Emily
When the sun rays enter my room through the window, my eyes are opened wide. I couldn't sleep the entire night, sensing that Kane had been in the living room. I'm so glad that he didn't bang into my room. I literally don't believe him on that. Climbing down from the bed, I slid my feet into the slippers and walk towards the door nervously. It's still the dawn and I believe he's fast asleep. Twisting the knob, I come out of the room, discovering him fast asleep on the couch. The couch is too small to take him all in. His leg is almost on the ground. For a second, I feel bad for not letting him in. It's too cold at night and the living room doesn't even have a furnace. However, I was scared that he would end up taking my leg over again.My legs automatically move towards him with my eyes darting toward his face. Despite trying not to drift my attention to him, I can't help staring at him with my hollow eyes. In the last forty-eight hours, this is the first time I'm able to watch him properly without any fear of being caught. Wrinkles still occur on his wide forehead when he sleeps and his caramel skin still looks breathtaking with that pointed nose and sharp jawline. Like any other woman, I fell for him harder for his incredible features. A universal truth. But that wasn't the only reason why I fell in love with him. He used to be calm-headed with a wide smile on his face all the time. He used to be nervous even while looking up at me. Moreover, he knew how to treat a woman with his best. It's not entirely his fault that he has changed so much. I know I share the biggest part of it. He doesn't look the same he appears to be now. With his eyes closed, he still looks like the old Kane I knew. My heart leaps and beats faster as I kneel near the couch, my face closer to his. I'm acting as if something has possessed me. My hand trembles when I spread it towards him, striving to touch his cheek. Her chest feels heavy as my breathing gets faster with the gap between my palm and his cheek decreasing.I feel the immense vibration occurring in my chest as my palm finally lands on his hard cheek. That familiar face was once enough to warm my heart. That voice echoes inside my head, occurring goosebumps all over me. "What makes you happy?" "A view of yours" "Why so? Don't you get bored watching the same face?" "I can never get bored with staring at you, Kane"I purse my brims, my hand still placed on his cheek as I stare at him. Am I still not bored with staring at him?Damn it!As I realise what I'm doing, I squirm abruptly and slide my hand down before he wakes up. However, it shudders me on the spot with his hand abruptly holding mine out of nowhere. My heartbeats almost stop as I gasp, discovering his calm eyes opening wide at me. I'm screwed now. My fearful eyes linger on his nervously as I gulp down, watching his lips slightly twitching into a smirk. "Wasn't I good at acting to be asleep?" He raises his eyebrows, leaving me in surprise.He was awake the entire when I was literally—Darn it!"No. I was— just—" I struggle to jerk my hand from his grip but he's tough enough and I know I can't fight him. "It's just been a day you have seen me properly. It's just been two nights since I have fucked you after years and you're unable to drive yourself away from me. I wonder what will happen after thirty days," he playfully smiles at me.Lord! I don't even wanna think about it. I don't even know what's his reason behind wanting to have me with him for the next thirty days. I just know that I can't lose my heart to him again. As I feel his grip getting loosened, I immediately shove my hand away and hesitate, rolling my eyes around."What the—" I clamour at the top of my lungs, finding my couch filled with dirt from his shoes. Getting on my feet right away, I glare at him."Did you forget the manners either? Why the fuck are your shoes on?" I yell, gritting my teeth. "I just got this couch last month"He peeps down in such a cool manner as if nothing happened and yawns, stretching his arm. It pisses the hell out of me. "Did you leave a choice for me? Your shitty apartment is so damn cold. You don't even have a furnace out there. At least, the shoes kept me warm," he shrugs, making a dirty look and jumps off the couch. "Yeah, because I'm not rich like you to have two bedrooms in my shitty cheap apartment," I scoff, firing back at him while gathering my hair together and twisting them into a bun.By the moment, I shift my gaze back at him, I find his calm eyes intensely scurrying onto me. I flinch a bit, driving my eyes away. "I guess one bed would be enough. You're not fat enough to eat up the whole space," he chuckles.He hasn't only become a horny beast, but also a mischievous devil to tease the hell out of me."Because I don't trust you. You would end up fucking me again," I seeth, embarrassment fills me right away as I gasp. "Huh! You don't trust me or trust yourself? You might have been scared that you wouldn't be able to control yourself"Anger settles on my nerves as I shoot him a glare. "Just fuck off and clean my couch," I groan, turning on my heels."Are you serious?" He yells. "You're already leaving your shitty apartment with me. Clean it after returning"What