After selecting the dress, Xavier handed over his sleek, black premium card to the boutique assistant, his movements fluid and authoritative, as if he owned not just the card but the entire boutique—and maybe the world. Sky watched the assistant scramble to process the payment, her hands trembling slightly as she avoided Xavier’s steely gaze. The sheer power radiating from him was both intoxicating and unnerving.As they prepared to leave, Xavier’s phone buzzed sharply, breaking the momentary silence. He pulled the device from his pocket with an annoyed grunt, his expression hardening. Without a word, he stepped to the side, rolling up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt. The veins on his forearms stood out starkly, a reminder of just how tightly coiled he was beneath his polished exterior.“What do you have for me, Dante?” Xavier spoke, his tone low and husky, yet so commanding that even Sky, several feet away, felt compelled to listen. She tried to keep her focus elsewhere, runni
The woman strutted into the store like a queen surveying her kingdom, her blood-red dress clinging to her hourglass figure and her long, dark hair cascading in perfect waves. Everything about her screamed power and seduction, from her towering designer heels to the piercing gaze she threw across the room. Abigail’s crimson-painted lips curled into a smirk when her eyes landed on Sky.“Fuck.” The word echoed in Sky's head, but she didn’t dare say it out loud. Of all people, of all times—why now?Abigail’s eyes swept over the scene with an air of superiority before she made her way over. Sky’s breath hitched. She could feel Xavier’s presence beside her, still focused on his laptop, seemingly oblivious to the brewing storm. But Sky wasn’t oblivious. She could feel Abigail’s energy, sharp and dangerous, slicing through the air as she approached.“Well, well,” Abigail purred, stopping in front of Sky. “Isn’t this a surprise.” Her eyes flicked to the jewelry box in Sky’s hand, then to the
Sky trudged home after her night shift, the ache in her feet a dull reminder of the day’s work. She was exhausted, her mind clouded by fatigue, yet there was a spark of anticipation flickering inside her. Tonight was supposed to be special—it was her birthday, and Valentine’s Day too. She’d spent all day entertaining fleeting fantasies, hoping Andrew might surprise her with something thoughtful. She pictured herself stepping inside to find rose petals scattered across the floor, maybe even a romantic candle or two lighting up their tiny apartment. Something, anything, to show he’d remembered her.But as she pushed open the door, the dream shattered almost immediately. Her eyes fell on the floor near the entrance, where a lacy bra lay, entwined with a pair of men’s boxers. Sky’s breath caught. Her fingers tightened around the doorknob as the air around her thickened, suffocating her in disbelief. A chill crept up her spine, numbing her thoughts as she tried to swallow down the mount
Sky had crammed the last of her clothes into her suitcase, zipping it up with a snap that echoed around the empty room. She couldn’t stand to be here another minute, not after what she’d seen. Every glance at the couch clawed at her heart, a taunting reminder of her boyfriend, Andrew, entangled with her own sister on that very cushion. The image haunted her like a relentless ghost, replaying itself every time she blinked. This wasn’t a home anymore—it was a trap. The only way to free herself was to leave, to let the walls that bore witness hold the memories she refused to carry.Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, vibrating with Andrew’s apologies. Each text dripped with regret and excuses: "It was a mistake, Sky. “It wasn’t me. It was...it was the devil’s work." She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Blame it on the devil, huh? Typical. Take some responsibility, you son of a...” Her lips twisted into a bitter smile as she wished him the worst—a one-way ticket to misery.
Skye’s world blurred, and her pulse thundered in her ears as she was slammed down to the cold, unforgiving floor. Her skull screamed with pain as the back of her head collided with the hard surface, sending sharp waves of dizziness through her body. Her hair—her long, thick hair—was being yanked so hard it felt like her scalp might tear off. She opened her mouth, a guttural scream of rage and fear escaping her lips, but it was cut short as her breath hitched.“Shut up,” a voice growled, deep and menacing. The sound of it made her blood run cold. Andrew.“Andrew, what the hell are you doing here? Let go of my hair, please!” Her voice was shaky, filled with terror and disbelief. She twisted under him, but his grip was unyielding, his fingers like iron around her hair, forcing her head back.He chuckled, the sound low and twisted, vibrating in the space around them. The laugh was like a slap to her face, mocking, full of cruelty. “You thought you could leave me, huh?” he said, his voic
Xavier Collen.His name carried a reputation that preceded him, leaving a trail of trembling whispers and smoldering gazes wherever he went. Women spoke of him in reverent tones, their voices laced with desire and envy. His presence alone could reduce even the most self-assured women to quivering puddles, eager to be consumed by the magnetic pull of his dominance. Xavier was unapologetically himself—a sex addict who thrived on indulgence, pleasure, and control. He knew exactly how to treat women, how to make them melt under his touch, and that made him irresistible. But he had rules, strict ones. Once a woman found her way to his bed, she never got a second invitation. He was possessive, yes, but never repetitive. His appetite demanded variety, and yet, they always came back, pleading for another taste of him. Pleading for him to fuck them badly, pleading for answers to why he doesn't fuck a woman twice. Why? Why did he never return to them? He never answered. He didn’t need to.
