**Third person**Valerie's throat suddenly felt dry. She forced a swallow before pressing her lips together.Then Lucas massaged her shoulder. โAre you okay?โ He asked sweetly, his piercing blue eyes staring down at her, and she felt her breath hitch.Yes, she'd signed a contract to act as his girlfriend, but that was only supposed to be in front of his family. Still, the way he spoke to her just now, the way he looked at her... it all felt good.Adamโs eyes widened in stunned horror. โGirlfriend? Who is that?โ His eyes darted from Val to Lucas with his mouth hanging open.โIs there a problem?โ Lucas arched a questioning brow, his focus returning to Adam.Adam's fists clenched by his sides and his blood boiled, but he willed himself to respond. โNo, no, of course not,โ he said, trying to keep his voice steady.Lucas took a sharp breath, his eyes never leaving Adamโs. โI must have heard wrong. There's no way you said something about making work difficult for my girlfriend, right?โโYe
**Valerie**After I told Lucas that he sounded like a donkey braying, he caged me to the bed. His manly cologne filled my senses and awakened the desire I'd tried so hard to suppress.Feeling a wet sensation between my legs, I clenched my thighs.My gaze flickered from his eyes to his lips, and I wished our lips would meet. But at that moment, he rolled over to his side of the bed, and he closed his eyes.Was this how this night was going to end? With nothing happening? โOf course, that's how it should be,โ the voice in my head fired back.But at that moment, my lips parted, โUh... Can I turn off your lamp?โ The words escaped before I had a chance to stop them, and my body moved too.I don't know why I said that; I wasn't thinking. Shit, I don't even know why I was doing this. Maybe it was because I'd been sex starved for over a year before my one night stand with Lucas. And that night only did more to fuel my desires.Hovering above him, I reached for the lamp and turned it off, pl
**Third person**โGood,โ Karen said with a satisfied smirk and ended the call.Tessa lowered the phone, the weight of what Karen just said settling on her. She was to spy on Valerie and report back to her. So far, Val did seem odd, but there was nothing concrete.Exceptโฆ Expect for the time when Adam sent Valerie flowers and a text message.โI hope you like the flowers. The offer to be my mistress is still on the table; have a nice day (inserts love emoji),โ the message had read. She'd taken a quick peek at it before Valerie noticed she didn't fail to inform Karen about it.Maybe it was part of the reasons Karen wanted her gone? Or maybe it was something else. Anyway, that didn't matter to her, as long as she was getting paid. As long as the money was going to help with her mother's hospital bills...**Valerie**The whistling sound of the kettle snapped me out of my thoughts. I reached for the hot water and poured it into the tea cup on the counter, the smell of milk and honey fil
**Valerie** Wowโฆ Was Adam really willing to divorce Karen and backstab his in-laws just to be with me? Me? The fat and ugly Ashley? An amused chuckle left my lips before I could stop it. I stared at his face a tad longer, and there was no sign that he was joking. He was actually serious? Taking over and divorcing Karen? Seems like I won't even have to do much since he was on the path of self-destruction. Then I smirked. "Well, I guess we'll never know.โ With that, I walked away. What was he up to? Either way, it sounded exciting. An hour later, I was at the knitting club. A wave of warmth washed over me. There, by the window, sat Grandma and Frances, their heads bent over their knitting projects. A smile spread across my face as I approached them. โHello,โ I said with a big grin as soon as I was standing in front of them. "Valerie!" Grandma exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Good to see you; I almost thought you wouldn't make it.โ โUh, I finished working late. You look a
**Lucas**โSo anything on why Adam wants to make work difficult for Valerie?โ I asked Calvin.I couldn't just ignore what I heard him say to her, Adam was a complete jerk.โApparently, Mr. Smith likes Mrs. Thorne,โ he answered.My brows raised as I turned to look at him. I wouldn't put cheating beneath Adam, and Valerie was a very attractive woman.โSo, he wants to date an employee?โ I scoffed. โAnd not even minding that his wife works in the same company too?โโTurns out Mr. Smith is quite the womanizer,โ Calvin chipped.My jaw clenched and my grip on the window rail tightened. Turns out he really fucking was. At least, now that he thinks Valerie is my girlfriend, I expect him to back off. But still, I wouldn't take chances.โMake sure a close eye is kept on Valerie; I want to know everything that goes on with her in that place,โ I instructed. And I assume Karen would not be too fond of her.โYes, sir,โ Calvin said before heading out of my office.Thoughts of her kept running in my
**Adam**Anger surged through me when I saw that damn Lucas wrap his hand around Valerie's slim and slender waist. That waist is mine. She is mine! Mine!!The scene replayed in my head for the umpteenth time. The way she looked at him... She has never looked at me that way.It was supposed to be me, not that self-satisfied prick. And the fact that she had managed to catch the attention of Lucas made her even more desirable. Ruffling my already disheveled hair, I paced the length of my office again; her words kept echoing in my mind.*He's more handsome, caring, richer, and, of course, faithful, seeing as he doesn't have a wife but you do.