LOGINARIELLA 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
ARIELLA That did it. Asher's expression shifted, something deeper, more certain. And this time when he kissed me, I didn’t hesitate. Didn’t hold back. Didn’t think about later or tomorrow. Or anything waiting for us outside that room. I let myself go into Asher's arms. I shiver beneath his touch,
ARIELLA The moment the flash went off, both of them stirred. Leon shifted first, letting out a small, confused sound as he buried his face deeper into the pillow. But Asher.... Asher woke instantly. His hand tightened instinctively around the book on his chest, the other bracing slightly at his si
ARIELLA I couldn't believe him right now. “None of the above,” I replied quickly, turning away from his smug face and back to Leon. “Okay, listen. Dad is coming upstairs to read you a book.” “Yay!” Leon said instantly, already turning around and running out of the room. The moment he left, I le
When I get back to my room, I start looking for traces of Luca. Is he somewhere partying? Has anyone seen him? With a little help—thanks to my very public relationship with Asher—I get the right location. There he is. Apparently, he’s throwing a party at his father’s beach house, which is at least
I knew I was rambling—talking so fast I barely took a breath—but I couldn’t stop. It all just poured out. “Okay, okay,” Luca said, cutting in gently. “Slow down. I need you to breathe. Just… take a second and talk to me like a calm, rational human. Like someone who’s going to be the queen one day.”
Tears blur my vision as I look at him — this man who would shoulder all the blame just to take the pain away from me. "I just love you so much, Asher," I whisper. I rise up on my toes, my heart pounding, and he meets me halfway. Our lips find each other, the kiss slow and deep, the kind that says
While I was drowning in my mortification, one of the guys in the group—someone I didn’t know—grinned and said, “Luca, who’s that? Your latest conquest?” Luca’s face shifted. Still calm, but suddenly serious. “No, man. Have some respect,” he said coolly. “That’s my sister-in-law.” “Sister-in-law?







