Sky sat frozen in her seat, her mind spinning as Xavier's words reverberated in her ears. Be my wife.It wasn’t a request. It wasn’t even a demand. It was an inevitability, at least in his eyes."Excuse me?" she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers gripped the edge of the chair so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She wanted to laugh, to scream, to run, but her body refused to move.Xavier leaned back, the glow from his tobacco casting faint shadows across his chiseled features. He looked calm—too calm—as though this insane proposition was the most rational thing he’d ever said. "You heard me, Angel," he said again, his tone softer now, almost coaxing, as though he were talking her into buying a pair of shoes instead of binding her life to his.Her chest tightened. She needed to breathe, to think, to push past the heat swirling in her gut and focus. "You’ve lost your mind," she snapped, standing abruptly. "I’m not some pawn in whatever twisted game you’
Hold up!” Gloria’s voice shot up a notch, her popcorn flying everywhere as she sprang off the couch. “Let me get this straight. Your one-night stand... and also your boss, the same guy who makes the Devil look like a saint, wants you to marry him?” She placed her hands on her hips, her sharp brown eyes boring into Sky like a laser.Sky flinched, shrinking into the cushions as Gloria’s words sliced through the thick haze of disbelief clouding her mind. A heavy knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach, but beneath it... something else lingered. A flicker of excitement, of something dark and dangerous, like stepping too close to the edge of a cliff just to feel the thrill.“I...” Sky faltered, her fingers knotting in the soft fabric of the couch pillow. Her mind raced, replaying Xavier’s words in his deep, commanding voice. "You’ll be my wife, Sky. No arguments. No excuses. I always get what I want."Her heart skipped a beat, and she hated it. Hated the way his presence had overwhelmed her
The truth was, as much as Xavier terrified her, he also exhilarated her. His power, his intensity, the way he seemed to see through every wall she’d ever built—it was terrifying, yes, but it was also... intoxicating.Gloria let out a low whistle, shaking her head. “ But hey, if you’re gonna marry a crazy billionaire, at least he’s offering to make you filthy rich while he’s at it.”Sky couldn’t help but laugh, even as her heart ached with uncertainty. “Yeah, because money fixes everything, right?”“Maybe not everything,” Gloria said with a shrug. “But it sure doesn’t hurt to have a hundred billion reasons to figure it out.”Just then, Sky’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, the sharp vibration cutting through the tense air like a knife. Her stomach tightened as the screen lit up, the name flashing like a neon sign in the darkness: Robert.Gloria paused mid-chew, a popcorn kernel caught between her fingertips. She shot Sky a look, her brows lifting as a slow, knowing grin spread across
At the table tucked in the far corner, Robert leaned forward, his hands folded loosely on the table as he spoke, his voice calm yet tinged with incredulity.“You wouldn’t believe the kind of mess my uncle has gotten himself into,” he began, his tone heavy with exasperation. “The man is sixty-two years old, Sky. Sixty-two! And instead of retiring quietly or, I don’t know, finding a hobby, he’s out here... impregnating the maid.”Robert leaned back, his dark eyes narrowing as he let the words sink in, his jaw tightening with a mix of disdain and disbelief. “She’s barely out of college, and now she’s carrying his child. Meanwhile, Aunt Martha—who’s stood by his side for over two decades—has been completely humiliated. He had the nerve, the nerve, to throw her out of the house, saying she’s useless because she couldn’t give him a son.”He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. The light from the chandelier above glinted off his watch as he gestured sharply. “Can you imagine that? Twe
Their lips collided in a deep, passionate kiss, tongues dancing in a heated rhythm as their breaths mingled. Robert’s strong arms held Sky firmly, as though he was afraid to let her go. The world outside ceased to exist; it was just the two of them, lost in the intoxicating pull of each other.As they reached the bedroom, Robert used his foot to gently nudge the door shut, the soft click echoing in the silent room. He lowered Sky carefully onto the bed, her head sinking into the plush pillows, and a quiet moan escaped her lips at the loss of contact with his. Her half-lidded eyes searched his, a mixture of desire and vulnerability flashing across her face.Robert straightened, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the dim light of the room. His gaze was intense, filled with unspoken promises, as he reached up to loosen his tie. Sky’s breath hitched as she bit her lower lip, her fingers trembling with anticipation. The way he looked at her—like she was the only thing in the unive
“Robert! Faster! Please faster!” Sky screamed, her voice a mix of pleasure and desperation as she clutched the sheets like a lifeline. Blood dripped from her bitten lips, each gasp sending tremors of ecstasy through her body. She felt every inch of him deep inside her, his length stretching her in ways that made her moan uncontrollably. Her back arched, pushing her curves toward him, inviting him to take more. Her legs were wide spread opened for him to go deeper. “Damn it girl, you’re so tight and wet just for me baby. This pussy is mine. Your body is mine. You are mine sky!” he growled, his voice thick with lust. He thrust into her with a powerful rhythm, the slickness of her wetness making it all too easy for him to glide deeper. “I love how you feel around me. You’re my filthy little slut. You are my whore!” The words sent a jolt of excitement through her, and when he smacked her ass, the sound echoed in the room, filling her with a mix of pleasure and pain. “And your fu
The room was suffocatingly silent, save for the sound of Sky's rapid breathing. She looked up at Robert, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it might echo in the space between them. A bead of sweat formed at her temple and trickled down the side of her face, a physical manifestation of the turmoil inside her. This wasn’t how she wanted him to find out—not in the middle of their most intimate moment, not like this, with the name of another man slipping from her lips. Her thoughts scrambled, searching desperately for a way to spin the truth, to say something—anything—that could salvage this moment. But her mind was a blank canvas, painted only with guilt and fear. How could she tell the man she was set to marry that, even while they were together, Xavier had invaded her thoughts? That she’d pictured Xavier’s face in the place of Robert’s? Robert's voice cut through the silence, sharp and cold. “Go on, Sky. Who the fuck is Xavier? I’m listening.” He folded his arms tightl
Sky gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. Her hands trembled slightly, a physical echo of the storm raging inside her. The city was cloaked in silence, but her mind was anything but calm. Thoughts of Robert and Xavier tangled in her head, like a messy web she couldn't untangle.Her chest tightened as Robert’s face surfaced in her mind—his warm smile, the way his eyes lit up whenever he looked at her, the way he had always been there for her. Robert loved her in a way she had never been loved before. He was dependable, solid, the kind of man anyone would dream of building a life with. He had made her feel safe, cherished, as though she were the most important person in the world.But tonight, she had seen a different side of him—a side fueled by betrayal, anger, and a desperation to hold onto her. She sighed heavily, her breath fogging up the windshield as she tried to make sense of the chaos in her heart.Yet, even as guilt clawed at her, another face crept into he
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