kind of jerk has he become? "Well, you're signing the agreement, are you?" His voice becomes rough again as I swivel back to him, looking down at the papers.I'm not ready yet.I don't know what's waiting for me immediately after signing the contract. I can't figure out the mystery and motive behind his dark desire. "Why do you want this?" My voice shivers. With a wide grin on his face, he takes the papers from the table and walks closer to me. "I want this because I want you," he husks. "And don't worry. I'm not gonna do anything you don't like"His index finger slowly moves toward my chin as he seductively lifts my face, our eyes connecting. "I promise that you're gonna enjoy each second of this period only if you promise to be a good girl," his fingers steadily slide under my neck as he wraps my throat gently with his palm, bringing his face closer to mine.Cold shivers run all over my body with his cosy breath teasing my skin. Out of breath, I gasp, halting myself to get aroused. "No wonder why I'm unable to stop thinking about you. Is that the separation or your betrayal that makes me want you even more?" He rasps, placing his thumb on my lips.My throat dries up and my legs weaken. I feel like I'll collapse right away if he keeps torturing me with his teasing touch."And I see you're also feeling the same about me, right? Look at this needy face, these trembling lips, these aroused eyes"How can I even deny that? Only I know how badly my loins ache with his existence around me. His slight touch can make me soak in seduction and his raspy voice can make my knees wobble out of vibration. That's how much I need him. But I fear the hidden vengeance behind his desires. Somewhere I can feel the upcoming storm break me from the core. Still, I can't resist the tempting offer. I'm finally giving in to my guilty pleasure even after knowing he's going to be destructive to me. "Don't waste more time and be mine. I know you're dying to be mine, little dove. Are you?"Even though I'm firm with my tongue, my actions prove the intensity. "I'm dying to save my agency," I scoff, knowing it's only half of the truth. He chuckles, giving me the pen. With a heavy heart and trembling hand, I finally give up on myself for the next thirty days.I sign the papers. Kane immediately collects them and shrugs. "Let's go""I need to pack," I stammer."I have definitely gotten everything prepared for you. Don't waste much time out here," he raises his eyebrows. "And it begins"*"Where are we going?" I ask nervously, coming out of the gate. "I mean I wanna know it because I have to handle the agency too. There's nothing in the agreement like I can't—""When will you stop talking more than you should?" He shrugs, leaning against the car as I gulp. "What's the thing you hate in me?" "You talk a lot" "And what's the thing you love in me?" "That you talk a lot"I come out of the flash with the sound of opening the door. "I freaking know that. You'll stay in my cottage with me. But we're definitely not drifting away from the projects. Mr Smith is still our business partner and he'll be a little shareholder in this. You can do your regular work in the agency but most of the time you may need to stay in my office until the project settles down," he says.And that's a relief. My work is my life— the only thing that keeps me alive now. "Hey, Emily"My heart sinks with Frederick's voice. Startling, I glance up and find him getting off his bike. Dammit! What will I say now?I don't even dare to look at Kane. "Mr Gabriel," Frederick passes a casual smile as I peek at Kane. He's keeping a hard look. "What a pleasant surprise! You're here?""Yeah. I spent the night here," Kane says bluntly, leaving my jaw dropped. So embarrassing!I can't even see Frederick's eyes now. What will he think? That I'm spending nights with my ex? Well, that'll be happening for the next thirty days. How am I gonna hide it?"Oh!" Frederick mutters. "Must be a long discussion about work. Well, Emily, are you going somewhere? I was here to pick you"I'm so stupid for not informing him. "Pick her?" Kane raises his eyebrows, hardening his eyes at me. "Yes— yes," I mutter. "For the agency. My car was broken so—""Oh. That's so kind of you," Kane passes a smile which is definitely not genuine. "But she's not coming to the agency today. She's coming with me. And you don't need to bother to pick her up or drop her home after today"What the—Why is he just leaking everything? Can't things be a bit private? I'm gonna die in shame if he announces the agreement. I find Frederick gaping at us with utter shock and his questioning eyes linger on me. "What's all this?" He whispers, leaning a bit closer to me. "Is everything fine? Where are you going with him?""I'll talk to you later about it""Are you serious? I hope he won't harm you or anything""No!" I almost yell and gulp down. I'm still so fucking confident that this man can do anything but he can never think of harming me. I know it well. "Don't worry," I say, being hesitant."If you guys are done talking, should we leave?" Kane gasps, clearing his throat as I nod. "Take care, Emily. And call me if you need something"With every concerning word from Frederick, my anxiety increases. I can see