MASONFuck.What the hell was she wearing?I swear my grip on Audrey’s waist tightened the second I stepped through the door and laid eyes on Samantha.That dress—that damn burgundy dress—fit her like a second skin. It teased just the right amount of cleavage and hugged every curve I knew too damn well. She knew what she was doing. She had to.I cleared my throat and let go of Audrey as I walked further into the room, trying to act normal, whatever that meant around Samantha.Mom hugged Audrey first—of course—and gave her a sweet smile. “Thank you for taking care of my son,” she said, like I was some delicate porcelain doll.Funny. I was the one taking care of this clingy-ass girl. If anyone needed saving, it was me.Dad’s handshake was firm, but the look he gave me was something else. A warning. He caught the way I looked at Samantha, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.Macey gave me the biggest grin and a side hug. But she didn’t even glance at Audrey.Not surprising.She’s hated Au
SAMANTHAI sat frozen at the table, my breath coming in shallow pulls. My legs wouldn’t stop trembling beneath my gown, and no matter how tightly I pressed my knees together, I couldn’t make them still.What the hell just happened?What in God’s name was that?My skin still burned from his touch, like an invisible flame had been lit under my dress.I could still feel him. The ghost of his fingers. The pressure. The slow tease. The way he owned me with nothing but a hand and silence.I couldn’t look at anyone. Not one soul.The room was still full of laughter and clinking glasses. And I sat there—shaken, silent, trying not to fall apart.Then I felt it. Audrey’s eyes.Her stare hit me like a cold slap, sharp and cutting. My breath caught in my throat. I looked up, almost afraid.And she looked away.Just like that—cool, collected, like she hadn’t been watching me crumble from her man’s touch. Like she hadn’t seen anything at all.But she had.God, she had.I reached for my wine glass,
SAMANTHA“Take your dress off.”His words landed like a command. Not a suggestion. Not an invitation. Mason's voice was smooth and authoritative, as though I had no choice.I didn’t argue.I reached for the straps of my wine-red dress with trembling fingers. The fabric felt so smooth as it slid down my body, pooling at my feet. My skin prickled with a strange mix of shame and desire, as though I were stepping into a role I hadn’t asked for but couldn’t walk away from.I stood there, exposed in nothing but my lace panties. My chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, like I could somehow outrun this moment, like I could stop myself from wanting this.But I didn’t want to stop. I asked for it.Mason’s eyes flicked up slowly, his gaze dark and assessing. His stare lingered on me, unwavering, like a predator studying its prey. I hated how my body reacted—how my heart stuttered in my chest, how my pulse quickened.He looked at me like I was something he already owned.But I didn’t flinch.
SAMANTHAThe morning after always hits the same: a dull ache spreading through my limbs, a ghost of pleasure lingering just beneath my skin. I woke up in my small apartment, the sunlight barely peeking through the dusty blinds. The room smelled like my perfume and burnt toast.My body ached with every move, the soreness settling deep in my muscles. But it wasn’t a bad kind of ache. No, it was the kind that left a strange little shiver behind, the kind that reminded me of him.Unlike my past relationships—where everything was soft, slow, and coated in promises—with Mason, it was different.I craved the control, the way he took without asking but still made me feel wanted. It wasn’t love. It wasn’t gentle. But maybe that’s what made it feel so real. Raw. Sharp around the edges.I pulled the blanket tighter around my body and glanced at the nightstand. The envelope was sitting exactly where I left it—thick, neatly folded, a silent agreement. I reached for it, running my fingers across th
SAMANTHAI woke up earlier than usual, but I was still tired. My body felt heavy, my eyes dry. I laid there for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling, willing myself to move.Eventually, I sat up and stretched, arms over my head, back arching slightly. A soft ache pulled at my muscles—a quiet reminder of the night before. Of him. Of us.I got his text after Macey left my place. He was turning this to an everyday ritual.I climbed out of bed and shuffled to the mirror.My reflection didn’t lie. I looked exhausted. There were faint shadows under my eyes, and my lips were a little puffy, still kissed raw. My skin held the faintest mark of his grip on my neck, a bruise in the shape of his fingers.I reached for my brush and started tugging it through my curls slowly, watching them spring back into shape. Brushing always calmed me. It made me feel like I was putting pieces of myself back in order.Today, I needed that.I picked a soft floral dress, cream-colored with pink blossoms scattere
SAMANTHAAfter class, I barely made it out of the building before Macey came bouncing up beside me, arms full of notes, a tote bag sliding off her shoulder, and an iced coffee threatening to spill.“There you are,” she said, squinting at me through the sunlight. “You’re glowing, girl. That dress is unfair.”I smiled, letting the compliment slide over me like a warm breeze. “It’s just clothes.”Macey gave me a look. “Sure. And I’m the queen of England.”We started walking toward the café across campus, our steps matching in rhythm. It was still early enough that the sidewalks weren’t crowded, just a few students scattered about, the hum of music and voices floating in the background.A familiar voice called from behind us. “Hey, ladies.”We turned to see Liam catching up. Tall, messy hair, wide grin. He had this boyish charm that made him seem like he belonged in a high school romance movie, the kind where everyone still believed in happy endings.“Statistics seminar survivor,” he adde
