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Jaxon's POVThe bar’s polished wood gleamed under the dim lighting as I leaned against it, watching the crowd with calculated ease. I’d kept an eye on Riley from the moment he entered the mansion, each uncertain step revealing how out of place he felt among my guests. There was something intoxicating about seeing him surrounded by the very world he’d likely never thought he’d be pulled into. And the best part? He had no idea why he was here, let alone what I had planned for him.My smirk deepened as Riley spotted me and, with that familiar glint of reluctance in his eyes, made his way across the room. I took another sip of my drink, letting the anticipation build as he finally stopped in front of me, crossing his arms in a thinly veiled attempt to appear composed.“Why did you invite me here, Jaxon?” His voice was cold, barely hiding his irritation. “Especially knowing you were having a party. I thought tonight was supposed to be... well, you know, private.”The corner of my mouth
Riley's POVThe dim lighting softened the room’s walls and ambiance, but nothing could dim the intensity of the disgust already sitting in my gut. I forced a polite smile as the old billionaire, Sheffield, continued to eye me with a gaze that made my skin crawl. His thin lips turned up in a smirk, the kind of smile that said he’d seen and taken all he wanted in life without a second thought. And tonight, I was apparently just one more thing for him to admire and consume.Meanwhile, Jaxon was talking, going on about the company’s latest venture, weaving the tale of success he hoped Sheffield would buy into. But Sheffield’s attention was only half on the conversation, his gaze repeatedly flickering back to my face as though he were examining a new piece of art he planned to add to his collection.I clenched my jaw, struggling to keep my emotions in check. I hadn’t expected anything like this when I was told to come here tonight. My thoughts flickered back to the arrangements Jaxon
Jaxon's POV The moment Sheffield returned from the bathroom, his satisfied smirk met mine. He strolled over with the same air of entitlement I’d come to expect, his eyes gleaming as they landed on Riley, who stiffened in response. Riley's expression was a barely concealed mixture of frustration and contempt, and it amused me to no end that he was struggling to hide it.I gently hit Riley's shoulders and he turned to look at me with obvious resentment plastered on his face."You had better smile if you don't want to see my bad side" I said, my voice going to a malicious tone.Riley's eyes widened in shocked as he stared at me, wondering what he might have done wrong."I'm trying my best here" he replied. "It's not exactly easy to smile comfortably when you're being given off to an old man as a piece of candy for him to have a taste."Riley rolled his eyes then returned his gaze to the ground."Nevertheless, you should smile" I said plainly."I'm trying my best" he said."Then try har
Riley’s POVI lingered a few steps behind Sheffield and his bodyguards, my jaw clenched tight. My irritation simmered under the surface, threatening to boil over. Every sound he made only fed my growing hatred for the person responsible for this debacle: Jaxon.My fists clenched at my sides as I replayed his words in my mind.Jaxon didn’t care about me or what this would cost me. He only cared about the contract, the money, and proving to the world that he could make anyone bend to his will—even me.I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from groaning aloud. If only I’d never met Jaxon. If only I could go back in time and erase him from my life. But I couldn’t. And now here I was, trailing behind an old man who was visibly struggling to climb a flight of stairs, all because Jaxon had decided this was my problem to solve.“You’re doing great, sir,” one of the bodyguards said, his voice cheerful.“Don’t patronize me,” the old billionaire snapped. He paused on the next step, grip
Riiley’s POVAs soon as I returned, I sat back on a chair, creating space between me and the old billionaire. Sheffield leaned back in his chair, his eyes watching me with unsettling intensity. I tried to focus on anything else—the clock on the wall, the air conditioner. But nothing could distract me from the weight of his gaze. “You seem tense,” Sheffield finally said, his tone light, almost playful. I forced a laugh, shaking my head. “Not at all. I’m just… ready to get everything sorted. Busy schedule and all that.” He smirked, clearly unconvinced. “Busy schedule, huh? You look like someone who’s carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.” I shrugged, keeping my voice casual. “It’s just part of the job.” “Hmm,” he murmured, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the armrest. His gaze didn’t waver, as if he could see right through my facade. Then, without warning, he pushed himself out of the chair and walked over to a speaker in the corner of the room.