Xavier tilted his head back, eyes fixed on the sprawling night sky, a smirk tugging at his lips as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass. Raising his glass, he spoke in a low, gravelly tone, "A toast to that dickhead who finally got what he deserved." His smirk widened, a dangerous edge to his charm as his gaze shifted to Sky, who sat across the bar.Her legs crossed tightly as if she was trying to suppress something, and Xavier's sharp eyes didn't miss the subtle clench of her thighs. That one movement made him lean back in his chair, swirling the whiskey again with an air of predatory confidence. A wicked thought crossed his mind, and he muttered under his breath, "She wants to get laid. She wants to get fucked by me."Sky, catching his gaze, raised her glass in a shaky toast. Her lips parted as a bitter smile crept onto her face, one that couldn't hide the turmoil in her tear-brimmed eyes. "A toast to freedom," she said, her voice cracking before it rose with fiery venom. "I
The drive to Xavier’s apartment was thick with a silence that wasn’t awkward—it was charged, almost suffocating. Sky shifted in her seat, her thighs pressing together as a dull ache throbbed between them. She couldn’t focus on the passing city lights or the low hum of the engine. Her attention was on him—the way his hands gripped the steering wheel with the kind of control she wanted to unravel. Her body betrayed her; heat coiled low in her belly, and her breath hitched every time his sharp profile caught the dim glow of passing streetlights.Xavier glanced at her, a flicker of amusement playing across his face as he caught her staring. “See something you like?” he asked, his tone smooth but teasing, pulling her attention to his lips—lips she was already imagining trailing down her neck.Sky shot him a look, trying to mask her desire with bravado. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she said, though her voice betrayed the quiver of want beneath her words.He smirked, a devilish curve of his mo
The woman strutted into the store like a queen surveying her kingdom, her blood-red dress clinging to her hourglass figure and her long, dark hair cascading in perfect waves. Everything about her screamed power and seduction, from her towering designer heels to the piercing gaze she threw across the room. Abigail’s crimson-painted lips curled into a smirk when her eyes landed on Sky.“Fuck.” The word echoed in Sky's head, but she didn’t dare say it out loud. Of all people, of all times—why now?Abigail’s eyes swept over the scene with an air of superiority before she made her way over. Sky’s breath hitched. She could feel Xavier’s presence beside her, still focused on his laptop, seemingly oblivious to the brewing storm. But Sky wasn’t oblivious. She could feel Abigail’s energy, sharp and dangerous, slicing through the air as she approached.“Well, well,” Abigail purred, stopping in front of Sky. “Isn’t this a surprise.” Her eyes flicked to the jewelry box in Sky’s hand, then to the
After selecting the dress, Xavier handed over his sleek, black premium card to the boutique assistant, his movements fluid and authoritative, as if he owned not just the card but the entire boutique—and maybe the world. Sky watched the assistant scramble to process the payment, her hands trembling slightly as she avoided Xavier’s steely gaze. The sheer power radiating from him was both intoxicating and unnerving.As they prepared to leave, Xavier’s phone buzzed sharply, breaking the momentary silence. He pulled the device from his pocket with an annoyed grunt, his expression hardening. Without a word, he stepped to the side, rolling up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt. The veins on his forearms stood out starkly, a reminder of just how tightly coiled he was beneath his polished exterior.“What do you have for me, Dante?” Xavier spoke, his tone low and husky, yet so commanding that even Sky, several feet away, felt compelled to listen. She tried to keep her focus elsewhere, runni
The drive to the boutique was uncomfortably silent, and Sky’s eyes darted between the passing scenery and her trembling hands. The car windows were tinted, giving her a warped reflection of herself—a woman caught between disbelief and a whirlwind of emotions. Was she really doing this? Was she ready for it? The questions played over and over in her mind like a broken record. Her thoughts buzzed with anxieties she couldn’t shake.She was undeniably worried.How would Xavier’s family react to her? Would they judge her harshly? Oh, who was she kidding? Of course, they would. The idea of being scrutinized by cold, judgmental gazes made her stomach churn. Sky bit her lip, fighting the nervous pangs threatening to consume her. What if they don’t like me? What if they think I’m beneath them? She sighed heavily, running a hand through her wavy hair. It wasn’t like this was a real marriage anyway. They’d only be together for a year, just long enough for her to carry his child. This was all
