ANYA “Where the hell am I?” I muttered, my voice shaky as I sat up on the bed. My eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, taking in the white-colored walls, the plush white bedding, and the luxurious decor that looked nothing like Hunter’s usual style. I swung my legs off the bed, my heart pounding as I tried to make sense of everything. Was I still in Hunter’s house? The room felt so different, almost too perfect. Before I could spiral any further, my phone buzzed, the sound pulling my attention to the bedside table. I sighed in relief when I spotted it. I must have been shifted to a new room by Hunter. Picking up the phone, I noticed it was my brother calling. For a brief moment, the familiarity of his name on the screen grounded me. I answered quickly. “Hey.” “Anya!” His voice was warm but carried a hint of concern. “Just wanted to check on you. You okay?” “Yeah,” I replied, though my voice lacked conviction. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” He hesitated before respon
ANYA My mind raced as I thought about everything; my plans, my secrets, and the tangled web of lies I’d created. Bernice, Cross, Evans… the weight of it all pressed down on me, making my chest feel tight. Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I could no longer hold them back. I turned to Hunter, my voice trembling. “I want to go back, Hunter. I want to go back to San José.” He frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. “But why?” “I need to go back to school,” I said earnestly, trying to keep my voice steady. Hunter’s expression softened, and he smiled, as if my request was adorable. “Come on, cherie,” he said gently. “If I brought you here, it means everything back home is taken care of. Your education is covered. I’ve already put someone in your place who will keep your grades perfect while we’re away.” I stared at him, stunned. “You… replaced me? How could you.....” “It’s a win for you,” he said, cutting me off, his tone reassuring. “You don’t need to stress about school, so s
ANYA The tension in the room was suffocating, and I wasn’t sure whether to run or stand my ground. My heart was racing, my palms damp with nervousness. These weren’t just men....they exuded a level of power that was both intimidating and overwhelming. One of the three men, brown haired, who hadn't said a word, suddenly stood and spoke in a calm yet commanding voice. “Cut it out, guys.” He walked over to Hunter, his movements deliberate, and gently took the gun from his hand. Hunter hesitated for a moment, his jaw tight, before reluctantly releasing his grip on the weapon. The blond-haired man; Manuel, as I would later learn, smirked, seemingly unbothered by the near-death experience. Hunter glared at him, his eyes sharp and unrelenting, before turning his attention to me. “Everyone,” Hunter said, his voice firm. “This is my wife, Anya Steele.” The room went silent. Manuel’s eyes widened in shock, and he let out a dramatic gasp. “You got married? Oh my God!” He quickly tu
ANYA As I heard Hunter’s voice outside the restroom, my hands trembled so badly I nearly dropped my phone. Without wasting a second, I hung up the call, shoved the phone deep into my bag, and opened the door. “Hey, Hunter,” I said, forcing a smile that I prayed looked natural. Hunter’s gaze softened as he stepped closer. Without warning, he cupped my face and gave me a quick kiss. “What happened?” I asked, my voice shaky despite my efforts to stay calm. “Nothing,” he replied casually, though his eyes scanned my face like he was searching for something. “It’s just that you were taking a little too long. I guess I missed you.” His words caught me off guard, but I quickly recovered. “Well, I’m done here,” I said. “Let’s go.” Hunter smiled and took my hand, leading me back toward the hall. When we reentered the room, I froze at the sight before me. Manuel, the blond-haired one, had two nearly naked women draped over him, each sitting on one of his thighs. His grin was as w
ANYA My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t understand why. As I stared into Hunter’s intense eyes, it felt like the rest of the world had disappeared. Nothing else mattered in that moment. “I've never felt this way about anyone else before, Anya. It's the first time in my life that I can't imagine living in a world without someone—you," he said, his voice deep and steady. The words sent a shiver down my spine. 'He’s really in love with me,' I thought to myself, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. My mind flashed back to the evening I’d proposed to him at the bar. I remembered the way he had looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and amusement, and how he’d said, “Yes, I’ll marry you,” without hesitation. “Hunter, I…” I began, unsure of what I wanted to say. Before I could finish, he pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. “Shhh,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He cupped my face gently, pulling me closer until our forehead
ANYA Valentine’s Day; The day of lovers, the day I had been waiting for with my heart in my throat and dreams in my eyes. Today was going to be my day. My perfect day. I rushed into the bar, my heart pounding in anticipation. The sight of Cross made my breath catch, as it always did. He was sitting there, looking effortlessly perfect. His hair was slightly messy, his smile casually charming, and his presence magnetic. I had loved him since high school, and even now, in college, that love hadn’t faded. If anything, it had only grown stronger. He was the guy all the girls wanted, yet somehow, he remained single. That was part of his charm...unreachable, mysterious, untouchable. But not to me. I believed I had a chance. I wasn’t supposed to school at Kings college. My parents had wanted me to attend a more prestigious one, but I had whined, begged, and complained until they sent me there.....where Cross was. To me, nothing mattered more than being near him. Yesterday, I had done
