Novels by Lustra

Chapter 7Rhett’s POV“What?” I asked, my brows pulling together in genuine confusion. “How can you ask me to do that?”Micah ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. “My parents entrusted her to me for the summer. All I want is for you to keep an eye on her. Is that a big deal?”Yes. A very big one.“No,” I muttered, my tone flat. “I can’t do it.”“Don’t be hard to deal with,” Micah said, rolling his eyes. He pushed himself up from the chair and closed the distance between us. “It’s only for tonight anyway.”Still, I couldn’t. “Rhett, please. Will you?” His voice softened at the end, like he knew that was the quickest way to break my resolve.I hesitated, then exhaled slowly. “Fine.”“Okay. I’m going out,” Micah announced suddenly as he reached for his phone.“Wait, what?” My head snapped toward him.“I have to meet someone tonight before my early flight tomorrow,” he said, already half-turned toward the door.“Micah, you can’t just–”But I didn’t get to finish as he had already gra

Chapter 6Rhett’s POVShit.Shit.Shit.Micah was back. How? Didn’t he make it to his trip?I pushed away from Astrid and grabbed my towel, tying it quickly around my waist.Footsteps echoed on the stairs. He was getting closer to his room.“Rhett? Are you in?” Micah’s voice asked, louder than before. “Don’t tell me you’re taking a nap, you sleeping ass.”Astrid’s eyes widened.“Rhett–”I didn’t think twice. I pulled her into the walk-in closet. She tried to protest, but I shut the door firmly–just in time before Micah strode in.He paused at the doorway, brows furrowing. His brown eyes gleamed as they landed on me.Dammit.I walked away from the closet with slow, measured movements. The towel still clung to my hips, and I hoped Micah didn’t suspect anything. Luckily, Astrid stayed silent. Good girl.“Did you just shut the closet?” Micah asked, striding fully into the room.“Yes,” I replied instantly. “I couldn’t find any proper clothes to wear, and I got pissed.”He stared at me for

Chapter 5Astrid's POV I straightened up and almost dropped my phone when I saw Rhett standing in my room.Thank goodness he hadn’t seen what I was staring at.But then he asked, “Have you been staring at my picture?”I froze.My lips parted and I blinked, completely thrown off.Rhett stepped closer–close enough for me to breathe in that familiar cedarwood scent. It filled my lungs, and somehow made my stomach flutter.I was doomed.Rhett Rivers had just caught me touching myself, and yes, I had been staring at his photo. A picture he’d sent not long ago, shirtless and soaked in sweat after the gym. I didn’t know if he meant to send it. But I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since.“Did I just see you touch yourself, Astrid?” Rhett asked, his voice low, his tone unreadable–a mixture of shock, hunger, and something dangerous.The closer he came, the more intense his gaze felt. Those hazel eyes locked on mine like I was a problem he couldn’t figure out, and a craving he’d tried to supp

Chapter 4Rhett's POV Astrid didn't remember me last night. But I did.Every fucking second.How in the hell did you expect me to forget the taste of her?The feel of her thighs clenching around my hips. The wild look in her eyes when she moaned my name like it meant something.It was good she didn't remember me even though I thought it was the most dangerous thing I'd ever wanted.But I couldn't let myself obsess over it. Not now. Not when Micah was back in town, and I was crashing under his roof like nothing happened.I kept it cool that morning, and played along through breakfast Michah had prepared.Later that afternoon, Michah dragged me to the gym downtown, and insisted we needed to spend time together.Micah was a busy man. It's been months since I last saw him, and when he told me to come stay at his place with Astrid, I didn't expect he'd return sooner.I had woken up to see the bed empty with no sign of Astrid. That was when I got a text from Micah about reaching the airpor

Chapter 3Astrid's POV I didn't plan on waking up tangled in sheets that didn't belong to me.Or next to a man whose face I couldn't fully see. My head banged terribly from how drunk I was last night.All I remembered was laughter, lights. The feel of a stranger's hand on my hip, his mouth on my neck. And then sex.I blinked slowly, my head still pounding. The early morning sun filtered through unfamiliar curtains as a deep, masculine scent lingered around me. My bare skin prickled as the sheet slipped down my shoulders.Panic crawled into my chest.My bra was on the floor.My dress–the tiny black one Talia insisted I wear–was draped over a couch.Realization hit me right there. I turned to a man's silhouette, face turned away, one muscular arm thrown over his eyes.I didn't recognize the room.I couldn't even remember how I ended up here!What the hell did I do last night?I carefully slid out of bed, moving slowly and trying not to wake him. The throb in my head wasn't helping at

Chapter 2Astrid's POV The music was booming so loud I could feel it in my entire body.I should've turned around when we walked into the house party, but Talia had already pulled me in by the hand, grinning ear to ear like it was her wedding day.“You need to have fun for once,” she shouted over the music. “For goodness sake, you got back to LA just yesterday. Let loose.”Maybe Talia was right. After the awkward charger incident with Rhett the night before, my brain had been fried. I needed this. I needed distraction, music, crowds. Anything but him.The living room was packed with sweaty bodies and cups lifted up as cheers followed. A fog machine was going for some reason, and lights strobed across dancing faces.We were at a frat party Talia had introduced me to.I tried to relax on a chair, but I felt bare. I couldn't even think of anything.“Astrid!” Talia shoved a drink in my hand. “Vodka. Don't waste it.”I nodded and took a slow sip. It was strong. Too strong I coughed and l