vivid and salacious dream last night that left her feeling flushed and flustered.The star of her X-rated reverie was none other than the devilishly handsome Mr. Blackthorn himself.His skilled tongue was buried deep between her thighs, doing such sinful, delicious wonders to her body that had her writhing and whimpering in ecstasy.She wished she could somehow strangle that annoyingly chipper little bird that loved to perch on the bedroom balcony and chirp incessantly, rudely interrupting her steamy fantasy.She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her skin, the way he had made her body sing with pleasure. It was as if he had known exactly what she needed, pushing her to the edge of ecstasy and beyond.Emmeline let out a frustrated sigh, wishing she could have lingered in that fantasy just a little longer.It had been days since that night on the yacht with Zavian Blackthorn.The memory was hazy, clouded by the migraine she had woken up with the next
Emmeline very nearly swayed on her feet from the force of it, her thighs clenching instinctively against a sudden, searing rush of arousal.She had to dig her nails into her palms to keep from visibly reacting, from reaching out and grabbing Zavian and hauling his body flush against hers in a shameless public display.Yuna raised her eyebrows. "You're volunteering to teach Emmeline yourself?" Her tone was laced with reproach, glancing between her husband and Emmeline. "But shouldn't Minnie know her better? As her friend, it would make more sense for Minnie to show her the ropes."Minnie didn't even blink at Yuna's thinly veiled objection. "Don't worry about it. I'll help my husband teach Richard instead. If Mr. Blackthorn can actually skate, he'd better be the one to teach Emmeline."Minnie gave Zavian a pointed look, clearly missing the undercurrent between him and Emmeline. "Thank you for offering to take that on," she said.The subtle curve of Minnie's painted lips suggested she su
Richard tensed in surprise at her sudden, uncharacteristic display of wifely affection, shooting her a bemused look over the top of her head. "Well now, what's gotten into you?" he asked with an indulgent chuckle, looping his arms loosely around her in return. "Not that I'm complaining about this unusually obedient behavior, mind you..."Emmeline felt her earlier bravado already faltering beneath the weight of Zavian's dark, knowing stare. "I...I just thought we should present a united front," she mumbled, ducking her head against Richard's chest in a futile attempt to escape that burning gaze. "For the sake of appearances, you know? We are on vacation with the neighbors, after all.""Ah, I see." Richard's tone was one of easy acceptance, seemingly oblivious to the heated undercurrents still going on behind his back. "Well, you've certainly made your point then. No need to keep up the charade any longer on my account."But Emmeline couldn't bring herself to release her grip, not yet.
The snowball caught its target square in the shoulder with a muffled thump, exploding in a puff of powdery white.Zavian didn't even flinch, though his eyes did narrow infinitesimally at her bold move.Yuna, on the other hand, let out a scandalized gasp. "Emmeline! How could you do such a thing?" she cried, hands flying to cover her mouth as if to physically hold back her shock. "You've assaulted my husband!""Oh god, what have I done?" Emmeline's own fake dismay quickly replaced her earlier bravado. "I...I didn't mean to hurt Mr. Blackthorn, I swear!""Have you lost your damn mind, woman?" Richard growled, rounding on her with ill-concealed anger simmering in his eyes.They hurried over to the two men. Emmeline's steps faltered, shame and lingering defiance swirled within her.Yuna rushed to her husband's side, fretting over him with an exaggerated concern. "She didn't mean any harm, darling," she soothed, shooting Emmeline a reproachful look over her shoulder. "She was just trying t
The group gathered at the cable car station.Minnie turned to face everyone with a mischievous grin. "Alright, here's the deal - the cable cars only hold four people max. I think it would be fun to split up by gender for the ride up. Ladies in one car, fellas in another!"Yuna's brows knit together in a frown of annoyance. "Why on earth would we do that?" she scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Wouldn't it make much more sense for each couple to share a car, just the two of us?"Feeling uncharacteristically defiant, Emmeline jumped in to argue against Yuna's prim suggestion. "What's the point of taking a group trip if we're just going to stick with our own partners the whole time?" She shot Yuna a pointed look. "Minnie's idea is way better - it'll give us all a chance to mingle and get to know each other better!"The words were barely out of her mouth before Emmeline felt the weight of Zavian's penetrating stare.A flush of embarrassment crept up her neck as their eyes met, her cheeks
