I moaned out his name. "Damien, you are not trying hard to get me, yet .." He smirked and whispered to my ears. "I like being hard, Not "trying" hard." His hand grazed mine, sending a shiver straight to places I didn’t know I could feel. Damien’s smirk was wicked, his eyes dark with desire, and my body betrayed me with every glance. I wanted him, yet my heart longed for someone gentler, someone who could love me without burning me alive. Ethan’s soft voice behind me made my chest ache, reminding me there was a different way to feel alive...a way that felt safe, tender, and real. Torn between lust and love, every heartbeat became my dangerous game.” *** When Lila Sinclair’s mother is sentenced to life in prison, her world collapses. The only person who can take her in is her mother’s past lover, Sebastian Blackwood; a wealthy, commanding man with a family of his own. Adopted temporarily into his household, Lila finds herself living with two stepbrothers who will change her life forever: Damien, the dark, irresistible older brother who ignites every forbidden desire...and Ethan, the sweet, caring younger brother who makes her heart feel at home.But time is against her. Her adoption isn’t legal, and after one year, Lila must marry one of them to remain in the country. With 365 nights of temptation, passion, and secrets ahead, she must choose between the fire of lust and the warmth of love, knowing that every choice could shatter her world...
View MoreLila Sinclair's POV
I stood in front of the gates of the Blackwood mansion, my suitcase sitting beside me like a sad little reminder of the life I had just left behind. The gates were tall, black wrought iron twisted into elaborate swirls that looked like something carved by angels but guarded by demons. Beyond them stretched a driveway paved in white marble, gleaming so bright under the afternoon sun that it almost blinded me. The mansion itself rose at the end like a palace ripped straight out of a billionaire’s fantasy...tall glass windows that reflected the sky, walls of polished stone, and balconies that curved elegantly with rows of white roses climbing up their edges. It was surreal. Breathtaking, yes...but surreal. For a second, I just stood there, fingers curling around the strap of my bag, wondering how the hell my life had flipped this fast. Just last week, I was in a tiny one-room apartment, celebrating the fact that I had finally graduated college with the certificate my mother had killed herself working for me to have. And now, she was gone. No...not gone. Imprisoned. A life sentence. Murder and theft. Words so heavy they didn’t even sound like her. But the government didn’t care about explanations. They didn’t care that my mother, my best friend, had only done what she did to make sure I had the kind of life she never could. They only cared about punishment. So here I was, standing in front of the mansion of her ex-lover. Mr. Blackwood. A man I’d never met in my life, but who somehow agreed to take me in, adopt me, and drag me across borders into a world I never asked for. I was still drowning in those thoughts when the sleek black car rolled up the driveway and stopped in front of me. The door opened and Mr. Blackwood himself stepped out, tall and sharp in his gray suit, his salt and pepper hair slicked back like he’d just walked out of a magazine. He didn’t look like someone my mom would’ve once loved. He looked… untouchable. “Lila,” he said warmly, his deep voice pulling me out of my daze. He walked over and rested a hand lightly on my shoulder. “Look at who's grown big," he teased and gave out a calm smile. "You’ll be fine here. I promise.” Fine. The word stung. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had been fine. I nodded anyway, forcing a polite smile. “Thank you, sir, my mum said a lot about you and I appreciate your kind heart.” "Sir? feel totally free to call me Dad please, I would kill to have a girl child." he laughed as I joined in. The servants came forward, lifting my bags with a kind of speed and grace that almost made me feel invisible. As we started walking up the driveway, I blurted out the question that had been buzzing in my head all day. “Um… earlier with the lawyer,” I asked softly. “What exactly did he mean about my adoption being temporary?” Mr. Blackwood sighed, as though he’d been expecting me to ask. “They’ll process the papers for just one year. After that, you’ll either need to give up your citizenship certificate through birth or… marriage.” I stopped in my tracks. “Marriage?” My voice cracked on the word. He turned, his expression calm, almost too calm. “Yes. By then, you’ll need to either marry here or find another legal route. It’s the simplest solution.” I blinked at him. “I’m 23 Sir...Dad... I don’t even know how to be someone’s wife.” For the first time, he smiled, a small amused twitch of his lips. “You’ll figure it out, My princess. There are plenty of handsome men in the city. Besides, I promised your mother I’d keep you safe. You’re young, you have options. Take your time. Consider my sons also," he paused and winked at me. "Marry for the certificate, then later… follow your heart. Divorce if you must.” My mouth fell open. “You’re joking, right? Omg, I can't even access what's going on right now.” “I never joke,” he said smoothly. “But I do keep my promises.” He patted my shoulder again before leading me toward the doors. “Don’t worry. My sons are a catch. Every girl in this city wants them, and I'm here for you, not as a helper but as a Dad... I'm here to fill up every space.” I frowned, heat rising in my