LOGINARIELLA I exhaled. “Okay.” “I’ll see you later,” he said. “Don’t be late for dinner,” I responded. “I want a promise.” A small smile slipped into his voice. “Okay. I promise.” “I love you.” I couldn't help myself. “I love you too.” The call ended and I stayed there for a moment longer, star
ARIELLA The truth was… maybe I did. Maybe I had seen them before. Maybe I had grown up around them. But I didn’t actually know who had died. “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “Maybe.” Leon frowned again. “Then why didn’t you go to the funeral?” I hesitated. “I guess I should have,” I admitted
ARIELLA After breakfast, I tried to keep the morning as normal as possible. For Leon, and most importantly…For myself. “Mom,” Leon said, looking up at me, “should we go and prepare my study room? You told me that I could help.” “Of course,” I said. But before we walked out, I turned toward Marg
ARIELLA I held his gaze. “I can’t survive without you,” I said again. “You won’t have to,” he replied quietly. “I’m going to be okay. I’ll come back. I have to. You and Leon are waiting for me. I won’t break that promise.” He lifted my chin gently so I had no choice but to look at him. “I just
ARIELLA I woke up to feel light kisses on my face. I opened my eyes to find Asher hovering over me, pressing soft kisses against my skin. I let out a small laugh as he brushed his lips against mine before straightening. He was already dressed. Tie in place. Hair perfectly styled. Everything about
ARIELLA When Asher is finally, fully seated inside me, the bed groans beneath our combined weight. He pulls back out just as slowly, and the friction is enough to make my head swim. He’s doing this on purpose; I can see the intent in his eyes. He’s paying me back for every stolen glance and silen
The door burst open with a violent slam that echoed through the room like a shot. I stumbled back, my heart leaping to my throat as five or six men in dark clothes stormed in like a sudden storm. Their invasion was silent, coordinated and dangerous. One of them, clearly their leader, stepped forwar
Asher shut the water off. I picked up a towel and handed it to him. My eyes moved down his body, then back up to his face and swallowed. I wanted him. I knew he wanted me too, we needed this... He dried himself, half-heartedly, then thrust the towel onto the ground. My eyes never left his as he adv
Asher hovered over me. A bulge tented his pants. He brought his fingers, coated in my juices to his mouth and licked them clean with a wicked smile. My core clenched, wanting more, completely mesmerized by the sensations slowly dimming in my body. My hand moved toward the waistband of his pants, d
“I... I’m just visiting... well, I… I work here.” I stammered, trying to think of something. “You work here?” “Yes.” “Doing what, exactly?” “I... I clean,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “You clean?” he echoed like it was the most unbelievable thing he’d ever heard. “Yes. It’s maintenan