*My fists clenched, my knuckles turning white, and I punched it hard against the wall without thinking. The sharp pain that coursed through me was a welcome distraction as I leaned against the wall, my eyes closed, trying to calm my racing heart. Oh Valerieโฆ I will have you, no matter what it takes.First, I needed to take over the company comple
**Valerie** It was lunch break already and the office was empty, except for me and Tessa. Just then, my phone buzzed. โHey Valerie, how are you doing?โ Lucas's voice rang through the receiver. โI'm good, how are you?โ I replied, gritting my teeth to suppress the smile forming on my lips. โIt's your lunch break, maybe we should have lunch together?โ โUh, I'm already eating with a colleague,โ I replied. โOkay then, I'd wanted us to meet and talk?โ โTalk?โ I echoed, my cheeks turning red as my lips curled into a cheesy. The past few weeks have been crazy, the last thing Lucas asked for us to meet in my house, I was pinned against my kitchen counter and fucked shitless. And the same thing happened the last four times before that. Not that I was complaining thoughโฆ I subconsciously bit my bottom lip as my mind wandered. It was clear that there was a strong physical attraction between Lucas and me that we couldn't ignore. Anytime we saw each other, there was this strong urge t
**Third person** Wednesday evening, Adam headed to his bedroom with his travel bag in hand and Karen trailing behind. โHow was Chicago?โ Karen asked as soon as they stepped in. โFine,โ Adam hummed tiredly, slumping into the bed. She studied his face for a moment before speaking. โYou don't seem too pleased, did the deal go well?โ โIt was fine, I'm just tired.โ His voice held a tint of irritation as he placed the bag on the floor without even glancing at the woman beside him. Sighing, Karen plopped down beside him on the mattress. โDad said that Italy was a dead end,โ she announced. โOh, tell me about it,โ he thought, his eyes rolling in frustration. โI wonder where Ashley could have hidden all that money,โ Karen added. โWow, I wonder too,โ he finally said in a monotonous tone, taking off his shoes and then his socks. โYou don't seem too surprised?โ Karen pointed out, searching Adam's face. Of course, Adam knew firsthand that Italy was a dead end; he'd gone t
**Third person** Valerie dragged her heavy eyes open. She blinked a couple of times to clear her vision. The smell of drugs and antiseptic and hospital filled her nose. Beside her, Lucas sat with his eyes closed. Almost immediately she jumped up on the bed. โLet me go,โ she shouted, startling Lucas. He climbed the bed and pulled her into his arms. โIt's okay, you're safe now,โ he whispered softly, planting kiss after kiss on her hair and forehead. Valerie relaxed into his embrace, her racing heart finally calm. A tear slipped from his eyes and he wiped it. He'd thought he'd lost her. โI'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe. I should have anticipated it, I shouldโโ โIt's not your fault,โ she cut him off gently. โIt's not.โ Tears trailed down her own cheeks and she sniffed. โWhat happened to Matthew?โ A muscle ticked in Lucas's jaw, he felt Matt had an easy fate after everything he did. "Dead." Valerie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her body shaking with relieve
**Third person**โLet's move, slowly,โ Matt murmured in Valerie's ears, his hot breath fanning against her skin. His eyes were still locked onto Lucasโwho was practically shooting daggers at Matt with his eyes."Matthew, please," Valerie whispered back, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. You can still let me go."Matt's jaw tightened, his chest heaving with desperation and anger. "Do you really think I'm stupid?" he hissed. "You want me to let you go? I should just allow you to run into his arms?" He questioned in a mocking tone.โDrop your weapon and surrender,โ the police announced again but neither Valerie nor Matt paid any attention. โBest believe that if I do that, then I'll shoot you from behind before you get to him,โ Matt added. The chilling sensation in his voice sent a shiver down Valerie's spine.โMan to man,โ Lucas began, his voice almost a growl. โWhat would it take for you to let her go? Anything at allโฆ name it. Even if you don't want to spend a single da
**Third person**It took Matthew half the time it would normally take to get to the bunker. He parked his car at a safe distance before running over to the location. And with each step he took, his mind raced, his heart pounded with anxiety. He couldn't afford to lose her now that he was so close. They'd literally be leaving the country today. Valerie please be there, please be there, Matt murmured, his legs moving faster.A half-relieved sigh left his lips when he reached the entrance and saw that the door was still lockedโShe was still here. His trembling fingers sifted through his bunch of keys, his breath gaspy and he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his palm.Matt unlocked the door and then pushed it open forcefully. His eyes blazing with anger and anxiety found Valerie immediately. She was curled up at a corner, her cheeks stained with tears and her hands and feet shaking."What have you done??!" he growled, his voice venomous.She frowned in confusion, even th
**Third person**Matt seemed to ponder for a moment before he exhaled deeply. Then he moved over to the table and picked up a small knife. He began cutting the ropes. His jaw clenched at the red mark the ropes left on her skin, a pang of guilt coursing through him. He'd done this to her, he thought. โDo you need me to get you anything from the store?