I keep a low profile as I head to where the three of them are sitting. They usually have these coffee breaks around this time, and Nate has his administrative meetings in the morning, which is why I came in now.Everything is calculated to give my plan further chance to succeed. I’m taking things into my own hands and it’s all going to be fine.“Hi!” I say too cheerfully, making three pairs of eyes slide to me. Sebastian smiles and so does Daniel. He has a charming presence that’s similar to Sebastian’s when he was in college—Nate’s nephew is a bit more serious now.Daniel is pretty in a model type of way with his piercing turquoise eyes, light hair, and fit physique. It’s one of the reasons why magazines love putting him on their covers. That and his shrewd ways in the law circuit. “Gwen! Did you bring us some of your cupcakes?”“Yeah.” I grin, waving my bribes box. “I stayed up all night making them.”“You’re a doll.” Daniel takes the box, opens it, but pauses before eating. “Sorry
NathanielMy workplace is sacred.After all, it’s where my ambition thrives. Where my plans are made and my strategies are conducted.This is where I come to focus and forget about the girl I leave behind and go back late so that I don’t see her. Only, she’s not a girl, is she?I want to call her that to stop my dick from having ideas, but she was never that—a girl. At least, not for some time.She’s a woman now. A grown-up fucking woman with legs that go for miles and a tiny waist that can almost fit in only one of my palms.And she’s currently in the place where I’m supposed to be focused, not sidetracked.Gwyneth is right here, at W&S, and while it’s not her first time, she doesn’t usually dress like she’s at a business meeting.And definitely not with these three fuckers—my nephew included. Kingsley made it his mission to keep her away from them and their whoring ways. So I’m just taking care of it on his behalf. Like I promised him.It’s definitely not because of how I want to ja
Whoever said that is a fucking moron.Besides, either she’s with me or with someone else. And there’s no way in fuck I was going to let her be with Knox, Daniel, or even Sebastian.I’ve been hit by the same haze that took over me when Aspen told me that my “wife” brought cupcakes and was talking with the three fuckers. Logical thoughts were the last thing on my mind when I barged in there. I knew she didn’t like it when I refused the internship, but I didn’t think she’d show up and negotiate her way into one.Behind my back.I’m well aware of her half-jogging behind me as I march to my office, but I don’t look at her. I’m charged up enough as it is without being distracted by the sight of her.If I had enough decency, I would slow down and let her catch up, but that term doesn’t fucking exist in my dictionary.As soon as we’re inside, I shut the door, lean against it, and face her.Gwyneth stands in the middle of the office, catching her breath. But then she glares at me with her arms
GwynethBehave or you’ll pay.Behave. Or. You. Will. Pay.He can’t say things like that and then walk away—or more like kick me out—because I have questions. Lots of them. How am I going to pay? Why? Where? When?So many questions.Like everything when it comes to Nate, I guess. And I don’t know why I want to pay, or maybe I do know. Because I’m a masochist, in a way, and masochists like pain, especially when it’s a result of something we’ve done.I think that’s why I kissed him back then, because my masochistic tendencies took hold of me and I couldn’t escape them. And God forbid I tell Dad about them, because what would I say? Dad, I think I have masochistic tendencies toward your friend and I’m unable to stop them. Yeah, I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye again.Anyway, because of what Nate said, I’m unable to focus on the file. I read a few lines and then I go back to thinking about all the words he said to me.Baby girl.Behave.Pay.Oh, and truly fucked. That one is the m
“I don’t need you to stand up for me.”“Sorry, but I can’t stay quiet when things like that happen.”“If you keep it up, you’ll end up getting hurt one day.”“One day isn’t today.” I stand and twist my neck, then move my legs to get the blood circulating to my toes. “Let’s go get lunch.”She opens a drawer and retrieves one of those sandwiches you get from the convenience store. “I have my lunch right here.”“That’s not called lunch. Let’s get a real one.” I reach for it and she catches my hand so fast, I flinch.“Don’t touch my computer.”“I was going for the sandwich.”Her hold slowly eases from around my wrist. I massage the skin as it quickly turns red.“Wow, you guys are super possessive of your computers, huh?”She pushes her glasses back with the heel of her palm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”“It’s fine.” I grin, even though it does really hurt. It’s as if she’s a trained ninja. “Lunch?”She pushes the button on her screen, making it go black, and begrudgingly stands