The winding mountain road was blanketed in snow, forcing them to take it slowly. It took another full hour before they finally arrived at the luxurious ski resort.As soon as the vehicle rolled to a stop, everyone eagerly piled out into the picturesque winter wonderland surrounding them.Taehyung went to the trunk first, unloading the luggage - he and Minnie shared one large suitcase, just like Emmeline and Richard did.Zavian strode over next, dragging his sleek silver suitcase behind him while Yuna trailed after, clutching her own bag.The group naturally arranged themselves with Taehyung and Minnie at Zavian's right, Yuna and Richard to his left, and Emmeline lingering slightly behind.Zavian's domineering presence and deep, velvety voice immediately commanded her full attention. "Let's plan to regroup in the main hall in fifteen minutes," he stated, sweeping his gaze over the ladies. "I trust that will give everyone ample time to get settled into their suites?" His deep eyes spark
After a leisurely breakfast of fluffy Belgian waffles and crisp bacon with Zavian, followed by a long, steamy shower where they'd indulged in one last lingering tryst, Emmeline finally returned home.Her mind was utterly consumed with the memories of their intimate Christmas Eve together - every scorching caress, every sinful whisper, every moment seared into her memory with perfect clarity.Luckily, Richard didn't seem to suspect a thing when she arrived. Minnie had covered for her brilliantly.Emmeline had barely managed to exchange some words with Richard before practically sprinting up the stairs, murmuring some excuse about needing to freshen up after her night out.She locked herself in the bathroom and braced her trembling hands on the vanity, staring at her flushed, desire-glazed reflection for a long moment as the memories washed over her again in dizzying waves.The way Zavian had pinned her against the wall, one hand fisted in her hair as the other roamed hungrily over her b
Emmeline woke up to something wet and warm trailing across her cheek.Blinking her eyes open slowly, she found Zavian peppering her face with soft kisses, his hard morning wood pressing insistently against her stomach.Memories from their passionate lovemaking the night before came flooding back. How he had absolutely ravaged her until she felt the air knocked out of her lungs and stars danced behind her tightly squeezed eyelids. How she had almost passed out from the mind-blowing pleasure, leaving her aching core throbbing with need, wishing it was there he was pounding his thick, monstrous cock into instead. How she had silently begged him to finally pop her cherry and open her up completely.But then the bizarre, inexplicable incident replaced those yearning thoughts, making her breath hitch in her throat.Emmeline’s mind was at war with itself. She truly didn't know how much longer she could pretend she hadn't made such a mind-blowing discovery about Zavian last night.As much as
The sinful duo were both wiped after their intense lovemaking session.Emmeline was still snuggled up against Zavian's broad, muscular chest, but no matter how utterly drained she felt, she just couldn't drift off to sleep. Her mind kept replaying the intense scene from earlier on an endless loop.She could have sworn she heard deep, animalistic growls and roars rumbling from Zavian's throat as he ravaged her body like a ravenous beast. Emmeline had also seen strange, shimmering lights seeming to emanate from him in waves. As bizarre as it sounded, she knew she hadn't just been hallucinating from the mind-blowing pleasure and pain. No amount of ecstasy could conjure up such vivid visions.Her thoughts then turned to when Zavian had asked if she would be okay dating a supernatural being, and the hurt look on his face when she hadn't given him a definite answer. Could he truly be...not human? Some kind of monster? She had always heard the saying that the devil has the most angelic featur
Zavian was locked in an agonizing internal war, his primal instincts raging to claim his mate while his disciplined mind fought viciously to maintain control over his baser urges.The mate pull was a scorching, relentless force, clawing at his insides and inflaming every fiber of his being with an overwhelming, feral need to take Emmeline and complete their bond.'Mate wants us. Needs us to fill her, breed her,' Aetherion growled hungrily in Zavian's mind, dripping with lust. 'She can take our size, our strength. She's our mate for a reason - built to handle and crave our brutal claiming.'A guttural groan rumbled from Zavian's chest as lurid images of pinning Emmeline down and driving into her ruthlessly, claiming her in the most primitive way flashed rapidly through his mind.Her sweet cries of ecstasy and pleas for more echoed in his ears as if she were right there, writhing wantonly beneath him.'Yeah, it's the perfect time - the ideal day to finally make her ours,' Draeven snarled