"You know, you should really thank me," Mitch says as we merge onto the highway. I pause for a moment, trying to make sense of his words. "Thank you?" I ask, confusion settling in. "For taking you away from him. He hurt you," Mitch replies, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. "I saved you." I stare at him, my mind spinning. He can’t be serious, right? "He's never hurt me," I reply back, my voice strong. Mitch’s face twists with anger. He pulls out his phone and throws it onto my lap. A video plays on the screen—it's me, bent over Jace's desk, Jace behind me, hitting me with a ruler. "Watch," Mitch snarls. "I don’t want to watch," I snap, quickly turning the phone off. "He was clearly abusing you! I'd never do that!" Mitch hisses, his voice rising. "I would never hurt you like that!" "You hurt me, Mitch. You threw me against the lockers earlier," I counter, anger rising in my chest. Mitch turns his gaze towards me, even though he's still speeding down the highway.
Ryker approaches, laughing loudly at something Mitch said. His arm is slung around Mitch’s shoulders, hand firmly keeping him in place. “You’re hilarious, man!” Ryker exclaims, his voice too loud. Hannah quickly sidles up to me, turning us both toward the bartender. “Two glasses of your finest red, please,” she says in a sugary tone. The bartender nods as the boys reach us, still laughing. My nerves are on edge. My brother is watching us. And Mitch is- His hand suddenly lands on my waist. “Are you drinking?” His voice has an odd tone. I glance over my shoulder at him, brow raised. “Yes? We’re out,” I reply, puzzled. “One glass. It’s not classy to drink too much,” Mitch declares, chin raised in some fake superiority. I don’t respond. The glass is placed in front of me, and I drink half in one go. Mitch leans against the bar, close enough for me to feel the heat from his body. He glances past me. “Did you know they’d be here?” he hisses, his fingers brushing over my bare arm, se
I nod, my heart aching. I want to stay. I want to lose myself in this moment with Jace. I want the rest of the world to fall away. Jace carefully opens the door, nodding to a man who is peeing, and pulls me out. The man looks at me and grins knowingly, and I roll my eyes at him. I can't stop the joy in my body from coming out. Even a disgusting encounter as this is funny to me. A woman waits for the female restroom in the hallway, and Jace pushes me past her without a word. I smile apologetically at her, my cheeks flushed, as I walk back toward the bar, trying to calm my racing heart. The entire encounter with Jace lasted less than thirty seconds, but my world has just shifted completely. Mason is with two male friends and Amanda, happily laughing and ignoring me. The group is talking amicably with each other. Mitch is surprisingly loud, high as a kite, and Ryker is feeding into it. Shots line the table, and Ryker forces one down Mitch's throat, cheering when he finishes it. Hanna
He wasn't wrong. The forest path is pitchblack, with no lights on either side, and I'm surprised the driver is still driving at such a high speed. Slowly, the house comes into view. A few lights glow on the porch, but the curtains behind the glass walls and sliding doors obscure the living room completely. The green Aston Martin sits in the driveway alongside Jace's Porsche and Lamborghini. They’re parked like trophies, and I shake my head at Mason, who took Jace's car here. They must’ve hailed a taxi into town. The car slows to a stop, and the driver wipes his forehead as he glances at the clock. He beams with happiness. "Two minutes earlier than expected!" "Well done. I felt very safe," I say with a smile. The door slides open again, and he waves. “Let me know if you need another ride, milady. You’ve been great company.” I nod, stepping out into the cool night air. Sudden nerves invade me. I bite my lip in anticipation as I slowly walk to the door. My spine tingles with a mix
“Not the couch,” I protest seriously. Jace’s loud laugh rumbles through the room. ithout a second thought, he sweeps everything off the coffee table with a single, powerful kick. “Hmm, maybe tables can be our thing, then,” he teases in my ear, his voice dripping with mischief. He lowers me down and finally undoes the straps of my dress. "And kitchen islands," he whispers, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of my neck. "Desks. The grass outside…" Jace’s voice trails off as the dress slips from my shoulders. I’m left in my dark green bra, and his gaze lingers, dark with desire. “I fucking love this thing,” he murmurs, eyes fixated on the fabric as though it’s a piece of art. “Unfortunately, it’s coming off,” I say with mock sadness. “I’ll miss you,” he whispers to my bra, giving it a reverent nod, and I can’t help but giggle. His arm snakes around my back, undoing the clasp with a single fluid motion. “Mr. Adkins, so naughty,” I tease, feigning innocence. “Naughty isn
Jace returns with two steaming cups and places one on the nightstand behind me. "Tea," he says, noticing my curious look. "Ever the romantic," I yawn as the comforting scent of lavender fills my nose. "Only for my fair maiden," Jace replies, sliding into bed beside me. Without hesitation, his hands pull me close. He leans against the headboard and fits me snugly against his body. My head rests on his chest, an arm lazily draped around him. The covers end at my waist as his fingers trace gentle patterns on my back, his lips pressing a tender kiss to the top of my head. "I'm glad you're here," he murmurs into my hair. "Me too," I sigh, letting my body sink into his warmth. After a moment, his tone changes, slightly more serious. "What happened with him? Did Mitch try to kiss you?" His fingers tense against my back. I’m too tired to react the same way, so I just mumble, "He’s tried, but he hasn’t succeeded. Did you have someone follow me?" He hesitates before admitting, "I may h