Gwyneth“Are you listening, Gwen?”I slide my attention from my assaulted vanilla milkshake that I’ve been jamming the straw in and out of to Chris, who’s staring at me with a furrowed brow.He came to pick me up earlier and we’ve been sitting in a coffee shop and talking. Well, he’s ended up doing all the talking while I’ve been thinking about other things.Like what was Nate doing with Aspen the entire afternoon?For hours.Alone.She didn’t even leave in her car.Logically, I shouldn’t be this affected, because I have no hold on him, right? Except maybe I do. After all, there’s a marriage certificate that says he’s married to me, and it should go without saying that he doesn’t leave with a woman who isn’t me.It’s only on paper. The marriage isn’t real.“Are you still upset about your dad?” Chris tries again.He’s such a gentleman. Like the best ever, and he’s hot, too, with his leather jacket, medium-length hair, and his pouty lips that are good at kissing.But I don’t think kissi
“Oh my God, Chris! Why didn’t you tell me?”“I just did.” He grins in that charming, lighthearted way and I’m so happy for that. I’m happy that I didn’t hurt him to the point of taking away his beautiful smile.“I’m so glad we get to spend time together.”“I thought you’d be all over getting rid of me.”.“Of course not! We can be friends, right?”He clinks his iced coffee against my drink. “Sure thing.”We fall into an easy conversation, which isn’t anything new. Chris and I have always gotten along, which is why he asked me out, saying he wanted to take it to the next level. That obviously didn’t work, so I’m thankful that we can still have a friendly relationship.We talk about college and exams and where our colleagues are doing their internships. He tells me about the interviewing process at W&S and how hard it was, but he passed because he impressed them and he’s a genius.It’s great to know that I won’t be a lonely face in the midst of all the hostile interns. With Chris around,
The pause stretches for so long that I don’t think it’ll ever end. Or maybe I’m just imagining things and it’s only been a few seconds.Nate strides toward me, the sound of his footsteps is sure and strong and I can almost hear them stomping on something inside me. I don’t realize I’m moving back until my sneakers skid on the floor, because holy shit, how can I be so equally terrified and excited at the same time?I think the fear part wins, because the shadows on his face keep multiplying with each passing second.I squeal when my back hits something. It’s only a wall, but I’m so rattled that I’m sucking in air through my nostrils, which makes me breathe in his spicy, woodsy scent.He’s close.So close that I have to stare up at his punishing dark eyes.“W-what are you doing?” I don’t mean to stutter or speak in such an airy voice, I really don’t, but he’s kind of robbed something from me.Because he’s a thief. All he does is steal things from me.First, my respect.Then my girlhood
“Maybe,” Maddox says, then clears his throat. “I hate to cut this short, but I have some phone calls I need to make soon.”“Oh, sure, no problem,” Dad says, then stands. We’ll leave you to it.”I hold the arms of the chair and am about to surge to my feet, when his gaze connects with mine and pins me to the spot.“I still have a question for you, Whitney,” Maddox says. “About the posting you’ll do later.”“Sure,” I say, and plop down on the chair again.Dad leaves and closes the door behind him.Quietly, Maddox stands and walks up to the door, and locks it. “You’re upset,” he says, picking a chair next to mine and sitting.I cross my legs, then uncross them and cross them again. “What? No,” I say in a hissy voice that betrays my words. I’m upset, and also embarrassed for being upset about him not acknowledging he’s seeing someone to my father. And maybe a tad jealous. What if Dad really tries to find him a date? My heart lurches. The idea of him with another woman gives me instant aci
“There you are,” my dad says, walking up to us, bursting that bubble.I withdraw as if I’ve been burned.“Hey, Dad,” I say in an extra chipper voice. “What’s up?”“Can we all meet at the conference room for a quick meeting? I have some news to share.”I have some too, I say inwardly.I slept with your best friend and can’t wait to do it again.A twinge of guilt twists at my heart, like the sharp end of a new blade. My dad doesn’t deserve to be hurt in all this, but would his hurt last? Besides the immediate surprise, would he really put up a long lasting fight against our relationship? I doubt it.Dad isn’t the typical father.He tends to be more open minded than most. Growing up, I always kept a channel of communication open with him. I confided in him about tiffs with friends, dates gone wrong, and when things started to happen for me as a digital influencer, he was my biggest cheerleader. He encouraged me and my dreams.The thoughts keep me busy as the three of us walk through the h
Whitney“How’s everything?”I ask the table of six influencers who were carefully curated for this lunch. Two of them, Rick and Ashley, are successful foodies and post about restaurants and the food scene in Texas. Then there’s Antoine and Ava, Claire and Kendall. Hashtag all-stars.“Oh, great. I’ve never been to this place,” Ava says, tossing her long brown hair to the side.“I have to say… I’m not a big fan of hotel restaurants in general,” Rick says, with his posh British accent. “But this one has surprised me so far.”“Excellent,” I say. “If you need anything, just let me know.,” I say, then turn around and walk away from their table.A thread of excitement works its way up my spine. I’m usually invested in my clients, as I love what I do. I love being able to highlight people’s talents or products and help them increase their visibility and profit. This time, though, I’m even more invested.Because of Maddox.I sigh.Two days ago, we had the most amazing date, and sex afterwards.
