MasukAmeliaAshen's studio was located in a quiet commercial building about twenty minutes from my apartment.I'd been there enough times to know the layout.The reception area was small but tastefully decorated, with framed photographs covering one wall. There was a waiting area near the entrance and a glass door leading to the main studio.I took a deep breath before walking in.My heart was already beating faster.I pushed the door open.And there he was.Ashen stood near a table, adjusting something on his camera.He wore a black fitted T-shirt, dark trousers and a wristwatch. His sleeves weren't rolled up because there were no sleeves to roll, which was unfortunate because I'd developed a particular appreciation for his forearms.He looked up when he heard the door."Morning," he greeted.Oh.That voice."Good morning," I replied.His gaze settled on me briefly before he smiled."You're right on time," he observed."Yes. I didn't want to keep you waiting," I replied."Appreciate that,
AmeliaBy the time I got home that evening, my phone was filled with suggestions.Lingerie pictures.Flirty lines.Videos about seduction.Things I didn't even know existed.I dropped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.What the hell was I doing?I picked up my phone and opened Ashen's Instagram.His latest post was a photograph of a woman in a beautiful red dress. The lighting was perfect, the background simple, and the entire picture looked effortlessly expensive.I liked it.Then I scrolled.And scrolled.And scrolled.Until I reached a picture of him.It was a mirror selfie, apparently taken in his studio. He wore a black T-shirt that stretched nicely across his chest, with one hand tucked into his pocket.I zoomed in.Then immediately zoomed out.I was a grown woman.I needed help.My phone vibrated.Tasha: Have you chosen an outfit?Me: No.Tasha: Choose something sexy.Me: I don't even know what sexy means anymore.Nessa: Something that makes him forget he's holding a camera
Amelia“I was going to die a virgin.”That was the conclusion I'd reached after spending twenty minutes explaining to my friends why I couldn't possibly ask a man out, despite having had a crush on him for the better part of six months.Not just any man, either.My photographer.The same man who had probably seen more pictures of me than my own mother, yet somehow remained completely unaware that I wanted to climb him like a fucking tree.“Then sleep with him,” Tasha said.I blinked.“Excuse me?” I asked.“You heard me. Seduce him. Get him into bed,” she replied.I stared at her as though she'd just suggested I rob a bank.“I'm not doing that,” I protested.“Then stop talking about how badly you want him,” Tasha shot back.I opened my mouth, ready to defend myself, but Nessa beat me to it.“Actually, I agree with Tasha,” Nessa said.I turned to her.“Of course you do,” I muttered.“What?” She shrugged. “You've been talking about this man for six months. At this point, I think the thre
JennaI don’t answer right away. I just look at her for a second longer, taking in the way her eyes have gone softer, the slight parting of her lips, the way she’s already leaning a fraction closer without seeming to realise it. Then I close the remaining space between us and kiss her.The first touch of my mouth against hers is light. Careful. Her lips are warm and soft, and she tastes faintly of the wine we’ve been drinking all evening. For a heartbeat she stays still, as if she’s letting me decide how this is going to feel. Then her hand comes up to the side of my face and she kisses me back.It deepens slowly. Her tongue brushes mine, tentative at first, then more certain. I feel the warmth of her palm against my cheek and the way her fingers slide into my hair, holding me there. The sofa cushions shift under us as I move closer. Her other hand finds my waist, fingers curling into the soft fabric of my dress.We break apart only far enough to breathe.“Still okay?” I ask, voice lo
JennaGinny's expression softens as she looks at me. “And I'm beginning to think I made an excellent decision.”I smile, taking another sip of my wine, and before I can come up with a suitable response, the doorbell rings.“That must be our food,” I say, getting up from the sofa.“Finally,” Ginny remarks, setting her glass down. “I'm starving.”I laugh as I head toward the door. “You say that as though I haven't been feeding you wine for the past thirty minutes.”“Wine isn't food, Jenna,” she calls after me.“Tell that to the people who make it,” I reply, opening the door.I collect the order and carry everything into the kitchen, where Ginny joins me to help unpack the containers.“Which one is mine?” she asks, peering into the bag.I point toward the container on the counter. “That's your Pad Thai.”“And yours?”“The green curry.”Ginny looks between the two containers before reaching for mine. “Can I try yours?”I turn to her, pretending to be offended. “You haven't even tasted you
JennaSaturday arrives slower than it should.I spend the morning pretending I'm not counting the hours, although the number of times I check the clock suggests otherwise. I clean the apartment even though it doesn't need cleaning, change the sheets, and stand in front of my wardrobe longer than necessary before finally settling on a soft black dress that sits just above my knees. Nothing too formal, just something that feels like me while making it obvious that I've put some thought into how I look.By the time the knock comes, I've already checked my reflection twice and rearranged the cushions on the sofa for the third time.I take a breath before opening the door, only to find Ginny standing in the hallway in dark jeans and a simple white shirt, a bottle of wine in one hand and a smile that immediately makes me forget the greeting I'd prepared.“Hi,” Ginny says.“Hi,” I reply, stepping aside to let her in. “You found your way back.”“Of course I did,” Ginny says with a laugh. “Did
Sean I closed the door to my bedroom and leaned against it, the wood cool against my back. My heart was still beating heavier than normal. What the hell had just happened? I sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through my hair, replaying the scene in Mila’s room. She had been so defiant at f
Mila I did exactly as I was ordered, pressing my face into his leg, but I could feel the heat of his palm hovering over my thighs. He was right. This might be even more torturous than having his hands on my ass, smacking me like I'm some child. “I have tried so hard to get along with you,” he
Mila The party was alive the second I walked in. Bass from the speakers vibrated through my chest, mixing with the smell of spilled beer, sweet perfume, and weed smoke curling in the air. Colored lights flashed over bodies packed tight on the dance floor. God it felt so good to be back here, wit
MilaI slammed the front door hard enough that the sound echoed through the fancy new hallway. My suitcase bumped against the wall as I dragged it inside. The whole house smelled like vanilla candles and Mom’s expensive perfume, the kind that always made me want to sneeze.“Mila?” Mom’s voice came