He seems taken aback by my compliment and stares at me for a few seconds, his eyes honest and open. “It all led me to you—so I can’t possibly wish for it to be different. My foster parents just taught me to protect the ones I love.” Jace’s hands tighten slightly on my waist. “You… love?” I ask, sliding closer, my lips barely a breath away from his. His smirk turns devilish. “There’s one little monster I love. And she’s currently sitting on me very seductively.” I giggle, wrapping my arms around his neck. My nails drag lightly over his skin, making goosebumps rise in their wake. “If I’m a monster,” I whisper in his ear, “then what does that make you?” He shivers under my touch. "Why don't we get rid of those clothes on your body and find out?" Jace asks as he slides my body fully against his. His dick is hard, and presses against me suggestively. I giggle again. I hear the door opening, and I automatically look to the side, my arms still around Jace. Shock hits me like ice wate
"Murderous" doesn't even begin to cover my mood. All night, I've been thinking of ways to kill Jace. My supposed best friend. Backstabbing asshole. He used my little sister. Rage burns in my veins as I pull up to his driveway. It’s not a feeling that will ever fade. I'm sure of it. The Ashton Martin in the same spot where I left it, and I hate myself for ever driving it. All the signs... All the jokes, the touches, the weird behaviour.. It was all because he was fucking my baby sister. Jace opens the door as I cut the engine, and we lock eyes. He sighs heavily, but says nothing. Asshole. He walks back inside, leaving the door open for me. I want to rip it off its hinges and hurl it at him, but instead, I slam it behind me, the force rattling the windows. My fists clench reflexively at the sight of him, my whole body tight with fury. He sets a cup of coffee on the kitchen island in front of me, like some sort of peace offering. I almost hurl it at his head. “What’s your intenti
My fingers slide through the stack of papers frantically. I know exactly what I’m looking for. I also know I don’t have much time. The words blur as I skim the first line of each page, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs. It always does when I do this. But I force myself to push past the panic and focus. My knees burn against the rough carpet, and my ankles are twisted awkwardly—positioned so I can spring up at a moment’s notice. The second I hear the door creak open, my eyes land on the document I need. In one swift motion, I yank it from the drawer—just as I rip a button from my shirt. The tiny black button pops off, almost vanishing somewhere on the floor, at the same time I shove the stolen paper beneath the desk. “Nora?” Shit. I jump up too fast, smacking my head against the mahogany desk with a painful thud. “Da—OUCH!” “Nora, are you okay?” Dave’s voice is too close. A second later, he’s hauling me up, concern in his expression. I quickly clutch the missing button
I’m nervous. And I have every right to be. Slowly, I step out of my car, careful not to make a sound as my shoes touch the gravel. My coat feels like a layer of protection I’m peeling away, leaving me vulnerable. My shoes feel like lead as I take them off by the door. I really considered just going home. Spending the evening with Mason. Pushing the inevitable drama to another day. But I can’t. I move cautiously through the house, my steps almost hesitant as I make my way to the kitchen. Fuck. Jace is going to be so— "You stole my fucking client?!" I flinch. Jace storms toward me, and instinct takes over—I dart behind the kitchen island, putting it between us like a shield. "You didn’t call them back yesterday! And I had a better deal!" I yell, my voice high with genuine fear. "I didn’t call them back because I was too busy fucking you!" Jace snaps, his anger raw, sharp, and directed at me. Not a pretty sight. "You made that decision!" I shoot back, though my voice cracks. M
I stare at him in disbelief as the class filters out. Hannah nudges me from behind, snorting loudly before the door clicks shut behind her. Silence settles between us. I remain standing in the middle of the room, gripping my bag tightly. He’s still seated at his desk, his gaze raking over me, but for once, his expression gives nothing away. “Come here,” he orders finally, his voice low, commanding. The one that demands obedience. I hesitate for two seconds before slowly walking toward him. My bag slides from my shoulder, landing on the desk beside his with a dull thud. His eyes scan me with deliberate slowness, like a predator devouring prey, before he rolls back in his chair. “Bend over my desk.” My stomach clenches. I glance at the door. Someone might— “Now.” I listen. Turning away from him, I lean forward, my palms pressing into the cold, hard wood of his desk. My short skirt barely covers my ass, which he now has full sight iff.. My grip tightens on the desk’s edge as my
