LOGINARIELLA Asher stepped slightly in front of me, not enough to block me, but enough to make a statement—a boundary. The older man greeted him with practised ease, and Asher responded in the same tone, controlled, respectful, but distant enough to remind him exactly where he stood. “It’s so nice t
ARIELLA I could feel it in the tension of his body, in the way his eyes kept shifting toward the exits, the entrances, every moving piece in the room. Always alert. Always calculating. Always ready..... Making sure no one tried anything. Still… I found myself listening to the speeches, to the cau
ARIELLA Asher, being Asher, made sure he stole a kiss from me, ruining my makeup all over again, before we even got out of the car. I barely had time to protest before he was already stepping out, adjusting his tie like nothing had happened, then coming around to my side and opening the door for
ASHER I wanted to devour her. To take her apart piece by piece and still want more when I was done. “Heaven,” I muttered against her lips, my voice rough as my mouth moved over hers again. My tongue chased hers, slow at first, then deeper, tasting, learning, claiming every inch like I had no in
ASHER I’m coming from my office, already running a few minutes late, heading to get my wife before we leave for the ball. I don’t want us to arrive late... not tonight. But the moment I step into the foyer, I stop. My posture straightens instantly as my eyes lift and follow the length of the stai
ARIELLA Today was the day. Leon and his dad had gone on their usual run and now they had upgraded it to something more intense. And I had to admit… Leon was changing. He looked sharper these days, Stronger and Taller. There was something about him now that made him seem older than he really was.
ASHER I was covered in dirt, sweat, soot, and blood, the smell of smoke still clinging to me when I walked into the bathroom. I didn’t hesitate. I stripped out of my clothes quickly. They were useless now. I would have to get rid of them. Not that it would matter. I stepped into the shower. When I
ARIELLA The sound from his throat made me squirm from the immediate reaction my body took. I lifted my hips, and Asher took me up on my invitation, but his eyes remained on my face as he laid me bare to his eyes. His palm stroked my thigh then slowly up it, moving over the small patch of dark hair
ARIELLA Other days at the Island were for the sea. We took a small boat out past the shallows, the water impossibly blue beneath us. Leon learned how to snorkel, initially clinging to Asher before slowly letting go. I cheered when he finally swam on his own, his laughter muffled by the water, bubbl
ARIELLA Maria held my hand tighter. “Go back with your head high. Show them how strong you are. Stop feeling guilty for wanting good things. Family comes first.” I smiled faintly. “I don’t think they mean one's own family when they say that.” She laughed, pulling me into a hug, and then I left h







