Novel-novel oleh Rhoda Wrights

SARAH I’m one breath away from collapsing when Grey finally pulls back. The air rushes in, and in my mouth? A bitter aftertaste of coffee and mint. I stay upright by sheer will. And pride. Mostly pride, grinding my teeth so hard my dentist felt it. Fisting my knuckles because if I don’t, I’m punching his torso on sight. And God help me, I want to. Because… What was that for, huh?! That’s how you kiss a girl?! My gaze darts sideways. Treacherous, traitorous eyes—don't you dare look away first. I yank them back, facing Mr. GREY squarely. I adjust my suit too. If I’m gonna die of secondhand embarrassment, I’ll at least look tailored. His brow pinches in thought. He’s studying me like _I’m_ the science experiment. Wait—_I'm_ the one who crossed a line? No, seriously. He mugs me with his mouth, nearly kills me via oxygen deprivation, and _I_ get the ‘fascinating specimen’ squint? Scoff. The nerve of this man! “Unbelievable.” “Sam, you’re—” Grey’s voice catches, and for one s

GREY I wonder if Ma’s heart can take tonight. I’ve hidden who I really am for so long, buried it under silence, under duty, under the man I was expected to be. Even Ma, strong, and loving, the one who raised me, doesn’t know. Not because she wouldn’t understand. But because I’ve been afraid. Afraid of changing how she sees me. “Nathan, just find a wife already,” Ma said.I force a smile. “Yes, Ma,.”That same night, I was across town on a date with a guy, someone who didn’t ask me to be anything I’m not. I held his hand, laughed at his jokes, and felt guilty for the first time in years. Because loving him means breaking her heart. And I don’t know which pain runs deeper. “Nathan, find a wife, please,” Ma said again, soft, pleading, like she could pray me into a life I can’t live.I nod, same as always. “I will, Ma.”That night, I walked into the hotel and straight into Eddie’s arms and fell into bed like we always did.“Nath, find a wife!” Ma’s voice cracks, more desperate this ti

SARAH With that hair, look, and makeup, Ruby was clearly yanked straight from a strip club mid-shift. Her eyes? A masterpiece of sleepless drama—smudged liner, panda vibes strong, like she’s been rubbing them raw after 24 hours at the precinct. Her curls? Total chaos. Not “sunset in Sedona” vibes—more like forest fire in July. Her lipstick—fire-truck red—somehow still flawless. Either she’s got supernatural staying power… or it’s the real deal, not some drugstore knockoff that flakes after two sips of water. There’s that black leather jacket again, with its one lonely button doing its best to hold things together and failing gloriously. Her assets? Fully on display. And that dress—red, tight, barely there… “Listen, I didn’t put Leonardo in the hospital. I’m innocent. And you’ve got no right dragging me in here like some criminal. If you can’t treat a lady right, at least do your damn job and catch the actual culprit.” She’s not arguing—she’s stating facts Ruby’s got that “I

SARAHMy eyes lock onto the elevator—ding—and out steps Grey, looking like he just walked off the cover of GQ.He's all put together, and that chocolate-brown suit? Tailored to perfection, rich, warm, and matching the deep tone of his eyesThose eyes... honestly... Get me butterflies in my belly every time, and it's annoying how much they affect me. My throat tightens. I swallow hard. He’s trouble. Hot, devastatingly put-together troubleHe strides over, tossing a small bunch of keys my way without breaking pace. I fumble a little, catching them midair as they clatter into my palm.Brisk, bold, and barely deigning to acknowledge I exist?Yep. Classic Grey. A tiny smirk tugs at my lips—just one side, barely there—but I let it live.Because okay, fine. He’s annoyingly hot. I’m allowed one traitorous facial expression.He brushes past, muttering under his breath, “That girl… tsk. She’s not getting away with this, not when I'm standing right in front of the precinct.”The way he says it

SARAH “Act as my partner, and I'll increase your driver's pay threefold.”My eyes dart upward. He’s dead serious about this. leaving me tongue-tied and swallowing hard. “Mr. Grey, uh…"“Call me Grey, please,” he says, and even cracks a smile.“Eddie has to pay for what he's done.” His jaw clenches, and the chill sets back in.My heart races a mile a minute. Grey motions for me to park my butt,”Have a seat. Let's discuss this, father.” The atmosphere lightens somewhat, but there’s still an undercurrent of unease. I check out the comfy gray chair, then plop my behind into it. Heels click-clack, grabbing our attention. A radiant woman descends the stairs, wearing a sunny yellow top and a lively floral skirt. Her graying dark hair frames a face full of warmth. Grey can’t hide his happy grin when he lays eyes on her. His chocolatey eyes twinkle, forming adorable wrinkles at the edges. She wraps him in a warm hug, peppering his cheeks with gentle kisses. “Oh dear. What'll it be for

