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Jaxon’s POVThe rich clink of glass echoed in the kitchen as I pulled out a bottle of wine from the rack hidden within the oak cabinet.Not just any bottle, of course—this was the wine, the same vintage Riley had ordered at the restaurant not long ago. Back then, he’d savored every drop, his eyes lighting up with an appreciation that was rare to see. I had made a mental note of that moment, and now, it felt like the perfect time to revisit it. “Recognize this?” I asked, holding up the sleek, dark bottle. Riley glanced up from the vegetables he was chopping, his brow furrowing before his gaze landed on the label. His eyes widened, and he straightened, wiping his hands on a towel. “Wait. Is that... the wine from the restaurant?” I smirked, pleased by his reaction. “It is. And,” I said, opening the cabinet door wider, revealing the neatly arranged row of identical bottles, “I’ve got twelve more where this came from.” “Twelve?” Riley’s voice pitched higher in disbelief. He wal
Riley’s POVThe kitchen smelled like heaven. Steam rose from the dishes I’d prepared, carrying the aroma of garlic, herbs, and butter. Despite Jaxon’s constant attempts to distract me, I had managed to finish the meal. But I was exhausted—not from cooking, but from the unrelenting energy of the man watching my every move. “You’re still hovering,” I said, glancing at him as I wiped my hands on a towel. Jaxon was positioned on one of the stools at the kitchen island, his arms folded as he leaned back, looking like he owned the world. Which, technically, he did. The dim lighting of the kitchen caught the sharp angles of his face, making him look even more devilishly handsome. His eyes were locked on me, and I could tell he was planning his next move. “Just enjoying the view,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the plates, intent on ignoring him. “If you’re done being a creep, go set the table. Dinner’s ready.” “Me?” He raised an eyebrow,
Jaxon’s POVThe way Riley stood in the kitchen, stubbornly holding his ground against my advances, was maddeningly arousing. Every time I thought I’d gained the upper hand, he found a way to turn the tables, leaving me both frustrated and intrigued. But when he’d laid down his condition—being “in charge”—I hadn’t been able to resist agreeing. The fire in his eyes was worth the challenge. “Come with me,” I said, my voice dropping to a tone I knew he couldn’t ignore. He hesitated for a moment, his lips twitching like he was considering some snarky remark, but instead, he nodded. "Where are we going?" He asked, curiousness etched on his face."Somewhere we can get more comfortable" I replied.I turned and led the way out of the kitchen, aware of his footsteps trailing behind me. The path to my bedroom was silent, save for the soft hum of the estate’s hidden lighting. Riley didn’t say a word, but I could feel his curiosity building. When I opened the double doors to my room and
Riley’s POVThe warmth of the bed should have been comforting, but the moment I opened my eyes, the silence of Jaxon’s bedroom wrapped around me like a cold sheet. I blinked against the dim morning light filtering through the heavy curtains, realizing I was alone. For a second, I thought he might be in the adjoining bathroom, but there was no sound of running water or the hum of his deep voice humming to himself, as I imagined he might. Sitting up, I ran a hand through my hair, trying to piece together the events of last night. My gaze wandered across the room, taking in the exquisite decor again—the soft gray tones of the walls, the sleek modern furniture, the luxurious rug beneath my feet. But Jaxon was nowhere to be found. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, its screen lighting up with several missed notifications. My stomach tightened as I saw Eric’s name pop up repeatedly. "Riley, are you okay?""Why aren’t you answering me?""Seriously, you’re worrying me. Text
Riley’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the glass windows of Jaxon’s mansion as Alexis and I walked out together, the silence between us feeling both heavy and uncertain. My footsteps were slow, hesitant, as if part of me wanted to linger, to listen to the muffled voices I could still faintly hear from the house. The argument between Jaxon and his father had been intense, their voices cutting through the grandeur of the mansion like glass. I couldn’t shake the discomfort I felt. Seeing Jaxon like that—his usual air of control completely unraveled—was unsettling. The man I had thought was untouchable, impervious to weakness, had looked so vulnerable, so human. Alexis led the way, her heels clicking against the smooth driveway. The crisp morning air did little to ease the tension knotted in my chest. “Are you okay?” she asked, glancing back at me. I nodded stiffly, though the truth was far from it. “Yeah, I’m fine.” “You don’t look fine,” she said, her voice soft but p
Jaxon’s POVMy father’s voice thundered through the vast living room, his words echoing off the polished marble floors and the towering walls of glass. I stood in front of him, my arms crossed, my expression set like stone. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. “You think you’re doing well?” he scoffed, pacing back and forth. His perfectly tailored suit only served to add to the sharpness of his words. “You think running the company means showing up when you feel like it and gallivanting with your flavor of the month?” My jaw tightened. “Gallivanting? Is that what you think I’ve been doing?” I shot back, my voice steady but cutting. “You’ve seen the numbers. The company’s profits have soared in the past quarter. I’ve closed deals you couldn’t even dream of. That’s what you should care about, not my personal life.” He stopped pacing and turned to me, his gray eyes cold and unyielding. “Don’t delude yourself, Jaxon. You’re only succeeding because of the fou
