My head snaps up in shock. WHAT. THE. FUCK? "Who is that?!" Norali’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and tense. She’s heard the woman in my house. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. "That's Arabella." I say to my girl, my focus fixed on the door. My pulse quickens as I feel Norali tense beneath me. "What is she doing here?" Her voice is tight, angry. And who could blame her? I’d be pissed too if I was about to lose my virginity and someone barged in, ruining the moment. Hell, I’m more furious than she is. I was about to finally have her, my student. Finally. "JACE!" "For fuck's sake," I whisper in pure desperation. My jaw clenches as I sag back down against Norali’s warm, naked body. My head dips into the crook of her neck, desperate for the comfort of her scent, the softness of her skin. The ache inside me grows. I can feel her heartbeat against me—steady, unlike the chaos in my head. But she’s not having it. She pushes my shoulder firmly. "Get rid of her, Jace. She can’t know I’m h
I won’t lose her. There’s no way I’m letting that happen. I just need to be more careful. What the hell was I thinking, parading her around the office? At least I’ve got dirt on everyone there. Not a single one of them would dare breathe a word about me... or her.They don't care anyway, that I'm fucking a student. I push the door to my bedroom open, my hands gripping a stack of papers, and the sight of her naked on my bed nearly knocks the wind out of me. Fuck. Slowly, I walk over, my blood heating just knowing she’s here, wrapped in my sheets. I hate being touched, always have. But her touch... God, her touch. It’s like she knows every secret inch of me. My hand finds her hip, her skin warm and soft beneath the covers, and I exhale, letting the warmth calm me for a second. "Norali." My voice barely a whisper. Wake up. No, she needs to sleep. She has had a big day. "Norali." I whisper again. No, let her sleep. But please wake up. I run my hand down her stomach, savoring the s
I wake up to the smell of coffee. What a perfect way to start the day. Stretching out, I feel the softness of the sheets against my bare skin and then the realization hits. Oh god. I almost had sex with Jace Adkins. But where is he? Still wrapped in the cover, I make my way downstairs, drawn by the familiar smell. The morning sun filters through the trees outside, painting the kitchen in soft light. It feels oddly peaceful, unlike the whirlwind of emotions from last night. An empty mug waits for me by the coffee machine, already prepped with two scoops of sugar. The detail is unsettling—he knows me too well. While the coffee brews, I glance around his house. In the daylight, it’s inviting, almost charming. Nothing like the darkness and fear I felt last night. "Jace?" I call out carefully. “Up here!” His voice carries from upstairs. I hesitate, then grab my coffee and make my way to his office. I must have walked right past it before. “No bugs in the sugar?” he asks before I even
I narrow my eyes at him, though my mind flashes back to last night, when I threw my panties around like confetti. They’re probably still near the sink. I should've put them in my bag, Mentally scolding myself, I grab a piece of bacon and toss it into my mouth with precision. "So... this client. Why are they so important that you have to go to the office on a Saturday?" I ask, genuinely curious as the salty, crunchy bacon melts on my tongue. "I'm at the office almost every Saturday, sugar," Jace replies, his eyes focused on my lips. "But this client? They’re one of our biggest. Think millions, if this meeting goes well." I nod, taking in the significance. "And did you prepare? Do you feel ready?" I ask, poking at the runny yolk on my plate. "Of course," Jace says, his tone sharp and confident. It makes me frown slightly. "You don’t have to do that," he says, making me glance up, confused. "Do what?" I ask, still frowning. "Pretend that you're interested in my work. I know it's b
"How was Arabella last night? Did she stay?" I ask, trying to sound casual. "She was annoying, as usual. She left," Jace replies, speeding down the forest path. "Did you ever have sex with her?" My hands instinctively slip under my legs to stop them from fidgeting. I bite my nails when I’m nervous, and right now, I feel that anxious energy creeping in. "Uh... yes," Jace admits, his tone steady but reluctant. "How many times?" I ask, studying his features. Jace keeps his gaze on the road, appearing calm, though I know this is the last thing he wants to talk about. "I didn’t keep count. A few times," he says, still calm. "Is a few times... more than ten?" I push, watching him closely. Jace turns to look at me for a second before facing forward again. "No, not more than ten. Five at most, I'd say. Mostly at office parties." His hand lands on my leg, his thumb brushing over it lightly. "Mostly, but not every time?" I tilt my head as I ask, unable to shake the discomfort of how ca
I try to calm the pounding of my heart, but it only grows louder, matching the pace of my swirling thoughts. As Jace moves closer, the heat radiating from him sends my senses into overdrive. His eyes, locked onto mine, are dark and full of something primal. It’s like he's daring me to make a move, to either run or stay. But I don’t run. I can’t. Every part of me is paralyzed, caught between fear and longing. His hand tightens on the back of my neck, the firm grip grounding me in this moment, and I realize just how badly I don’t want to pull away. Jace’s breath is warm on my lips, and the world outside of the car seems to vanish entirely, leaving just the two of us suspended in time. When his forehead gently presses against mine, my stomach flips, nerves sending shockwaves down my spine. I close my eyes, as if shutting out the world will stop the storm inside me, but it only intensifies everything—the sound of his breathing, the heat of his hand, the dizzying nearness of his lips. I
A beat of silence hangs in the air. "He did what?" Mason asks, eyebrows raised. Even Ramon stops walking, glancing nervously at Mason. "Dad asked me for money, and when I refused, he grabbed my arm and threatened me," I explain quietly. Hannah’s hand rests on my shoulder. "Jace stepped in, sent me out, and then... he beat up Dad. And his phone. Dad hasn’t contacted me since." "I'm so sorry, Li." Mason steps forward and puts his large arms around me and I throw my arms around him in return. "You tried, Li, you tried. You once again showed the best side a human can possess. He isn't worth it. I know it's difficult because it's our father but he is not going to change. He proven that again." Mason whispers in my hair. I swallow, my voice breaking. "He’s having another child." Mason’s arms freeze around me. "What?" "His girlfriend... she’s pregnant. Dad thinks it’s going to be a boy." I can feel Mason’s anger, disappointment, and sadness swirling around us. "That’s disgusting," he
"Mason, I was drunk," Ramon says, trying to excuse himself. Mason’s expression hardens, his anger only intensifying. "That’s NEVER an excuse. NEVER! You know who else was drunk? My little sister!" Mason shouts, pointing toward me. I stare at the two of them, wide-eyed. This wasn’t supposed to happen. "I didn't use her!" Ramon yells back, his own anger flaring. "It’s your job to protect her! I trusted you not to go near her like that!" Mason’s voice echoes through the house, vibrating with fury. If Mason knew what happened between Jace and me, Jace would already be dead. "I didn't do anything she didn't want to do!" Ramon instantly looks down, knowing he just made a mistake. "What did you just say?" Mason asks with a sudden dangerous, low tone. "If my baby sister got naked and begged you to touch her, I’d expect you to turn her down! You were furious when Dante touched her!" "Man, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that. It just happened, and I regretted it afterward," Ramon tri
”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