“I don’t know yet, Sir,” I answer instead. His eyes narrow, clearly displeased with my response. “Come up here,” he orders. I plead mentally. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to stand in front of the class with everyone’s eyes on me. I want to stay in my seat, in my safe space. My eyes go wide, silently begging for mercy. “Did your ears stop working?” Jace asks, completely unfazed. I let out a deep sigh, forcing myself to stand. My jaw clenches as I make my way to the old-fashioned board, picking up a tiny piece of chalk. From the corner of my eye, I already see Jace moving closer. He stops beside me, too close, and reads out the long, mind-numbing problem. By the time he reaches the last word, I’ve already forgotten the second to last. He doesn’t repeat himself. He just watches me, waiting. The tension is suffocating, horrible. I'm about to choke. He knows exactly what he’s doing. “Remembered that?” he taunts, his voice low. Slowly, I turn to face him. His dark eyes gl
”Shut the fuck up.” I almost roll my eyes. Jace stands at the front of the room, looking grumpy and too hot for his own good. He tosses his laptop, phone, and keys onto his desk like they don’t mean a thing. They land on the battered math book. Battered because of me. I accidentally spilled my caramel coffee over it this morning—right after our fight about my internship. Which was great timing. It made us late and pissed Jace off even more than he already was. ”Why do you always swear at us?” Brent asks, his voice too loud. I barely hold in a snort. Not that it matters. I don’t make a sound, but Jace knows exactly what’s going on in my head. He doesn’t look at me, though. He doesn’t have to. He’s going to break first. My internship is still a sore point in our relationship. That got worse when I found out that Jace cancelled my internship at Blackwood. It got even worse when I cancelled my internship at his company. I called Blackwood, and they told me they still have a spot f
“And you're sure the threat is dealt with?” Mason asks, doubt lacing his voice. “Believe me, it's done,” Jace replies from beside me. “Mitch's body was found in his house after it burned down. His parents are the main suspects, and they conveniently disappeared. Case closed.” “I can't believe they tried to kill Nora,” Ryker murmurs, eyebrows raised. I glance at him. He's sitting next to Hannah, holding a glass of gin, sprawled out on his plush pink towel. He doesn’t look entirely out of place, but I can tell he’s a little freaked out by the presence of two teachers. The cave is empty. It's just us here, which is surprising given that summer break has just begun. The sun is dipping lower, casting a golden glow over the water. We arrived not long ago, carrying towels and still-warm food. “Well, we did sort of kill their son,” Esme points out helpfully. “After he tried to kill Li. Again,” Mason says, shaking his head in disbelief. “What can I say? I’m not easy to kill,” I joke, fei
His wife screams. It's deafening, piercing through the room even as my ears ring from the gunshots. The sound is too much, making everyone flinch. Jace doesn’t hesitate. He snatches the fallen gun from the floor, his movements swift and precise, and aims it at the woman. There’s no remorse on his face—only cold calculation. His only thought: protect the ones he loves. BAM The second shot shatters the air. I flinch involuntarily, but I can’t look away. He shoots her through the heart. Blood erupts from her chest, staining her blouse in an instant. Her body jerks against the wall, wide eyes filled with disbelief. The tears that had welled in her gaze remain frozen there as she collapses, lifeless. In one fluid motion, Jace disables the gun, removes the magazine, and tosses the pieces onto the floor. “Fuck,” Mason mutters, taking in the scene. Jace remains unfazed. He takes two steps toward me, his expression still void of warmth. With one arm, he hauls me upright, his sharp e
He laughs here, his eyes so friendly. Just a normal guy. A kind person—someone who seems nothing but sweet. Looks can be so deceiving. I stare at the missing poster of Mitch for too long. I know I do. I can feel two pairs of eyes burning into me. I don’t know what to say. They practically dragged me into a small office at the back of the building. No windows, only one door. There’s no way out of here for me. No one knows where I am. “You were his girlfriend.” I look at his mother. Her voice is soft and timid, yet there’s an accusing edge to it. “It wasn’t that serious yet,” I say, keeping my voice level and calm. “He said you were official. For quite a while,” she responds, her tone pointed. “We were only dating for a few days, I—” “A few days? Don’t lie. You were with our son for almost a year until he disappeared,” his father cuts in, his voice sharp. I turn my gaze to him. A stocky man with a square face and thick brows. He looks nothing like Mitch. Neither of them has t
I wake up to the warm pressure of a head between my legs. A slow, deliberate tongue glides over my clit, teasing, stroking, sending lazy waves of pleasure through my still-drowsy body. Jace’s hands grip my hips, holding me in place as he lounges against the bed like he has all the time in the world. “Jace,” I murmur, my voice husky with sleep, my mind still catching up to what I’m feeling. “Good morning, baby,” he replies, his words muffled against my skin. “You couldn’t stop yourself?” I ask, my breath hitching as his fingers slide up the inside of my thigh. “Just making sure we start our last day of the school year in the best way possible,” he says smoothly, slipping a finger inside me. A sharp gasp escapes my lips. My back arches as a rush of heat blooms deep in my core. And then, his lips wrap around my clit, sucking with just the right amount of pressure, pushing me straight into oblivion. It takes him less than two minutes to make me fall apart. Exactly twenty seconds in