"Can you slow down?!" I exclaim, my lungs burning."You’re the one who wanted to go for a hike," Jace calls back over his shoulder. I bend over, hands on my knees, completely out of breath. "I said a walk, not a hike! Gods, I’m so out of shape. And sore. What am I even doing?" I blow my hair out of my face, staring down at the forest floor. The sun has broken through the clouds, warming everything around us. The mist is gone, replaced by natural heat, and I wipe sweat from my brow. "We’re almost there," Jace says, turning around with ease, not even winded. "You’ve said that ten times," I bite out with a sigh. "That’s because you’ve stopped ten times in the last mile." He laughs, pointing ahead. "But we really are almost there." I shake my head and follow him, dragging my feet and regretting my life choices. Then, the forest opens up—and I gasp. We’re at the edge of the lake. It’s bright blue, perfectly still, and probably icy cold, but that doesn’t matter. I strip off my shirt
"I have some bad news, princess," Jace says as he pulls on his shirt. "What?" I pause mid-movement, clutching my shirt to my chest. His eyes flicker down to my bra before he looks back up with a smirk. "We have to walk back up to the house." My face falls, and I glance up at the steep mountain we descended earlier. Of course, we have to climb back. My legs already feel like jelly. The hike back is absolute torture. From the moment we leave the lake, every step is an horrendous, excruciating reminder of my psychical unfitness. My legs burn, my heart races, and my pace is so slow that Jace sometimes sits on fallen trees, waiting for me to catch up, grinning like it’s nothing to him. Not a drop of sweat on him. It’s so unfair. By the time we finally make it to the top, the orange Lamborghini looks like a mirage of salvation. I can't walk anymore. Not even to have a shower. I collapse against a tree, sipping water while Jace packs our stuff into the car. It's dark now, the day fadin
A faint scream pierces the air, distinct and not belonging to Mitch. Then, a gunshot erupts, its deafening blast drowning my senses. Time seems to stop. My vision focuses on Mitch as he falters, blood spurting from a bullet wound in his skull. There's blood all over me. There's blood on the walls, and there's blood on the floor around me. The life drains from his face, and he stands for a brief moment before collapsing beside me. His body hits the floor, and the machete clatters against my skin. Mason steps into view. I turn to look at him, my eyes blinking slowly like I'm going to pass out. His arm is twisted at an unnatural angle, and there's pure shock, adrenaline, anger and fury on his face. He looks utterly lost, the gun Jace gave him shaking in his grip as reality sets in. “Jace,” I mutter weakly, my tongue thick. “Call Jace.” Mason’s eyes lock onto mine, darting between my face and my blood-soaked body. He’s trembling, unable to process what he’s seeing. I try to blink awa
"I have to tell you guys something," I sigh, exhaling slowly, a few days later. We’re all sitting outside beneath the sprawling branches of an old tree, my back pressed against the trunk. A fresh bandage wraps snugly around my waist—a reminder of recent events. Doctors have been in and out of Jace's house daily, checking up on Mason, Esme, and me. They finally cleared me, declaring I was fine, though not without protest. Jace and Mason practically yelled when I told them I was returning to school. Those two are best buddies again, much to my annoyance. Their overprotectiveness has reached new heights. They even drove me to school this morning, taking the entire car ride to lecture me on safety—who to call, what to watch out for, what to do in every conceivable situation. They didn’t notice the earbuds I’d discreetly popped in halfway through their sermon. My fingers trace the fabric of my blue dress absently. Mason and I haven’t been home yet. We’ve been staying at Jace’s house, w
"He probably ran away the second you broke up with him," Hannah says, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You broke up with him?" Brent asks, narrowing his eyebrows. His gaze shifts briefly to Ryker, who’s watching the exchange like a hawk. "Yeah," I answer, keeping my tone casual. "It didn’t work out." "Fuck me, the guy is weird," Charlotte calls out, loud enough to carry across the room. "Psychopath. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ran away. School’s better off without him." Charlotte, I love you so much. "He wanted to rape the girls that were with us on the night out," Brent says, his eyes flicking to Ryker. The room falls silent, everyone hanging on the words. A few girls gasp in disgust. Even Jace doesn’t stop it—he watches, letting this unfold for our benefit. My benefit. After all, Mitch was killed in my house. By my brother. "Yeah," Ryker agrees from a few seats down. "There’s something wrong with him, man. He reminds me of a serial killer—the kind where you’re not even surpri
"Why? She's the principal, and your employer. She could fire you or expel me. Don’t you think it’s best to keep this hidden as well as we can?" I demand, unease crackling through me. The thought of people finding out sends a shiver of fear down my spine. We need to be more careful—this could ruin everything. "We don’t know what she’ll say. You’re presuming things," Jace replies, arching an eyebrow at me. "I’m presuming things because we’re teacher and student. We’re not allowed to be together. How is this not making sense to you?" My voice edges into a snap, frustration bubbling over. My life could be over. What if she goes to the police? What if she notifies the parents of all the students? Mason cuts in before Jace can respond. "She should know, Li. She has a right to. It’s better if she hears it from us before any gossip gets to her. If she knows, she can control the narrative." I look between them, incredulous. Mason and Jace—united in their stubbornness. Of course. "Fine,"
She nods once. "I'll think about it." We step out of Sarah's suffocating office, and I exhale heavily, my shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "That was easy," Jace remarks, his hand still wrapped around mine. I shake my head silently. Easy for him. I'm ready for a warm bath and an even warmer blanket. At the hallway's end, Jace halts me. His expression shifts to something practical, focused. "We need to go. Li, you take the Aston Martin. It's parked at the back," he says, handing me the key. I nod, confused but compliant. "Am I going to your house? When is ours ready?" I ask, glancing at Mason, who stays silent. Jace shifts slightly, his tone measured. "Yes, you're staying at mine. Cleaning up the mess in your house takes time, and I want it done right." I nod again, though my stomach churns. I haven’t even talked to Mason about Mason. I glance at him, seeking reassurance, but his guarded expression gives nothing away. "Can Hannah come over?" I ask Jace hesitantly. His brow arche
"The house is still being cleaned. And Humphrey is still at the vet," I finally say, my voice low. The girls remain quiet. I glance at Esme. She’s staring at her full cup of tea, which Hannah has just refilled. She takes a shaky breath before looking up, her voice trembling as she begins. "He came the evening after you left." My throat goes dry, and I swallow heavily. "We had the garden door open. It was warm, and Mason kept going outside to smoke every fifteen minutes," she says, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She glances at me, a slight twinkle of humour appearing. "He was worried and angry, you see." I bite my lip, guilt weighing heavy in my chest. Esme’s expression darkens as she continues. "Mitch just walked into the house—like he owned it. He appeared in the living room, holding a machete, and asked for you, Nora." My stomach churns, a sickening knot forming inside me. "Mason lost it. He started pushing him out, yelling at him to leave, but Mitch..." He
”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