Ding. Ding.The sharp chime of her phone shattered the quiet stillness of the early morning. Sky groaned, rolling over to grab the device from her nightstand. Her vision blurred as she squinted at the bright screen, two new notifications glowing in bold letters."Get ready. We are picking your wedding dress today.""My driver will be at your place by 11. Do not be late, Angel. You know how I despise lateness."She blinked at the messages, her heart lurching as the words sank in. Wedding dress. Today. Her stomach twisted into knots. How could this be happening so quickly? Yesterday, Abigail—Xavier’s ex—had shown up, bringing with her a whirlwind of chaos and unspoken tension. And now, just a few hours later, Sky was being dragged headfirst into wedding preparations.Her thumb hovered over the screen as if rereading the messages might make them disappear. But they didn’t. They stared back at her, mocking her uncertainty.Her thoughts raced. This is too fast. Too sudden. What is he tryi
Sky’s tears blurred her vision as she struggled to rise from where she sat, her legs trembling beneath her like a newborn fawn. Every muscle in her body screamed for her to flee, to escape the suffocating weight of the emotions swirling in that room. She gripped the edge of the table for support, her fingers clutching the cold, unyielding surface as though it could anchor her to something solid. Her chest felt tight, as if an invisible hand were squeezing her lungs, stealing every ounce of air she desperately needed.The sound of Xavier’s voice—raw, guttural, and filled with rage—echoed from his office, cutting through the silence like a whip.“Why now?! Why did she show up into my life again! Fuck! ” his voice thundered, followed by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering. The sharp crack of impact reverberated in the still air, sending chills racing down her spine.Sky’s heart clenched painfully. She didn’t want to know. She didn’t need to hear the rest. The fragments of conver
Sky’s breath hitched the moment Abigail’s eyes landed on Xavier. The flicker of something unspoken passed between them—something old, raw, and unresolved. It wasn’t the kind of look you gave a colleague or a rival; it was personal, painfully so. Sky felt her stomach churn as her gaze darted between the two of them. Who is she to him?“Apologies for my tardiness,” Abigail said, her voice smooth as silk yet laced with a hint of condescension. She didn’t bother looking at anyone else in the room except Xavier. “I hope I didn’t miss anything… important.”Xavier’s jaw tightened visibly, his fingers drumming once on the table before he clasped them together to stop himself. “You’re late,” he said curtly, not bothering to hide the edge in his tone. “This isn’t your family dinner table where you can waltz in whenever you please, Abigail.”“Ah, Xavier,” Abigail said, her voice a low, honeyed taunt that sent a chill down Sky’s spine. “Still as charming as ever, I see. Though… you look more str
The tension in the room was thick as Xavier leaned forward, fingers interlocked, his eyes scanning the projected numbers on the screen. The presentation from Cooper Industries was thorough, detailing potential collaboration points and revenue forecasts. The stakes of this meeting were clear to everyone, but for Xavier, the stakes were even higher. He had to focus on the business at hand and suppress the memories clawing at the edges of his mind.Mr. Charles Hartley, Abigail’s father, sat at the head of the table, his demeanor calm and commanding. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, and his tailored navy suit exuded authority. When he spoke, his voice carried the kind of gravitas that demanded attention. "Mr. Collen, as you can see, this partnership would allow both of our companies to expand into untapped markets in Europe and Asia. I believe merging our logistics networks will cut costs by at least 15% for both parties within the first fiscal year."Xavier nodded, his face
Xavier adjusted his tie for the third time as he strode down the long marble hallway leading to the conference room. His polished shoes echoed against the pristine floor, a sound that usually filled him with a sense of command. Today, however, it felt like a mocking reminder of his tardiness. He never comes late and worse, of the bombshell he had just uncovered.Sky’s email had come through moments before he left his office, its subject line innocuous enough: Meeting Agenda: Cooper Industries Collaboration. He hadn’t thought much of it—until he opened the attached file and saw the name at the top of the attendee list: Charles Hartley—CEO, Cooper Industries. Abigail’s father."Fuck," Xavier muttered under his breath as he reached the heavy oak doors of the conference room. Of all the people in the world, why him? The very thought of sitting across from the man who had raised the woman who had gutted him, who had ruined his trust in anyone, made his stomach churn. And to make matters w
Sky leaned against the back of the restroom door, catching her breath as she stared at her reflection. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from the hours she had spent tangled with Xavier in his office. She sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before reaching into her bag for her makeup kit. The last thing she needed was to walk back into the office looking like she'd just had the best sex of her life on Xavier’s desk. The whispers and judgmental stares from her colleagues were bad enough as it was. They hated her, despised her for her relationship with the man they all silently coveted. She wasn’t about to give them more ammunition.Sky steadied her hands as she reapplied her eyeliner, wiping away the smudges that framed her eyes like evidence of her indulgence. The lipstick was next. She carefully painted her lips, the deep crimson color masking the marks Xavier had left behind.When she was done, she glanced down at her skirt, which clung stubbornly to her thigh