SARAH Girls, everywhere flaunting their goodies in bras that barely exist and G-strings that scream, 'Check out my butt.' Every chick’s got her ass out, whether it’s inked or bare, and they’re all bouncing around like it’s nobody’s business. I'm camped out in a corner of M.M.'s locker room, a bedraggled bird after my rainy escapade. Dropping my boss off and hailing a taxi turned into a wet adventure, but I'm here now, in the heart of the strip club, courtesy of Ruby's invitation. She nudges me, “Hey loosen up!” I pout, looking away. She sighs and continues lipsticking. “Ready to take off those clothes?” I shake my head, “No. Not sure I can do this.” “We’ve discussed this before, right? What’s holding you back now?” I nod, agreeing we’ve chatted about this, but I trail off, glancing at girls around us. “Yeah, we talked, but…I mean.” “Hunny, you don’t need to go full diva, alright. A little tease, a few sassy moves, and you’ll rake in those tips. Save the wild stuf

The next day at the office, Sienna's birthday was all about the celebration. Her coworkers had set up decorations and brought in cake - it was a nice surprise. And of course The messages were pouring in, filling her inbox with love and well-wishes. Greg might have been physically absent from the birthday celebration, but he certainly didn't miss the opportunity to make his lovely niece feel special. A gorgeous bouquet of flowers landed at the office, and alongside it, a teeny-tiny gift box that was basically palm-sized, with a bow that was almost too adorable to untie. Meanwhile, Mackenzie showed up with some awesome birthday treats - chocolates galore, in all shapes and sizes, and a fun pink crop top with "Happy 22" emblazoned on it in bold, glittery letters. Sienna got home from work and, yeah, another birthday cake was waiting. The rose from Greg was a nice touch - she was still holding it when she blew out the candles on the chocolate cake her mother had baked for her.

The news crushed Sienna. She barely ate or slept, just went through the motions. Sketching, her one happy place, was the last thing on her mind. She couldn't even be bothered to pick up a pencil. All she could think about was Christian. She'd toss and turn, her restless eyes drifting to the wall where Christian's bright photos seemed to mock her with their cheerfulness. Every time she checked her phone or scrolled through the news, there was nothing new on Christian's condition. Two months down the line, Sienna was still stuck in a funk. The rest of the world had apparently forgotten about the whole thing, but she was still stuck on Christian, wondering what could've been. She settled into her favorite chair with a cup of coffee, taking a moment to unwind. Sienna had landed a gig as a writer for a news outlet, but let's be real, it was more about the stability than any burning passion for journalism. After countless rejections and failed attempts to make it as a fashion des

A jolt of electricity ran through Sienna's body, her deep blue eyes flashing open in shock. As they broke apart, she stood stunned, her lips still tingling. Her eyes never left Christian's face as he turned to shoo the robber away. "Hey, man, don't be a third wheel, my girlfriend and I were having a moment. Beat it, buddy." The guy's expression did a total 180, morphing from menacing to moronic in the blink of an eye. He looked like a total doofus, grinning from ear to ear, “Man, she’s pretty, Gotta get me one of those.” Then he gave Christian a lazy thumbs-up, but Christian just raised an eyebrow and smirked. The guy took the hint and beat a hasty retreat. Sienna's gaze snapped back to Christian, and her heart skipped a beat as she found him already leaning in for another kiss. She was sorely tempted to let him Yet, her rational side prevailed, she swiftly pulled back ending the moment.. Gah! He's going for kiss #3! She quickly dodged to the right, and his lips graze

Sienna Carson emerged from the library, looking like she'd just gone through a war. Her backpack was slung over her shoulder, and her school uniform was a rumpled mess. She muttered under her breath, clearly at her wit's end, “I swear, if I have to read one more page about Kant’s views on the categorical imperative or Locke’s theory of natural rights, my brain might explode.” It's well past midnight, and after several hours of unsuccessful cramming in the library, she lugged the heavy tomes home, already dreading the weekend ahead. As she trekked down the street, she fantasized about chucking those heavy books into the nearest dumpster but the thought of Mrs. Hennigan's disapproving glare kept her from doing anything so rash. Monday's test was basically all Sienna could think about... and honestly, it was sucking the life out of her. Sigh, sigh, sigh - she was a broken record of anxiety. "HEY, THERE'S ARMED ROBBERS! WATCH OUT!" The shrill warning sent Sienna spinni

Brielle's POV Final chapter. “Fine,” Jeremy voice cracks with restraint, the single word drawn out in a reluctant admission. I'm low-key freaking out, my heart racing with anticipation. He's just about confessing. “I'm the one who orchestrated the whole thing. I snatched Brielle's parents right from under their noses, ripping them from their picture-perfect lives. i'd kidnapped her, held her captive against her will, and drained your bank accounts. But here's the kicker, Andrei… you're too little, too late. The police are already en route, and they're coming for you, not me.” I take a deep breath, my eyes burning with determination. “No way, Jeremy. I won't let you pin Jamie's murder on Andrei. He's innocent." He narrows his gaze at me, “You know, for a hostage, you're awfully opinionated.” I sneak a peek at Andrei, and his 'I've got this' expression makes me feel like everything's gonna be okay. I mean, Jeremy's still being his usual, awful self, but with Andrei's ca

