Novel-novel oleh Joanna Jade

Zayden’s POVThe warehouse sat on the edge of the industrial district, far enough from the city lights to feel isolated. Two black cars were already parked outside when we arrived. No plates. No obvious guards in sight — which only meant they were well hidden.Nico glanced at me as he put the car in park.“You sure about this?”I didn't hesitate. “I’m sure.”I turned to look at him. “Everything and everyone is in place?”He nodded. “Yeah, we got it covered.”“Alright,” I said.I stepped out. The night air was cold and carried the faint smell of salt and rust. Some of my men stayed by the cars as instructed. Only Nico walked with me toward the entrance.Inside, a few hanging industrial lights dimly lit the space. The concrete floor echoed under our shoes. At the far end of the room, under one of the lights, a long metal table had been set up.And there he was — Hiram.I slowed for a moment. For some reason, I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. For a second, I just looked a

Bella’s POVI didn’t move from where I stood. “Talk about what?” I asked. Emerald walked further into the room, glancing around as if assessing everything. “You’ve settled in well. The staff speaks highly of you. Even Noemi seems… fond.”I stayed quiet, waiting for her to get to the point.Emerald turned to face me fully. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes."I must say, I never expected my son to take such an interest in you. I suppose every man needs a distraction.""I'm not a distraction," I said softly, yet firmly. "No?" She raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you?"I held her gaze. "His wife."Emerald laughed, a soft, dismissive sound. "A title means nothing when the marriage was built on desperation and obligation. I assume you are, at least, aware of that."I didn't answer.She moved closer, her eyes studying me like I was a puzzle she had already solved. "Tell me, Isabella. Do you truly believe my son loves you?"“I’m not about to go over this bullshit again,” I said sharply.“Ans

Bella’s POV“Ah… fuck—”The sound slipped out of me before I could stop it.I was straddling Zayden, my knees pressed into the mattress on either side of his hips, my hands braced on his chest. His cock was buried deep inside me, thick and hard, stretching me perfectly with every slow roll of my hips.His hands gripped my waist firmly, fingers digging into my skin as he guided me. Up. Down. Deeper.I moaned again, louder this time, as I sank onto him fully. The feeling of him sliding in and out of me was overwhelming.Every time I lifted myself, I felt the drag of his length against my walls. Every time I dropped back down, he filled me completely.“That’s it,” he murmured, voice rough. His thumbs stroked over my hip bones as he helped control the rhythm. “Just like that.”I bit my lip and moved faster, chasing the pleasure building low in my stomach. The wet sound of our bodies meeting filled the quiet room. My thighs trembled. My breasts bounced with every movement.A broken moan es

Zayden’s POVI stood outside Bella's door for a long time before I knocked.My hand was raised, ready to make contact with the wood, but something held me back. The memory of her face last night. The way she had looked at me when I told her we weren't sharing a room. The way her voice had cracked when she said goodnight.I lowered my hand. Then I raised it again and knocked firmly.No response.I knocked again, harder this time."Bella. I know you're in there."There was a pause, then the soft sound of bare feet on the floor. The door opened only a few inches. Her face appeared in the gap—Her eyes were slightly swollen, like she’d cried at some point during the night and then forced herself to stop.. She didn't open the door any wider. “What?” she asked, voice flat.“Good morning to you too,” I said.She didn’t smile. “What do you want, Zayden?”I rested my hand against the doorframe. “I need you to come with me.”Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “Come with you where?”“You’ll see.”She

Zayden’s POVThe study felt too quiet after she left.I stood by the window for a long time, staring out into the dark garden without really seeing it. The taste of her was still on my tongue. The sound of her moaning my name still echoed in my head. And yet the second it was over, I had pushed her away again.Everyone had retreated to their rooms—everyone except me.And apparently, Noemi.The door creaked open without a knock. She stepped inside, still in her clothes from dinner, her hair loose around her shoulders."Thought I'd find you here," she said, closing the door behind her."I didn't ask for company.""You never do." She walked to the chair across from me and sat. "But I always know when you need it."I didn't argue. I didn't have the energy.She took one look at me and raised an eyebrow.“You look like shit.”“Thanks,” I muttered.“And this place smells like sex.” She added.“That’s because I just had sex.” I forced a smile.She paused for a moment then burst into laughter.

Bella’s POVI took another step back from him then turned around, backing him.Zayden’s voice followed me, sharp. “Bella listen—”I didn’t look at him. I reached for the hem of my dress and pulled it up slowly, over my thighs, my hips, my waist. The fabric whispered as it slid higher.“Bella, stop.” His tone darkened. “What the hell are you doing?”I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his eyes as I tugged the dress the rest of the way off and let it fall to the floor. “If you don’t want me,” I said quietly, “then you can at least watch.”“Bella. Not now. I’m serious.” He took a step forward. “You cannot do this here. I have things to sort out.”I unhooked my bra and let it drop. My nipples tightened in the cool air of the study. “Yes,” I murmured, “you can sort them out while you watch me.”I hooked my thumbs into my panties and slid them down my legs, stepping out of them until I stood completely naked in front of him.His jaw was clenched so tight a muscle jumped in his cheek.I wal

