LOGIN[Elena's POV]"Just the bug," I said, keeping my back to the hallway. "It'll pass."Noah didn't look convinced, but he let it go. His fingers slid down my arm and caught my wrist. "Come here."I let him pull me into the study. The door clicked shut behind us.Sunlight cut across the heavy oak desk, catching on the silver pen he always twirled when he was thinking.I needed an excuse, fast."I came for inspiration," I said, keeping my tone light. "Thought I'd sketch something for you. Maybe a portrait. Something to hang in here so you remember me when you're buried in all those late-night calls."Noah's mouth curved, just that faint, almost-smirk he saved for me. He dropped into his massive leather chair and tugged me forward until my knees bumped his. "Sit.""A portrait of me?" He pulled me down onto his lap, settling me sideways so my hip pressed against his thigh. "Finally remembered your boyfriend exists, huh? Or are you just practicing before you draw another piece for my guards?"
[Elena's POV]"You have to," I gasped, grabbing his thick, tattooed wrist to stop his hand. "I'm on my period."Noah froze.The heavy, dark lust in his eyes warred with bitter frustration. He dropped his head back against the leather headrest, letting out a harsh sigh. "You have terrible timing."I bit my lower lip to hide a smile. A strange, secret wave of relief washed over me. A few days of bleeding meant I was safe. Plus, Noah had mentioned Marlowe men were notoriously hard to breed. I had nothing to worry about."I didn't plan it," I whispered.Noah opened his eyes. They were completely black in the shadows. He grabbed my hand, dragging it down to the rigid, heavy bulge straining against his expensive slacks."You broke my patience," Noah commanded, his voice dark and breathless. "You fix it."My skin burned. I fumbled with his zipper, the sharp metallic sound echoing loudly in the quiet car.When my trembling fingers wrapped around his thick, hot length, his jaw clenched hard.H
[Elena's POV]"That's good to know." Aris just offered a polite, deeply knowing smile, picked up his leather bag, and walked out to his sports car.Noah tossed the expensive art book onto the console table. He stepped into my space, backing me up until my spine hit the cool plaster wall.His long fingers gripped my hips, pressing into my skin through the thin cotton of my shirt.The sharp scent of burnt gunpowder and cold mint washed over my face. His breathing was a low, measured rasp against the quiet hum of the house.The heat radiating off his solid body completely suffocated the cool air in the hallway."What exactly did you say to Marco to keep him from putting a bullet in your head?" Noah asked.I looked up into his dark, furious eyes. "I told him the truth."Noah's thumbs dug harder into my hips. "Which is?""I told him I'm using you," I said evenly. "I told him I'm with you for your money, your resources, and your art connections. I made sure he understood I don't care about
[Elena's POV]I stood frozen. The two massive Velgrave guards lay completely still by the shattered doorframe."Mr. Marlowe..." My lips were trembling but I couldn't show weakness in front of him."So, are these your last words?" Marco said in a calm tone. Before I was about to say something to save my life..."Elena!"Footsteps slapped hard against the hardwood floor.Nicole sprinted out, dragging my mother by the hand.Nicole's face was chalk-white, but her right hand gripped a heavy, cast-iron fireplace poker. She shoved me backward, stepping directly between me and the Boss of the Marlowe family.The heavy iron poker shook violently in her grip."Don't take another step!" Nicole yelled, her voice pitching high in a terrified, fierce rush."I swear to God, I don't care who you are! If you touch her, Noah Marlowe is going to ruin you! He is obsessed with her! She's a genius with a massive career ahead of her. You lay a finger on her, and I will destroy your life on the internet! I wi
[Elena's POV]He didn't bother taking off his tailored trousers. He just unzipped them. The sharp, metallic rasp echoed loudly in the quiet guest bedroom.Noah stepped right between my spread knees. His large hands clamped down on my bare thighs, pinning my hips flush against the mattress.I was already trembling, slick and painfully empty from the video call."Noah," I gasped, my chest heaving.He didn't give me a single second to adjust. He gripped my waist and drove his hips forward, sinking his thick, hard length completely inside me in one single, ruthless thrust.The sudden fullness hit my highly sensitized nerves like a lightning strike.My back arched completely off the bed. I didn't even have to work for it. The climax ripped through me instantly. My internal muscles clamped down hard around him, crushing him. I threw my head back, a loud scream building in my throat.Noah’s large hand slammed over my mouth, trapping the sound against his palm."Quiet," he growled right again
[Elena's POV]"I missed your smell," I admitted, my face flushing hot.Noah let out a low, rough groan. He leaned closer to his phone camera.The physical distance between us was annoying, but the sheer intensity of his stare made it feel like he was right there in the bed with me."Unbutton it," Noah commanded softly.My breath hitched. "Noah, Nicole is sleeping next door.""I don't care," Noah whispered. The authority in his tone left no room for argument. "I have spent the last seventy-two hours dealing with blood and traitors. I need to see my woman. Unbutton the shirt, Elena. Now."My hands actually shook.I slowly reached up and unfastened the top button. Then the next. I pulled the dark fabric apart and slipped it completely off my shoulders. The cool night air of the guest bedroom hit my bare skin. I lay back against the pillows, totally exposed to the glowing screen of the phone.Noah's eyes dropped. I watched his throat work as he swallowed hard."Touch your breasts," he ord
[Elena's POV]The hot soup burned the back of my hand, but I barely felt it.I slowly picked up the spoon with shaking fingers and placed it on the tray. I looked up at Caleb."How?" my voice was totally flat. Empty."Drug overdose," Caleb said gently. He didn't look away. "The police found him thi
[Elena's POV]The black SUV was completely silent.I sat in the backseat, staring out the window at the passing city.My dad was dead. My mom and my best friend were being held hostage by my brother. And sitting in my coat pocket was a cheap burner phone, a heavy reminder of the betrayal I was supp
[Jake's POV]I stared at the thick, heavy paper on my desk. The gold foil letters caught the light.You are invited to the engagement party of Jake Marlowe and Caroline Vance.It was perfect. Jessica was completely r
[Elena's POV]I wanted to tell him the truth. Right there, with my face buried in his chest and his arms wrapped tight around me.Adrian is my brother. The words were right on the tip of my tongue. But I swallowed them down hard.If I gave Noah his real name, his security team would find out everyth