Riley’s POVThe soft hum of my phone pulled my gaze downward, my fingers itching to unlock the screen and check for the reply I’d been hoping for all morning. My message to Jaxon sat there, still unanswered. Worse, I saw the small indicator that showed he’d read it. A faint wave of disappointment washed over me, but I quickly tamped it down. It wasn’t anger or even irritation that lingered in my chest—it was understanding. After the scene this morning, Jaxon had enough on his plate. His father’s presence was a storm cloud over his otherwise confident demeanor, and I could only imagine how much worse the pressure must feel behind closed doors. Still, a part of me wished I could just talk to him. Even a simple, “I’m here if you need me” felt like it would make a difference. But the idea of anyone seeing us together and jumping to conclusions was enough to keep me fixed to my desk. Jaxon was already in a delicate situation; the last thing he needed was office gossip adding to his
Jaxon’s POVThe air in my office was thick, suffocating, as my father lowered himself into one of the sleek leather chairs in front of my desk. His every movement was deliberate, his demeanor a blend of calculated calm and unrelenting authority. I could see it in his sharp gray eyes—the storm brewing just beneath the surface. A small, mocking laugh escaped his lips before he looked at me, his piercing eyes boring into my skin. I could tell instantly he wasn't just angry, he was furious."You have got to be kidding me" He said after being quiet for what felt like forever.I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued by his words which seemed alien to me. I wanted to understand what he meant by such things he said, but nothing came to mind."What exactly are you going on about?" I asked. "Do you want to say another derogatory thing about my staff or is there something else wrong I have done that you would happily like to point out?"I remained standing behind my desk, my fingers gripping
Jaxon’s POV(An Hour Ago)The night was silent, but my thoughts were anything but. I paced my room, unable to shake the gnawing irritation that had been building since the plane ride. Every time I tried to focus on the city skyline outside, my mind dragged me back to Riley. Why this was happening became a complete mystery to me and I wanted it to stop as soon as possible.Something about him unsettled me in ways I couldn’t explain—or maybe I just didn’t want to. Unable to resist the urge, I grabbed my phone and dialed the extension to his room. It rang and rang, but no one answered. My jaw tightened. What was he doing? I tried to brush it off, telling myself I was overreacting, but after a few more minutes, I found myself standing outside Riley’s door. I knocked sharply, my irritation bleeding into my movements. I had expected him to come to the door almost immediately but despite knocking severally, there was still no answer. I knocked again, harder this time. Still nothi
Riley’s POVThe room was quiet now, a sanctuary after the turbulence of the day. I had unpacked most of my things, neatly arranging them in the drawers and closet like I always did—it gave me a sense of control, even if everything else was a chaotic mess. The view from my window was stunning. The city lights of LA sparkled against the backdrop of the night, each one a small fragment of life I wished I could explore. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, the screen lighting up with Eric’s name. I smiled, already anticipating his teasing. “Hey, Eric,” I greeted, answering the call and laying back on the bed. “Riley! Finally! I thought you’d forgotten about me,” Eric said, his tone mock-indignant. I chuckled. “How could I? You’d never let me live it down" I replied with a smile playing on my lips.The conversation flowed easily, as it always did with Eric. He wanted to know everything—how the trip was going, how the city looked, what the hotel was like. “Well,” I began, “the
Jaxon's POVThe moment I stepped into my hotel suite, I allowed myself a brief sigh of relief. It was as if I had just returned from a long journey and I needed to rest my body, as well as my mind, from the gruelling ordeal I had endured on the way.The space was nothing short of magnificent—floor-to-ceiling windows that offered an unparalleled view of Los Angeles, a sprawling king-sized bed adorned with crisp, white linens, and sleek, modern furniture that exuded quiet luxury. If there was one thing my assistant had managed to do right, it was booking this hotel. The city stretched out below me, a glittering tapestry of lights and movement. From this height, it looked almost serene—ironic, considering how chaotic my thoughts were. I loosened my tie and wandered to the windows, letting the cool glass press against my palm. I loved this feeling of brief liberation, even though it felt alien a few moments later.“Not bad,” I muttered to myself, taking in the view. After a few