Kane almost fuming inside as he holds it back. He's not angry but— I can see the clear jealousy.Once I used to love this.Now I'm afraid of this.Kane opens the door as I get in, waving to Frederick. *Just a few kilometres away from my apartment, there's a small cottage away from the busy streets. I badly wanna know when he moved to Austin. Maybe recently. "What was the need to make me feel embarrassed?" I speak out of nowhere when Kane gets inside the cottage. Following him, I wait for his response. "What did I do?" His voice is so casual."You know what you did. What did you say to Frederick?" "Well, I was even about to tell him you're mine and he should stop thinking about you when I'm around," grunting, he turns back to me. There's no point in arguing with him. "Anyway, I don't care what people think. And put a pause to all your friendships until you're with me. Especially with guys"I was somehow expecting this. But it stings. I have never been in control like this. How can I not communicate with my friend who was always there for me always?"He's my friend. For three years. So, you shouldn't bother""Cheaters are always cheaters," his ruddy gaze comes to me. I feel a lump stuck into my throat with his burning gaze. "I don't wanna take a risk"I lower my head without uttering a single word. Kane's phone rings right then. He tosses his coat aside and takes his phone out as I roll my eyes around the cottage. "Yes. Mr Smith. We'll be there for the meeting. Miss Benson is coming too," he looks at me. "Yeah, she's happy to work with me. You don't need to apologise"I grit my teeth, gulping the frustration down. Kane cuts the call."We have a meeting tomorrow regarding the startup of your project. There will be a presentation"I nod. "I'll have to get it ready""Bedroom upstairs," he shrugs, not even looking at me and all of a sudden his interest seems to be fading away. My heart twists lightly with his slight ignorance. Taking lazy steps, I stride towards the stairs and climb up. The tiny room is neatly ravishing with a large bed in the middle, a big closet and a centre table occupying the rest. I open the closet full of female wear. Are these all actually for me or did these belong to someone else? He might be seeing somebody, I believe. However, these seem to be brand new. I take a pair of tee and trousers and slam the door shut."I have been curious since the night," I hear him speaking from the door. "Where's your husband and child?"That question crashes onto my chest like an arrow piercing my heart straight.Kane's POVHer body stiffens with my abrupt question, her gaze darting down. I can see the lines of stress forming on her face as she clutches the clothes tightly in her hands. Stepping inside, I kick back the door, slamming it shut and stride closer to her, leaning toward the closet."Did he leave you?" I shrug, my eyes capturing every small change in her reaction. Her jaw is clenching harder as if she's trying to hold something back. "We got separated," her voice comes out as a groan."And what about the child?""He took him," her voice cracks as she tilts her head aside, slowly wiping her tears off. I keep gazing at her intensely. Why on this damn earth did I fall in love with this woman so much? If I hate her from the core, it's only because she was the one I loved the most. "You didn't try to get your son back?"She remains silent for a whole minute before looking back at me, her eyes simmering. "My past life shouldn't matter to you anymore. I believe there was nothing in the
EmilyWith humiliation, anger boils through my veins. I drop my gaze, swallowing the simmering gossip behind me. I have never thought Kane can stoop so low to do this just to hurt me. He gave me the pen drive with all my paperwork. There's no way such pictures can be in this. When I lift my gaze, I find his eyes on me— steady and intense."Oh! I think there has been some malfunctioning with the projector," Mr Smith speaks out of nowhere. "The wedding pictures got messed up. I'm sorry, gentlemen"He bows and smiles in front of the clients as the lights turn on. Mr Smith is definitely trying to cover up the mess created by us. I can still find the weird gazes sparkling at me. That's so fucking humiliating. "Nova!" Mr Smith calls out. "Until we get the entire presentation fixed, why don't you show us the rough details about the costing""Yeah. Yeah, sure," Nova forces a smile and rushes out of the conference room."Gentlemen, should we check out the rough details of the costs first? My
KaneWho the hell did this to the tire? I kick against it in frustration. There's no way it can get punctured while staying in the same position. That means someone messed up with the last two tires."Isn't there a single-vehicle available?" Nova curls up her face. "No""You have a spare car, right? Where's that?""I asked my driver to drop Miss Benson", I tell her. Nova's reactions stiffen as she pulls on a dirty look."Oh. I should have known that. Anyway, we can cancel the plan then. I'll have dinner with Olivia in the office""No. Wait", I scoff, scratching my head as Nova passes me a wide smile. "We can hire a cab though it's gonna take some time""I can't believe that you really want to go on a dinner date with me""Of course", I smirk. "It's been a long time, right?""Yeah. It's been so long. In fact, it's the first time I can see your interest in having some time with me", she decreases the gap between us. Keeping the smile on, I take a step back. "Let me book a cab"I calle
