When his eyes land on me, they flicker to my bag, then back up. I frown, but quickly notice him tapping his phone, the sound sharp and deliberate. I narrow my eyes at him. I don’t trust him—not for a second. The moment I pull out my phone, he’s going to call me out and put me in detention. He narrows his eyes back, his warning clear. He taps his phone again, louder this time. I bite my lip, considering my next move. Our intense eye contact is broken by Lina who steps in front of me. Her eyes widen when she sees my grade, and she drops it on my desk with a glance toward Hannah's test. Mine has a big question mark next to my score—like he can't believe it. I hold back a laugh. I look over at Hannah's, who has the same grade as me, and scowl. Good job! - It's written next to her test with a red marker. Hannah looks at my paper, snorting quietly. I pull out my still brand new phone. -Jace: Drive to the forest path behind school after class. I suck on my teeth in thought. -Norali
The vibrations intensify when Jace groans against my skin, and I press my clit against his fingers, consumed by the urgent need building inside me. I need this. I need him. The ache is so intense it feels like it might break me. I’m in a frenzy, my nails digging into Jace's skin, as I feel an overwhelming wave coming. I hold onto it, summoning it faster, pushing his fingers deeper. I moan in his ear, whispering words I don’t fully understand, but they feel like a mantra, desperate and raw. I lose all sense of time and space when Jace slides a finger inside me, pressing his thumb down. It’s like I’m falling off a cliff, the fall so fast and intense I think it might swallow me whole. It’s a death I welcome. My entire body locks up, muscles tightening as my orgasm crashes over me. I cling to Jace for support, riding out the waves of pleasure, barely aware of anything else. Still in the haze of my high, Jace pulls back, his zipper sounding too loud in the quiet space. My senses are
"You're always welcome at my office. It’d be good to see you," Jace says, his voice kind. A few moments of silence pass. "My scotch is always waiting for another drinker. Next time, I'll treat you to the best you've ever tasted," he adds, his hand resting gently on my bare knee. "I’ll bring my girlfriend next week. You should bring your wife. We can go out for dinner," he suggests next. I almost slam on the brakes. He hangs up after a polite goodbye. "Jace!" I exclaim loudly. "You can't tell people we're dating! And besides, you're not taking me anywhere next week. We need to be careful." "Who says I was talking about you?" His voice is serious. I gasp, my hand instinctively reaching for his chest. He catches it midair with a laugh, kissing my knuckles and holding my hand on his knee. "Don’t worry. The guy’s as stupid as they come. We'll slap some red lipstick on you, do something different with your hair, give you a different name. Even if he sees you the next day, he won’t
Mind & Heart by Tristan Barton plays softly, the melancholy melody filling the car. I lift my hand, gently placing a finger under Jace’s chin, guiding his face toward me. His eyes, once brimming with confidence and arrogance, are now sunken and haunted. In this moment, he’s not the Jace Adkins I know—the bold, self-assured man—but a lost little boy, burdened by the pain of visiting the graves of parents who were stolen from him. Pain. Fear. Anger. Emotions he shouldn’t have to bear swirl in his gaze, and my chest tightens at the sight. “You’re not alone, Jace,” I whisper, my voice soft but steady. His eyes search mine, filled with a silent, desperate plea for reassurance. “You’re doing the right thing,” I promise, squeezing his hand gently. A breath escapes him, his shoulders relaxing just slightly. His fingers tighten around mine, and his eyes soften, a flicker of gratitude breaking through the storm of his emotions. “Yes,” he finally says, his voice low and strained. “It’ll be
“Jace,” I breathe against his lips, my voice trembling with the intensity of the moment. “You’re being so careful with me.” His lips curl into a soft smirk as his hand trails down my body, sending a shiver racing along my skin. With deliberate slowness, he hooks a finger beneath my panties, sliding them down my legs as if savoring every second. He kisses my neck, the warmth of his breath igniting a fire deep within me, before carelessly tossing my lacy red underwear behind him. “I want to make love to you,” Jace murmurs, his voice a velvety promise against my skin. The words hit me like a thunderclap, leaving me momentarily breathless. My fingers find their way into his hair, tangling in the dark strands, as I hook a leg around his body, pulling him closer. “You don’t make love,” I whisper, my tone a mixture of challenge and disbelief. My hand slides down his chest, over the taut muscles, and lower still. My breath hitches as I brush against the hard dick of him, my thumb stroking
Jace hums softly and kisses my temple as he grabs a pair of sweatpants from the closet. The house is bathed in darkness, the only light filtering in from the garden outside. I tiptoe into the kitchen, wincing as the fridge casts a blinding glare when I open it. I quickly shut it after grabbing the eggs and bacon, but an unmistakable presence prickles the air around me. “Maybe it’s time we move those boxes here,” Jace says casually. I freeze, unsure I’ve heard him correctly. Turning to face him, I see him watching me, his expression unreadable but intent, like he’s waiting for my reaction. “What do you mean?” I ask sharply. “Well…” He starts carefully, his voice steady, “you practically live here already. Might as well move in fully.” The eggs and bacon tremble in my hands as I place them softly on the marble counter. The dim kitchen feels heavy, the air thick with unspoken words. I tilt my head at Jace, narrowing my eyes. I didn't hear that right. “Are you asking me to move in
A flash of Mitch’s face fills my mind—the machete swinging toward my head, the deafening crack of a gunshot ringing out. “No,” I mumble, the word barely audible. Jace sighs heavily and runs a hand through his damp hair, his frustration palpable. “Next time, it could be a burglar. Who knows what could happen?” TThere’s fear in his voice, and I know it’s even more potent now after he visited his parents’ grave. They were shot in their own home, after all. The weight of that memory lingers between us. I set my half-empty plate on the coffee table and take Jace’s empty one from his hands, placing it beside mine. Wrapping the blanket around us, I cuddle against him. He pulls me close instinctively, releasing a soft sigh as he feels the warmth of my body. “You can go home tomorrow,” Jace concedes at last, his voice low. “But only if Mason is there. Just for safety.” I nod against his chest, accepting the compromise for now. “As for my internship—” “I can’t let you go somewhere else,
Mason screams something back, his voice shocked and angry, and I grin under my blanket. My door creaks open, and the bed dips under a heavy weight sinking into the mattress beside me. “Jace?” I mumble into the darkness. “No,” he replies instantly, his voice playful. “I’m a dream.” “What are you doing here?” I ask, my body too relaxed to move. His hands glide over me with a gentleness that sends a shiver down my spine. I’m too comfortable to push him away. “Just fulfilling my teacherly duties,” Jace murmurs, pulling me closer. “Gotta make sure my favorite student is alright.” I suppress a smirk and let out an exaggerated huff. “You’re unbelievable.” “Believe me, baby,” he sighs, his hand tracing my back in slow, deliberate strokes. His lips brush against the curve of my neck, and my body sinks deeper into the mattress. As his hand presses into my skin with firm precision, my thoughts scatter under the expert touch. “You can’t ask a man to stay away from his woman, Norali,” 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