Riiley's POVThe conference room buzzed with the low hum of murmurs as my colleagues and I filed in. The heavy glass door swung shut behind me, and I reluctantly took a seat near the back, hoping to avoid any unwanted attention. At the front of the room, Jaxon stood like a king surveying his court, his crisp navy suit hugging his broad shoulders. His presence was magnetic, commanding respect and silence as soon as he opened his mouth. I stared down at the notepad in front of me, willing myself to keep my expression neutral as he began his speech. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Jaxon began, his deep voice cutting through the chatter like a blade, “I called this meeting because I want to commend the team for their hard work. Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Steele Enterprises.” His eyes swept across the room, pausing momentarily on me. My stomach twisted, but I kept my face blank. “We successfully secured Sheffield’s investment,” Jaxon continued, his tone measured, confi
Jaxon’s POVThe view from my office window rarely failed to command my attention. It was a sea of concrete and glass, stretching endlessly into the horizon. Today, though, my focus wasn’t on the cityscape. My eyes were fixed on the street below, watching two figures walking side by side toward the restaurant in the building next door. Riley and Eric. I’d spotted them as they left the office, Eric’s tall frame and easy confidence unmistakable. His hand had hovered too close to Riley’s back, and the way he looked at Riley—too soft, too interested—made my blood simmer. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers positioned under my chin as I thought over what I’d just witnessed. Riley, my reluctant little pet, walking off to lunch with someone else. It wasn’t jealousy—no, I didn’t do jealousy—but irritation prickled under my skin. Riley was supposed to be mine. I had made that very clear. And yet, here he was, laughing and smiling with Eric like he didn’t have a care in the worl
Riley's POVThe restaurant was warm and inviting, with soft lighting that cast a golden glow over the polished wood tables. A faint hum of conversation filled the air, blending with the gentle clinking of cutlery against plates. The smell of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces drifted through the space, wrapping me in a ball of comfort. Eric and I were seated in a cozy corner booth, the kind that made you feel a little more at ease, shielded from the rest of the world. It was the first time in a long while I felt I could breathe without the weight of someone’s expectations crushing down on me. “So,” Eric began, his tone warm and inviting as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “How’ve you been these past few days, Riley? Really been meaning to check in, but things have been a little hectic on my end.” I smiled, appreciating his genuine concern.It was refreshing—different from the suffocating control Jaxon wielded over me like a weapon. “I’ve been managing,”
Jaxon's POV The sound of murmured conversations echoed faintly as Chloe and I walked through the halls of my company. My sharp, polished shoes hit the floor in an unrelenting rhythm, but the sound couldn’t drown out the undertones of whispers. It wasn’t just curiosity anymore; the office was alive with rumours, feeding off the chaos that anonymous text had sparked. Riley’s name came on tongues like a scandalous secret, and every time I passed a group of employees, the whispers came into my ears, sometimes cutting off abruptly when I made eye contact. Chloe matched my walking speed, her pace brisk, but her lips were pressed into a thin line. The tension radiating off her was palpable. She was holding herself together, but the twitch in her jaw betrayed her growing frustration. “Doesn’t this bother you?” Chloe broke the silence, her voice sharp and direct. “The stares? The gossip? The whispers behind your back?” I kept my expression neutral, though a small smirk tugged at the
Riley's POV An Hour AgoThe coffee in my hands was warm, untouched since Chloe and I left the café near her apartment. I wasn’t really tasting anything today—not the coffee, not the sandwich I barely finished earlier. All I could feel was the suffocating weight of last night pressing down on me. “So, you didn’t sleep at all?” Chloe asked, glancing at me as we walked toward the office building. “No,” I admitted, the exhaustion heavy in my voice. “Not really. I kept going over everything Eric said. Everything I said.” Chloe frowned, her grip tightening on her own coffee cup. “I still can’t believe it. You and Eric… done, just like that?” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. I’ve been pulling away from him for weeks now. Months, maybe.” “But not like this,” she pressed, her voice tinged with worry. “Not with him finding out the way he did. That’s rough, Riley. For both of you.” “I know,” I said, my voice quiet. “I didn’t want it
Riley's POV Several Hours AgoThe day had been perfect. The kind of perfect that almost felt borrowed, like a fleeting moment too good to be real. Jaxon and I had spent hours on the road, escaping the high walls of his mansion and the suffocating expectations of the world around us. For once, there were no prying eyes, no bodyguards lurking in the background, and no sense of duty hanging over our heads. Just the hum of the engine, the open road, and his laughter filling the car.Now, as he parked outside my house, I couldn’t help but smile. My chest felt light, like the weight I’d been carrying for so long had been lifted—at least for now. “Home sweet home,” Jaxon said, his deep voice warm with amusement as he shifted the car into park. He leaned back, his hand resting casually on the steering wheel, his piercing eyes studying me in the dim glow of the streetlights. “Thanks for the ride,” I said, unclipping my seatbelt. He smirked. “Thanks for letting me have you for the d
