Novels by Penwitch

Ryder’s POV“It’s just sex, Ryder,” Tessy said, making me scoff out loud.“It’s not, and you damn well know that, Tessy. We have had sex multiple times.”“It won’t happen again,” she said, her voice rising defensively.“You keep saying that, but you know it’s not true,” I insisted, trying my best to stay calm despite the storm raging inside me. “You like me, Tessy. Why can’t you just admit it?”“I am in love with Tristan.”“But when you’re with him, you’re thinking about me, right?” I asked, hearing the sheer desperation in my own voice and hating how pathetic I sounded.“I have to go.” She turned toward the door.“No.” I grabbed her hand, tugging her back. “You have to answer me. When you are with him, do you everthink about me?”“No,” she snapped. But her eyes darted to the side, refusing to meet mine.“You’re lying.”“Believe whatever you want, Ryder,” she said coldly, snatching her wrist back from my grip. “Just know this—we are never having sex again. I’m not giving you the wrong

Tessy’s POVThe kiss grew deeper. He tasted alcohol.“Ryder, stop.” I pulled back, but the words came out thinner than I meant them to.He just stared at me. Those eyes—open, vulnerable, almost pleading—hit me straight in the chest. My heart kicked hard against my ribs, too loud, too fast.“Please, Tessy,” he said, voice low and coarse, rough with something that sounded like need. “Let me kiss you.”Something inside me cracked. I couldn’t stop myself. I leaned in. The kiss deepened, hungry and messy, and I kissed him back like I’d been starving for it.He lifted me. My legs wrapped around his waist before I could think. He carried me to the wall and pressed me against it, mouth dragging down my neck. A small moan slipped out, traitorous. I bit my lip hard, trying to swallow the next sound.“Fuck.”His mouth claimed mine again. He moved us from the wall straight to the bed. Clothes came off in a rush.I shouldn’t let this happen. He’s drunk.“Ryder, you’re drunk.” My voice shook.“Yes.

Ryder’s POV “What do you say? You and I hit the biggest party in town tonight,” Owen said, clapping a heavy hand on my shoulder. “You can’t say no, man. You’re finally a free agent, and I need my wingman.” I opened my mouth to shoot him down, but right at that second, Tristan pushed through the locker room doors. “Sure. Why not?” I blurted out. Owen blinked, caught off guard. “Wait, really? You’re actually coming?” “Like you said—I’m single,” I gritted out. “Awesome!” Owen turned to Tristan as he walked past. “What about you, Tristan? Party tonight?” “Can’t. I have a date,” Tristan replied smoothly. My hands curled into tight fists inside my gear bag. “A date?” Owen raised an eyebrow. “With who?” “Tessy,” Tristan said simply. “Oh. Wow.” Owen whistled softly under his breath. “Alright then.” The moment Tristan grabbed his bag and slipped out of the locker room, Owen turned to me, his brow furrowing. “Are you seriously okay with this?” “What do you mean?” “

Tessy’s POV“Are you sure you want to sleep out here tonight?” Tristan asked, his brow furrowing with genuine concern.“Yeah, of course. I mean, the couch actually seems pretty comfortable,” I said, forcing a small smile onto my face.“Tessy, you can take my bedroom. I really don’t mind sleeping out here,” he insisted softly.“You’re an athlete, Tristan—you need your rest,” I said gently.He let out a quiet sigh. “Tell me the truth, Tessy... are you uncomfortable about the kiss tonight?”“No. As a matter of fact, I really liked it,” I admitted, my lips curving into a genuine smile as I watched relief light up his handsome face. “But seriously, I want to sleep right here.”“Alright. Is this blanket warm enough, or should I get you another one?”“This is perfect,” I said, taking the blanket from his hands. “Goodnight, Tristan.”“Goodnight.” He leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss against my forehead, sending a soft flutter through my chest.I settled back onto the cushions, staring up

Ryder’s POV “What the hell are you talking about?” Tristan asked, genuine confusion clouding his face. A bitter scoff escaped me. “You know *exactly* what I’m talking about.” “Ryder, I literally asked you if it was okay to ask her out, and you said yes,” he pointed out, throwing his hands up. “I did, and I regret it!” My teeth ground together as frustration boiled over. “We’re supposed to be friends, man. The second we break up, you’re already all over her. You’ve been eyeing her this whole time, haven’t you?” “Come on, Ryder. It’s just a date,” Tristan said, trying to de-escalate. “Doesn’t look like *just* a date to me,” I snapped, my jaw clenching so tight my teeth ached. “Ryder?” Tracy’s voice cut in as she appeared at my side. “There you are. I was getting worried.” Her eyes shifted past me. “Oh, hey, Tristan! Are you here on a date, too?” “Yeah,” Tristan said slowly. “That’s great! We’re on a date, too,” Tracy offered with a bright smile. “Oh, really?” Trist

Ryder’s POV What is Tessy doing over here? Her gaze locked onto mine for a fraction of a second before she jerked her eyes away, looking anywhere else in the room. “Are you okay? Who are you staring at?” Tracy asked. I was about to push past her and march straight over to Tessy, but I froze in my tracks as Tristan walked back to the table and took a seat across from her. Oh. She’s on a date with him. “Ryder?” Tracy called out. “Hmm?” “Are you okay?” she asked again, her brow furrowing. “Yeah, I’m fine. We should go take our seats,” I said, forcing the words past my throat. A small, pleased smile touched her lips as I led us over to our table. “You know, I was really excited when my dad told me about tonight,” Tracy said, leaning across the table the moment we sat down. “Our parents seem to love the idea of us together.” She reached out, sliding her hand over mine, but I pulled my arm back immediately. “Anyway, now that you’re single... I know it’s fresh, but I really