โFinally untied, Valerie examined her free hands and legs, a sense of relief and determination washing over her. โNo, thanks.โโI'll be back soon.โ He gave her a warning look. โDon't try anything stupid.โShe nodded vigorously. โI wouldn't dare.โSatisfied, Matthew turned around and headed out. Valerie had her timid and innocent mask on, until the moment Matthew was out of view.She squeezed her eyes shut and then began counting from one to fifty in her head, giving Matthew enough time to leave the premises. Even with her eyes closed, she could hear the locks click behind him.When she was done, she sprang to her feet, her eyes desperat
**Third person**Eighteen hours had passed since Valerie's disappearance.Lucas stood in the center of his living room, surrounded by computers and anxious faces. His team of experts, handpicked from the best in the business, worked tirelessly to track down any lead on his woman.But so far, neither his team nor the police have been able to come up with anything tangible. There was also no signal from the tracker in Valerie's necklace. Either her kidnapper knew that the necklace was bugged and got rid of it, or they were under water, in a bunker, or somewhere that'll block the signal.One thing for sure; he'd find Valerie and he'd find her soon. Even if it meant turning the planet upside down. She'd be found.News about her and disappearance was all over the media and there was a huge cash prize for whoever brought relevant information on her whereabouts. Lucas ran a palm across his exhausted face. Deep lines creased his forehead, and his jaw was set in a rigid clench. "Broaden the
**Third person** It was almost as if Valerie disappeared just when Elliot blinked. After dismissing the woman who'd come to talk to him, he looked up but he didn't find his boss. Damnit! He'd clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, his hand instinctively resting on the gun holstered at his hip as he rushed outside. Eyes scanned everywhere around but there was no trace of her. "Miss Thorne?" he called out, his mind racing. โAshley?โ He called louder. โValerie?โ There was no response. Immediately, he dialed her numberโฆ once, twice, thriceโฆ until it was unreachable. He'd rushed over to some passersby to ask if they'd seen herโฆ There was nothing. Shit! Just then, his phone started ringing. Elliot pulled the device out and stared at the screen, his throat suddenly feeling dry as he registered the caller IDโMr. Stone. He took a deep breath and then pressed the answer button. ***************************** Valerie's eyes fluttered open, her gaze was blurry and unfocused. She tri
**Third person**Valerie's blood ran cold as she stared at the picture attached to the message. It was a picture of a small boy, no more than two years old. The fact that he was a spitting image of Lucas Stone had goosebumps erupting all over her skinโsame blue eyes, jet-black hair, nose, lips, jawlineโฆVal's heart rate increased. Her son was truly alive?โWeโre heading to the hospital; Mr. Stone said we're meeting him there?โ Elliot asked, his hands already on the ignition.Valerie nodded absent mindedly and he started the car.She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she stuck her head outside the window. Breeze hit her face but it did nothing to calm her. She knew that she had to lose Elliot, and fast. As the car moved through the city, she spotted a convenience store up ahead and made a split-second decision. "I need to stop and get some water," she said suddenly.Elliot frowned and glanced at the bottle of water sitting in the middle of the car compartment.
**Third person**Valerie's smile broadened into a full-blown grin. "Oh, don't think it's unfair if justice isn't served for your lover's sister."Karen frowned, her eyes narrowing. "My lover? What do you mean?" What did this have to do with Victor, she hasn't even heard from him, Karen wondered.Valerie locked her eyes onto Karen's. "Victor, your bodyguard... the one you've been fucking.โ She paused to study Karen's faceโshe didn't look so confident anymore. โBut you killed his sister."Karen's face drained of blood, her eyes wide and her lips parting with shock. Valerie continued, "The young lady who took care of Nathaniel Scott."Dread coursed through Karen, her mind shifting back to the night Nathaniel was killed. He'd been with a woman, and when Adam killed Mr. Scott, the woman witnessed it. Karen had to silence her.A small smile found its way to Valerie's lips as she studied the horrified look on Karen's face. "So now, does it finally ring a bell?"Karen's eyes stung with tears
**Third person**Valerie woke up to a wet sensation on her clit. A shiver coursed through her spine, her nipples hardening.The sensation continued, and she was forced to open her eyes. She wiped her heavy eyes with the back of her palm and then looked down between her legs, where the source of the heat she was feeling came from. Lucas, with his head between her thighs, looked up, his tongue still whipping her sensitive clit. โMorning, babe,โ he murmured. Valerie blinked a couple of times to clear her eyes. She arched her back and she cried out in pleasure when he slipped a finger inside her. โW-what are you doing?โ She managed to ask between moans.He smiled and looked up at her again, with those dark, desire-filled eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed her pussy juice rubbed all over his mouth and its surroundings. โI've always dreamed of waking you up like this,โ she murmured, his voice rough.Lucas slipped another finger in her and began pumping, his tongue returning to her c