Riley’s heart pounded in her chest as fear tightened its grip around her throat. She could feel the eyes of the man boring into her, his words dripping with malice and hatred.This wasn’t the first time she dealt with her father’s enemy. Heck…her own husband was his enemy, but she had never seen someone who hated him this much.But before she could muster a response, River erupted in a roar of fury. “Take my wife? Over my dead body.”The man sneered, his lip curling with contempt. “I wouldn’t mind if you were already dead, Foster.”Tiffany and Lucas cowered behind the armed men, their bodies trembling with terror as they waited for the signal to attack.River’s hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white as he seethed with rage. “You think you can stroll in here and threaten my family without consequence? You have no clue who you’re messing with.”The man stepped forward, a mockery of confidence in his demeanor. “Oh, I have every idea, River. We just don’t care.” He glanced at R
River felt his blood run cold as he watched Riley crumple to the ground, a scream of agony tearing from her lips. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, the world around him fading into a blur of muted colors and distant sounds.His mind flashed back to that fateful day when Ellie had been ripped from his life, her lifeless body cradled in his arms as he howled with grief and rage. The memory hit him like a physical blow, stealing the breath from his lungs and sending a wave of nauseating terror through his veins.No, not again. He couldn’t lose Riley too. Not like this. Not when he had just found a glimmer of hope and love again in her fierce, unwavering presence.No, no, no.Someone suddenly shoved him to the side.“Get it together, River! You almost got shot!” It was Antonio. He must’ve come back to defend them.“Riley….she…” River choked, pointing at her on the ground.“Go to her now. I got this!” Antonio shouted, his voice sharp and commanding, pulling River from the dark sp
Christmas day…Everyone gathered around the table for our holiday meal. Antonio, as always, sat at the head of the table with Valerie. Next to her, was the newest member of her family: baby Maxwell.River and Riley sat to his left, next to them was Tiffany and Lucas. In the middle sat Landon, who insisted on sitting next to Tiffany. At the age of two, he was already chatty and declared Tiffany was his favorite.“Can you pass the gravy, please?” Valerie asked River.“Of course,” he replied, handing her the boat of gravy with a smile.Valerie took the gravy with a grateful nod, pouring some over her mashed potatoes before passing it to Antonio.“Mmm…everything smells amazing. Great job, mia cara,” Antonio grumbled in approval as he took a bite of his chicken.Valerie smiled brightly. “I couldn’t have cooked everything without the help of my family. Thank you everyone for helping.”“Lucas didn’t help,” Tiffany teased, nudging her younger brother. “All he did was sneak into the kitchen to
Tiffany Foster hated two things the most.Number one: Social gatherings.And number two: That darned asshole, Jacob Randall.She was minding her business, doing a little last-minute reading as she walked down the halls of Oakwood High. Her small frame seemed to shrink even further as she instinctively angled her body to avoid bumping into her peers.“Watch it, bookworm!” A gruff voice cut through Tiffany’s trance as a broad shoulder collided with hers, nearly knocking the novel from her grasp.Tiffany’s cheeks flushed as she clutched the book tighter, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. “S-sorry,” she mumbled.“Stop looking at the floor and apologize to my face,” the voice growled, and she looked up to meet his dark brown eyes.“Sorry,” she repeated again.Jacob smirked. “That’s more like it. Now scoot along, princess,” he said.Arrogant little shit.She moved away fast and approached her locker. while putting her book away, she couldn’t help but overhear the animated conversation of a
The last bell rang, and Tiffany couldn’t get out of her class fast enough. It’s not that she hated school or anything. She enjoyed some of her classes.But she would rather be home and spend time with her brothers.She quickly approached her locker, eager to escape the crowded hallways and retreat to the solace of her bedroom. As she fumbled with the combination lock, a familiar presence made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.Jacob Randell sauntered down the hallway, his steps echoing with unmistakable confidence. Tiffany’s heart rate quickened as she sensed him drawing near. She kept her eyes fixed on her locker, hoping he would pass by without incident.No such luck. Jacob came to a stop right beside her, leaning his muscular frame against the adjacent lockers with practiced nonchalance. He crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he regarded her with those piercing blue eyes.“What’s up, Tiffany the Timid,” Jacob drawled, his voice low
The next day, Tiffany didn’t see Jacob in class, so she released a sigh of relief. Maybe she wouldn’t have to deal with him today. But Alas…she wasn’t that lucky. The library doors swung open, and Jacob strode in, his eyes immediately scanning the room. His gaze landed on Tiffany, hunched over a thick book at her usual table in the corner. A smirk played on his lips as he took in her focused expression, completely oblivious to the world around her. Jacob ran a hand through his tousled hair and sauntered across the library, his swagger drawing curious glances from other students. He reached Tiffany’s table and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite bookworm,” he drawled, his voice low and teasing. Tiffany’s shoulders tensed, but she kept her eyes fixed on the page before her. Jacob’s cocky grin widened as he watched her, waiting for a reaction. The silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft rustle of turning pages and