Anna stood frozen on the steps outside the courthouse, the afternoon sun warming her face, yet her mind was completely numb. She couldn't believe it. She had actually won.Mr. Jeffery would spend the rest of his life behind bars. It was a case she had braced herself to fight for, expecting endless delays and grueling battles, but justice had finally prevailed.“You did it,” Anthony’s mom said softly, her voice gently pulling Anna back to reality. “You finally got justice for your parents.”Anna turned to her, a tearful, disbelieving smile breaking across her face. “This is all because of you. You made this possible.”“No,” Anthony’s mom insisted, shaking her head with a warm smile. “I won’t take the credit for any of this. You did this, Anna. Your strength got us here.”“Mom is right, Anna. My father deserves this and so much more,” Lola added, her voice firm.Before Lola could say another word, the heavy double doors of the courthouse swung open. Mr. Anthony—handcuffed and flanked by

“Let me go!” Anthony yelled, slamming his fists against the bedside table and crashing everything in his hospital room to the floor.The nurses tried to hold him back, but he violently pushed them away. “Where is Anna? I want to see Anna!” he added, dragging his hands through his hair and shaking his head repeatedly as he tried to break past them. He made a desperate run for the door, but the nurses were finally able to pin him down on the bed. One of them quickly injected a sedative into his arm. Even as the drug entered his system, Anthony continued to fight, struggling to free himself from their grip until his eyelids grew heavy and his eyes slowly started to close.Outside the glass observation window, Anna’s eyes welled with tears as she watched him fall still. Her heart breaking, she reached for the handle to go inside, but the doctor stepped in her path, stopping her from entering.“Doctor, are you sure this will work?” she asked, deep concern laced in her tone.“Yes, so you do

“I’m scared of how possessive you have become of me,” Anna said, the confession tearing out of her throat as hot tears finally welled in her eyes. She looked down at where Anthony's fingers were clamped white around her wrists. “I know you are scared that I might leave. But I am telling you, Anthony, I will never leave you, but…”Anthony’s eyes widened, the pupils contracting into sharp, dark points as his grip tightened even more.“But what?” he demanded, his voice cracking with a raw, terrifying desperation.“If you don’t get treated, then I don’t think I can continue our relationship,” she said, forcing the words out even though they felt like glass in her throat.“You just said you will never leave me!” Anthony's voice broke completely, a teary, frantic edge taking over as he scrambled closer to her on the bed. His face twisted in pure agony. “So why on earth are you saying this to me right now? Why, Anna?”“I said I won’t leave only if you agree to be treated,” Anna countered, he

"What are you thinking about?"Anna’s voice broke through the fog in Anthony's mind. Instantly, a bright smile forced its way onto his face at the mere sight of her. He stood up from the couch as she approached."Here, drink this," she said, handing him a small cup with his medication. Anthony took it from her, swallowing the pills without breaking eye contact. "Good. You’ll be back to yourself in no time," she added, her lips curving into a warm smile."Thank you," he murmured."You don’t need to thank me. I just want you to get better," she replied softly.A faint, heavy smile touched Anthony's lips. The guilt in his chest was suffocating. "You shouldn’t have had to see me like that, Anna. I am really sorry," he said, a distinct hint of sadness bleeding into his tone. "But you don't have to worry, okay? You won't ever have to see me like that again."Anna offered a small half-smile, stepping closer until she stood right in front of him. She reached up, placing a calm, comforting han

Anthony opened his eyes, his dazed gaze instantly fixing on the bedroom ceiling above him. A sudden flash of realization hit him, and his eyes widened in stark panic. He bolted upright in his bed, frantically repeating Anna's name as he tried to scramble out of the mattress."Hey, wait a minute! You can’t get up," Lola said, her voice laced with deep concern as she rushed over and firmly pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him back down. She pointed sharply toward the IV line taped securely into his arm. "You still aren't well, Anthony.""Where is Anna? Where is she?!" Anthony demanded, his voice cracking with sheer panic as his eyes wandered wildly around the perimeter of his room."I am here," a soft voice called out.Anna stepped into his line of sight with a gentle smile on her face, causing the overwhelming panic in Anthony's chest to instantly reduce. He couldn't help but smile back at her, his breathing finally slowing down."Anna, please come to me," he whispered, hol

Anna’s eyes widened in sheer horror as a thick, crimson stream of blood began to slip rapidly from Anthony's wrist. A sharp gasp tore from her throat, and she screamed, the sound laced with a heavy, tearful panic."Why would you do that?!" Anna cried out, stumbling forward to close the distance between them.Anthony didn't even seem to notice the pain. His gaze was entirely locked onto her, glassy and desperate. "You won’t leave me... will you?""Anthony, this is absolute insanity! You are mad!" she sobbed, her hands shaking violently as she looked at the growing pool of blood."You won’t leave me... would you?"Suddenly, his knees buckled. The powerful, commanding man collapsed onto the floor, sinking to his knees as tears rolled down his hollow eyes. He looked up at her, utterly broken. "Please, Anna," he choked out, his chest heaving so violently it felt as though his heart might burst right through his ribs. "I am nothing without you."Anna stood frozen, completely terrified. She