Arya's POV.I couldn’t stop staring at my ring.The way the diamond sparkled under the bedroom light was hypnotizing, like a tiny universe trapped inside the gemstone. My heart was still fluttering, the moment replaying in my mind over and over again... Lucas, sitting across from me at the dining table, smirking like he always did, teasing me endlessly before finally slipping this ring onto my finger. It felt unreal.I, Arya Richard, was engaged to Lucas Griffin.I traced my fingers over the ring, still in disbelief. Me? Engaged to the most powerful man I’d ever met? The thought made me giddy, and before I knew it, I was kicking my feet like a lovesick teenager.I need to call Kelly.How could I have held on to such spicy tea for too long?Grabbing my phone, I immediately dialed her number, barely able to contain my excitement as the call connected.The moment he answered. "my girl." His voice came on the phone."Kelly!!!!" I screamed before I could hold myself back. "Whatever is ma
Arya’s POV.I quickly rushed into the bathroom, fixing a quick bath and rushed out, not even stopping for a second to see how I was dressed. I had more pressing issues at hand.The morning air was cool as I stepped out of the mansion, but for some reason, I felt uneasy.I hugged my coat tighter around myself, glancing toward the row of security guards stationed outside the gates. Their presence should have reassured me.But something felt… wrong.Brushing off the unsettling feeling, I slid into the backseat of the black SUV, sighing as Marcus, one of Lucas’s trusted drivers, started the engine."Kelly’s place?" he asked, adjusting the rearview mirror to meet my gaze.That has been like my default location ever since I came into this house, I had nowhere else to go anyway. I nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yes, please."The car rolled forward smoothly, but my stomach was in knots.I had barely eaten this morning, my nerves tangled in thoughts of the test."We need to take a test Arya
Arya's POV.The cold air clawed at my skin as I sat bound to the a chair, my body aching in ways I had never known before. My arms were twisted behind me, my wrists bound so tightly with thick, scratchy rope that every movement sent a sharp, searing pain through my limbs. My legs were tied to the chair’s legs, and the rope around my ankles had rubbed the skin raw, sending a dull, relentless ache through my bones.I had long since stopped trying to break free. The more I struggled, the tighter the restraints dug into my skin, and all it did was drain the last reserves of energy I had left. My body slumped forward slightly, weak and exhausted, my breaths shallow and uneven.How long had I been here?I wasn’t sure anymore. Time had melted into an agonizing blur. My mind was slipping between consciousness and unconsciousness, the hunger in my belly twisting into unbearable knots. My lips were dry, cracked from dehydration, and my throat burned from the countless times I had screamed for h
Arya's POV.A loud hysterical laughter suddenly blurted through his mouth, echoing all over the room.I tried to strain my eyes to at least, get a little glance at his face since a considerable amount of light had filtered into the room, but being in the darkness for the past few hours seemed to have punctured my eye lens making it seem as though I was staring into space despite how I hard I tried.But then, why does the voice sound so familiar? I mean, the darkness hasn't affected my ears too right?I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, taking in a deep breath, and remained still for a few seconds before snapping my eyes back open.That seemed to work as I started to make out a few things in the room, I got to realize that it wasn't a room but rather a warehouse, it was extremely large and empty, except for the few trashes littered around.Suddenly, the huge figure slowly squatted before me, bringing his face closer to mine, and peered into my face.A sharp gasp fled my mouth as I finally
Lucas's POV. The car had barely halted to a stop as soon as I drove into the mansion before I quickly rushed down and practically ran into the house.... To my woman... My soon to be wife.The scent of fresh flowers lingered faintly... Arya's touch. She’d been so particular about the type of lilies she wanted placed in the hallway. White, with a tinge of blush.“Arya?” I called out casually, expecting her to pop out from the kitchen or maybe come down the stairs with that insanely beautiful smile that had become my new favorite sight. “I’m back, babydoll.”No response.Strange.I loosened the top buttons of my shirt, unbuckled my watch, and dropped my keys on the credenza. The silence in the house was unsettling. Not even the faint shuffle of her feet. Usually, she’d either be humming while preparing something, or laying in wait for me on the couch.“Arya?” I called again, this time louder, walking toward the kitchen. The lights were off, no sign of her. The living room? Empty. Her ph
