I missed half of my first class, so I don't even bother going in. Instead, I wait outside my next class, lost in thought. "I'm so happy, Jace. It's great to hear you're staying with us," I hear Sarah, our principal, say, pulling me from my daydreams. I glance up to see her walking with Jace, his eyes already locked on me. "I'll stay as long as I can," Jace replies with a respectful nod, all gentleman-like. "Norali! What are you doing here?" Sarah asks, noticing me, her expression confused. "I... I was late. Missed my first class," I admit with an apologetic smile. She tuts disapprovingly. "You're never late." Before I can reply, Mason rounds the corner, instantly spotting us. His face hardens even more. "That's not like you at all, Nora," Sarah continues, shaking her head. "You can blame me for that," Mason calls out, drawing both their attention. "Mason?! I was wondering why there were students wandering around. It’s exam week; you shouldn’t miss any classes," Sarah scolds.
By the time Math class rolls around, I'm a tightly wound ball of nerves. Every time Mitch gets close, my skin crawls, and all I want to do is swat him away like a fly. He's constantly touching me, wrapping an arm around my waist, and keeping me away from my friends. He's also inserting himself into every conversation, trying to play the role of Mr. Popular. Ryker and Brent awkwardly laugh at his stories about the weekend, but it’s painfully obvious they’re uncomfortable. Mitch either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, bragging nonstop about all the hot girls while keeping his grip on me. It's fucking torture. Finally, Jace rounds the corner, and I can’t stop the relieved sigh that escapes me. It's like a god walking in to save me from hell. He’s talking to Simon and doesn't even glance our way, but just seeing him makes my entire body relax. God, he’s hot. Jace walks with his usual confident stride, an arrogant smirk that only makes him look more perfect. He's carrying his laptop, p
"Yup. He'll be out within seconds. No suspicious wounds or concussions," Jace replies, a hint of pride in his voice. "Why do you even have that?" Mason asks, narrowing his eyes. "For situations like these," Jace says, gesturing to all three of us. "That's so-" The doorbell rings. Loudly. "Go!" I hiss, pushing Jace toward my brother. They quickly crouch behind the couch, and I adjust the cushions to hide them better. The doorbell rings again, and I sigh, steeling myself. "I want you out as soon as this is over," Mason mutters behind me. I smack the couch in warning and rush to open the door, revealing Mitch standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers. "Uh, hi," I say, forcing a smile. "Hi, love," Mitch replies, stepping into the house. It feels like I'm inviting the devil in—just not the one I want. "These are for you, beautiful lady," he says, offering me the roses. "Thanks, that's... sweet," I reply, trying not to look toward the couch where Jace and Mason are hi
“Pictures of our car, our house, you in class, you shopping, you at Hannah's house... He's really stalking you,” Mason mutters, his eyes on the phone as Jace scrolls. “Should we go to the police?” I suggest, the anxiety rising in my chest. “Let’s not make an official report,” Jace responds, more focused than worried. I nod, my head spinning slightly as I try to process everything. “The video’s gone. I’ve checked every app,” Jace adds as he pulls something out of his pocket. “I’m just going to install something on here.” He holds up a small device, attaching it to Mitch’s phone via a lead. I frown but trust him. “What about his hard drive?” I ask. Jace’s eyes soften when he looks up at me, almost tender despite the situation. “There are some friends of mine at his house right now,” he says casually. I frown harder. “What?” “They’re erasing everything. It’s all gone. These guys are the best at what they do. That video is erased from existence,” he promises, his voice i
Mitch doesn't show up the next day. Or the next. Or even the day after. Jace is still keeping his distance, and Mason still parks his car as far from Jace's as possible. Every night, I get another lecture about ending things with Jace, but I only half-listen. I've told Hannah everything, and now she avoids Mason like the plague. I ace my English exam, but my business one was just okay—not that I care much. I can’t stop biting my nails. Mitch has to be somewhere. He didn’t just vanish from the face of the earth. “Maybe he’s sick?” Hannah suggests, sitting beside me as I stare at the door, waiting for Mitch to reappear. “Maybe he’s dead?” Ryker chimes in helpfully, his arm slung around Hannah’s shoulders. I groan and drop my head onto my knees. The grass tickles my fingers as I drag them through it, feeling the nerves coil tighter inside me. “Something's wrong. I can feel it,” I mutter into my knees. “What’s the worst he can do?” Ryker shrugs, completely unbothered. I wish I coul
We drive along the highway for what feels like hours until Jace finally takes an exit that leads into a small town. I frown at the sight of the distant, sparsely spaced houses. I’ve never been here before. “Where exactly are we going?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. “Up in the mountains,” Jace replies, his voice filled with a sense of mystery. “The mountains?” I repeat, turning to face him. Ahead of us, towering snowy peaks rise against the horizon, their rocky sides jagged and steep. The landscape looks barren, like nothing could survive out here. “With a big bath,” Jace adds, a mischievous glint in his eye. My cheeks immediately redden. “I didn’t bring any of my things,” I say, glancing back at him. “I’ve got you covered,” he replies with a smirk as he nods over his shoulder. There's a big weekend bag on the backseat. I roll my eyes. Mr. Control Freak. As we drive higher into the mountains, the road narrows. The path is barely wide enough for Jace’s car, and the sheer drops on