Jaxon's POV The elevator hummed softly as it ascended to the top floor of Steele Enterprises. My coffee was warm in one hand, a welcome change against the chilled, calculated environment of my company. The morning rush had seemed ordinary enough as I entered the building—polished floors, a field of ringing phones, and the steady shuffle of employees moving to their posts. But as I exited the elevator into the open expanse of my floor, the usual air of efficiency felt…off. Eyes darted in my direction—furtive glances stolen from behind computer screens, a few whispers quickly hushed as I passed. Conversations died the moment I entered earshot, and a few employees pretended to be busy with tasks that were clearly fake on the spot. “What the hell is going on?” I muttered under my breath, straightening my tie and walking with purpose. By the time I reached the door to my office, my agitation was simmering beneath the surface. My assistant, Natalie, was already waiting for me. N
Riley's POV The crisp morning air wrapped around me as Jaxon and I stepped out of the mansion, our shoes clicking against the polished stone driveway. The sunlight was soft, casting golden glow over the sleek, black car parked at the front. I could feel the tension in my shoulders easing, but a new wave of anxiety took its place as Jaxon’s bodyguards stepped forward, their stern faces unreadable. “Mr. Steele,” one of them said, his voice firm, “we’ll be accompanying you today.” “No,” Jaxon replied immediately, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Not today. I don’t need a security detail.” The guard hesitated, clearly torn between duty and obedience. “Sir, with all due respect—” “With all due respect,” Jaxon cut in, his voice a touch sharper, “I can take care of myself. This is a personal outing, and I don’t need anyone following me. Do I make myself clear?” The guard gave a curt nod, stepping back reluctantly. As we approached the car, Jaxon’s driver appeared, alre
Riley's POV The air around us felt thick, suffocating, as I stood frozen in the doorway, staring at Alexis. The shock on her face was palpable, her lips parted slightly, her eyes darting between me and the room behind me where Jaxon still lingered. “Alexis,” I started cautiously, my voice low but steady, “did you…hear what we were talking about?” She blinked, her expression quickly shifting from shock to something colder. Her grip tightened on the phone in her hand. “So, it’s true?” she asked, her tone sharp, laced with disbelief. “You and Jaxon?” I opened my mouth to respond, to try and salvage the moment, but she shook her head, cutting me off. “I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped, taking a step back. “Whatever excuse you’re about to come up with, save it, Riley. I don’t need it.” “Alexis, wait—” I stepped toward her, but she turned on her heel and stormed down the hallway. The echo of her footsteps was like a countdown in my chest, each one amplifying the tension i
Riley's POV The moment Jaxon opened the door, his expression was almost comical—a mixture of surprise and suspicion. His usually composed features faltered, and for a fleeting second, I caught something unguarded in his eyes. “Riley?” he asked, his voice rough and uncertain. “What are you doing here?” There was a genuineness in his tone, an unfiltered curiosity that made me want to smile despite myself. For all his arrogance and bravado, there were these rare moments when Jaxon Steele felt refreshingly real. I cleared my throat, willing my voice to stay steady after breaking a few seconds ago.“I need to talk to you. Can we do that inside?” I asked.His brows furrowed for a second, and then, as if snapping out of his initial shock, he stepped aside, holding the door open for me. “Sure. Come in.” I stepped inside, my sneakers sinking into the plush carpet of the foyer. His mansion was everything you’d expect from a man like Jaxon: luxurious, modern, and pristine, yet it fe
Jaxon's POV The sun streamed through the tall windows of my study, bathing the room in a golden glow. It was one of those days that seemed almost too perfect to belong to late autumn. Outside, the air must have smelled of leaves and sweet nature, but inside my mansion, there was only the faint scent of fresh coffee lingering from earlier in the morning. I sat at my desk, surrounded by neat stacks of documents waiting for my signature, but my pen hovered over the paper, unmoving. My mind refused to focus. Riley. I leaned back in my chair, exhaling sharply. The way Riley had looked at me yesterday—it was as if I’d punched him in the gut. Hurt, betrayal, and something else I couldn’t quite name had flashed in his eyes before he quickly masked it. But I’d seen it, and it stuck with me, gnawing at the edges of my concentration. “Jaxon, are you even listening to me?” Alexis’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was seated on the couch in my study, her legs tucked beneath
Riley's POV The living room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the TV screen casting flickering shadows on the walls. I sat curled up on the couch with a bowl of half-melted chocolate ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other, watching yet another predictable romance movie. On-screen, the couple laughed, flirted, and danced their way toward a happily-ever-after. But instead of feeling warm and fuzzy, I felt hollow, like I was watching a life I couldn’t quite grasp.I took another spoonful of ice cream, letting the sweetness dissolve on my tongue as I tried—and failed—to stop the endless loop playing in my head. Jaxon and Daniel. I’d only seen it for a split second, but the image was as vivid as if it had been burned into my brain. Jaxon’s hand on Daniel’s back. The way Daniel had leaned into him, their lips locked in a kiss so deep it made my stomach churn. I wasn’t sure what hurt more—the fact that it had happened or the fact that it shouldn’t have bothered me in the first