ANYA The sound of laughter erupted behind me, sharp and mocking. Cameras flashed, their lenses pointed at me like spotlights, capturing every humiliating second. I clenched my fists, trying to block out the noise. I knew this would happen. I knew Hunter Steele would humiliate me, but I didn’t care. If enduring this proved my love for Cross, it was worth it. I kept reminding myself: By the end of today, I’ll have my first kiss.....from the love of my life. Cross will see how much I love him, and everything will be perfect. But then Hunter’s annoyed expression softened. A chuckle escaped his lips, sending a chill down my spine. Before I could process it, his face turned cold, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. My heart raced as he loomed over me, his presence suffocating. “Why is he so close?” I thought, frozen in place. He reached out, his hand catching my chin. His grip was firm but not painful, and his intense gaze seemed to dissect every inch of my face. “Is he going to
ANYA I couldn’t decide what was worse: the fact that Cross wanted nothing to do with me or that Hunter Steele, of all people, had decided I was going to be his wife. My chest tightened as the memory of Hunter’s kiss flashed through my mind. I wiped my lips again, as though I could erase the feeling. "Oh, Cross," I thought miserably. "What can I do to win you back? You were the one who told me to approach Hunter Steele. I only did it for you, but now I’m the one paying the price." My phone felt heavy in my hand as I scrolled to Cross’s number. Desperation gnawed at me. I just needed to explain, to tell him what really happened. Maybe if he listened, he would forgive me. But when I called, the automated voice informed me that my number had been blocked. The rejection hit me like a slap. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart. I still remembered the look on his face before he walked out of the bar....the disgust in his eyes, the finality in his voice. And the stares of e
ANYA My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t understand why. As I stared into Hunter’s intense eyes, it felt like the rest of the world had disappeared. Nothing else mattered in that moment. “I've never felt this way about anyone else before, Anya. It's the first time in my life that I can't imagine living in a world without someone—you," he said, his voice deep and steady. The words sent a shiver down my spine. 'He’s really in love with me,' I thought to myself, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. My mind flashed back to the evening I’d proposed to him at the bar. I remembered the way he had looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and amusement, and how he’d said, “Yes, I’ll marry you,” without hesitation. “Hunter, I…” I began, unsure of what I wanted to say. Before I could finish, he pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. “Shhh,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He cupped my face gently, pulling me closer until our forehead
ANYA As I heard Hunter’s voice outside the restroom, my hands trembled so badly I nearly dropped my phone. Without wasting a second, I hung up the call, shoved the phone deep into my bag, and opened the door. “Hey, Hunter,” I said, forcing a smile that I prayed looked natural. Hunter’s gaze softened as he stepped closer. Without warning, he cupped my face and gave me a quick kiss. “What happened?” I asked, my voice shaky despite my efforts to stay calm. “Nothing,” he replied casually, though his eyes scanned my face like he was searching for something. “It’s just that you were taking a little too long. I guess I missed you.” His words caught me off guard, but I quickly recovered. “Well, I’m done here,” I said. “Let’s go.” Hunter smiled and took my hand, leading me back toward the hall. When we reentered the room, I froze at the sight before me. Manuel, the blond-haired one, had two nearly naked women draped over him, each sitting on one of his thighs. His grin was as w
ANYA The tension in the room was suffocating, and I wasn’t sure whether to run or stand my ground. My heart was racing, my palms damp with nervousness. These weren’t just men....they exuded a level of power that was both intimidating and overwhelming. One of the three men, brown haired, who hadn't said a word, suddenly stood and spoke in a calm yet commanding voice. “Cut it out, guys.” He walked over to Hunter, his movements deliberate, and gently took the gun from his hand. Hunter hesitated for a moment, his jaw tight, before reluctantly releasing his grip on the weapon. The blond-haired man; Manuel, as I would later learn, smirked, seemingly unbothered by the near-death experience. Hunter glared at him, his eyes sharp and unrelenting, before turning his attention to me. “Everyone,” Hunter said, his voice firm. “This is my wife, Anya Steele.” The room went silent. Manuel’s eyes widened in shock, and he let out a dramatic gasp. “You got married? Oh my God!” He quickly tu
