On Monday morning, I walked into the office feeling as confused as always. I had managed to get more information about Declan's past, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to dig deeper. I was scared of what I would find out and how it would affect him.Add my completely inappropriate feelings for Declan, and you'd have a perfect soap opera. I had skillfully avoided the subject of my feelings for him because I didn't want to label it. I'd rather refer to it as complicated feelings that I would need to deal with soon.If there's anything, Saturday proved that I needed to stay away from him to sort out my emotions. I couldn't even put my feelings aside so I could get the full story from Cassandra. I had acted like a jealous fox and she had gotten defensive.I sighed, staring at my computer… I had nothing."I'm giving my therapist a call if you sigh one more time," Kevin called out from his desk, earning a death stare from Tracy.The exchange shook me from my thoughts, and I smiled weakly at
I sat in the boardroom, my eyes fixed on Cassandra, trying to read her body language."Why do you look so surprised?" Cassandra asked.I stared at her, wondering how to go about this. Cassandra had obviously struck some type of deal with Miranda. I needed to know what it was to decide what to do."I'm not surprised, Cassandra. I'm just wondering what you aim to achieve."She chuckled and leaned forward, resting her hands on the desk. "You can ask, you know. I bet you're really curious," she said, flashing her signature smile.Why did she look so pleased with herself?I cleared my throat and said, "You're aware it's an exposé, which would probably tarnish his image.""Oh, honey, I know everything."My heart skipped a beat. I knew that Cassandra was up to something, but I tried to maintain my composure. "And you're going to tell me what you know?" I raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "Including what happened in 2013?"She rolled her eyes. "Don't act dumb Leah. You know what I'm he
I avoided Declan for the rest of the week, because I wasn't sure how to feel about him. I made up excuses every time he tried to set up a date, and Marcella would shake her head at me disapprovingly, which intensified the guilt I was feeling. My feelings for Declan were so strong that the idea of hurting him seemed to hurt me too.Still, I wasn't sure what to do about the story. I had so many questions. Did Cassandra tell the truth? Was Declan really the type of man to force a woman to get an abortion?I didn't have the chance to really figure things out because Miranda wanted the story out as soon as possible. In fact, she was thrilled when I submitted the first draft on Friday—she even smiled at me for the first time since I started working with her. But that didn't change anything, I felt dirty, and I was beginning to lose myself."I'm just not sure how to face Declan after this," I confided in Marcella as we went through magazines together.Marcella shook her head disapprovingl
*Declan*She was going to be the death of me, I swear.Leah Garcia was like a roller-coaster ride, always taking me on an unpredictable journey. That's what this whole relationship with her was, a very unpredictable journey. She had a way of making me feel alive, yet at the same time, on the verge of insanity. I found myself constantly drawn to her, despite the chaos she brought into my life.As my feelings for her intensified, I found myself doing things I never thought I would. She had me acting out of character, canceling appointments, going away for the weekend on a whim. Her pull towards me was magnetic, and I just couldn't resist.Despite my deep feelings for her, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she was hiding from me, something I couldn't quite put my finger on, and that made me uneasy. The fact that she didn't trust me enough was painful in its own right.Regardless of this intense feeling of unrest, I couldn't help but feel protective over her. As I
*Leah*I stared at his retreating back, suppressing the urge to pull him back. There was no need to hurry, I had the whole weekend to flirt with Declan."Sh*t," I cursed, as I realized that I still hadn't called Marcella. For all she knew, I was seeing Declan briefly at a restaurant close to our apartment. Frantically, I rushed back to the bedroom and picked up my phone to call her.It was dead!Sh*t.I needed to find a charger, since Declan didn't give me time to bring mine. He hadn't given me a full tour of the house, so I didn't know my way around. If anyone knew where things were, it'd be Mrs. Thompson. But first, I had to find her.There was no one in the hallway when I stepped out of the room. I walked slowly, trying to retrace the steps I took with Declan, so I could find the living room."Hello, Miss Garcia," a voice said.I turned around quickly to find a woman coming from the other end of the hallway. She looked to be in her mid-fifties. She seemed soft and welcoming,
I reached up, pulling him closer. I rubbed my body against his, loving how hard and manly he felt against me. The force of the kiss knocked me over, and I lost my footing. Declan caught me swiftly. "Sorry," he mouthed.I shook my head, indicating that it was okay and reached up to kiss him again. His hands made their way to my waist, and I automatically arched towards him, giving him the perfect opportunity to explore my curves.He growled slowly, his fingers digging into my waist as he pulled me even closer. My body shook from intense desire. His hands were like fire on my skin, the kisses he left on my neck sent cold shivers down my spine trickling down and creating a pool in between my legs.I squished my thighs together, wishing he would touch me there.Finally, his hands trailed down my body teasingly. He caressed my legs, running his fingers up my inner thighs. I gasped and clutched his hand for support."I've got you," he whispered against my lips. His hands trailed higher,