chest. Did I look like the type of girl who gets dolled up with words of affirmation ? *** The giant oak doors opened, and before I could even roll my eyes properly, the loud chorus of voices and clapping filled my ears. “WELCOME, LILA SINCLAIR!” The grand entryway was decorated like something out of a fairytale. Silver and purple balloons floated to the ceiling. Streamers draped across the chandelier, glittering with every little movement. And right in the center, across the wall, in bold golden letters, was written: Welcome to the Blackwood Mansion, Lila Sinclair. My jaw dropped. “Oh my God…” The maids and butlers lined up in neat rows, clapping and smiling as if I was some sort of princess walking into her coronation. Someone even rolled out a small cake, complete with candles. I laughed nervously, shaking my head. “This feels like my birthday party. I....i...speechless.” “Then make a wish,” one of the maids encouraged. I blew out the candles, my heart swelling with a mixture of confusion and warmth I didn’t want to admit to. For a second, it almost felt like maybe, just maybe, things could be okay. "Dad, can I walk around?" I asked, not sure if those words came out appropriately. "Feel free, Princess. This is your mansion." he said aloud patting my shoulders. I smiled and nodded walking up the stairs as one of the younger maids, Clara, offered to show me to my room. The first door we passed had a polished gold plaque: Damien Blackwood Hall. The second one: Ethan Blackwood Hall. I arched a brow. “Do they really need their names on their doors?" Clara scratched her head nervously. “Well, technically… this next one is yours.” She stopped in front of the door right between theirs. I frowned. “Wait. My room is between their rooms?” “Yes,” she said quickly. “There are only three master bedrooms on this floor. It made sense.” Made sense to who? Still, she pushed open the door and stepped aside for me to walk in. I froze. The room was drenched in shades of purple, walls painted lavender, curtains a deep royal violet, and even the duvet cover a soft lilac. On the desk sat a neat stack of books I loved, my favorite snacks lined up as if someone had been stalking my grocery lists. And then I saw it, on the wall above the bed, a huge poster of Lil Tjay, my ultimate celebrity crush. I actually screamed in excitement. “Oh my God, oh my God! Lil fucking Tjayyyyy..how did you guys know, y'all been stalking me?!” Clara giggled. “We got everything from your mother. She told us about all your favorites.” I sat on the bed, hugging one of the fluffy pillows. My chest tightened. For a moment, I could almost hear my mom’s voice in the room, teasing me about being dramatic over a celebrity. “Are… are the sons here?” I asked, trying to shake off the ache. “No, miss...Sir Damien is away at a business event, and Sir Ethan returns tomorrow. You’ll meet them soon enough.” Soon enough. My stomach twisted. Clara excused herself, and I flopped back on the bed, staring at the chandelier above. My nerves were screaming, so I did what I always did...I practiced. “Okay,” I muttered, sitting up. “Imagine Ethan is hot. Too hot to handle. What do I say? Um… ‘Hey, Ethan.’” I cringed at my own voice. “No, too casual. Rich people don’t use hey, do they? They probably say things like… greetings.” I groaned. “Ugh. I sound like a butler.” With a dramatic sigh, I grabbed my phone and Facetime JoJo. He popped onto the screen instantly, his dyed-pink bangs falling into his eyes. “Girl! Are you on the boys’ bed already?” I gasped. “JoJo! What the hell!!! seven hours ago I was on a flight, now you think I’m in somebody’s sheets? You have the IQ of a teaspoon.” He cackled. “I’m just saying. Mansion. Rich boys. One plus one equals..” “Equals shut up,” I cut in, rolling my eyes but smiling. We laughed, and I started spilling everything about the mansion, the ridiculous welcome party, the insane marriage talk. “And now I’m low-key panicking,” I admitted. “What if they’re too hot and arrogant? What if I embarrass myself? What if they hate me? What if i look too um...too poor, local huhh.” JoJo leaned closer to the screen. “Girl, listen. You are gorgeous, I mean fucking gorgeous.. all you gotta do is some makeover, roll your hair, wear something feminine for once and sway those bubbly ass like your mama taught ya.” I groaned. “You know I can’t even roll my hair.” “That’s why you got maids now. Use them!” Before I could clap back, I heard footsteps. “JoJo, I gotta go.” I hung up quickly. The door opened and Clara, the maid I clearly got fond of, entered with armfuls of shopping bags. “Um, wrong room?” I said, pointing. She smiled. “No, miss. These are yours. New clothes, shoes, accessories. Everything for your new lifestyle.” I blinked. “My new… what? what the heck, know nothing about fashion, I'm a regular girl cmon.” She laughed lightly. “Don’t worry. You’ll learn. I’ve been assigned as your personal maid. I’ll help you with everything. Now go freshen up, and I’ll make you perfect for your new world.” My jaw dropped. Perfect for my new world. The words sent shivers down my spine. The second she left, I collapsed back on the bed, buried my face in the pillow, and screamed. “you are head bow cooked, Lila!”Damien's POV The rain outside had stopped hours ago, but the wind was still tapping gently against the glass. I stood there, shirt unbuttoned halfway, eyes fixed on the flickering streetlights below. The night was silent, too silent for comfort.Somewhere between the hum of the air conditioner and the faint ticking of the clock, guilt crept in. I hated that feeling. That small tug in my chest that whispered you were too harsh.But I shook it off. I wasn’t Ethan. I didn’t do gentle. I didn’t sugarcoat a woman just to get under her thighs. I didn’t comfort women just because they cried.I turned from the window, rubbing the back of my neck, when I heard her voice.“Damien,” she said...quick, tense, almost breathless. “We’re in trouble.”I frowned. “What now?”She took a few steps closer, her hair loose now, falling in messy curls over her face. “Can you, for once, not be an asshole? Just listen to me and do everything I say.”I raised a brow. “That sounds like the start of one of your
