Skye’s heart hammered in her chest as Xavier’s lips moved over hers with a ferocity that stole her breath. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a battle of wills, a claim. His lips were rough and demanding, pulling her into his world, where nothing else mattered but the sensation of his mouth on hers and the intoxicating heat that radiated from his body.Her fingers tangled in his hair, gripping tightly, trying to hold onto something as the world spun around her. His hands slid up her waist, firm and possessive, as if daring her to pull away. But she didn’t want to. She couldn’t.“I fucking can’t get enough of you,” Xavier growled against her lips, his voice raw and gravelly. It sent shivers racing down her spine, pooling heat low in her belly. The intensity of his gaze when he pulled back momentarily made her feel like the only woman in the universe.His thumb brushed her swollen bottom lip, his eyes darkening at the sight of the faint trace of blood. “You’re so goddamn tempting,” he mutter
He kissed her belly, his lips soft but insistent, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. Sky’s fingers gripped the sheets, her knuckles turning white as she tried to ground herself. The way his mouth moved against her skin—so reverent, so utterly consuming—made her body tremble.“Xavier,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she struggled to hold onto the last threads of her composure.His response was a low chuckle that vibrated against her skin, sending a fresh wave of goosebumps racing across her body. “You don’t have to hold back, baby,” he said, his voice thick with desire. “Let me hear you. Let me feel you.”His hand slid lower, his fingers brushing against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. The lightness of his touch was maddening, leaving her aching for more. Every nerve in her body was alight, and she couldn’t stop the soft moan that escaped her lips.“That’s it,” he murmured, his eyes darkening as he watched her. “Just like that, angel. Let me take care of you.”Sky fel
Sky shifted restlessly in the bed, the golden rays of the morning sun filtering through the curtains and warming her skin. A dull ache radiated from her core, a relentless reminder of last night’s passion. Her thighs clenched instinctively, a soft whimper escaping her lips as her body recalled the way Xavier had thoroughly claimed her. She groaned, burying her face into the pillow, her cheeks flushing at the memory. Rolling over to the other side, she reached out, expecting to find Xavier beside her. The sheets were cool to the touch, his presence absent. Disappointment flared briefly, but then she heard the sound of rushing water coming from the ensuite bathroom. Her heart skipped a beat. He’s still here. For a moment, she considered staying in bed, but then a sharp pang of urgency struck her. Her flight. The morning flight she couldn’t afford to miss. The one that would take her away from this city, away from the chaos and into the fresh start she so desperately needed. “
Her breath hitched, and she instinctively pressed her thighs together as the heat between them became unbearable. "What? I-I can’t do that," she stammered, though her voice lacked conviction.Xavier’s eyes flashed with impatience. He placed his free hand over her lips, silencing her protests. "Don’t you dare refuse me," he said coldly. "You don’t have the right to, Angel. Now, be a good girl and do what Daddy tells you. Worship me like the slut you are."The roughness in his words sent a jolt of electricity through her. Skye hated how much it turned her on, how her body reacted to his dominance. She couldn’t fight it anymore. Slowly, she let her hands trail over his chest, her fingers grazing the hard lines of his muscles.Without another word, she sank to her knees, her heart pounding as she looked up at him. His eyes bore into hers, filled with primal hunger. Trembling, she reached out to wrap her hand around his thick, hard length, her touch earning a low groan from him."That’s r
Three Years Later“Sky! Get up! You’re going to be late for your interview!” Gloria’s voice, sharp and insistent, sliced through the thin walls of their cramped apartment. It was paired with a loud knock that rattled the bedroom door, shaking Sky from the fragile grip of sleep.Sky groaned louder this time, reluctantly prying her eyes open. Her vision swam, the remnants of her dream still clinging stubbornly to her consciousness. She didn’t need a journal to recount it; it was the same every night. Xavier. His hands. His mouth. His scent. It was always him—his dark, penetrating gaze pinning her down, the way his cock went in and out of her, stretching her as she clenched her pussy. The way he whispered her name like it was a prayer, and the raw, consuming passion that left her utterly wrecked.She hated it. Hated how, even after three years, she couldn’t exorcise him from her mind. She hated how his name felt like a ghost of a caress on her lips when she murmured it in the dark. But