Riley’s fingers danced across the piano keys, the final notes of Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major lingering in the air. She exhaled, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she closed the sheet music.“That was beautiful, Brent,” she said, her eyes twinkling with pride. “You’ve made incredible progress.”“Thanks, Riley,” Brent replied shyly. He was only eight years old, the same age as her nephew Landon, but so talented. A total protege.“Same time next week?” Riley asked.“Yes,” Brent nodded, smiling. “See you then.”After Brent left, she made her way upstairs toward Tiffany’s room. The door was ajar, and she could see her stepdaughter sitting on the bed, shoulders slumped.She looked upset, Riley thought.Her heart began to race, concern flooding her chest. What could be wrong? She hesitated for a moment, debating whether to intrude or give Tiffany space. But the sight of the young girl looking so dejected made the decision for her.Taking a deep breath, Riley gently pushed the do
Jacob sat on the edge of his bed, shoulders hunched, staring blankly at the cracked mirror propped against the wall. He ran a hand through his unkempt dark hair, his reflection staring back with piercing grey eyes.Even in the dim light, his chiseled jawline and sculpted cheekbones were striking. He knew his looks turned heads, but it felt hollow, meaningless.“What’s the point?” he muttered, picking at a loose thread on his faded jeans.His gaze drifted to the tattered photo taped to the mirror - him as a little boy, gap-toothed grin beaming at the camera. Back when he still believed in happy endings. Now that felt like a lifetime ago.Jacob stood abruptly, pacing the small room. His muscles coiled with restless energy beneath his tight black t-shirt. Even alone, intensity radiated from him - in the set of his jaw, the furrow of his brow. It was part of what drew people to him, even as he pushed them away.“Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” he growled, clenching his fists. But the ac
Lucas couldn’t shake off the feeling of emptiness in his chest as he drove away from Amy’s apartment and back home. He couldn’t understand why he was suddenly in such a bad mood, but the hollowness in his chest only grew stronger with each passing mile. It was as if something was missing.And the car ride was too quiet.Lucas leaned back against the seat, rubbing his temples. His fingers drummed against his thigh, restless, irritated.His mind kept drifting back to the face Amy had made when he had left her at her apartment. She looked so sad, almost near tears.The little Harpy.His jaw tightened as he exhaled sharply. He should be happy she was back home and away from him. He was finally from her constant chattering.Then why did it feel like he’d lost something instead?Silly.He hadn’t lost shit. He could see her whenever he wanted to. It’s not like she lived in another state or something.Lucas nodded to himself. That’s right, he will just go see her. Maybe bother her at the litt
Lucas’s car halts to a stop outside Amy’s apartment building.Amy’s heart raced as she stared at the building, realizing their unexpected adventure was coming to an end. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry.Lucas cleared his throat. “Well, here we are.”“Yep. Home sweet home,” Amy replied, her voice unnaturally high. She fumbled with her seatbelt, fingers trembling slightly as she tried to unlatch it. The damn thing seemed determined to keep her trapped in this moment.“Need some help?” Lucas asked, his voice laced with amusement.The seatbelt finally released with a soft click. Amy’s hand lingered on the buckle, her mind racing for some excuse…any excuse to prolong their time together.“I, uh…” Amy started, then trailed off, unsure what to say.Lucas turned to her, one eyebrow raised slightly. “Yes?”Amy’s breath caught in her throat as their eyes met.She opened her mouth, then closed it again. What could she possibly say that wouldn’t make her sound desperate or clingy? This
“…and then I told her, ‘If you think that’s bad, you should see what happens when I try to use chopsticks!’” Amy’s words tumbled out in a frantic stream, her hands fluttering like startled birds as she gestured wildly. Her leg bounced incessantly, causing the entire row of airplane seats to vibrate subtly.Lucas gritted his teeth, trying to focus on the e-book displayed on his tablet.Amy had not stopped talking ever since they boarded. At this point, Lucas was used to her talking too much, but this time, it was excessive.“Oh! And did I ever tell you about the time I accidentally used dog shampoo for a month? My hair was so shiny, people kept asking if I’d had work done!” Amy let out a high-pitched laugh that set Lucas’s nerves on edge.He exhaled slowly through his nose, thumb hovering over the tablet’s screen as he debated whether to increase the volume on his noise-canceling headphones. It wouldn’t make a difference, he knew. Amy’s chatter seemed to defy the laws of physics, penet