Lila's POV He lifted me, spun me around, pressing me against the bed, as he brought out his cock and shoved it in..our body collided, moving together, no words necessary, no surrender, only fire and desire. My silk gown pooled around me, discarded, leaving my bare breast against him. He traced every curve, memorizing, worshipping, dominating, as I arched into him, matching his rhythm, our bodies a chaotic symphony of need and control. His lips found mine again, soft, teasing, commanding, and I responded with everything I had. Arrogance, desire, dominance, lust, all blending into a feverish, unstoppable storm. I reveled in the fact that he was both my enemy and my obsession, that our hatred and our fire made this moment combust with power. Hours blurred, movements synchronized in perfect tension and release, our bodies conversing in ways words never could. He fucked me, flipping me over as he kept thrusting.I moaned in pleasure. He helped me arch my waist perfectly as he began
Lila's POV The room was swallowed in silence, except for the heavy sound of our breathing. The red glow from the window pulsed against the wall like a warning light.“Who found us?” Damien’s voice was sharp, low, demanding.I swallowed, my pulse jumping. “Them. They found us.”“Who’s them, Lila?” he asked, his jaw clenching as his eyes darted toward the window.“Shh,” I hissed, pushing him down to the floor. “Lay down.”He blinked up at me. “What?”“I said shut up and lay down!”He frowned, but I pushed harder, my hand flat against his chest. For a second, our eyes met... his dark, calm, skeptical....mine, wild.He muttered, “Lila, I’m not ten or twelve.”I rolled my eyes. “Then start acting like it.”He groaned and sat up halfway. “What are you even doing? This is ridiculous.”I started laughing, uncontrollably. I couldn’t help it... the tension, his serious face, everything. “God, you should’ve seen your face. Mr. Cool, terrified for once.”He glared. “It’s not funny, Lila .. I hat
Damien. The car felt like a confession box. Quiet. Tight. Too many things unsaid between us.Lila sat next to me, staring out the window like London’s cloudy sky had the answers she was running from. I kept my eyes on the road, pretending not to notice how the silence between us was louder than any fight.Finally, I broke it.“What happened in the bathroom doesn’t justify the fact that you’re still my greatest suspect.”She turned, her lips twitching into something between a frown and a laugh. “You really wake up every day and choose paranoia, don’t you?”“I wake up every day knowing people lie,” I said. “And you, sweetheart, lie beautifully.”Her head snapped toward me. “You think everything’s about you, don’t you? Maybe I just don’t like talking to self-absorbed jerks.”“Then you shouldn’t have kissed one,” I shot back, glancing briefly at her. She flinched but said nothing. Her silence was louder than a scream.The rest of the drive was a storm of side glances and unspoken challe
Ethan's POV “Dad, I’m not getting married to that bitch!”The words tore out of me before I could stop them. My chest rose and fell as though the walls were closing in, but my father only leaned back in his chair, his face carrying that smug, untouchable calm that had haunted me my whole life.“Oh yes, you will,” he replied, his tone clipped, final, like he was signing a business contract.I slammed my fist on the nearest table, glass rattling on its surface. “Why do you think your words are supposed to go a long way in my life? I’m not some puppet you can just drag around.”He rose from his chair, eyes sharp and voice cutting through the air. “You will not bring shame to my name, Ethan. You will marry her, or at the very least, you will have her as your baby’s mother..maybe even your first wife if that’s what it takes. I don’t care how you feel.”The rage inside me boiled. “Fine, then. I’m ready to do a DNA test if that’s what it takes to prove my point!”“I don’t care about your po
Lila's POV "Look who called," his voice slid through the phone, smooth and cruel at once.Till this very moment, I never thought Mr. Blackwood could be so heartless. A billionaire, yes. Powerful, yes. But cruel? Ruthless? My chest burned as I tried to breathe.I swallowed hard, clutching the phone tighter.“Why are you doing this?” My voice trembled.He chuckled, deep and unbothered.“It’s business, princess. Nothing personal. Just business.”My fists tightened. “Does business really mean taking innocent lives?”“Sweetheart,” he drawled, “you have a lot to learn.”Anger flared hot in my chest. “I don’t care. I’ll never spill blood. I’d rather get banned from the country than....”The line shifted. Suddenly his face appeared on my screen. Video call. My stomach lurched.I froze. “How...what are you doing there?”He smiled, leaning back casually. “As your mother’s past lover, I came to check up on her.”My body went rigid. My throat locked. “Don’t touch her. Don’t you dare.”“Calm down
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