Arya's POVI had no idea how long I had been submerged in the darkness again, but it felt heavier this time... like a curtain of grief had dropped around me. My breath came in shallow hitches as I sat motionless, too exhausted to even cry anymore. The ropes bit deeper into my wrists, now raw and sore, and every movement stung like a warning. I had lost all sense of time. There was no ticking clock, no chirping bird, no shifting sunlight. Only silence. Only the heavy sound of my own breathing and the pulsing fear inside my chest.I had almost drifted into that numb space again... where time and pain no longer mattered.... when I heard the door creak open.My body tensed involuntarily. Footsteps echoed across the warehouse, slow and deliberate, the sound bouncing off the hollow walls. My desperate heart leapt in my chest with hope... but that hope withered quickly when I saw his shoe appear again.Martin.The man who used to be just a background character in my life... now stood before
Arya's POV.The silence in the dark room was unbelievable. Darkness lingered even though some light filtered in through a crack in the wall... it barely did anything to chase away the shadows inside me. I’d been here too long. Too long with nothing but my breath and my thoughts to keep me company.My eyes were sore from crying, and my wrists stung against the ropes, now slick with dried blood and sweat. I tried not to cry anymore...tears felt like a waste. But every time I remembered Lucas… every time I thought about him, about how he must be going out of his mind, my chest caved in again.Then I heard footsteps.That same gait. Slow, heavy, deliberate. My body went still. My heart paused for a second as the metal door groaned open.Martin.Ofcourse it's him. He didn’t look angry this time. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes… softer. Tired. Worn. Broken.He dragged a chair with a loud scrape across the dusty floor and sat in front of me. No mocking laughter. No bitter smirks. Just
Arya's POVMartin didn’t flinch. He just stood there, still and silent, like the storm had already passed through him. His fists hung limp by his sides, his breathing heavy but steady. He didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. Lucas’s words weren’t intended for a response. They were a performance. A declaration of superiority.Lucas took a step forward. “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue now that I’m here? Do you finally understand you’ll never win against me? And why are you letting her do the talking for you? What lies have you fed her about your pathetic self?”I felt my heart twist.No.Not like this.“Lucas, stop,” I said instinctively, my voice sharper than I intended. “Don’t do this.”He blinked, as though just realizing I was actually more concerned for Martin than being excited that he's come to save me. His eyes snapped to me, wide with confusion. “babydoll... “No.” I shook my head slowly, feeling the weight of my words before I spoke them. “Don’t say another word.”Silence eng
Chloe's POV.I had just come out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my damp body, when I heard the doorbell ring. My first thought was that Hayes might’ve come back again. I nearly rolled my eyes at the thought. But when I peeked through the peephole, my heart stuttered.Hardin.He leaned lazily against the frame, dressed in black jeans and a white shirt. His hair was styled just the right amount of messy, and those annoyingly irresistible dimples appeared the moment he noticed the door creak open.“Well, well,” he drawled, “Look who smells like lavender and temptation.”I couldn't even pretend to smile. I stepped aside, motioning for him to come in.“Hey,” I mumbled.He stepped in, and the second the door closed behind him, his hand came to my waist, fingers teasing the edge of the towel.“I thought I’d stop by and get a kiss or five,” he said, leaning in as though to steal one already. But I pulled away slightly, moving to the side and crossing my arms. His eyes narrowed the tin
Chloe's POV.I watched as Hardin drove out of my house, although his scent and the memories of everything everything we've done together lingered on my head.I stood at the door for a minute longer after he left, arms folded over my chest as I leaned against it, smiling like a fool. The weekend had been… magical. No, scratch that... it had been dangerous, sinful, addictive. We had fallen deep, deeper than I thought was even possible.And now, it was Monday morning. And reality came knocking like a doorbell. I needed to get back to work.With a small sigh, I turned away from the door and dragged my weekend bag across the living room toward the bedroom. The entire space emitted a deceptive calmness. As if the storm brewing in my chest didn’t exist.I opened my bag and began unpacking. My clothes still smelled like Hardin’s cologne... masculine, spicy. I paused mid fold, pressing one of my dresses against my face, breathing him in like some sort of addict. God, what was wrong with me?
