Simon stood before her, his pupils dilated, his breath coming in short form as his darkened eyes stared down at Anna's lips."Simon," Anna called out, her voice barely above a whisper.Simon's face was unreadable as he hid his thoughts behind a carefully guarded expression, making it difficult to tell what he was thinking.Simon looked up slowly from her lips and into her eyes, narrowing them as he whispered."This seems to be the only thing that can shut you up."Anna's eyes clouded in anger with that. She never wanted to give him the impression that he affected her in any way."Maybe a slap across your chin would joggle your memory again." Anna responded, squirming against his hands, her chin raised in arrogance.Simon's face broke into a smile, his lips curling up in mockery as he threw his head back and laughed."Let me go, Simon," Anna snapped and pulled her hands from his grip.She felt her heart beating against her ribs as she tried to maintain her composure."You know what? I
Michael glanced behind him, his eyes narrowing momentarily at Simon's back before turning away."Why don't we go say hi to them?" Michael asked."To whom?" Anna asked.Around them, a group of familiar faces were laughing and chatting animatedly. The party felt just like Michael had explained it to be before."The Crawford, of course," Michael responded."Hmm, no problem," Anna concurred."How did you know they were from the Crawford foundation?" Michael asked."I think someone in the group had on a shirt with the Crawford name, looks like it's protocol or bodyguard or something," Anna mumbled.They walked towards them where they stood amidst a group of guests with Alicia there also."Oh, it's lovely to see you, Emma, and I'm glad Mr. Crawford agreed to approve my invitation this year," Alicia stated with a chuckle.The Crawford Foundation was an influential organization in the community, and having their approval was a big deal for Alicia."I hope we can continue our partnership with
Simon turned around to see a representative of the Crawford Foundation walk into the hall. He turned back slowly to face Anna, seeing the smug expression on her face."I would advise you to think twice before starting a fight with me, Anna," Simon warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.Anna raised her right brow at him, stepped towards him, and said, "I don't take advice from you, Simon Parker."Simon stared at the challenge in her eyes as he thought about all he had on his table since she came back to town.Her eyes drew him in, challenging every part of him. He felt his breath catch; a pull he had never felt for her all those years ago pulled him strongly.The rest of the room fell away, becoming nonexistent as they got wrapped up in each other."F*ck!" He mumbled under his breath, his voice husky.To think he was getting attracted to the enemy was an understatement, and despite trying to prove that he wasn't, he could not deny the fact that his body wanted her."You won
“Are you alright?” Anna asked, looking up at him in suspicion.David looked at her, cautioning himself as he looked back at her.“Yes, absolutely, I am fine. Sorry, I just got distracted by something,” David said, forcing a smile.“Oh, okay,” Anna responded as they finally unclasped their hands.David smiled and offered, “Do you want to walk around with…”“Hmmm, I should go look for my date. I guess I’ll see you around then,” Anna said, stepping away.“Hmm, sure, that’s fine, I’ll see you around,” David responded.Anna turned and walked away, her stiff shoulders relaxing slightly as she moved further into the crowd."Hi, Anna," someone called out, stopping Anna.David watched her go, his eyes narrowed in confusion. There were a lot of things he wanted to ask, which he couldn't quite say to her. He turned around to go look for the one who could give him the answer to all the questions."Isn't that Simon Parker?" Someone in Anna's group said, looking around the room."Yes, it is; he loo
Anna’s heart skipped, beating against her rib cage as she stared ahead. It all flashed before her eyes again.“Anna? Did your dress get stuck?” Michael asked, looking back at her.Anna blinked, looked at him, and shook her head as she replied, “No, humm, I just…”She looked ahead again, and he was gone; the space was empty, and for a minute she was not sure if she had really seen him.Michael looked in the same direction, his brow squeezed in puzzle before looking back at Anna.“Sorry, I think I was lost in thought,” Anna responded.“Ms. Howard over here,” someone called out again, walking over to interview them.Before Anna could move, someone approached her with a mic, wanting to interview her.“I don’t think you can escape this one,” Michael whispered as he stepped to her side.“Hello, Vectra, you look really gorgeous in that dress,” the interviewer said with a warm smile as she pointed the mic in front of Anna.“Thank you,” Anna replied, smiling.“You’re not looking bad yourself,
Simon looked up at the building behind him, the crease on his face deepening in anger.“What the h*ll?” Simon grunted and dialed William’s number.“William, how did this pass you by?” Simon asked.“Huh?” William mumbled over the phone.His voice sounded like he had just been dozing off to sleep.“William?” Simon called out strongly.“Simon, you know some of us sleep, right?” William responded, still sounding sleepy.“How did Anna find out about the Crawford bid?” Simon asked.“What? Anna?” William responded suddenly, sounding instantly alert.“You tell me,” Simon snapped.“What… at… I… I don’t know; how am I supposed to… wait,” William stuttered, then stopped abruptly.“What?” Simon asked.“Do you think that is why she is going to the party tomorrow? The Alicia party?” William asked.“Damn it, William, why does everyone choose this time to mess with me!” Simon shouted.“Or she does not know and was only invited like every other person.” William suggested.Simon raked a hand through hi
Anna placed her hand on his chest and pushed herself away from his strong grip. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.The sound echoed through the street as Simon felt the sting of it, his eyes darkening in anger.“Don’t you ever put your fr*aking hands on me again!” Anna snapped.“Or else what?” Simon asked, his voice ice cold.“You won’t like what I will do to you.” Anna shouted,Her breath came in short form as she tried to put all she felt into her anger. Not wanting to feel any other thing but her anger.In a blur, Simon grabbed her again; he spun her , slamming her back against the car and pinning her in place.He was so pissed off that he refused to listen to his inner voice, which was telling him to let her go.“What exactly can you do?” Simon growled.The tension between them was thick, crackling with intensity as they both stared each other down, neither willing to back down.Simon's hand pressed against the car, his eyes burning with a dangerous fire that mad
Simon forcefully slammed his legs on the brake, propelling himself forward. The seat belt around him was his one defense from hitting his head on the steering wheel.He had almost hit her, and there had just been a few inches between her and the front of the car. It had been a very close call.“What the h*ll,” He cursed under his breath as he unbuckled his belt, switched off the headlight, and hurried out of the car.She had appeared out of nowhere, all dressed in black and blending with the night. She had a hood over her head, making it difficult to see her face fully.Simon walked towards her and said, “Excuse me? Are you hurt? Didn’t you…”She looked up, pulling the hood from her head, her hair cascading down her back in rich allure.“What are you doing here?” Anna asked.Simon’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her, not wanting to show how his heart had skipped as she had flipped her head back.She wore a black tracksuit that glued to her body like a second skin. Her face was shining
"What do you think I am talking about?" Gideon asked, winking at him."Don't mess with me, Gideon; it won't end well for you." Simon responded.Gideon's lips curled up in thought as he pretended to think about it. Then he shook his head, snapped his finger, and grinned."Why don't you tag along and see if I feel like I will regret it?" Gideon challenged.Simon walked up to him, his voice dropping a notch as he said, "I'm warning you, Gideon. Whatever game you're playing, leave the group out of it.""I'll see you tomorrow then," Gideon winked and walked away.Simon watched him go, feeling a sense of unease crawl up his spine. He wished he could wipe off that smug look of always getting away with anything from his face."Who is going to be there?" Simon asked as William walked up to him."Hmm, I need to find out what occasion he is going to first of all." William responded."Find out." Simon responded, his voice ice cold.Noah walked over and placed a hand on Simon's shoulder as he said