Jalen’s POVAs I pull up to my brother’s house, which, apparently, is our grandparents’ old place on my mom’s side, so I had to sit there for a second just staring and realizing how much Idon’t know about Patrick.The house looks nothing like it used to when my grands owned it. What used to be an aging brick two-story with creaky steps and a rusty gate now looks like something off HGTV. The renovations are beautiful, sleek, modern, but still home.And my brother didn’t even tell me he was the new owner.I sigh, leaning back against the headrest. That’s partly on me. I haven’t been as plugged in as I should’ve been. Somewhere between work, travel, and life, I let distance creep in between me and my brothers.As I pull into the makeshift parking area, I can see cars lined all the way down the block. Patrick’s lot sits on nearly half an acre, a rarity this close to the city. I grab the three gift bags from my back seat: one for Dad, one for Aria, and one for her father. Might as well mak
Aria’s POVSaturday Morning – 8:48 a.m.“AT, put this over there,” my sister says, shoving four serving trays into my hands. Her tone is already bossy, like I’m on payroll instead of free labor. I shoot her a look, but I grab the trays anyway and carry them across the yard to the long ass banquet table sitting under the giant white industrial style tent.The morning air is still cool, but I can already feel the sun working its way in, bouncing off the glossy floor panels the rental guys put down at the break of dawn. The whole setup looks like something straight out of a wedding magazine, and this definitely was not a wedding. There were ten round tables with crisp white linens, neat wooden folding chairs, and those high-boy cocktail tables with black and gold bows tied around the middle, sprinkled along the edges like Paige had pulled a Pinterest board to life.“Paige, this is nice,” I say, setting the trays down on the dessert table. “I like how you did the smoking section, too. T
Jaylen’s POVSaturday MorningI woke up frustrated as hell. My head was pounding from the thoughts of yesterday, and my body wasn’t making things easier. I glanced down at my rock-hard, throbbing cock. Jesus Christ. All I could think about was Aria with her soft supple lips, her sweet cherry taste, that curvaceous round ass I had my hands all over, the way she melted into me when I kissed her. I dreamed about that girl all night and what I can do to her. I want her so fucking bad it’s ridiculous.I sighed and looked at the clock. 7:15 a.m. Great. Another long day. I threw the covers off and headed to the bathroom. The house was quiet with Talia gone, and Kira’s off on weekends unless I call her in. The maid only comes three days a week, and the gardener four. It’s just me in this big, beautiful, pleasantly silent house.I turned the shower on ice cold and stepped in, hoping to kill the problem downstairs. Fifteen minutes later, it was still there, harder than steel. I had to handle i
Aria’s POVFriday AfternoonWell, i can actually say that this day has been full of surprises.First, when I walked into my office this morning, there was a massive black and white shopping Gucci bag on my desk, paired with a smaller bag from Corner Bakery. Kim popped in right behind me, grinning like a cat with cream.“Girl, a courier dropped this off earlier from the Gucci store and the bakery. Come on, open it. I’m too excited.”I sighed, set down my briefcase, purse, and phone, and reached for the Gucci bag. Inside was a box, and sure enough, it was the Emblem Maxi Tote retail price, about $2,500. My jaw dropped before I smiled and spotted the card.I want you to look good on your date, Love. You’re welcome.– J.I laughed, shaking my head. Typical Jay. I peeked into the Corner Bakery bag, and it was a full pancake breakfast. I'm not touching that. I handed it off to Kim and Alan to split. The tote, I placed on the floor behind my desk before texting him.Me: Thank you, friend.Ja
Jalen’s POVThursday Afternoon Today was such a long-ass day, and I was glad to finally be home. The smell of garlic potatoes and steak hit me the second I walked in, and damn, it smelled divine. I dropped my briefcase on the counter.“Good evening, Kira. How are you?”“I’m great, sir. Here’s your dinner. Mrs. Talia’s is in the warmer. I’m heading out now ok so I'll see you tomorrow.”She left, and I grabbed a bottle of water and a soda out of the fridge before sitting down with my plate. Three bites into my delicious steak, I heard the front door slam and heavy grunting echoing from the staircase and a loud banging of what I think are suitcases.“Amy, put those bags by the front door!” Talia barked before strutting into the kitchen.Great, so much for peace and quiet.She grabbed her plate out of the warmer, which consisted of veggies and baked chicken well, of course, because she doesn't eat red meat and sat across from me.“Jalen, I’m leaving at 4 a.m. with Amy. So are you sure yo
Aria’s POV“Welcome to Freight World Company. Please follow me,” Mr. Facecard, aka Leonard Kingston, said with a voice so smooth it wrapped around me like silk. My team and I trailed behind him into the building, but not before Kim nudged me in the ribs and wiggled her eyebrows like we were in high school.I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool, but my pulse had already picked up.The conference room we walked into looked like something out of a CEO’s fever dream with polished mahogany, leather chairs, and wall-to-wall windows. My conference rooms suddenly felt like shoeboxes. The table was covered with pastries, donuts, carafes of coffee, juice, and sparkling water.“Please, everyone, help yourself before we get started,” Leonard said.I grabbed a blueberry muffin and a cup of decaf, settling into my seat as I pulled out my tablet. The moment I opened my notes, Leonard launched into a smooth introduction about Freight World’s empire from shipping, imports, and global reach. The kin