MaddoxI embraceher tightly against me, then pull the sheet over us. Our bodies are entangled, and she’s resting her head on my shoulder, her hand hovering on my chest and making little invisible patterns around my nipples.Her phone buzzes at the distance, but she doesn’t move an inch.“Do you need to get that?”“No. It’s Astrid probably reminding me of a place I need stop by later,” she says, and kisses my shoulder. A small gesture that only enhances this amplified intimate post-sex bliss. “Or asking where I’ve been.”I kiss the top of her head, and tendrils of relief course through me. I don’t want to let her go. Is it strange that now I get what she meant by saying she wanted to make the most of our time together? It’s not enough. Feels like whatever time I have with her, it’ll never be enough. Unless—She hums, the sweet sound yanking me from my thoughts. “I don’t think I can move anytime soon, anyway.”Pride swells in my chest, my male ego nicely massaged. I don’t want to move e
He gets the hint and plants kisses down my body, on my stomach, he nips my hips, then drags his mouth shamelessly between my thighs, and the second he breathes over my sex, I moan, already knowing what’s to come—me. Pretty soon.With a masterful swish of his tongue, he tastes me, exploring every inch of me with an eagerness that causes me to shudder in response. This time, he’s even more eager than he was at the restaurant. It’s like the more he tastes, the hungrier he gets.“Yes,” I hiss.He continues his teasing exploration, relentless, until tendrils of pleasure swirl through me, and I let go. Pleasure rockets through me, and I call out his name in a long winded moan, my limbs sweaty, my heartbeat frantic. Damn.I’m still dazed when he rises from between my legs, his body covering mine, the warm intensity in his eyes quickly re-energizing whatever sexual fuel I thought I was emptied of a second ago.“God. You’re stunning,” he says, and there’s a vulnerability in his voice that’s al
WhitneyI should have plannedit better. Well, I did. I planned on accepting his date idea and wearing something sexier for another time. A later date.But our connection is so strong, when he told me how much he wants me… call me an idiot, but I would have pounced him right there.Now, he’s kissing the back of my neck, nipping it, and sending shivers down my spine as I open the front door of my home, in an exclusive Dallas neighborhood. We drove in different cars from the botanical gardens to here, and I didn’t even bother parking mine properly. I just left it on the driveway, in front of his, in such despair to get out.He touches me, embracing me from behind, and I must remind myself the code to grant me entry at the door. My world is deliciously hazy, my nipples so hard they’re about to tear my bra open.The door is swung open, and for a moment I think we’ll just fall into my foyer, as my knees are weakening, buckling, my body quivering for more. This is so much better than any fan
“It was my idea, but doesn’t mean it was easy. I don’t like to lose. Didn’t want to waste all those years I invested,” I say, and it’s like some miraculous masseuse worked out some tight kinks from my shoulders. Maybe that was why I didn’t leave sooner, or suggest we end sooner. Because I invested time, even if my emotions weren’t fully there. I thought they were at the time, but how easy is it to share a life together without… any spark?“I understand.”I frown. I appreciate her consoling, but I doubt she can pretend to know what I’m talking about. “You do? That’s hard to believe.”She sighs, and a dark expression crosses her face. “You don’t need to be condescending. Just because I’m younger than you doesn’t mean I don’t have the ability to put myself in someone else’s shoes.”“You’re right. Sorry. Listen, I like you.” I swallow, and feel a tight knot in my throat. Like doesn’t even come close to how she makes me feel. “More than like. A part of me though doesn’t want it to happen b
MaddoxA date.She said she wanted a date last night.I didn’t run from the challenge. It’s too late for that now, anyway. When I kissed her, when I held her in my arms and touched her drenching hot pussy… I knew there wasn’t anything I wasn’t willing to do to pursue her. To make her mine.This isn’t a feeling I welcome. Giving someone this immense amount of control over me, over my life, over my time, is terrifying. With her, though… there’s no other way. I like to think I made the decision myself, for my self-preservation to take a stand.Which brings me here.I cleared my scheduled for this—to be walking up to her in the entrance of Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, holding a picnic basket that not only I bought, but I filled with some goodies from a high-end grocery store. I don’t even know when the last time was I stepped into a grocery shop—my housekeeper takes care of all these errands for me. Still, as I picked every item, a sensation of fulfillment and strange domestici
WhitneyIt’slike the world beneath my high heels was swept off from under me.Maddox is surrounding me, claiming me, and I’ve slipped into his bubble of heat and glow. His tongue quickly makes it past my lips, and I grant him access, reveling in the sexy growl he produces. My nipples are rock hard, and a warm stir spreads through me, my blood rushing hot and thick in my veins.I encircle his head with my arms, loving this intimacy, this nearness.When he puts a leg in between mine, through the thin layer of my dress and the fabric of his pants, I feel his large cock, pulsating even. That only intensifies my own desire, and the second he slides his hand down my back and cups my ass, I tremble. I’ve never been this aroused in my entire life, and I know I could explode at any moment, under the slightest of touches, but I also don’t want to. I’m enjoying these exhilarating sensations too much to give them up.My pussy is soaking wet, and I’m afraid it’ll leave a stain on my dress. I’m not