Chloe's POV.Just as he was beginning to spasm and close to cum, he suddenly pulled out of me, his gaze on me, now fierce and hot."Get rid of the remnant of clothes on your body." This time, he sounded more authoritative, and I knew he was in his fierce mood.I slowly peeled off the buttons of the shirt and ripped it off my body. my face burning with excitement for what is coming.Hardin watched with predatory eyes, his still hard cock bobbing in front of him. I was standing before him, completely naked."Goddamn, I've got to say this every second, you are perfection at it's peak, princess." he whistled, eyes roaming over my exposed body. "Now turn around. Let me see that ass."I rotated slowly, showing him my backside, my tits swinging with the movement."Fuck yeah, Bend over and show me what I own." I slowly bent at the waist, placing my hands on the counter again, presenting my ass to him like a bitch in heat."Nah, against the wall. Hands up high where I can see them."I shuff
Chloe's POV. I gently stirred awake from my deep sleep, although my eyes were still clouded with deep waves of sleep, but I was so thirsty. I needed to take water, or juice, or literally anything that'll keep me hydrated. Hardin's arms were wrapped securely around me, slowly, I managed to untangle myself from his grip and strolled out of the room, and headed towards the kitchen. Since it was middle of the night, I didn't bother switching on the light, instead I just headed straight to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water and went back to stand by the counter and gulped down the water till I was satisfied and almost out of breath. I leaned over the counter, trying to catch my breath. Almost immediately, I felt a presence behind me. I didn't need to turn around before knowing who it was. "You were deep asleep when I left the room, how are you here?" I snapped. I heard him chuckle, leaning closer toward me, grabbing my waist. "I do have those thoughts too, I feel the guil
Chloe's POV.Slowly I stretched out my right leg, left knee still bent, Hardin using the freedom I willingly gave him to slip a single finger lengthwise between my outer lips. My mouth snapped open, my deep breathing picking up speed while he continued to kiss my neck, his hand never moving.I could feel his finger pressed between my outer lips, pressed firmly along the shaft of my clit, the tip of his finger barely brushing against the edge of my vulva and perineum, his palm cupping and squeezing my mound while never moving his finger. I rocked my hips slightly, my wet heat coating his finger, my lubrication spilling from my body to coat his palm, his length gliding against my lower back.Minutes passed by with only the sound of my deep breathing and soft moaning, our hips moving slightly, his length gliding against my skin, his palm pressing and gliding against my mound without his finger ever delving deeper.Finally without wasting any more second, I took a deep breath and rotated
Chloe's POV.I stirred from sleep slowly. My body ached in the best way possible. My skin still shaken from last night’s fire, and every inch of me was wrapped in the afterglow.But something made my lashes flutter open, something I couldn’t ignore.Eyes.I felt them before I saw them.When my vision cleared, I met the deepest pair of eyes staring right at me. Hardin was propped up on one elbow beside me, watching me like I was the sunrise itself... like I was the most captivating sight he’d ever laid eyes on.He had that damn smile again. That cocky, sinful smirk that curved just slightly to the left and made my chest tighten in the worst and best ways.“Good morning, princess.” he whispered, his voice was soft, and his tone thicker than sleep. “Did you sleep well, or do you want me to tire you out a little more first?”I groaned and instinctively buried my face in the pillow. “Stop looking at me like that,” I mumbled, heat rushing to my cheeks.“Like what?” he teased, his body inchi
Chloe's POV.Our lips crashed against each other again, kissing, tongues exploring. His hands slide under my shirt to grasp my bare ass cheeks tightly and picked me up. "C'mon, princess." He growled into my ears as he held me up from the table, now against his broad chest.I squealed in delight and followed his lead, wrapping my legs around him. Our foreheads pressing together, our eyes locked, and my boobs pushed tight against his chest as he held me for a few seconds, then sat me down on the edge of the table. I couldn't stop myself from looking down and admiring his strong physique and toned body. I could see he was getting hard beneath those pants, and my arousal grew. I badly wanted to feel him in me. Subconsciously I squeeze the muscles in my cunt at the thought of his cock buried deep inside and feel myself starting to tingle with desire.His hands held my thighs and he lift them higher and wider apart. I pulled up the material of the shirt to my waist to reveal my cunt to
Chloe’s POV.The food smelled absolutely divine. I didn’t know what exactly Hardin had whipped up, but the aroma was warm and spicy, laced with scents that made my stomach flutter more with anticipation than hunger. He carried the plates with pride, grinning like he knew he was about to serve the best thing I could ever eat."Careful," I said teasingly as he almost knocked a fork off the edge of the table, setting down one plate in front of me. "We wouldn’t want the presentation to be ruined, chef."Hardin smirked as he slid into the seat beside me... not across, no, he chose beside. Of course he did.“Oh, I don’t worry about presentation, sweetheart. I make sure the flavor leaves people speechless.” He winked and leaned his elbow on the table, watching me expectantly. “Taste it. Tell me I’m wrong.”I smiled as I picked up the fork and dug into the creamy pasta. The first bite had me humming instantly. “Mmm… okay, wow. You might be onto something.”His smirk stretched wider. “Told you
Chloe's POV.The moment we stepped into Hardin’s house, I felt an odd blend of comfort and bliss. Hardin didn’t say a word... he just looked at me with that devastating smirk and took my hand. His palm was warm, rough in the way that made you wonder what those hands could do, had done... and unfortunately for my already scrambled brain, I knew exactly what they were capable of.Oh fuck!“This way,” he said, guiding me past the living room and down a short hallway.We reached a door at the far end and he pushed it open. “Your room,” he said casually, as though he hadn’t just turned my world upside down over the past few days.My room.The phrase echoed in my mind like a chime bouncing through a canyon. It sounded domestic. Intimate. Real.I stepped inside slowly, blinking as I took it all in. It was beautiful... simple and elegant. A large bed with gray sheets, plush pillows, and thick curtains. It felt like a place someone could feel safe. Wanted.My heart squeezed.“Do you like it?”