He comes in my mouth, filling it completely, the taste salty and strange but somehow intoxicating in this heated moment. I swallow quickly, savoring the intensity of it, before glancing up at him. His eyes are closed, his body still tense, hands braced against the wall as if to steady himself. His expression is utterly peaceful, serene, and it’s a breathtaking sight—one I take pride in knowing I caused. I did that. Slowly, he opens his eyes, the sound of the shower cascading around us, creating a private cocoon. He gazes down at me with an intensity that makes my stomach flip before he reaches for me, lifting me effortlessly, pushing me back against the cool tiles of the shower wall. "Oh my god," he whispers, breathless, his forehead pressing against mine. "I think I just died." I smile, eyes fluttering shut as the moment wraps around us like the steam in the air. "I fucking love you. So much," he says, his voice thick with emotion, and it hits me deep. "I still can't believe you'
"Do you think we can keep doing this for another year?" I ask, lying down on the ultra-soft blanket in front of Jace, staring at the fire. His hands immediately entangle in my hair, massaging my scalp softly. I’m in one of Jace’s shirts, nothing else. He’s wearing sweatpants, also nothing else. "What do you mean?" he asks, his voice distant as his gaze remains fixed on the fire. "You being my teacher, and us pretending nothing’s going on. Ignoring each other at school," I clarify, trying to suppress a moan under his expert touch. “We’re doing it now. A year’s nothing,” Jace responds with a casual shrug. “Besides,” he adds, "your internship is next year, and you’ll be doing it at my company. That’s half a year where you’ll be with me—no prying eyes.” I snort. "There’s no way I’m doing my internship at your office." His head dips down, lips brushing my shoulder. "We’ll see." "No, we won’t. I’m not doing it," I reply, my tone soft but firm. "What if I promise you something you can’
”You are so perfect,” he whispers. I turn my head slightly, letting my wavy hair cascade over my shoulder. “Are you going to use me?” His hand smacks my ass—hard. A sharp gasp escapes me as he grips my hips, holding me firmly in place. His eyes darken, filled with complete control. “I’m going to do so much to you.” He falls down on his knees, his face instantly on level with my- He licks me without any warning. My back arches on instinct, and his hands grip my thighs to keep me in place. His tongue softly strokes over me, pressing down with delicious pressure. I moan softly, but my attention spikes when Jace suddenly stands up, cutting this moment way too short. I frown. Normally he doesn't do this. Normally he makes sure I'm.. Taken care of. A shiver runs through me as he unzips himself, the sound sending my heartbeat into overdrive. No matter how many times we do this, my body always reacts to him like it’s the first time. Then, without warning, he spits down. The wet heat o
My eyes widen. Surely, he can’t mean—right here? There are students, parents, and teachers everywhere. Some are still gaping at us, their eyes locked on our close proximity. “Because of obvious reasons,” I reply, my heart pounding. Anxiety skitters down my spine. “Those obvious reasons are in the past, aren’t they?” Jace counters smoothly, a powerful glint in his eyes. He stands tall, confident, like he owns the entire world—and right now, I feel like a part of it belongs to him. “People are staring,” I say with a shaky chuckle. “Don’t you think—” “Let’s not think for now,” he cuts me off, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. I’m about to fucking die. “But, Ja—” His lips crash onto mine, his hands cradling my face with a possessive intensity that steals the breath from my lungs. One hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me in place as if he’s afraid I might disappear. Every thought I had scatters. Gasps echo around us. I know people are watching, snapping pictu
Lina and Charlotte sit a few rows ahead of us, practically bouncing with excitement when their names are called. They stride up to the stage confidently, shaking Mason’s hand with bright smiles. Lina falters slightly when she reaches Jace—just as everyone before her has—but he surprises her with a rare, warm smile. He’s unusually cheerful today. And why wouldn’t he be? After years of secrecy, of stolen touches and hidden glances, we can finally be together. No more sneaking around, no more careful distance. We can go on dates in our own town, drive somewhere without fear of being seen, even post pictures if we want to. That, and if our plan works, the man Jace hates most in this world—my boss—is going to jail. Suddenly, Hannah stands next to me. Dazed, I quickly rise to my feet, realizing I was lost in a daydream again. The stage looms closer as I step forward. My gaze finds Jace, the light of my life, and I see him watching me as I approach. Grace is first. She’s as icy as eve
I twirl in front of the mirror, admiring the way my dark green dress clings to my body. It’s elegant, timeless, and fits me like a dream. Jace picked it. Of course, he did. Behind me, Hannah grins in her own soft silver dress. It’s similar to mine in cut, except mine dips low at the back, while hers teases just enough cleavage to turn heads. Ryker bought it for her with his first paycheck, and she’s been saving it for this moment. “I can’t believe it’s over,” Lina sighs, staring off into space from where she sits on the bed. “Four years of hard work. Just like that, it’s done.” Her red dress, red lipstick, and perfectly manicured red nails make her look sharper, more confident than the Lina I met years ago. Back then, she was shy, insecure—nothing like the woman she is now. She’s still single, but only because she chooses to be. With a new date every other night, she’s thriving. “Tell me about it,” Charlotte murmurs, rubbing a hand over her stomach. “It’s insane how much can chan
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