SAMANTHAAfter dropping Macey, I locked the door behind her and leaned against it for a second. The silence wrapped around me like an old friend. Or maybe a shadow. I wasn’t sure there was a difference anymore.I peeled off the dress, careful not to wrinkle it. It still smelled faintly like the perfume I wore this morning. Sweet. Soft. Pretending to be innocent.I hung it up with care, smoothing the fabric with my hand before slipping into my silk robe. Pale rose gold. Barely there. It slid over my skin like water.I sat on the edge of my bed, one leg tucked beneath the other. The city outside was humming quietly, but my apartment was still. The kind of still that made everything feel louder. My thoughts. My memories.Then my phone buzzed.Just once.A new message.Unknown Number.But I knew who it was.That dress you wore today. Dangerous.Meet me at the regular place. My driver is outside your apartment.No emoji. No extra words. Just cold, clear demand.My fingers tightened around
MASONI woke up before the alarm.The room was quiet. Dim gray light pushed through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the floor.I didn’t move. Just lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, letting my mind run through drills and strategy. Scrimmage was in two days. Coach wanted blood. I’d give him more than that.Beside me, Audrey slept peacefully.She always looked perfect when she slept—like something frozen in time. Golden hair fanned out on my pillow, her lips parted slightly, her hand resting over my chest. Gentle. Fragile.And yet, I felt nothing.Not like I was supposed to.We’d been together over a year now. She was the face that smiled beside me in photos. The one everyone thought I’d marry. Figure skater. Pre-med. Ice princess. She looked good on my arm.And I liked her. I did.But it wasn’t fire. It wasn’t chaos.It wasn’t… her.I shut that thought down fast and slid out of bed.The shower was cold at first. I welcomed it. I needed clear thoughts and tight foc
SAMANTHAI sat frozen at the table, my breath coming in shallow pulls. My legs wouldn’t stop trembling beneath my gown, and no matter how tightly I pressed my knees together, I couldn’t make them still.What the hell just happened?What in God’s name was that?My skin still burned from his touch, like an invisible flame had been lit under my dress.I could still feel him. The ghost of his fingers. The pressure. The slow tease. The way he owned me with nothing but a hand and silence.I couldn’t look at anyone. Not one soul.The room was still full of laughter and clinking glasses. And I sat there—shaken, silent, trying not to fall apart.Then I felt it. Audrey’s eyes.Her stare hit me like a cold slap, sharp and cutting. My breath caught in my throat. I looked up, almost afraid.And she looked away.Just like that—cool, collected, like she hadn’t been watching me crumble from her man’s touch. Like she hadn’t seen anything at all.But she had.God, she had.I reached for my wine glass,
MASONFuck.What the hell was she wearing?I swear my grip on Audrey’s waist tightened the second I stepped through the door and laid eyes on Samantha.That dress—that damn burgundy dress—fit her like a second skin. It teased just the right amount of cleavage and hugged every curve I knew too damn well. She knew what she was doing. She had to.I cleared my throat and let go of Audrey as I walked further into the room, trying to act normal, whatever that meant around Samantha.Mom hugged Audrey first—of course—and gave her a sweet smile. “Thank you for taking care of my son,” she said, like I was some delicate porcelain doll.Funny. I was the one taking care of this clingy-ass girl. If anyone needed saving, it was me.Dad’s handshake was firm, but the look he gave me was something else. A warning. He caught the way I looked at Samantha, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.Macey gave me the biggest grin and a side hug. But she didn’t even glance at Audrey.Not surprising.She’s hated Au
SAMANTHAI walked through the mall, feeling the buzz of the crowd around me, but somehow, I was lost in my thoughts.The bright lights above lit up everything so clearly, and it made the air feel a little heavier.I felt light, almost weightless, in a way I hadn’t felt in a while. Spending time with Macey had done that for me. We laughed, talked, and for a few hours, I could forget about all the other mess in my life. I could just breathe.The mall was packed with people, some in a hurry, others just casually browsing, but I didn’t really pay attention to them.My mind was on tonight. Macey’s mom had invited me over for dinner, and I needed something special to wear. That woman always preached looking good and God forbid I become the center of her jokes tonight.I walked past a boutique, and something caught my eye. A burgundy dress hanging in the window, the light hitting it just right. The color was deep and rich but not over-the-top.I stepped into the store, my fingers brushing th
