I reach for the door handle, the cold metal biting into my skin as I press my thumb against the latch. Before I can pull the door open, Cade's arm shoots out from behind me, slamming it shut. My body jolts, my heart leaping into my throat as I feel the heat of his body against my back. He lowers himself to me, his breath fanning my ear. "Are you walking out on me again, Elysian?” A shaky breath parts my lips, the hair on the back of my neck standing on its ends. "I never walked out on you, Cade…" My voice falters, betraying me. "Don't lie to me." His tone is aggressive. "I told you a long time ago never to walk away from me again. Are you always so careless?” I try to swallow, but my throat is too tight. "I'm sorry," I manage, the words barely audible. "You said that already," he challenges me, warning me to choose my next words carefully. But I can't. I can't think. I can't move. As his grip on the door tightens, I realize he's not giving me a choice. ⊰ Heartprints in the Void ⊱ My name is Elysian Reign, and I'm not extraordinary. His name is Cade Sinclair, and unlike me, he is extraordinary. At the age of 25, he inherited billions from his trillionaire father—David Sinclair. You never imagine that the love of your life's own father would manipulate his son's life to get rid of you—even if it means forcing him into an experimental hypnosis treatment. After three years, you'd think I'd have learned my lesson. You'd think I would've changed my identity and left the country after walking in on my first day at my new job and finding out that Cade is now my boss.
View More⊰Cade⊱I lean back in my chair, the soft leather cradling my back as I tear my eyes from the glowing screen of my computer. Beyond the glass walls of my office, my team is hard at work, a low hum of voices and the clatter of keyboards filling the air.It’s Friday night, and we’re all here for the tech refresh, a crucial step for our IPv6 migration project.My gaze settles on Elysian, her brow furrowed in concentration as she types away at her keyboard, her fingers flying over the keys. The glow of the pair of monitors cast a soft blue light on her features, highlighting the gentle curve of her cheeks and the fullness of her slightly parted lips.A strand of hair slips from behind her ear, curling against her cheek, and I feel my fingers twitch with the urge to brush it back, to feel the silky softness of her skin.I miss you, Ely.Unbidden, my mind wanders back to this past Sunday, to the ten
I lean against the window, my skin still tingling from Cade’s touch, my lips swollen from his kiss. The glass feels cool against my shoulder as I try to steady my racing heartbeat, to calm the desire thrumming through my veins and heat between my legs.The sound of footsteps echoes on the tile floor, pulling me from my thoughts. I cock my head to the side, seeing Cade re-entering the kitchen, now fully dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans. The fabric stretches across his broad shoulders.Oh…A flicker of disappointment runs through me, but I quickly push it down. It’s probably for the best that we stopped when we did. We need to talk, to figure out what thisthingis between us, before we let it go any further.“How about some breakfast?” Cade offers, his voice still rough, sending a shiver down my spine. He moves towards the fridge, the scent of his cologne mixing with the aroma of coffe
I groan out of my sleep, turning in the softness of the sheets. As I inhale deeply, the familiar scent of sandalwood and something uniquely Cade envelopes me. My eyes flutter open, taking in the sleek modern lines of the bedroom.Where am I?I lay on my back for a while longer, taking in the familiar room.This is Cade’s room. Oh my God, I’m in Cade’s house…again.I sit up slowly, glancing down at the awfully comfortable and oversized t-shirt skimming my thighs. It’s Cade’s—Cade’s shirt. A quick assessment tells me that aside from the slight headache, I’m surprisingly hangover-free.Small mercies.Memories of last night come rushing back, fragmented and hazy. The club, the drinks, the phone call. Cade coming to get me, the feel of his hands on my skin as he helped me into the car.Oh God, I got sick in front of him…Mortification w
The invitation to Anna and Amelia’s party sits on my desk, a glaring reminder of the commitment I made weeks ago. I stare at it, my fingers tracing the embossed lettering as I try to muster up some semblance of excitement.Clubs have never been my thing, the pulsing music and crowded dance floors making my skin crawl with anxiety. And after the disastrous not-so-date with Cade last week, the last thing I want to do is put on a brave face and pretend everything’s okay.We’ve barely spoken a word to each other outside of work, the tension between us heavy in every interaction, every stolen glance across the office. It’s like we’re strangers again—two people who just happen to occupy the same space.It’s killing me.I try to push him from my mind, to focus on the endless string of tasks and projects that demand my attention. But it’s harder than I thought it would be, especially when the memory of his touch, hi