Brielle's POV “Just trying to appreciate the finer things in life, Andrei. Like that fine-ass butt.” I admit feeling my face heat up. He chuckles, clearly enjoying my unabashed admiration, “that's… Probably the most creative compliment I ever heard and the way yours fills out that robe is criminal, Brielle.” I suppress the urge to turn around. This mutual butt appreciation is getting ridiculous – or ridiculously entertaining. He scans the room, gathering his belongings. Meanwhile, I stand there, a robe-clad without any to change into or not to talk of clothings to put in a box and yesterday's clothes that are so last season — literally. Just when the silence is about to get deafening, Andrei breaks it with a casual suggestion, “you should shower first.” My mind whirs. I’m thinking, Geez, how do I break this news to him without making it super awkward?” The last thing I want is to be standing there, naked, with no clothes to put on, while he just stares at me like I’ve gon

Brielle's POV I'm deliciously spent, my senses sated. Andrei executes a brief, yet vital, wardrobe adjustment, then turns around, patting his back invitingly, “Okay, up you go.” They say “there’s a first time for everything”, and today I’m getting my inaugural piggyback ride—. Courtesy of Andrei. With the grace of a seal gliding onto an iceberg, I slide my bare rear off the table, leaving behind only a warm imprint of my departure. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight as he firmly grasps my thighs, lifting me up. With his support, I hop onto his back. “Comfortable?” He asks. “Mhm, perfect.” Our journey begins with a trio of solid thuds, Andrei’s feet hitting the floorboards of the pavilion as he descends. The night air is refreshingly still and quiet… except for the sound of my nervous laughter and Andrei's steady breathing as he navigates the stairs. His usually steady gait falters, his foot catching on some unseen obstacle, and my weight threatens to send him

Brielle's POV He leans in again, His mouth hovering over my breast, “How many white lies have you told?” “One.” He pulls back, “Think again.” I knit my brow trying to focus, to pull my scattered thoughts into some semblance of order. It's a futile effort. I'm still drowning in waves of pure ecstasy. Andrei's lips close around my nipple, and I moan at the sudden sensation. He releases all too soon, again. “Two lies, baby” he purrs. “The first, when you said you never fucked yourself.” His words ignite a thrill that courses through my body, culminating in a sweet ache between my legs. “And the second when you denied ever having fantasies. Now, are you ready to confess them to me… and be rewarded?” His grip on my hand slackens, freeing my fingers to roam. He’s upon me, his mouth latching onto my nipple. Sensation overwhelm my ability to think as His tongue swirls and dances, only to pull back again, letting my nipple pop out of his mouth with a wet plop. I writhe be

Brielle's POV “I'd taken his crap before, no problem. He'd kick my ass, I'd take it. But watch him hurt a three-year-old?” That chuckle, that creepy-ass chuckle, is making my hair stand on end. Andrei's got a lot to say, needs to stop drowning in that drink and talk it out with me. Perhaps if we can get to the root of whatever’s got him so twisted, we can cut it out, get him right again. I screw up my courage, trying to keep my voice from cracking as I ask, “What happened next?” “I lost it. Charged at him and slammed him to the ground. I had him in a tight chokehold, crushing the air out of him. His face turned purple, eyes popping… Killing Archibald wasn't the plan. Just wanted to put the fear of God into him… In a wild twist, he managed to grab a blade and… Carved himself a nasty gash.” Andrei scrapes his thumb along the side of his neck, “This is where he sliced himself. Fucker cried assault. Tried to put me away for attempted murder.” “And Helen?” “Was locked up a

Brielle's POV He gives my earlobe a sneaky little nibble. Damn, if that doesn't stir up something inside me, “Why rush when the journey is half the fun, hmm? We've got lines to run, not lips to lock.” So glad Andrei's here to suck the fun out of… everything. What would I do without him? I'm two seconds away from giving him a good shove, just to knock him off his game. “What?” he asks, that infuriatingly smug smirk still slapped across his face. I purse my lips, cross my arms, “You're really asking 'what'? Like you don't know exactly what you're doing?” Andrei whips out a sheaf of papers from his back pocket, "Shall we begin?” I narrow my eyes, “You expect me to jump right into this after all your little games?” He chuckles, shrugging one shoulder in a charmingly nonchalant gesture. “It's all part of the rehearsal.” “Part of the rehearsal, huh?” I retort, “So that little earlobe nibbling number was in the script? I must have missed that memo.” He laughs," I figure