Claire’s POV It was breathtaking. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. When Seb told me we were heading to his island, I was speechless—and honestly, a little skeptical. I thought he was just messing with me, but turns out he was dead serious. He really owned an island! I guess it wasn’t that far-fetched. Seb’s filthy rich, after all. He could buy anything he wanted. My jaw dropped when I saw the crystal-clear blue sea below us. The water sparkled like it was winking at me. We were flying on a floatplane toward the island he claimed was his. Turns out the plane belonged to his second cousin, Briggs Altamirano, who apparently owns an airline. Of course. The whole flight, I just stared out the window, mesmerized by the stunning scenery. The vivid blue waters shimmered below us, and I couldn’t wait to jump in. I turned to Seb, grinning. “It’s s
CLAIRE'S My hand reached out to the left side of the bed, brushing against the empty space. No one was there. Where did he go? Is he up already? The early sunlight warmed my face, a contrast to the cold sheets wrapped around me. The pillows still held the faint, musky scent of our intimacy from last night. Soft and comforting against my face. Last night was… incredible. Sebastian had been unusually sweet and gentle—something that didn’t happen often these days. And while I appreciated the respect and tenderness, I still wanted the real him—the raw, passionate Sebastian I knew. Yes, to me, it was making love—because whether I admit it out loud or not, I love him. What started as mere attraction two years ago had grown into something deeper. He made me feel seen, important... like my happiness actually mattered. Like I deserved to follow my heart. After marrying Niu, I’d accepted that
Claire's POV Sebastian didn’t tell me where we were going. He just said we’d be away for a few weeks, just the two of us. Wherever he plans to take me, I have absolutely no clue. We left the inn a little past three in the afternoon. It’s almost five now and we’re still on the road. Sebastian has been insatiable since last night. But even with that, he never forgets to be gentle when he makes love to me. I think that’s sweet—but there’s also a part of me that wishes he wouldn’t hold back. I want him to be completely himself with me. I don’t want him to restrain or control himself. I want him raw, real—unfiltered. I jumped slightly when my phone suddenly rang. I dug through my bag and pulled it out. It was Kate calling. Finally. She’s been calling nonstop since last night, but I couldn’t answer. Seb and I were way too busy to even notice our phones. “Hello, Kate,” I greeted the moment I answered.
Claire’s POV I stared at the woman in the mirror. She wasn’t the same woman who was forced into marrying a stranger two years ago. Back then, I looked so broken—like the world had come crashing down on me. I was miserable. I still remember what my cousin Evany told me—that I always had the choice to say no. If I had gone against my parents and refused to marry Niu, I probably would’ve never met Sebastian. After all, he was based in the U.S. at the time. So in a strange way, I’m thankful for that marriage. Because it led me to him. Not having him in my life... I can’t even imagine it. If I never met him, I doubt I’d be this happy now. Sebastian made me realize how much of life I had missed. I let fear and people’s opinions dictate my choices. I should’ve cared more about my happiness and less about what others might say. I placed my hand over my chest as my heart suddenly pounded harder. I could feel it vibrating against my
CLAIRE’S POV A soft smile played on my lips as I watched Sebastian sleep peacefully beside me. He looked like an innocent baby in his sleep—so calm, as if he hadn’t been wild at all last night. His hair was a mess, and he had one arm draped over me while one of his legs tangled with mine. The light tickle of his hairy leg brushing against my skin made me giggle a little. I traced his sharp nose down to his lips. God, he was so handsome. Thick brows, naturally flushed lips—he was like a sculpture come to life. And he gave me his attention, when so many women would kill just to have it. Even knowing I wasn’t entirely free, he still chose me without second-guessing it. I bit my lip, remembering last night. We made love more times than I could count—both of us insatiable, unable to stop. But what struck me most wasn’t just the passion, it was how gentle he had been. Despite his reputation for being rough in bed, he was anything but. The way h
Claire’s I gently cupped Sebastian’s cheek. His stubble tickled the soft skin of my palm. He looked into my eyes with such intensity, his movements slow and deliberate. He wasn’t rushing—like he wanted to savor every second of this moment between us. There was a raw hunger in his eyes that made me melt inside. I leaned in and gave him a soft kiss, and he responded with passion, like he’d been waiting for that. I was happy—no, I was overwhelmed with joy. My heart felt like it could burst. What I feel for this man goes way beyond attraction. Sure, I was drawn to him at first, but it grew into something deeper—something I’ve never felt before, not even with the people I used to love. His kisses trailed from my jaw down to my neck, finding that one spot he always seemed to favor. I gasped quietly when he lingered there, and at the same time, his rhythm shifted—more intense, more urgent. He rested his head in the
Claire’s Sebastian’s warm lips moved slowly over my chest, drawing little circles around my sensitive skin. I arched my back, giving him better access, wanting him closer. Every part of me was alive, aching for him. The way he touched me was like lighting a match against dry wood—I burned for him. And only he could put out the fire he started. He cupped my breasts gently, giving them equal attention as he kissed and nipped at each tip. His eyes stayed on mine, watching me, as if my reactions were fueling his every move. I clutched the sheets for some kind of control. But there was none. My eyes were glued to him, to the way his lips moved against me, the way he made me feel things I’d never felt before. “These sweet curves are mine,” he said in a husky voice, clearly affected. He deepened his kisses before settling between my open thighs. His hips pressed into me, his hardness rubbing against my still-covered center.
Claire’s POV A groan of frustration slipped past my lips as the moaning and panting from the room next door grew even louder. I couldn’t believe how shameless some people could be—especially when we were clearly in a public space. I grabbed the small, heart-shaped pillow and covered my entire face with it. The blanket wrapped around my body didn’t do much to hide the embarrassment crawling up my spine. That couple had been going at it for what felt like forever—groaning, gasping, shouting like they were in a damn adult film. And to make it worse, the guy I was stuck with in this room, Sebastian, was just laughing at me while I tried to cover myself up in mortification. “I’m taking another shower. It’s so fucking hot,” Sebastian declared. I let out a deep sigh of relief the moment I heard the bathroom door close and the water start running. I pulled the blanket off, gasping for air like I was about to suffocate under there.
The door burst open, and Sebastian stormed into Claire’s office, breathless and looking like he had run a marathon. He was clearly in a hurry. After what happened at the mansion, he didn’t waste a second—he headed straight to Claire. He knew how ruthless the media could be now that Niu’s sex tape had gone public. He found Claire at her desk, with Kate beside her. She looked wrecked, eyes red and swollen from crying. Her nose was red too—she had clearly just stopped crying. “F*ck,” Sebastian muttered under his breath, hating the sight. Claire looked so fragile, so broken. He knew she must’ve found out everything. He had tried to shield her from the worst of it, especially the video, but clearly it was too late for that. Claire looked up, stunned to see Sebastian barging into her office. She hadn’t expected him to show up here of all places. For a split second, she felt relieved—safe even—just knowing he was here. But that feelin