*Leah*My life had taken a pretty dramatic turn a month ago. I'd been extremely stressed and anxious, but for the first time in weeks, I was completely calm, which was new to me. My mind was at peace; in fact, I was happy.I could only think of one thing – Declan and his incredible hands. I couldn't stop thinking about how he had used them to make my body writhe in pleasure during the shower we took just a few minutes ago.I quickly got dressed, eager to find Declan and bask in the afterglow of the wonderful experience we had just shared. However, I realized I had no idea which room was his, as we had spent most of our time in the guest room, or on the deck. So, I decided to embark on a barefooted journey around the house in search of him.As I walked, I felt the coolness of the floor beneath my feet, and the gentle breeze caressed my skin, adding to my feeling of serenity. I listened closely, hoping to hear his voice and follow it to his room. After a few moments of wandering, I h
We spent the rest of the day holed up in the guest room. I had managed to put all intrusive thoughts at the back of my mind and fully focus on Declan. I was all in.Declan seemed to appreciate that because he became more attentive than ever. He kissed me every time he laid his eyes on me, making my heart flutter. He held me every chance he'd get, like he'd never let go.We barely slept that night. We didn't stand a chance against the soft bed that was definitely made for long, hard nights. Wanting more, I woke up in the middle of the night and touched him subtly. He was soundly asleep, so I had all the time in the world to run my hands along his body.Before I knew it, he growled and pushed me under him, releasing himself in my tight, wet heat. Only after that did we finally find sleep.The next morning, he brought breakfast to me which consisted of pancakes and bacon. We tried to focus on the food, but as I took a bite of the second bite, Declan began running kisses down my neck.
*Leah*A month later...When it comes to living a fulfilling life, there is nothing quite like indulging in something that you truly love. It brings a sense of joy and contentment that is simply unparalleled. However, the true magic lies in being able to enjoy your passion in an environment that is warm, welcoming and accepting. Whether you are with that special someone or flying solo, there is a unique kind of peace that comes with knowing that you are exactly where you are meant to be.You find peace in your surroundings, in the little things, and you find yourself smiling all the time.Yes, there were times when I missed him, so much that it hurt sometimes, but I was okay with that. Distance makes the heart grow fonder after all. Right now, I was exactly where I was meant to be. In a loving and accepting environment, doing something that brought me pure joy. And that is what life is all about.Of course, getting to this point can be a long and winding journey, full of twists an
As we laid in bed, tangled up in each other, I knew that we had finally found our way back to each other. Our past mistakes and misunderstandings were behind us, and were ready to give us another chance.He held me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me as if he never wanted to let me go. I snuggled closer, my head resting against his chest. I could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and it brought me comfort.I took a deep breath, taking in the familiar scent of him. It was a mixture of his cologne and his natural musk, and it was a scent I had missed desperately. This was where I was meant to be, in his arms, surrounded by his love.The atmosphere was safe and comfortable, but something kept nagging at me. There were still things we hadn't talked about. I knew it might be difficult for him to discuss, but I needed to hear it.I took a deep breath and looked up at him. "I've been meaning to ask you," I said, hesitantly. "What happened after you left that night?""You mea
*Leah*I stood outside the grand, imposing black door towering over me like a dark sentinel. My heart raced as I contemplated the impending conversation that would change everything. I was dreading it. I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet smell of spring blossoms, hoping it would calm down my raging nerves. Steeling myself, I stepped forward, reaching for the metal knocker.I hesitated, wondering if I should turn back. But I knew it was too late now. I had to face him, no matter how hard it was. Summoning all my courage, I grasped the knocker and tapped it against the door.Moments later, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and I took a step back, anticipating his appearance. The door swung open, and there he was. Declan Samuelson, standing under the doorframe, dressed in black slacks and a simple sweatshirt. My heart skipped a beat as I met his gaze, unable to read the expression on his face.He said something to me, but my mind was too preoccupied to register it. I n