Sky's fingers trembled as she tried to keep herself composed, her nails digging into the fabric of her bag. Her chest rose and fell in sharp, erratic breaths, and her heart pounded so loudly she was certain Xavier could hear it. How is this even possible? Her thoughts raced as she stared at the man towering over her, his presence suffocating yet magnetic. She shook her head furiously, trying to silence the heat pooling low in her abdomen."You know what? Not here. I can get a job somewhere else," she blurted, her voice sharp but laced with panic. She moved to stand, fumbling to gather her things, but before she could take a step, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist."Sit down."The words weren’t shouted—they didn’t need to be. They were dark, commanding, and laced with an edge of danger that froze her in place. His gaze burned into her, sharp and unyielding as steel, and when she didn’t move fast enough for his liking, he tugged her back into the chair with a force that sent her bo
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
Skye's heart pounded against her ribcage, her breath coming in fast, uneven gasps as she clutched Elijah's hand, her fingers squeezing him like a lifeline. The thrill of their escape still coursed through her veins, adrenaline pumping wildly, making her skin feel electric."I can't believe we escaped the guards!" she burst out, her voice breathless yet laced with excitement, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Elijah, on the other hand, stood beside her, a slow, knowing smirk curling his lips as he observed her reaction. He was calm-too calm, like this was just another night for him. His dark, hooded eyes studied her intently, flickering with amusement as he leaned against the nearest wall, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The contrast between them was stark-Skye, wild with exhilaration, and Elijah, exuding an almost predatory ease."Did you see my face when I thought the guards would catch us?" she stammered between her laughter, wiping
Xavier paced like a caged beast, his movements restless, agitated. His fingers repeatedly tangled in his dark hair, first smoothing it back, then gripping at the strands as though the act would steady his rage. His jaw was clenched so tightly it ached, his tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth in an effort to contain the storm brewing within him. His entire body was taut with tension, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce.His sharp blue eyes-cold and calculating-remained locked on the restroom door. What the fuck was taking her so long? His gut twisted with unease, an unfamiliar and unwelcome sensation that only served to further stoke his fury. She wouldn't dare try anything stupid... would she? The thought made his chest tighten.He wanted to storm in there, to slam the door open and drag her out if necessary. But Xavier knew better. That wouldn't be the smart move. He needed to keep his composure-or at least what was left of it. He ran a hand down his face, exhal
Skye reached the restroom, shoving the door open with trembling hands. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled toward the sink, clutching its edge for support. She met her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, her mascara smudged from the tears she hadn't even realized were falling. Her carefully arranged hair now hung in disarray, framing her tear-streaked cheeks.The quiet sobs she had been holding back finally broke free, shaking her body as she leaned over the sink. "This was supposed to be my day," she whispered bitterly to herself, her voice breaking. "My wedding day."Skye leaned against the restroom sink, her body trembling as her sobs quieted. She wiped at her face, smearing the tears that had already ruined her carefully applied makeup. All she wanted was to leave this nightmare behind, to slip out of her wedding gown and crawl into bed, where the weight of Xavier's fury and the humiliating scene from the ballroom couldn't reach her. Her exhaustion pressed down
She took a deep breath, her nails biting into her palms as she tried to center herself. Not here. Not now. If they wanted her to break, they would have to try harder. Skye was no stranger to being underestimated, and she wasn't about to let them win-not tonight, not ever.Her gaze wandered back to Xavier, who was watching her from across the room. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing blue eyes bore into her like a storm waiting to be unleashed. Had he heard any of it? Did he even care? She doubted it.Straightening her shoulders, she grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one fluid motion. She welcomed the burn as the liquid slid down her throat, using it as fuel to fortify her crumbling walls. If this was her new reality, then so be it.But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to be a passive pawn in their cruel games. They wanted a fight? She'd give them a fight. She tilted her head back, the fifth glass of champagne slipping past her