⊰ Cade ⊱The drive home is a blur, my mind consumed with thoughts of Elysian. The way she looked tonight, the way her dress hugged her curves, the way her lips wrapped around that spoon… It’s all I can think about.I pull up to the gate of my community, waiting impatiently for it to open. The guard nods at me as I drive through, the familiar sight of my less-than-humble abode hardly easing the tension coiled tight in my muscles.I need a drink.I’m barely inside when my phone chimes, notifying me of a visitor at the gate. I frown, glancing at the screen.It’s Julia, the hostess from the restaurant.What could she possibly want at this hour?I hesitate for a moment before buzzing her in, my curiosity getting the better of me. I pour myself a drink while I wait, the amber liquid sloshing against the sides of the glass as I bring it to my lips. The alcohol burns as it goes down, but it does little to qu
I love cheesecake so much.A hum echoes from the back of my throat as I moan softly at the spoonful of the best strawberry cheesecake I’ve ever had in my entire life.This is…heaven. I am in heaven.I sway side to side in delight as I set the spoon down on the now-empty dessert plate, savoring the last bite. A smile plays on my lips as I lift my eyes to meet Cade’s, capturing the pensive look in his gaze.He watches me for a moment longer, a soft sigh parting his lips as his eyes break from my own, looking up to motion for the waitress. She’s swift, moving to the table and laying the check presenter on it. As she reaches to take the empty plate in front of me, Cade sets down his black card on top of the presenter, sitting back in his chair as the waitress takes the bill and excuses herself kindly.Well, he still never looks at the bill.…Oh, yeah. He’s a bi
⊰ Cade ⊱The drive to the restaurant is a blur, the city lights flashing by as my mind wanders, drifting back to memories of Elysian.I can’t help but steal glances at her, my eyes drawn to the way the pink dress hugs her curves, the way her dark hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders. I’ve always thought she was attractive, but tonight, she’s breathtaking.As if sensing my gaze, she shifts in her seat, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. It’s a nervous habit, one I remember all too well. The sight sends a jolt of heat through me, memories of those lips on mine, on my body, flooding my mind unbidden.I force my eyes back to the road, my grip tightening on the steering wheel as I try to focus on the drive, on the music playing on the radio. But it’s a losing battle, my thoughts driving to her, always her.Why does that dress look so familiar..?Out of the corner of my eye, I wat
I scrutinize my reflection in the mirror, admiring the way the long-sleeved pink cocktail dress hugs my curves in all the right places. A smile plays on my lips as I turn, appreciating the fit.This is so cute!I bought this dress almost four years ago, ambitiously purchasing it one size too small. I’ve only worn it once. I had all but forgotten about it until I found myself desperately trying to find the appropriate outfit for tonight.It took 20 pounds… How tight did it fit before..?After a week of diligently running through my mobility exercises, the pain in my lower back has mostly subsided, allowing me to ease back into my normal routine. Work has been hectic, leaving little time for personal conversations with Cade.My heart flutters at the thought of spending the evening with him again, just the two of us. It’s been two weeks since my injury, two weeks since that night when I let my guard down and gave i
My eyes snap open at the phone blaring, jolting me out of my slumber.What the hell..?With my head still resting on Cade’s bare chest, I lay perfectly my hand slayed over his abs. Almost instantly, he shifts slightly beneath me, reaching for his cell phone and silencing it.The light from the sunrise creeps through the edges of the curtains, and knowing I can't lay here forever, I nearly panic trying to figure out what I should say.He spent the night…Memories of last night play over in my head, and I feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment at how I practically threw myself at him. I want to blame it on the pot, but truthfully, all the weed did was make me bold enough to say and do what I really wanted to.Oh, this is bad…this is SO bad.In the next moment, I hear a dial ring through his phone. “Good morning,” he speaks lowly, more than likely assuming I’m still asleep.
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