*Declan*I had successfully stayed away from the club for the past few weeks. I had given up on my search for her, and had left everything up to fate. After all, whatever happens, happens. Tonight however, I needed to loosen up. I was in desperate need of a drink and an entertaining environment.The thumping bass vibrated through my body as I took in the scene around me. I couldn't dare hope that she was among the crowd, but here I was, after countless disappointing nights, still searching the crowd for a glimpse of her. It was a reflex action by now, and I had to stop it.I made my way towards the bar, in desperate need of a drink to calm my nerves. Suddenly, a familiar figure caught my eye. My breath caught in my throat. Could it be her? I abandoned my thirst and followed the figure.Excitement coursed through me as I grabbed her arm to turn her around. "Leah," I breathe out.Green eyes looked up at me, confused. That definitely wasn't Leah. Embarrassed, I let her go, apologiz
*Leah*I stepped out of the glass doors of the sleek, modern company building, and a cool breeze brushed against my face, sending a shiver down my spine. I wrapped my arms around my torso, taking in a deep breath of fresh air, the scent of newly brewed coffee from a nearby café wafting towards me.There was a painful pang in my chest. I had spent a considerable amount of time at another coffee shop with someone special. I wouldn't dwell on that; it was all in the past now.What I should focus on is my new job. After I quit my job at Epic Buzz, I felt lost and aimless, unsure of what direction my life was heading. Miranda had threatened to crush my career with her mere fingers, so I had been scared to apply for anything at all.But now, after a successful meeting with my new boss, I was on my way to becoming a travel blogger. The position offered me flexibility, and there was no reason for me to stab someone I loved in the back.I made my way down the busy city street, my mind alre
*Declan*I sat in my boardroom, surrounded by the buzz of shareholders discussing the latest developments in our company. But my mind was far away, lost in thoughts of her. It had been months since I had seen her, but her presence still lingered in my heart and mind.Their voices flew over my head as I stared at her Instagram page for the millionth time. There was still nothing new on her profile, but it was nice to see her smiling face. I couldn't help but grin at the sight of her beaming, it was infectious. It could light up any room and make anyone's day brighter. It was almost as if there was a permanent spotlight on her. But the memory of the night we parted ways still haunted me.It was hard to walk away from her, seeing the light die in her eyes. But I had to prioritize my company's interests over my personal desires. Unfortunately, that didn't make it any easier.Despite the distance between us, I wondered if I'd ever see her again. If by a small chance, we would bump int
I sat in front of my laptop grimly, mentally preparing myself for the conversation. There was no pressure, but I knew I'd be expected to smile and have a sense of humor. However, I'd lost that part of myself.My life had become gloomy, monotonous. I woke up, hung out with my parents, and helped my mom out at her shop. I avoided all my friends and made a conscious effort to stay off social media. It definitely wasn't easy because all I wanted to do was see his face, even if it was just once. But I had to recognize that in order to heal, to move on, that I needed the space.That was why this was so hard. I hadn't spoken to anyone apart from my parents in months. Social interaction was no longer my thing.I rubbed my arm – a habit I had developed after that night – wondering how to handle this. The screen flickered to life; bright dark eyes met mine with an overly enthusiastic smile."Hi, Tiger."I flinched at the old nickname. I hadn't heard it in months. It brought back memories, s
*Leah*I watched Declan from where I stood at the back of the hall. The only thing I could focus on was him, and before I knew it, he was walking towards me. In a matter of seconds, Declan was in front of me. His hand slipped into mine and he pulled me along with him. It was a small gesture but it meant the world to me.I followed after him, unable to do anything else. The last time I saw him, he didn't even want to look at me, but now his hand was on mine as he dragged me out of the hall. I didn't dare hope that the little physical contact meant that he had forgiven me. I knew better than that. The story was out and he wanted to give me a piece of his mind. Again. Couldn't say I didn't deserve it."I'm sorry," I said, unable to hold back the words any longer.He didn't respond, but I could feel the tension in his grip. We walked in silence for what felt like an eternity before he finally let go of my hand. The sudden absence of warmth made me shiver.I watched anxiously as he p
*Declan*"We've contacted Epic Buzz's management, but there's been no response," Janet said as she walked into the dressing room.I turned my back to the mirror, securing my tie, "Did you contact Miranda? Tell her what I told you to?""She didn't pick up," she replied, the frustration evident in her tone."What about our lawyers, what options do we have?" I asked, hoping for a solution."We can sue, but the best option would be to settle this out of the media. They're still trying to get a hold of Miranda."I cursed under my breath, but smiled at Janet, determined to maintain a professional standpoint, "Keep trying. We have to do everything we can to stop this. Have you informed my parents?""Yes, they're both here."I nodded at her, indicating she could leave. I chuckled bitterly the moment she left the dressing room, thinking back to everything that led to this moment. Today was my inauguration. I was supposed to have the woman I loved on my arm, but I couldn't stomach the si