A Bloom of Thorns

A sharp sting on her neck snapped Holly Sullivan out of her daydream.She looked up, her eyes clouded with confusion. She saw Luke Hoffman's attractive face flushed with intense passion and longing."Holly, can you stay here with me?"Luke's voice was low and laced with a hint of seduction.He drew her closer with a firm squeeze on her waist, his rhythm intensifying—a wordless punishment for her wandering attention. After a contented sigh, he nestled into Holly's arms, relaxing at the touch.What followed was the familiar declaration of love."Holly, do you have any idea how much I love you?"I'd be lost without you."The lingering desire within her unfurled, wave after wave.His words of devotion shattered what was left of her composure.Luke had a craving for breast milk, and as fate would have it, she was naturally well-endowed. Ever since she hit puberty, she had to change her undergarments constantly. They were a perfect match.Her voice shook with a mix of nerves and a

Within milliseconds, Luke hurriedly shoved Holly away. Her head smacked against the car door, turning her face ghostly white as she winced from the pain. Luke, looking all kinds of worried, quickly fixed his rumpled clothes and rolled down the window. His eyes darted to Cecilia standing outside. Luke, who was usually cool-headed, sounded distressed, "Girlfriend? No way, Holly got hurt, I was just helping her out." Holly looked up to Cecilia's gaze, which was cool, deep, and drop-dead gorgeous. It was like comparing perfection to her mess and mortification. She was the polar opposite of Cecilia. Holly was all curves and sweet innocence with a side of allure — a walking daydream for many guys. Cecilia looked like she was sketched by a goddess, she only had graceful lines and an air of untouchable grace. Holly knew their history, Luke and Cecilia were childhood friends. They went to the same schools and even went abroad together. To all the old folks, and Holly herself, befo

Holly was not in the mood to tear down Luke's facade.She instead tried to push him away.However, Luke clung to her even more tightly.It was as if he was trying to prove his affection.With one hand, Luke cradled the back of Holly's head, and he pressed his lips to hers with a boldness that left no room for argument.His other hand started to move.It snuck under the hem of Holly's clothes, starting to explore every piece of her.With a familiarity that came with practice, he began to undo the clasps of Holly's undergarments.A shadow of desire flickered in Luke's dark eyes, his throat involuntarily gulped.He was oblivious to the resistance in Holly's eyes as he leaned in to whisper against her ear."Holly, I want you so bad."A wave of nausea hit Holly.She could not remember when she started to feel so repelled by Luke's advances.She firmly stopped Luke's intrusive hand, took a deep breath, and fought back the impulse to slap him."Stop, it's not a good time. I'm de

Cecilia rose to her feet. Her usual cool and aloof demeanor showed, but her eyes betrayed a hint of defiant tears.She snatched the lemon juice from Holly's arms, ready to down it in one go.Luke quickly moved, panic written all over him, "No, don't drink that. You can't drink cold drinks."He turned back, shooting Holly a glare that could freeze fire.It was the first time he had ever looked at her with such annoyance and revulsion.Holly's composure nearly crumbled from the wrongful accusation. She could not hold back the tears as she walked away from the mocking crowd.She walked until they were all far behind her.Holly could still hear their snide comments and mockery."As if she doesn't know her place. At twenty-eight, she's still trying to outshine Cecilia.""Sure, she grew up with the Hoffmans, but look at her. She was groomed just to be some man's plaything. Why else would she be single at twenty-eight?""No respectable family would ever consider a woman like her i

As Luke watched Holly's figure disappear into the distance, panic set in.It felt like a crucial piece of his heart went missing.At that moment, he wanted to run after her.However, Cecilia was still in his arms, and she had conveniently passed.Biting back the frustration, Luke had no choice but to carry Cecilia away.He would come back for Holly later, certain that he could win her over again.Once they were in the car, Luke instructed the driver to head to the hospital. Suddenly, Cecilia stirred awake in his arms.Cecilia threw her arms around Luke's neck, her tears falling like a sudden spring shower."Luke, I swear I didn't send those photos. You know me, I could never do something like that."They were so close, Luke could feel the slight tremble in Cecilia's frame and the heat of her skin through her thin clothes as she cried.Even with her that close, Luke's heart did not skip a beat.He was getting tired of her tears, but he kept his cool and soothed her.Cecilia