Gaping, Ava turned toward the man beside her, confusion etched across her face. She couldn’t understand what was going on.They were supposed to be heading to a furniture store, but instead, the car had come to a stop inside a sleek, built-in garage. It only took her a moment to realize this was one of Zac’s luxurious penthouses.“Why are we here now, Zac?” she asked with a groan, her eyes narrowing in frustration. “I told you I needed furniture for my room.”He said nothing in response. Instead, he calmly stepped out, rounded the car, and opened her door with a subtle gesture for her to get out.“You can’t just—” she began, already stepping out, but Zac placed a finger gently against her lips, silencing her.“Can you not say anything and just follow me? Please?” he asked softly, his voice deep, and his eyes dark with something warm.Ava’s shoulders slumped as she rolled her eyes and gently removed his finger from her lips. “I know what you’re planning, Zac, but we could have gone to
“Hi, Sir,” Ava greeted warmly before glancing back at her colleagues, who had all gotten to their feet upon seeing the manager.“Have I interrupted anything?” the manager asked with a cheerful tone.“Not at all, sir. I was just on my way to the restroom. Do you need something?” Ava replied politely.Still smiling, the manager shook his head and glanced toward the head of department’s seat. “I just finished talking to your boss, and I’m happy to tell you that the deal was successful.”“Wow! Finally!” Vera squealed, clapping her hands together, and the others joined in the excitement. Ava smiled too, although she wasn’t exactly sure what deal they were celebrating.“Stephanie told me over the phone that it was clear the Gonzalez Group intentionally let the deal fall to us this time, which has never happened before,” the manager added, still wearing the same bright smile.The others were swept up in the manager’s cheerful mood, but Ava couldn’t keep smiling. She didn’t quite understand w
Moonlight filtered through the closed curtains, casting a soft silver streak across the bed where Ava lay, sound asleep.She had no idea of the man seated beside her, quietly holding her hand. His tall, commanding silhouette stretched across the wall, motionless. His eyes were deep and dark, like a bottomless lake, fixed on her peaceful face.She looked serene, her features delicate and captivating. A smooth brow, a petite nose, and full, soft lips. Her skin glowed under the dim light, tender and flawless.Zac stared at her in silence, but his mind was in turmoil. After everything he had uncovered from her supposed parents tonight, his chest burned with a storm of emotions. Rage, hurt and protection. A pull toward her that was now undeniable.His fingers instinctively tightened around hers, trembling with anger. Ava stirred, wincing lightly in her sleep.The moment her expression shifted, Zac snapped back to himself. He eased his grip, gently smoothing her hand with his thumb.He lift
“Are you feeling hot?” she whispered against his face, her breath warm and tempting. Reid swallowed hard, his eyes meeting hers with a flicker of hesitation.“Your room number is 504, sir,” the female attendant said, snapping him out of the moment.He turned sharply, took the key card from her, and headed toward the elevator with Charlotte still clinging to him.Once inside the standard room, he walked straight to the bed and dropped her onto it without ceremony. She landed with a soft thud, giggling to herself.Reid tossed the key card onto the cabinet, followed by a few folded dollar bills.“I’m leaving,” he said flatly and turned to go.Before he could take a full step, Charlotte sprang from the bed and wrapped herself around him from behind.“You’re really going to leave me here all alone?” she purred, now facing him, her eyes half-lidded with desire.Reid froze. Every nerve in his body was buzzing. He could feel the heat rising, the pull tightening in places he didn’t want to ack
Reid hadn’t stopped refilling Charlotte’s glass, and Charlotte hadn’t stopped emptying it. One shot after another, she kept tossing them back like water.Her face was flushed deep red now, eyes glassy, lips loose, and her breath thick with alcohol.Across from her, Zac remained an untouched portrait of calm.By this time, a bartender had approached with a sleek bottle of red wine, quietly pouring it into the crystal glass in front of Zac after Reid had given his preference.Zac picked up the glass with deliberate grace and leaned back into the single sofa. He swirled the wine slowly, watching the color catch the ambient lights, then lifted it to his nose and inhaled softly. It was fragrant and elegant without strong alcohol.“I hate her for making my life so miserable,” Charlotte slurred, pounding her chest with a shaky fist. “And I hate the fact that people can’t see we’re not even related.”Her words spilled out recklessly now, raw and unfiltered.Zac’s face remained cold, but the g
Ava Taylor scoffed under her breath as she stepped into her bedroom, the sound sharp and laced with disbelief. She rolled her suitcase to a corner, packed with everything that once belonged in Zac’s penthouse.Crossing the room, she walked over to the window and drew back the curtains, staring out into the early night sky. The city lights flickered distantly, calm and indifferent.Earlier that afternoon, after making out more than once in Zac’s office, she’d finally left, still catching her breath and still flushed from what they’d shared. The looks she got on her way out hadn’t gone unnoticed.Ava had met every gaze with a knowing smirk. If she had let Zac walk her out, like he wanted to, she was pretty sure a few of the staff might have murdered her with their eyes alone.From the office, she’d gone straight to the penthouse and packed her things.Now, alone in her space, she smiled faintly and closed her eyes, fingers gently combing the tips of her hair.Undoubtedly, she was going