SAMANTHAI cursed under my breath, staring at the clock. I was late. We were so late.My stomach twisted into knots, and I felt the weight of the day press down on me. “Mace,” I called, shaking her shoulder harder than I probably should have.“Mace, get up! We’re going to be late for class.”She groaned, her face still buried in the blanket. “Five more minutes...” Her voice was thick with sleep, and I couldn’t help but feel irritated a little bit.I ran my fingers through my hair and cursed again, louder this time. “No, we don’t have five minutes, we’ve wasted twenty. Get up, now!”Macey barely stirred. I shook her again, feeling my patience slip away as she let out a small, annoyed sigh.“Okay, okay, I’m up,” she muttered, slowly sitting up. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, and the frown on her face only made me more frustrated.I checked the time once more, my stomach tightening. We were cutting it too close. If we didn’t hurry, we’d be late, and I couldn’t afford that.I actua
MASONI woke up slow, head heavy, body heavier.For a second, I thought I was dreaming.Then I felt it — lips on me. Sloppy. Rushed. Too much teeth.I cracked my eyes open.Audrey. She got here few hours after my call with Samantha.Her blonde hair was fanned across my stomach, her hand digging into my thigh. She was trying so hard, too hard.I leaned my head back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling.I should’ve been into it.I should’ve cared.But the second I felt her mouth touched me, my mind went somewhere else.To Samantha.I pictured her instead — that red lingerie she wore for me, the way the lace clung to her hips, the way her cheeks flushed when she looked at me like she hated how much she wanted me.God.My breathing picked up, but not because of Audrey.Because in my head, it was Samantha’s hands on me. Samantha’s mouth making me lose my damn mind.I tightened my fists in the sheets, trying to hang onto the fantasy.I could see her perfectly — the way she bit her b
SAMANTHAI stared at his message for a second too long, my thumb hovering.I should’ve ignored it. Pretended I was asleep. Let the night pass without him.But I didn’t.Yeah, I typed back.There was no delay in his next text. Like he’d been waiting, watching the screen light up.What are you wearing?I smirked a little, the corner of my lip lifting without thinking. I knew what he wanted to hear.The red lingerie you bought me last summer.A pause. Just a breath of silence between us. But I could feel it. Him. Liking it. Thinking about it.Wanting more.I added, Your sister’s here. Crashed on my couch. I can’t come out tonight. And I’m sore.That last part wasn’t meant to be cruel—it was just the truth. He hadn’t exactly been gentle the last time.But Mason didn’t take offense. His reply hit harder.Go to your room. Switch to video. I want to see you.I blinked at the screen, my pulse starting to rise.There it was—that pull again. That quiet command in his voice, even through a text.
SAMANTHAI stepped out of the cafe, my breath catching in the cold air. It kissed my cheeks, sharp and grounding, like it knew I needed something to pull me out of my thoughts.But it didn’t help much.Not when I could still see Mason in my mind—his mouth on hers, his arm around her waist, like I hadn’t existed just hours ago.I wrapped my arms around myself and kept walking toward my car. One foot in front of the other. The lot was half-full, quiet except for the distant hum of campus life.Then my phone rang.Mom.I stared at her name for a second, then swiped to answer.“Hi, Mom,” I said, trying to sound normal.“Hi, sweetheart,” her voice came through, all sweet and bright, like a ribbon hiding something sharp underneath. “How’s your day?”“Very fine, Mom,” I said. A lie. Another one to add to the pile.“That’s good.” She paused, then, “Can you come home this weekend?”I froze a little. One hand still on my car door, the key dangling in the other.Home.Just the word made my stoma
SAMANTHAI sat at the far end of the Marie's cafe, tucked into the corner like I always was.My coffee had gone cold. I still stirred it, slow and absent, the metal spoon tapping gently against the ceramic. My sandwich sat half-eaten on the tray. I wasn’t really hungry.I had changed before coming here—traded my thick coat for a pale cream sweater. It was warm inside, but I still needed something long-sleeved. I couldn’t risk the marks showing. The ones Mason left behind.My body still ached a little from earlier.Macey sat across from me, ranting about something I barely registered. Liam sat beside her, tossing in sarcastic comments. They were arguing again. Tea vs coffee, or some other nonsense. I smiled once or twice just to keep them from asking why I was so quiet.Then the cafe's door swung open—and the vibes shifted.I didn’t have to look.I knew it was them. I could feel it in the air. Loud, careless laughter. Boots stomping in. Energy that filled every space like they were too
MASONI slipped in through the side entrance of the locker room building. The place was quiet. No echoes, no footsteps, just the distant hum of electricity in the walls. My skates hung over my shoulder, clinking softly against the zipper of my bag as I walked.I didn’t need to check my phone. I knew she’d be there.I rested my hand on the doorknob, holding still for a second. I could already feel it—heat, tension, that pull between wanting her and knowing I shouldn’t.But I was already in too deep.I pushed the door open slowly, quietly.And there she was.Samantha.Naked.Standing in the far corner of the room like some kind of twisted dream. Her coat was folded neatly on the chair beside her, her clothes stacked on top, untouched. She wasn’t hiding. She wasn’t covering herself. She was standing there like she belonged to me.And hell, maybe she did.Her eyes found mine. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t speak. She just looked at me like she’d been waiting all her life for this exact second.