F.I.V.E
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The moment the door slammed shut, Sterling Hunter released a frustrated breath.
What had gotten into her to hug him like that?He had been stunned when she threw her arms around him. Those few moments had felt like heaven and hell at the same time. To feel her womanly softness but not able to touch her. To inhale her divine smell. Sterling had nearly lost control then. It had been hell trying to battle the intense urge to make love to her right then.Didn't she know that the moment she looked up at him with those wide doe eyes, he would have paid any price, even to sell his soul to get a taste of those luscious lips?
Was she that clueless about the way her very presence affected him?
She had stared at him like she wanted to be fucked. He would only have been happy to oblige her. Fuck knew that there was nothing he wanted more in this world than to sink his cock into her tight pussy.
He was starving for it.
The knowledge that he couldn't possess her just yet had made him restless like a caged animal, Sterling had not wanted to rush things which would have altered the basic trust between them.
Having no other choice, he had simply ordered her out of the office before he could commit the unthinkable.
She was so appreciative of his support, It almost made Sterling feel bad.
Almost. He had only pretended to agree in other to achieve his aim of strengthening the trust between them.And judging by her reaction, It had worked.If there was something Sterling also felt satisfaction about, It was the way Faith had responded to him earlier.
He had seen the wide curiosity in her eyes as she studied him earlier, and it made him fucking hard.Sterling's eyes fell on the file which had been carelessly tossed across his table, it contained every detail about his secretary's boyfriend.
Dan Muller.
He was an ordinary product marketer at some company, he was nothing to compare to Sterling in terms of profession and wealth.It was all but a coincidence that Sterling had met the young man before, Dan muller's father was the owner of the land that Sterling had the intention of acquiring.
Sterling also knew that Dan wasn't on good terms with his father because Dan didn't want their family land to be sold to the Sterling Corporation.
Sterling smiled to himself as a thought started to form in his mind, initially he had planned to pay Dan off to leave Faith alone, but there was another means with which he could easily kill two birds with one stone.
Not only would he get rid of Dan, but his plan would also draw Faith closer to him. The best part was that Sterling wouldn't even have to do anything, he just had to sit back and watch everything unfold.
He snatched the telephone from his table.
"Yes, Sir?" Faith's breathless voice came through a second later
Sterling felt his erection leap, it also didn't skip his notice that she sounded nervous and he couldn't blame her after the way he barked at her earlier."I want you to call up the agent concerning the land, I need all the papers to be completed by tomorrow."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, no doubt his secretary was wondering why he was suddenly rushing things. "I will be on it right away, sir" Her response came seconds later. "Good girl." Sterling muttered under his breath as the call ended.*
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Faith sipped on her glass of wine, Dan sat across the other side of the table as they waited for their orders to arrive.
"I'm telling you to stop working for that man! He's so selfish and manipulative! You can get a better job elsewhere!" Dan spoke, Faith could tell that he seemed very upset.
"He's not as bad as you think, maybe you are misunderstanding everything?" Faith spoke and Dan scoffed.
Faith had just found out only today that the land her boss planned to purchase to launch another branch of his firm was owned by Dan's family. She was shocked to learn about that fact."I know he's your boss but you can't side with him on this one! that land is the only piece of property my mom left behind, her dream was to start even a small orphanage, and your boss' is promising to pay twice the amount to force my father to sell it! I can't allow it." Dan fumed.
The waiter arrived with their meal and Faith decided to eat quietly. She didn't know which side she was on in the whole situation. As Sterling's secretary, she knew it was a pure business deal but as Dan's girlfriend, she understood how much that land meant to him and his emotional ties to it.
"My father will all but gamble away that money and my mother's dream would remain unfulfilled."
Faith had not met Dan's father for once, she only knew that Dan's mother died when he was still a little boy, he was an only child and had never been on close terms with his father.
"I understand how you feel, maybe you can meet Sterling Hunter, you both can reach an agreement about why he shouldn't purchase that land from your father?" Faith suggested meeting Dan's stare, he didn't look convinced.
"Listen, it might just work, Mr. Sterling Hunter isn't as bad as people say, he's just misunderstood by most people! I'm sure he will understand your reasons." She tried again.