Riley's POVThe plane’s wheels touched down with a slight jolt, and I couldn’t suppress the smile that stretched across my face as I looked out the window. We were finally out of the air and now in Los Angeles. The city of stars, sprawling beaches, and endless opportunities. Even though I was here for work—and under less-than-ideal circumstances—I couldn’t help but feel a wave of excitement wash over me. It was my first time being here and I almost couldn't control the constant smile plastered on my face.As the plane moved to the gate, I glanced over at Jaxon, seated several rows ahead in first class. His posture was rigid, and he looked as unapproachable as ever. I sighed. If there was one cloud hanging over this otherwise perfect day, it was him. After collecting my carry-on bag, I made my way off the plane and into the bustling terminal. The energy here was electric, the kind of vibrant chaos that only a city like LA could offer. Jaxon and his assistant were already waiti
Jaxon’s POVMy assistant cleared her throat awkwardly, clearly trying to diffuse the situation. “Mr. Steele, Ms. Carver specifically mentioned that Riley would be the best fit for this trip given his involvement in the marketing project. She trusted him to represent the department.” I didn’t look convinced. “There had to be someone else.” “I’m here now,” Riley said, a little sharper. “And I’m not going to back out last minute. This trip is important for the company.” My jaw tightened, my stare boring into him.“This trip doesn’t concern you.” “It does now,” he countered, standing his ground. “Unless you want to waste time finding someone else to replace me. I doubt the plane will wait for that.” For a moment, we both became quiet as we stared down at each other. I was waging an internal battle, my lips pressed so tightly together I thought they might disappear entirely. Finally, I exhaled sharply, my voice low and cold. “Fine. But stay out of my way.” I'm sure the wor
Jaxon’s POVI glanced over at the open suitcase on my bed, half-filled with meticulously folded clothes and travel essentials. Alexis stood at the foot of the bed, rolling her eyes as she refolded a shirt I had just tossed in. “Honestly, Jaxon,” she said with mock exasperation, holding up a pair of socks I’d balled together. “You run a multi-billion-dollar corporation, but you can’t pack a suitcase to save your life.” I let out a low grunt, leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed. “I didn’t ask for your help, Alexis.” She smirked, unbothered by my tone. “No, but you need it. And you know it.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Alexis had been one of the few constants in my life, and while her meddling could be irritating, I couldn’t deny she was right most of the time. As she folded yet another shirt with precision, she glanced up at me. “You’ve been different lately.” I stiffened, my expression hardening. “What are you talking about?” I asked, curio
Riley’s POVEric and I sat together on the couch, the television humming softly in the background, though neither of us was paying attention to it. He had his arm placed casually over my shoulder, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on my skin. “Babe,” Eric started, his tone light but tinged with excitement, “I’ve been thinking. We should go on a vacation.” I shifted slightly, glancing up at him. “A vacation?” “Yeah,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “We both have been through a lot this past couple months. We deserve a break. Just us, somewhere far away.” The thought of a getaway should have thrilled me, but instead, a knot formed in my stomach. A vacation sounded great in theory, but with everything going on in my mind—particularly Jaxon’s distant behavior—I couldn’t see myself enjoying it. “I don’t know if it’s the right time, Eric,” I said hesitantly. “Why not?” he asked, sitting up straighter. “It’s the perfect time. Work has been stressful for you, and I’m tired of
Jaxon’s POVThe conference room was filled with the quiet hum of muted voices and the rustle of papers. I had entered the room with my usual air of authority, followed closely by my personal guards. My gaze swept over the occupants, assessing their presence, before settling momentarily on Riley Matthews. He was setting up the presentation slides, his focus on the task at hand. For a fleeting moment, my chest tightened. Seeing him again after weeks of silence was harder than I expected. He looked different—freer, lighter. And yet, there was still something about him that stirred a deep, inexplicable ache inside me. I forced myself to look away, reminding myself why I had made the decision to end things. As much as I wanted to be a heartless bastard, I wasn't going to destroy the love that I had seen between Eric and Riley. It wouldn't be fair to any of them if I came in-between them just because I felt like having fun.My father, as annoying and evil as he was, had been right a
Riley's POV Weeks had passed since Jaxon had ended our agreement, and I couldn’t deny the newfound sense of freedom. No more annoying messages summoning me at odd hours, no more tense dinners where every word felt like a gamble. No more having to deal with his manipulative and annoying father who was actually just an evil person.It just felt like I had gotten my life back and I was now the only one in control of everything that happened, instead of feeling like I was a puppet being moved around by strings.Yet, amidst this freedom, there was something hollow, like the echo of a song that had once filled the room but now only lingered in memory. It seemed like something was missing, something that always kept me on my toes and sort of gave me purpose, a reason to keep on fighting.I couldn't exactly explain it so I did my best to push such alien feelings down into the depths of mind so as not to ponder too much on it.The last thing I needed was to be too distracted to do what I n