Novels by Oslo Sterling

The drywall was thin. On the other side, Clarisse was droning on about lilies and white roses. Her voice was sharp, entitled, and bored. She was just inches away, separated by a layer of paint and plaster.Xavier didn't care. He had me pinned against that same wall. The surface was cold and rough against my bare front. He was behind me, his body a wall of heat that made the sweat on my neck feel like ice."Xavier? Are you listening?" Clarisse’s voice muffled through the wall. "I told the florist the white ones looked cheap. I want the imported cream. Do you hear me?"Xavier fisted my hair, pulling my head back until I was looking at the ceiling. His other hand was between my legs, fingers digging into my slick heat."I hear you, Clarisse," Xavier called out. His voice was perfectly calm. "I’m just busy with some paperwork."He leaned down, his mouth right against my ear. "You hear her, Maeve? She’s picking out flowers for a wedding that’s never going to happen. Because you’re her

The limo ride had left me a wreck. My legs were still shaking when I walked into the penthouse. My ruined dress was held together by my hands.The place was quiet, but I could hear the roar of water. I walked toward the master bedroom. The steam was already thick, pouring out from under the bathroom door. I pushed it open.Xavier was there. He was behind the glass, a dark shape in the mist. He didn't say a word. He just watched me. I stood there, my chest heaving, the smell of his soap filling my nose. He reached out and slid the glass door back. "Get in here," he said. His voice was a flat command."Xavier, I’m still wearing my clothes. The dress is—""I don't care about the dress. I told you we weren't done."He reached out and grabbed my arm. He hauled me under the spray. The water was freezing. It hit my skin like needles, soaking the silk of my torn dress in seconds.I gasped, the cold air leaving my lungs. The fabric clung to my tits, making them ache."It's cold," I choke

The limo door slammed shut with a heavy thud. Before I could even sit down, Xavier’s hand was a vice around my throat. He hauled me toward him, his eyes dark and full of a cold, mean fire. He was pissed. I’d seen that junior dev smile at me in the lobby, and I knew I’d pay for it."You like the attention, Maeve? You like it when he looks at you like you’re something he can actually have?"His voice was a low, dangerous rasp. "Xavier, it was just a smile. I didn't even—""Shut up." He didn't wait. He reached out and grabbed the front of my dress. With one violent yank, the fabric gave way. The sound of the seams ripping filled the quiet car. He didn't care that it was expensive. He just wanted it gone. He shredded the silk down to my waist, leaving me shivering in the air-conditioned chill."The partition is locked," he growled. "No one is coming to save you."He shoved me down onto the leather seat. The leather was freezing against my bare back. He wasn't. He was a furnace, his heat

The boardroom was too bright. It smelled like expensive coffee. Above the mahogany table, six men were deciding a merger. Below it, I was on my knees.The carpet was scratchy, biting into my skin. The table legs were cold steel. I was tucked into the "well" of the table, right between Xavier’s feet. His leather shoes were inches from my face. I could hear the pens clicking above me. Down here, it was just his shadow."The margins for the second quarter are high," Xavier said. His voice was calm.I felt his hand drop from the table. He didn't look down. His fingers fisted into my hair, his knuckles digging into my scalp. He yanked my head back, forcing me to look up at the underside of the table. The wood was dark and heavy."Open up," he whispered."Xavier, please," I mouthed. I couldn't make a sound. If I spoke, the Chairman, sitting three feet away, would hear me. My heart was slamming against my ribs."Do it now, or I’ll tell them why you’re down here," he whispered.I heard the s

The basement archives were freezing. It was midnight, and a single light bulb flickered over the rows of old files. I clutched a folder to my chest, turning to leave, but Xavier was already there, blocking the only way out."Working late, Maeve? Or just hiding?"His voice was a low rasp that made me jump. "I’m done. I was just heading up.""You aren't done until the debt is paid." He walked toward me, his boots clicking slow on the concrete. "The interest is piling up faster than you can file those papers.""I’m doing my best, Xavier.""Your best isn't enough." He stopped in front of me. I heard the sharp, metallic snap of his belt buckle. The sound of leather sliding through his loops made my stomach drop. "Hands on the shelf. Now.""Xavier, don't—""I said hands on the shelf!" He grabbed my arm and swung me around. He shoved me hard against the tall metal shelving unit. The cold metal bit into my cheek and chest. He grabbed my wrists and hauled them high above my head.He didn't ju

“Open wide for me,” Xavier commanded. He fisted his hand in my hair, pulling my head back until I had to look at him.Before I could even breathe, a high laugh cut through the office air. Clarisse. His fiancée was right outside the frosted glass door.“Xavier? Darling, the receptionist said you were still in here,” she called out.Xavier didn’t flinch. His eyes turned dark, full of a twisted, predatory hunger. He didn’t hide. He didn’t pull away. Instead, he grabbed my arms and hauled me up from my knees. His grip was absolute steel, bruising my skin.“Xavier, she’s right there,” I whispered, my heart slamming against my ribs. “Let me go!”“Shut the fuck up,” he growled. He didn’t care about the risk. He dragged me toward his massive black glass desk.“No, please—” I stumbled, my skirt bunching up around my waist.He ignored my pleas. He grabbed my hips and shoved me face-down onto the desk. The glass was freezing, biting into my bare thighs. It was a sharp, icy contrast to the heat o