"I think you are the one who is misunderstanding him, you clearly don't know him well enough, he does what he wants without regard for people's feelings, I think he knows that my father is not all that mentally stable, He wants our land and doesn't care what happens after, I don't trust him and I still don't like that you work for someone as inhumane as him."
Faith sighed, Dan could be hard-headed most of the time. Faith wanted to tell him how wrong he was about her boss but decided that she didn't want to fight or argue with him.
They were done, and Dan escorted Faith outside the restaurant. They walked holding hands and Dan opened the car for her.
Faith started to get in when her phone suddenly vibrated. She withdrew it from her purse and stared at the unknown number.She clicked on the answer button.
"Hello, is this Ms. Faith Jameson?" A deep masculine voice sounded.
"Yes, and who are you?" Faith cleared her throat.
"Sorry to disturb you but Mr. Sterling is drunk in our club, he can't go home on his own, your number was the first on his phone list so I figured out you were close to him."Faith was worried and confused.
Why would her boss get drunk? It didn't seem like him."I'll be there, text me the address." Faith spoke and turned to stare at Dan who was staring at her inquiringly.
"I'm sorry, I have to head somewhere, can I call you later?"
Her phone vibrated with a text, It was a popularly known club and Faith knew the place."What's wrong? Did something happen?" Dan asked and Faith shook her head, seeing how concerned Dan looked, she decided to tell him the truth.
"There's no problem, It's my boss, I have to go pick him up."
The concerned look on Dan's face transformed into a frown.
"Why? You are not his personal driver, besides your working hours are over, why can't he find someone else? You don't plan on ditching our date and going to him, do you?"Faith chewed on her bottom lips. "It's really not a big deal, it's my duty to ensure that he is alright, it's not as if I can just leave him there, besides, I already agreed to it."
"Of course, you can! You're not his girlfriend or something, call him and tell him to find someone else that you are busy!" Dan spoke again.
"It's really not an issue? Why are you getting so upset? I know you have your misunderstandings with him but he's still my boss and I can't lose my job, can we not argue right now?"
"Fine! Do it your way then!" Dan gritted and faith inhaled a deep breath.
She walked away to stop a taxi, giving the driver the direction of the club.
S.I.X**Faith walked into the expensive-looking bar where she met a young man who appeared to be in his late twenties or perhaps early thirties, Faith thought when he walked closer. Faith thought he looked familiar, then quickly remembered that she had seen him quite a few times at the office with Sterling Hunter."You are his secretary, right? I'm Rex, owner of this bar, I'll bring you to Sterling" Faith followed him, they walked until they arrived at a spot. In the dim lights, Faith's eyes found Sterling Hunter. His eyes were closed, and his head relaxed against his chair. She hurried towards him to discover he was fast asleep. "Do you want me to arrange a car for you to take him home? We are about to close any time from now." Rex spoke. Faith didn't tear her gaze away from Sterling, she couldn't help but wonder what prompted him to drink so much. "No need to, I've already called the driver, he will soon be here"Faith caught Rex's quiet nod before he walked out of the room,
S.E.V.E.N**Faith felt Dan's arms around her waist as he softly kissed her across her lips. "I didn't expect that you would come here at this hour, why didn't you call me? Did anything go wrong?"He pulled back and turned his head in the left direction. Faith watched as the concern in his eyes slowly vaporized and was replaced by a disapproving and hostile look. He was staring in the direction of Sterling Hunter's car. "I thought you took him home, why is he here? Don't tell me you allowed him to drop you here!" Faith met Dan's question with silence and watched as his eyes widened as he confirmed the answer she hadn't spoken aloud. "He only asked the driver to drop me here because__" Faith started but was cut off by Dan who shouted, his voice dripping with bitterness. "He also drove you to work, isn't it? Since when did Sterling Hunter become your personal driver, I thought you worked for him, since when did it become the other way round?"Faith stared at her boyfriend, maybe