Kane I'm not supposed to do that. I'm supposed to make her suffer and hurt her as much as I can. But I can't help consuming her painful agony inside me as she whimpers against my arms.I stare at her gorgeous face in the fading moonlight and she looks so innocent and pure as she has always been to me. I used to die for this innocence once and it feels like I have gone back to the same moment. I don't feel like the person I had been for four years. "Kane!" Her moan is more like an urge to feel me as she holds my forearm. Okay, that's it. It's time to just let her ache. I was here to play around anyway. But my grips stay steady and my eyes remain fixed on her, her trembling lips. She squeezes her legs, keeping my hand in between as I feel her hot and wet core inviting me. Why does it feel like a punishment to me? Fuck! It should not. "I won't do that silly act again", her voice comes out more adorable and childish as I recall the clip again. It makes me smile wider and wider. Wh
Author's POVThe atmosphere in Smith International has been heavy since midnight when Nova Brandon got missing. All the major meetings and conferences are put on hold when David has been trying his best to locate Nova. At a moment, Olivia insists on taking the case to the high department of the police commission when Nova finally shows up in the office. Relief gets back to the surroundings, not because all the employees like Nova, but Oliva had forced everyone to worry about her and stopped all the major work.As soon as Nova steps into the office, everyone gets back to work."My goodness, Nova. Where have you been the entire night?" Olivia snaps at Nova, seated in her cabin with her head hanging down."I'm talking to you, Nova. Do you have some sense left? We had been worrying about you the entire night and I don't know where you were messing up with"Nova heaves her head up towards Oliva with her burning gaze."It was all because of you", a groan escapes her mouth, leaving Olivia s
Emily's POVI step into the building with a pounding heart. I don't know how Kane is gonna react if he finds me here. But I couldn't stay back at the cottage when tension was crumbling inside me, knowing Kane might be the last person Nova was with. Nova has been missing and Kane isn't answering my calls since the morning.I badly need to talk to him about Nova's disappearance. When Mr Smith asked me about her, I didn't tell him anything about Kane. God knows why I'm even trying to hide it. I believe Kane isn't straight behind all this but there will be some connection. I walk towards the elevator faster. Kane's cabin is on the next floor."Miss Benson!" Hearing a familiar voice, I turn around, finding one of our clients, Mr Standford standing over there. "Hello, Mr Stanford", I force a smile. After the last incident, I'm still not out of embarrassment. Nonetheless, I'll have to work with these people. There's no point in hiding around."You're late", he folds his lips. "We were ab
EmilyMy legs wobble to the response of my pounding heart as Mr Stanford surges towards us. Kane tilts his head backwards, my anxiety rising.I wonder what Mr Stanford is gonna do or say in front of him. I'm not ready to take more hurtful words from Kane. He had no mercy left for me when he leaked our pictures. How can I even expect from him he'll not blame it all on me?He's not the same Kane I knew once. "Mr Gabriel, glad that I got you here", Mr Stanford maintains his gaze on me with that creepy smile on his face. I hate to be looked at by him now when I know how disgusting his thoughts are for me. I wish I could escape.But I can't. Reason!I'm a woman!And I'm not rich!Gulping down, I downward my eyes and wait for the storm to come. My eyes start welling up. "Miss Benson was telling me about her plans. And I must say, I'm impressed"With my eyes flinging up at them, I gasp in shock. Mr Stanford keeps the smirk on when his eyes land on me. By that gaze I can say things are goi
Kane"You're not gonna beat me. Are you?" Her eyes shiver, anguish filling in them. Her rosebud lips slightly part and seal within nanoseconds. It brings an unexpected laugh across my face as I touch her cheek, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. She squirms away nervously, her eyes still darting at me. "You're not so innocent. Are you? I can't believe it" I chuckle at her confusion-filled eyes. She literally didn't understand what I meant. "But I think you are- in a few things. Don't worry. I'm gonna make you experience everything"I see her gulping down slowly. "When did you start having such kinks?"Her face curls up into a frown as she finally comes out of her frightening shell."From the moment, you walked into me again and kissed me," I say straight, watching her ebony black eyes enlarging at me. It's so fucking true that all my desires of four years were bottled up when she walked into me. She has to fill the voids she made in my life for the last four years. It'