Tessa adjusted the strap of her work bag and glanced at her phone for the third time in two minutes.The address was right. She had checked it twice before leaving the apartment. She had checked it again on the train. And now she was standing outside Lockwood & Co., staring at the glass doors like they might suddenly move.Her phone buzzed.She smiled when she saw the name, then picked it up. "Hi, Dad.""I'm just checking that you actually found the place," Peter Quinn said, his voice warm but slightly wheezy. "You're not standing outside a random company hoping it's the right one?"Tessa laughed. "I'm standing outside the right building, Dad. I promise."Good. Because I already told Daniel you'd probably get lost on your first day.""Of course you did." Tessa shook her head. "I'll call you later. I have to go in soon.""Alright. Good luck, Teresa." He said."Thanks, Dad."She hung up and looked at her phone again.9:12 AM.She still had time. The email from HR said her orientation st

Roman stared at the screen, his jaw tight. His voice was dangerously low.“I don’t understand what you just said to me.” He frowned. “What do you mean you found her?”Davin swallowed. “We mean…we know where she is.”“And why the fuck would you know that?” Roman asked, voice slightly raised. “Come on Roman,” Davin said. “You were in a terrible place and we only wanted to help.”“Help?” He asked. “By having the woman who betrayed me then left without a trace come back to me, really?” He raised his brow.“In her defence…you chased her away,” Davin said.“In my defence, she cheated with my brother.” Roman scoffed. “But it seems like just because I chased after her at an airport, it means all is forgotten.”No one answered. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Roman rose from his chair.“Relax Roman,” Alec said. “You don’t need to get yourself worked up.”“I was doing just fine not knowing anything about Tessa or her whereabouts,” Roman said.“Were you though?” Alec asked.“Really Roman?”“Yes.

The city lights blurred past the tinted windows of the Rolls-Royce. Chicago at night was a different beast—quieter, colder, the streets emptied of the day's chaos.Roman sat in the back, one leg crossed over the other, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings. His tie was loosened. His sleeves were rolled up. The exhaustion of the day settled into his bones.Olivia sat across from him, a laptop on her lap, scrolling through the day's notes. She glanced up at him, then back down, then up again."The interviews," she said carefully. "How were they?"Roman didn't look at her. "They were all the same. A complete waste of my time."Olivia nodded slowly. "I see." She paused. "You did spend some time with Miss Mendel, though. How was that?"Roman didn't answer immediately.He thought of her. Sabrina had held his gaze, answered his questions without flinching. And the way she had called him out, pushed back, refused to grovel.She wasn't scared of him.That was rare.He exhaled through his nos

Sabrina sat slowly, placing the folder neatly on her lap.Her heart hammered against her ribs.She had been nervous before walking into the office.Now it was worse.The first candidate had walked out looking defeated and the second had left furious. The third had practically begged her to run.And yet, here she was.Sitting across from Roman Blackwood.The man who could either hand her the opportunity she’d been waiting for… or end it before it even began.Roman didn’t speak.He simply looked at her.His expression was unreadable. His dark eyes studied her with quiet intensity, as though he were trying to understand something that wasn’t written anywhere in the file resting on his desk.The silence stretched.One second. Two. Three.Sabrina shifted in her chair. Then again.Finally, unable to take it anymore, she cleared her throat.“Mr Blackwood,” she said carefully, forcing a polite smile. “Are you going to say something?”Roman leaned back in his chair, studying her. "I'm deciding

The alarm rang at exactly six thirty.Before it had the chance to ring a second time, a hand reached across the bedside table and silenced it.Sabrina Mendel stretched beneath the covers before slowly sitting up.The floor was cold against her bare feet, and the radiator in the corner coughed uselessly.She shuffled to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the hot water wake her up. Steam filled the small space. She stood under the spray longer than she should have, her mind already running through the day ahead.She stepped out, wrapped a towel around herself, and wiped the fog from the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her — tired eyes, damp hair, the faint shadows of someone who didn't sleep enough.She dressed quickly. Simple blazer, blouse, tailored trousers. Nothing too flashy.She checked herself one more time in the mirror. Adjusted her collar and straightened the sleeves.She headed for the kitchen, turned on the kettle, and pulled her phone from her pocket. Three

Roman sat alone in his office, thinking about his father’s final words.“You might not have someone like her to change you again.”He let out a deep breath. That was the least of his problems. He didn’t need someone like her. In fact, he didn’t need anyone.He hadn’t allowed himself to think about Tessa much over the past year, and he wasn’t about to start now. There was nothing to think of.She had left on her own terms. He had respected that. As much as every instinct had screamed at him to find her, he hadn’t used his influence, his money, or his connections.She was a grown woman.She had made a grown decision.And so had he.A firm knock interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Roman said sharply.The door opened and Olivia stepped inside, her hands clasped behind her back.“Olivia.” He said. “What is it?”“Mr Blackwood,” She kept her head high. “I apologise for what happened earlier. I had no idea Mr Thorne had—”“How could you let that happen?” Roman cut her off. His voice was lo