ANYA My mind raced as I thought about everything; my plans, my secrets, and the tangled web of lies I’d created. Bernice, Cross, Evans… the weight of it all pressed down on me, making my chest feel tight. Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I could no longer hold them back. I turned to Hunter, my voice trembling. “I want to go back, Hunter. I want to go back to San José.” He frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. “But why?” “I need to go back to school,” I said earnestly, trying to keep my voice steady. Hunter’s expression softened, and he smiled, as if my request was adorable. “Come on, cherie,” he said gently. “If I brought you here, it means everything back home is taken care of. Your education is covered. I’ve already put someone in your place who will keep your grades perfect while we’re away.” I stared at him, stunned. “You… replaced me? How could you.....” “It’s a win for you,” he said, cutting me off, his tone reassuring. “You don’t need to stress about school, so s
ANYA “Where the hell am I?” I muttered, my voice shaky as I sat up on the bed. My eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, taking in the white-colored walls, the plush white bedding, and the luxurious decor that looked nothing like Hunter’s usual style. I swung my legs off the bed, my heart pounding as I tried to make sense of everything. Was I still in Hunter’s house? The room felt so different, almost too perfect. Before I could spiral any further, my phone buzzed, the sound pulling my attention to the bedside table. I sighed in relief when I spotted it. I must have been shifted to a new room by Hunter. Picking up the phone, I noticed it was my brother calling. For a brief moment, the familiarity of his name on the screen grounded me. I answered quickly. “Hey.” “Anya!” His voice was warm but carried a hint of concern. “Just wanted to check on you. You okay?” “Yeah,” I replied, though my voice lacked conviction. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” He hesitated before respon
HUNTER Last night, as I lay in bed beside Anya, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She looked so peaceful, her chest rising and falling steadily, her face soft and serene in the glow of the dim light. She had no idea how much she had changed me, how far I had gone for her. As I watched her sleep, my mind drifted back to the day that had set all of this in motion. I remembered the bar, the music, and then Anya....standing before me asking me to marry her. At the time, I thought she was insane. Who proposes to a man they barely know? But her courage and Beauty had intrigued me, so I agreed. What I didn’t expect was the whirlwind that followed. I recalled the day I went to her house shortly before we got married. I overheard her talking to her parents about a guy named Cross, saying she loved him and couldn’t live without him. Hearing those words felt like a knife to my chest. It wasn’t jealousy—I barely knew her then—but it was the principle. She had proposed to me, yet her hear
BERNICE I woke up to the faint light streaming through the curtains. For a moment, I lay there, my head pounding and my body heavy, trying to shake off the haze that clouded my mind. As I sat up, the memories of the past week came rushing back, and I winced. As I vividly recalled that slap. My father’s voice thundered in my head as clearly as if it had just happened. “How could you be so incompetent?” he had roared, his hand striking my cheek so hard I’d stumbled back. I hadn’t even had time to respond before my brother, Cross, stepped forward, trying to defend me. “Come on, Dad...” But he hadn’t even finished his sentence before he got slapped too. “Shut the hell up!” our father barked, his glare cutting through both of us. He turned back to me, his face red with anger. “You had one job. Just one! Make Hunter Steele yours, and you couldn’t even do that. How could you let some random girl push her way to him? I am so disappointed in you.” My cheeks burned, not just fro
ANYA When Hunter asked me if I wanted to stay the night, it felt like the world had come crashing down around me. My breath caught as the gravity of what had just happened between us hit me like a wave. What had I done? I wanted to say no. I wanted to run out of his room, away from his intense gaze and the overwhelming feelings he stirred in me. But then, a sharp thought reminded me why I had to stay no matter what. I had to plant the cameras. I wasn't sure if I would get the chance to get back into his room. So I forced myself to nod, my voice barely steady. “Yes… yes, I would.” Hunter’s smile was soft but knowing, and I felt a strange mixture of relief and unease. I told myself to focus. First, I had to get Bernice back into the house. She was my priority. Hunter turned to his closet and pulled out a set of pajamas for himself. I rolled my eyes when I realized they matched mine....pink and white, with the same delicate floral pattern. The coincidence felt too intimate, but
ANYA I don’t know why hearing him say "please" felt like he had cast a spell on me, and the walls I’d tried so hard to keep up began to crumble. My mind screamed at me to stop, but my body moved on its own. My trembling fingers wrapped around his cock, warm and hard, and I began to stroke him slowly. Hunter groaned, a deep, guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine. He leaned forward, his lips crashing onto mine with a hunger that made my head spin. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer as our kiss deepened, messy and desperate. I felt his body tense under my touch as I continued stroking him, his breaths ragged against my lips. Every moan he let out was like fuel to my fire, igniting something wild and uncontrollable inside me. Suddenly, Hunter pulled back, his eyes dark with desire, his chest heaving. “This won’t do,” he muttered, his voice husky and strained. Before I could ask what he meant, he swept me off the ground like I weighed nothing. A startled gasp