“Sit down on that little table, and I’ll go get your drink,” Lucas offered, shrugging out of his jacket. “Hot chocolate, right?”“Right,” Amy said with a small smile.Amy turned her gaze to the window, focusing on the view instead of the flutter in her chest. This was just a fun day out. Don’t overthink it. This was one of her many flaws. Overthinking things.A few minutes later, Lucas returned with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate, each topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream. “One for you and one for me,” he said, sliding hers across the table.Amy took a sip, the warmth spreading through her and momentarily chasing away her thoughts. “Mmm, this is amazing.”“Told you this place was worth it,” Lucas said, taking a sip of his own. “So, how does it feel to have conquered your first ski slope?”She set her mug down and leaned back in her chair. “Honestly? It feels good. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did.”“Told you you would,” Lucas said, his eyes fixed on hers.“So…
Amy’s eyes widened as she took Lucas’s hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “Skiing? Are you serious?” she exclaimed.Lucas smirked, enjoying her surprise. “Completely serious.”She bit her lip, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. “But I’ve never skied before. No, it is too scary. I can’t.”He chuckled, tugging her hand gently. “Don’t be a chicken. I will teach you.”She shook her head no. “I will fall down the hill and break something. And then, you will be forced to take care of me for another six months. You will never find the time to woo Alicia at that pace.”Lucas stared at her in amusement. “You have no confidence in yourself, do you?”“ZERO. Now, can we do something else? Like…I don’t know…something does not involve me rolling down from high places?” Amy asked nervously.Lucas tightened his hold on her hand. “Nope. We are going skiing, and that’s final.”Amy groaned loudly, dragging her feet as Lucas led her toward the ski rental area.He rolled his eyes, ha
“What’s wrong now?” Lucas asked.Amy looked at him questioningly. “What do you mean? Nothing is wrong.”“Bullshit,” Lucas said, furrowing his brows. “You look like you are about to cry again. Is it something I said?”Amy shook her head no.Lucas stared at her for a long moment before clearing his throat. “Well…” he started. “Maybe you don’t need to leave just yet. I mean…there’s no rush, I guess.”Her eyes lit up. “Really? I can stay?”Lucas shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, I mean, if you want to. The mansion’s big enough, and it’s not like you’re taking up space.”Amy’s lips twitched, fighting a smile. “Are you sure? I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”He rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the smirk creeping onto his face. “You’re already a pain, so what’s a little more? Besides, you shouldn’t go back to the USA without doing some sightseeing in Sweden. There are some cool stuff we can do here during winter.”Amy’s eyes widened with surprise, and th
Lucas woke up to the bright sunlight assaulting his eyes and the feel of a plump ass pressed against his groin.He groaned inwardly as he looked at the time. It was already past noon.He couldn’t believe he let Amy talk him into having sex for the second time.And then again this morning.Lucas sighed, running a hand over his face as the events of the past twelve hours replayed in his mind. He had no idea how Amy managed to seduce him so easily.Little nymph.He shifted slightly, trying not to wake her, but the feel of her bare skin against his sent a jolt through him. His cock stirred despite his better judgment.Get a grip, he scolded himself.Amy stirred, letting out a contented hum as she stretched lazily, pressing her body even closer to his. “Mmm, morning, Slut,” she murmured sleepily, her voice thick with satisfaction.Lucas groaned, burying his face in her hair. “It’s noon, and don’t call me that.”“Sorry. I shall call you Timmy’s Dad instead,” she muttered.Lucas sat up. “Tha
Amy had never been taken like this before - with such raw, animalistic intensity. It was overwhelming, all-consuming, obliterating every thought beyond the feel of him inside her, stretching her, claiming her.She could feel the coil of tension winding tighter and tighter in her core, threatening to snap at any moment. Her thighs began to quake, her walls fluttering around his thick length as he hit that sweet spot inside her again and again.“Lucas,” she gasped. “I’m… I’m going to…”“Not yet,” he commanded roughly, reaching between their sweat-slicked bodies to circle her clit with his thumb. “I want to feel you come on my cock. I want to watch you fall apart.”A strangled cry escaped her lips as she came.Lucas didn’t let up, pistoning into her with deep, powerful thrusts.“Oh god,” he rasped. “I can’t control myself.”With a guttural groan, he buried himself to the hilt one final time, finding his own release. She felt the hot spurts of his seed painting her inner walls as he shudd
The kiss caught Amy off guard, her eyes widening as their lips met. She froze for a split second before parting her lips and allowing him to slip his tongue inside.And oh, was she glad she did.Amy’s heart pounded in her chest as Lucas flipped her on her back and deepened the kiss, his hands moving to her waist, pulling her closer. It felt so good—the way his lips moved against hers, his weight pressing on her, the heat that spread through her body like wildfire.This was wrong. So wrong. She barely knew this man. They just met less than twenty-four hours ago!And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to make him stop.His fingers tightened on her waist, his touch possessive.Amy’s hands, which had been hovering awkwardly in the air, found their way to his shoulders, gripping tightly. Every rational thought screamed at her to push him away, to put an end to this madness, but her body refused to obey.When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their faces mere inches apart. Lucas’