E.I.G.H.T.**Sterling looked behind Faith to see the figure standing there, he could feel the bitter taste of jealousy in his mouth. Sterling clenched his jaw and barely managed to keep a calm composure. "S_sir" Faith stammered, pulling Sterling's attention from the man behind her. As much as Sterling was pissed off by the both of them, his heart still managed to twinge at the sight of her. Her face would remain the most beautiful he'd ever seen, his hands urged to de-tangle her brown messy bun. Her long shapely legs through her skirt were all but a temptation. And the shape of her breast through her shirt___ What wouldn't he do to make her his? Nothing. "I should have told you that there's no need to pick me up, Dan will bring me to work."Sterling met Dan's stare, he could openly see the man's animosity towards him, the feeling was mutual, or even worse because Sterling hated him more. It had taken everything in him not to get rid of Dan most easily and more quickly. Faith wor
N.I.N.E.**Faith could almost smack herself in the head, why did she think she could explain her situation to Sterling. He was only her employer, why did she always forget such a simple thing? He was not obligated to care about her personal issues.She stared at her bandaged hand, recalling how tender Sterling had been when he picked her up and brought her to the hospital, she had seen genuine concern in his eyes. Some days, he was just so good to her that she would forget that he was her boss, other times, he would be so stern and harsh reminding her that he could always replace her. Would she ever completely understand him? Perhaps not in this lifetime. Faith watched as Sterling signed the last papers, she accepted them from him and handed them to the lawyer. Sterling shook hands with Mr. Muller, this was the first time Faith was seeing her boyfriend's father, he had a wide smile. Well, his account had been topped by some good digits, Faith thought. Dan didn't show up as
TEN**It was Sunday, and Faith didn't have to worry about preparing for work. She pushed off her bedcovers and walked to the bathroom to do her business. She walked out of the bathroom only to hear her name being yelled aloud. "Faith! How could you not tell me?!" Natalie shouted, breaking into the bedroom. Faith shot her friend a confused stare, she was concerned about Natalie's flustered look."Tell you what?" "Don't even try to deny it, it's all over the news, I'm confused, since when did you and Dan break up and you caught the bigger fish!" Natalie exclaimed and Faith was even more confused. "What news?" Faith asked only for Natalie to shove her phone in front of Faith. It took several seconds to read through the headline. The blood drained out of her face when she saw the photos behind it. She recognized them instantly. One photo had her sitting on Sterling Hunter's thigh, from the spot it was taken, it seemed as though they were locked in an intimate kiss. The other ph
E.L.E.V.E.N**"How's it going? I'm surprised you're this patient with them, it's unlike you, but then again, love can make someone act so different." Rex poured Sterling a glass of whiskey. Love? Did he love his secretary? Did waking up every morning aroused to the wet dreams of her, wanting to explore every inch of her gorgeous body with the tip of his tongue, inhale her womanly scent and wanting to wake up to it every day of his life count as love? Perhaps or maybe not. "Fuck off!" Sterling scowled at his cousin, emptying the glass in several gulps. Rex snorted, pretending to be hurt. "That's not nice to say to someone who's been there for you every single step, why is appreciation so fucking hard to get these days?""Since when did you become so meddlesome? Get a drink, fuck a whore but just leave me alone, don't remind me to get back at you for what you did last time!" Sterling snapped and Rex rolled his eyes. "Thank me you mean? I saw what you did with those pictures, yo
T.W E.L.V.E**Faith went to work the next day and also the day after that.No one but Natalie knew about her break up with Dan, it wasn't even as though she had other friends anyway. It was important for her that Sterling Hunter knew nothing about it, she only told him about her relationship less than a week ago and now she was back to single? Would he think that she was an irresponsible person? Why should his personal opinion even matter to her? But it did. The last three days had been quite lonely for Faith, it didn't help that Natalie seemed to be distant from her all of a sudden. Faith couldn't help but miss her family. Her brother's college exams were around the corner, she didn't want to distract him in any way. Faith also talked to her mother, the poor woman was always worried about the costs of her medications, feeding, and housing solely being on Faith. Faith had to assure her that the bonus she received from the company was more than enough to cover all the fees,
