Novel-novel oleh Jennie Godwin

The lounge is still humming after game night, the tension from my trivia showdown with Kayden lingering like a bad smell. The fire’s crackling, and the sweet scent of hot cocoa hangs in the air, but I’m itching to get out. ShadowWolf’s message from last night—Miss me, FireVixen? Bet you’re thinking about me right now—has been looping in my head all day. My phone’s burning a hole in my pocket, and Kayden’s smug face across the room isn’t helping my mood.Mom’s rambling about tomorrow’s group hike, her voice too cheerful for the mood in here. Liam’s stacking scorecards with Richard, cracking jokes to ease the vibe. Jess is sprawled on the couch, smirking at me like she knows I’m about to snap. Kayden slouched next to her, scrolling his phone, his dark hair falling into his eyes. I hate how he looks so calm, like he didn’t just spend an hour trying to humiliate me in that stupid game.I mumble an excuse about needing air and slip into the hallway. The mansion’s quiet, just the creak

Dinner at the mansion feels like stepping into a fancy restaurant I don’t belong in. The dining room’s massive, with a long oak table, crystal glasses, and a chandelier casting soft light. The smell of roasted chicken and garlic mashed potatoes fills the air, but my stomach’s knotted, not hungry. Jess and I spent an hour getting ready, mostly because she insisted we “make an impression.”I’m in a fitted black dress, sleeveless, with a low neckline that’s just shy of bold, paired with silver hoop earrings and my hair loose in waves. Jess went all out in a deep green jumpsuit that hugs her curves, her curls pinned up with a gold clip. She looks like she’s ready for a party, not a family dinner.We sit across from Liam and Kayden, with Mom and Richard at the ends. Liam’s in a navy button-down, chatting easily with Jess about some hiking trail nearby. Kayden, slouched in a black long-sleeve shirt, barely looks up from his plate. His dark hair falls into his eyes, and I swear he’s ig

The plane touches down after hours in the air, and the cold hits me like a slap as we step off. The airport is buzzing, but all I feel is the chill seeping through my jacket. Jess is bouncing beside me, somehow unbothered by the freezing weather, her backpack slung over one shoulder. I tug my duffel closer, my breath fogging in the icy air.As we head toward the exit, I spot my mom near the gate, holding one of those cheesy welcome signs with “Zara & Jess” scrawled in bright marker. She’s beaming, her energy way too high for someone standing in a drafty airport. Before I can blink, Jess squeals and runs forward like a kid, throwing her arms around my mom. They’ve always had this weird, super-close bond I don’t get. By the time I catch up, they’re giggling like old friends, their voices overlapping.“Ellen, you look more beautiful! Is it because you’ve got a man now?” Jess teases, still hugging my mom.“Oh, please, don’t start, my dear,” Mom says, laughing, her cheeks flushed.Mom

I stare at ShadowWolf’s message, my heart still racing from that creepy shadow outside. Let’s meet, and I’ll show you the magic this dude can do with your body. The photo he sent burns in my mind, bold and way too real. My thumb hovers over the keyboard, but I can’t find words. He texts again.“You there, FireVixen?”“Yes,” I type, my fingers shaky.“So what’s your take?” he asks.“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I reply, swallowing hard.“Why?” He adds a sad emoji that feels like a jab.“This was supposed to stay online, to remain anonymous—that was our agreement before we started all this,” I defend, my voice firm in my head even if my hands aren’t.He goes quiet, the “read” notification taunting me. I hold my breath, waiting.“I know,” he says finally. “But you can’t deny we both want this, we want each other.”I bite my lip. He’s not wrong. My body’s still buzzing from earlier, from his words, my touch.“We both have fantasies we tell each other but hide from the real world,” he

I’m sprawled on my bed, half-buried in a pile of clothes I’m supposed to be packing. My tiny apartment smells like laundry and the faint peppermint candle I lit to feel festive. At 23, I’ve got my life together—mostly. I’m smart, I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to go after it. But it's not about having it all figured out, I have crazy wild fantasies and secrets that could damage everything.But there’s this secret side of me, another side of me, the one I keep locked away, where I let myself be wild. Tonight, that side’s winning.My phone buzzes, and I grin, grabbing it. The app’s hidden behind a fake calculator icon, my little secret. It’s him, the stranger I’ve been texting for months. On the app, he’s ShadowWolf, and I’m FireVixen. The name’s cheesy, but it fits the vibe—hot, dangerous, no strings.“What are you wearing, FireVixen?” ShadowWolf asks.I glance down at my outfit: an old T-shirt that’s too short, barely covering my black lacy panties. I bite my lip, typing