All Chapters of Annalisa : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

22AdrianI walked into the kitchen, ready to grab a quick snack before heading out for the night. But there she was, my beautiful Annalise, bent over the counter, her perfect ass on display. She was cooking, humming to herself, completely oblivious to the effect she was having on me.“Hey there, gorgeous,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. She looked up, a smile lighting up her face.“Hey, Adrian. I was just making us some dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”I stepped closer, running my hand over her ass. She jumped, letting out a little gasp.“I’m starving,” I growled, nibbling on her earlobe. She shivered, pushing back against me.“Adrian, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.“I’m going to have you right here, on this counter,” I replied, my hands roaming over her body. She moaned, her head falling back against my shoulder.“But what if someone sees us?” she asked, even as she spread her legs wider, inviting me in.“Let them watch,” I said, slipping my

24ANNALISEThe Wales sunset cast a golden glow over the bustling marketplace as Adrian and I weaved through the throngs of people. The chaos, usually overwhelming, seemed almost festive tonight. Relief from the recent ordeal settled over me like a comforting blanket. Spencer was exposed, his treachery laid bare. The Duke, although not entirely forgiving of Adrian’s heritage, was forced to acknowledge the corruption within his own ranks. As for Adrian and me, well, our bond had grown stronger through the trials we faced.Tonight, we were celebrating a quiet victory, a stolen moment of peace amidst the city’s vibrant energy. We grabbed a steaming cup of spiced tea from a cheerful vendor, the aroma of cinnamon and cardamom filling the air.“This is amazing,” I exclaimed, taking a sip of the sweet, spicy concoction. “Warms you right up on a cool evening.”Adrian chuckled, a warm sound that sent a pleasant flutter in my stomach. It wasn’t just the sound; it was the crinkling at the corners

26SPENCERHer long brunette hair and piercing green eyes were impossible to ignore. We worked together at a stuffy law firm, but tonight we were both attending a work party at my boss’s mansion. I saw her standing alone in the garden, taking in the fresh air, and I knew this was my chance.“Hey, Anne,” I said, approaching her slowly. “Mind if I join you?”She turned to me with a small smile. “Sure, Spencer. It’s a beautiful night.”We stood in silence for a moment, taking in the sounds of the crickets and the rustling of the leaves. I couldn’t take it any longer, I had to make my move.“Anne, I have to be honest with you. I’ve had a crush on you for a while now.”Her smile grew wider. “Really? I had no idea.”“I just had to tell you. You’re so beautiful and smart, I can’t help but be drawn to you.”She bit her lip, looking up at me through her lashes. “I think you’re pretty great too, Spencer.”Before I knew it, our lips were pressed together, our tongues dancing as we kissed under t

28ANNALISAA jolt rattled the carriage, sending a jolt of surprise through me. I glanced out the window, expecting to see a particularly nasty pothole, but the dusty road stretched out before us, smooth and uneventful. However, a prickling unease wormed its way into my stomach.“Did you feel that, Father?” I asked, frowning.The Duke, engrossed in a stack of parchment documents, barely looked up. “Feel what, child?”“A bump,” I elaborated. “Or a wobble, perhaps. The carriage seems a little… unsteady.”He grunted noncommittally, muttering something about overly sensitive stomachs and the perils of travelling after a large breakfast. I bristled. My stomach wasn’t sensitive, and the wobble – if that’s what you wanted to call it – had been quite distinct.Ignoring his dismissive tone, I pressed on. “But Father, shouldn’t we at least have the coachman check it out? It could be a loose wheel or something.”He finally met my gaze, a hint of annoyance flickering across his features. “Annalis

30ANNALISEMy arms were crossed so tightly they were starting to resemble pretzels. Dad, on the other hand, looked like a kicked puppy – all droopy eyes and slumped shoulders. We were in a stalemate, the kind that usually involved a silent treatment lasting for days (a record was two weeks, fueled by a particularly disastrous attempt at a soufflé on my part). This time, however, the silence crackled with electricity.“But Dad,” I finally burst out, unable to contain myself any longer, “it’s a prince! A literal prince!”He sighed, a sound that seemed to deflate him further. “Annalise, honey, there’s more to life than tiaras and carriages.”“But isn’t that kind of the point?” I countered, throwing my hands up in exasperation. “It’s a chance to, you know, do something grand! Make a difference!”Dad snorted, a dry, humorless sound. “The only difference you’ll be making is the colour of your bank account, sweetheart. And trust me, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows on the other side of fa