LOGINARIELLA The room was still dark, the faintest hint of early morning barely touching the curtains, and for a second I was too lost in the feeling of him even to think properly. By the time he finally pulled back, I was breathing hard, completely flushed, my chest rising and falling rapidly. I tri
ARIELLA "What do you mean?" “Tonight..... My mother humiliated me in front of everyone. Creating problems for you publicly... in front of everyone.” I looked away from him. “I know how these people are. I know how they talk and you have a reputation to uphold. I am supposed to....” Asher's enti
ARIELLA My voice cracked completely after that. “She is my mother." I began, trying to hold it together. "She's the only relative I have left, the only parent I have left, and I know my dad loved her. And as much as my mom was... that to me...” I swallowed painfully. “She was there for my father.
ARIELLA Leon had been a very welcome, loving, and warm distraction from all the emotions and the pain I was fighting inside. He had occupied my mind when I helped him to bed, when I read him a story, and when he fell asleep and I just sat there on his bed, watching him sleep, seeing him taking in
ARIELLA Asher helped me into the car carefully, like I might shatter if he moved too fast. The second I sat down, he followed after me, pulling the door shut behind him before anyone else could touch it. Outside, I could still see movement near the ballroom entrance. Men collecting phones and Guar
ARIELLA Asher lifted his hand slowly toward my face. For one terrifying second, I thought he was going to wipe the spit away himself.... Instead, he took out a handkerchief from inside his jacket and placed it gently into my hand. Like he knew I would break completely if he touched my face right n
ARIELLA Asher didn't move at first. He just breathed, a long, shaky exhale that vibrated against my skin. His hands were wrapped around my thighs, his grip firm but not demanding. It was the grip of a man holding onto a life raft. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice muffled by the duvet. "I didn'
ARIELLA I hear the sound of drilling from the hallway, metal creaking, and low voices murmuring between themselves. The house feels different today. Like, not just the people, but the house itself is bracing for something. Maria gently nudges the plate toward me. “You should eat. Ariella, you loo
ASHER God was on my side. Yes, I believe in God, in case you were wondering.... And I say God was on our side because, through the haze, I thought I saw Mikey move, and I saw him moving faster than I had ever seen him move before. The young guard, the young soldier, tackled and curled his body aro
ASHER I know she wants me. I know she wanted me to finish what had already started earlier. What was about to happen with me inside her. She is practically aching for it. However, this is not going to happen as I had planned before. With no time to lose, I'm going to take it hard and fast… but I’l