T.H.I.R.T.E.E.N**Her words stirred an unquenchable desire in Sterling's veins, he was heavily aroused. Her soft breasts were cushioned against his chest, and her grip on him tightened like she didn't want to ever let him go. It had to be the drink she had taken."___Please? You said you want me, right?" She whispered again and Sterling wouldn't have been able to deny her anything then, her lush lips were parted for him, her eyes were closed. He leaned his head downward, the first brush of his lips against hers sent a jolt of lust and everything carnal through his blood. His kiss was possessive and raw, it wasn't the sweet and tender Faith was used to. His thick tongue danced with hers, exploring every part of her mouth, the blended champagne mixed between their tongues. A breathless moan escaped her mouth, her fingers curling around his arm and shoulder when he deepened the kiss, the stubbles of beard on his jaw scratching her skin raw in an electrifying way. Her whole body
EPILOGUE**"Ma_ma! Flour!" Maya squealed the moment Faith stepped into the kitchen. Faith was shocked to see that the bowl of flour that was meant for baking was covering her daughter's hair down to her toes. "I leave you alone for just two seconds and what did you do!" She couldn't help but laugh at the sight."I'm a cake now!" Maya giggled. "No, you are not. You need a bath right now__" Faith started and Maya crossed her arms, pouting. "No, I'm cake! Cake don't bathe!" She started to run around the kitchen, spreading flour and making a further mess of the kitchen. "Maya Hunter! What did I tell you about running around? Stop it!""No, Ma_ma chase me." The toddler giggled and ran out of the kitchen, Faith sighed to herself. Maya was already a handful, stubborn as her father, and seemed to only listen to him as well. Was it only yesterday that her baby was still crawling around the house, Faith was still amazed at how rapidly she had grown, it happened right before her eyes "
CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE**“Do you still hate me?” He murmured into her ears, smoothing back her sweaty hair from her face.She met his smug look and muttered.“Yes”Her body was still weak with the after effects of her orgasm.Sterling's laughter was absolutely wicked. “No, you don’t.” She wanted so badly to hate him, he was not good for her and they both knew it, but still, he was unwilling to let her go.He would never change. He was deadly. It didn't matter how much he loved her, he wouldn't hesitate to use any means to ensure that she remained trapped in his world. She was the bunny, and he was the wicked wolf. Could she ever allow herself to completely love a man like that? Not that any of these mattered anymore. She was certain that after what happened tonight, she wouldn't be going anywhere for a very long time, and if he decided to lock her here in his mansion forever___Faith shuddered at the thought. She wouldn't contact the reporter anymore, perhaps it was time she final
CHAPTER SEVENTY**Sterling and Faith, both were still drenched to the skin, they had just returned from the hospital. It turned out that Maya was fine, she had just been asleep and Faith had been too panicked to even realize that. While Faith was relieved, her body still trembled at the thought of what could have easily happened. She glanced at her husband, trying to get a read on his mood.Husband?Where the hell had that thought come from? She wanted to speak, but her mouth was glued shut, she still remembered the horror and panic in his eyes when he first arrived at the accident scene, when he thought she and Maya had been hurt. Now, his guard was up his cold-blooded mask in place. She couldn’t get a read on how furious he was, which made her fearful. "Sterling I__"Sterling walked forward, his eyes staring into Faith's with a strange intensity that had her heart pounding in both fear and excitement.Excitement? Perhaps it was that brief flash of moment when she thought she
CHAPTER SIXTY NINE**Faith's lips still tingled from his forceful kiss, her mind was trapped in a turmoil of emotions. The wedding band now encircling her fingers made her certain that this wasn't some nightmare. They were back in his mansion which had never felt so much like a prison to Faith as it did now.Her devastated eyes followed him like a hawk as he prepared Maya for bed, they hadn't uttered a word to each other since he forced her to return with him.His wife_The dreadful word continued to ring in her head like an alarm, she was yet to recover from the shock and still didn't want to believe that he'd won so easily. She was a loser yet again, but if he thought she was going to be 'An obedient little girl__Their gazes clashed briefly, then he completely ignored her as he walked out of the nursery. In his eyes, She was probably no more than a child throwing a tantrum, She fumed at the thought and watched as he disappeared into his room and presumed he went to take a show
CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT**Her eyes were haunting, she trembled, still shaken in disbelief.The court had sent her own copy of the divorce papers after it had been finalized. If those copies weren't from the court then__Sterling had managed to play his crooked game somehow. They were still legally married! She was still his wife__The thought left her cold, the sharp stab of anger and betrayal made her eyes burn with the salty liquid. This was too much, she should be used to his cruelty when he wanted something, but he always left her dumbstruck each time. Faith suddenly recalled the number of times he'd referred to her as his wife, even Rex had called her that.She had been naive to think it was merely a slip of the tongue. She should have known that there was no mistake with Sterling. Why was it that each time she tried to fight him, he was always a thousand steps ahead of the ways he could hurt her? Faith suddenly thought how Sterling knew about her plan, and also the reaso
CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN**Sterling entered the dimly lit building. His eyes glimmered with purpose as he stood tall above the man who was cowering in fear. A deep bruise covered the man's forehead, he tried to stand but his broken bones made him scream in agony. Sterling tapped his chin with his index finger."Now, what am I going to do with you?" He murmured and watched the man's eyes dazzle with fear. "P_please, let me go, I p_promise to stay away from your family, I'll leave, I s_swear!" "I already gave you that chance, didn't I? But what did you do?" Unrestrained anger made Sterling's voice harsher. For the sake of his wife, he'd informed Rex to provide this man enough money to get out of the city and start a new life, but the mother fucker was greedy, he made the mistake to think that Sterling was a pushover and was demanding more money."The biggest mistake in your entire life was that you ever knew my wife, You could've lived the rest of your life peacefully, anyone who come
CHAPTER SIXTY SIX**Faith found it difficult to enter the large building. She hadn't been here in so long, but today, she had to do this. Maya was securely bound to her by the baby carrier. Faith couldn't help but stare around the company she had once worked for, it brought sensations of nostalgia.She greeted some of the familiar employees who seemed shocked to see her. As she headed into Sterling's office, she greeted Rex who greeted her with a broad smile, Stacy by his side. "Long time no see, oh look what we have here." He averted his gaze to Maya who was gawking at the new stranger. "She's beautiful and looks so much like my cousin __and you of course, can I touch her?"Faith didn't realize how hostile her expression was, she still hadn't forgiven him for reporting her pregnancy to Sterling, She might be living peacefully with Maya somewhere, but instead, she was stuck with a crazy man.To her greatest satisfaction, when he lifted his hand to touch Maya, she burst into a fi
CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE**"Where the hell did you go!" Sterling's eyes were a mix of anger and relief the moment she stepped through the door.Faith's eyes wandered across the house, it seemed Stacy had left. She had only been gone for about ten minutes but the whole residence and beyond was crammed with security, all were searching for her. It would be a miracle if Dan managed to escape. Sterling moved quickly, closing the distance between them, his hawk-like eyes scouring her body, looking for signs of her being hurt. "Nowhere!" Faith answered too quickly, his rigid scowl told her he knew she was hiding things from him and that he wasn't liking it one bit. She met his deep frown stubbornly, she didn't want his concern.He had gone too far framing Dan for a crime he never committed, but why did Dan feel that he was entitled to her help?She didn't owe both men anything. Sterling only wanted to control her in the name of love and Dan was just being unreasonable. Any sympathy Faith h
CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR**Faith tried not to wander too far, but she couldn't fight the negative thoughts swimming through her mind about Sterling and Stacy. She should be joyous that he found another woman, he would let go of his obsession with her, wasn't that what she always wanted? Faith sighed quietly wondering if fate was also laughing at her predicament, she was in love with a person who was infatuated with her, but she couldn't be with him because she knew how scheming and dangerous he was, she planned to take over his wealth so she could defend herself and Maya against him but she also didn't want him to be involved with another woman, to forget about her and their daughter which was exactly what she desired in the first place? A loud frustrated groan escaped her mouth, why couldn't life be kinder to her? Buried in her thoughts, Faith didn't hear the movements behind her until it was almost too late.She turned around, but as fast as lightning a hand pressed against her mouth,