"She's stunning," one woman admitted begrudgingly, but her compliment was overshadowed by venom. "But can you believe she's marrying Xavier Colleen? "What could she possibly see in him?""Oh, come on," another chimed in, leaning closer to her gossip partner. "You haven't heard the real story? She left her fiancé-someone just as rich, if not richer-for him. I mean, Xavier is a catch, sure, but everyone knows how he treats his women. Rumor has it, she couldn't resist his... well, you know." She giggled, her tone dripping with malice. "Bet she's addicted to him already."The words stabbed at Skye like needles, but she didn't falter. Her jaw clenched imperceptibly, and she kept her gaze locked forward, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her react. Let them talk. Let them have their pathetic little gossip. She was no stranger to it-her life had been a spectacle ever since she agreed to this arrangement. But the raw, personal nature of their whispers still burned. How the he
"Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she muttered, the words escaping her lips in between gasps. Her voice cracked, raw and broken, as she pounded her fists against her forehead. "How could I be so blind? So fucking stupid?" Her fingers dug into her scalp, her perfectly styled hair now disheveled and wild as she rocked back and forth in her seat.She was spiraling, the weight of her emotions crushing her like a tidal wave. Images of Xavier and Abigail together flashed through her mind-his hands on her, his lips against hers-and she let out a choked sob. "For Christ's sake, Skye!" she cried out, her voice hoarse from the strain. "What the hell were you thinking? You knew this wasn't real. You knew better, and you still-" She broke off, shaking her head violently as though she could shake away the shame and self-loathing that threatened to consume her.Her phone buzzed, Skye froze, her red-rimmed eyes darting toward the glowing screen. For a moment, she considered ignoring it, letting it
Abigail walked in with the kind of confidence that could silence a room, her heels clicking against the polished floor like a diva. She was stunning, dressed provocatively in a scarlet gown that clung to her every curve. . The neckline plunged daringly, revealing her ample chest, while the slit up the side of the dress showcased long, toned legs. Her lips, painted the same sultry shade as her dress, curled into a smirk that was equal parts alluring and menacing. And her eyes-sharp, piercing, and calculating-scanned the room before landing on Skye with laser precision."Well, well, well," Abigail drawled, her voice dripping with mockery as she sauntered further into the room. Her tone was sweet, but it carried an edge sharp enough to cut. "Isn't this just a lovely sight? The blushing bride, all dressed up and ready to walk down the aisle." She moved like a queen surveying her kingdom, each step deliberate and dripping with purpose.The words hung in the air like a slap, and Abigai
"Let me get this straight," Dante snarled, taking a step forward, his hands gesturing wildly. "You're telling me that Abigail-Abigail of all people-came to your penthouse last night, and instead of throwing her out like any decent man with a shred of loyalty would, you-" He faltered, his voice cracking with disbelief. "You slept with her?! You're getting married today, Xavier! To Sky! How the hell could you do this?"Xavier's expression didn't flicker, not even for a second. He adjusted his cufflinks, the soft metallic click somehow louder than Dante's shouts. "She came to me," Xavier said flatly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "She wanted it. I didn't go looking for her. She asked, and I gave her what she wanted. Simple as that."For a moment, Dante just stared at him, his mouth slightly open, as if his brain was struggling to process what he had just heard. "She wanted it?" he repeated, his tone climbing an octave. "She wanted it, so you just-what? Thought it was your duty to obli
“So, girl, you’re trying to tell me Xavier almost chewed you to the bones and his ex girlfriend is back?” Gloria’s voice crackled through the phone, sharp and incredulous. “Sky, are you even hearing yourself right now? After everything that’s happened, you’re still going through with this?”Sky sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers fidgeting with the delicate hem of her silk robe. The room felt suffocating, the weight of Gloria’s words pressing down on her like a lead blanket. Her gaze drifted to the wedding dress hanging by the window. It swayed slightly in the evening breeze, its ivory fabric catching the last glimmers of sunlight.“I don’t have a choice,” she whispered, her voice so low she wasn’t sure Gloria had heard her.But Gloria had. She always did. “No choice?” Gloria scoffed, her voice rising in disbelief. “Don’t give me that crap, Sky. You always have a choice. And your choice is to walk straight into a marriage with a man who treats emotions like they’re beneath him an