DALA“Amber, wait…”My voice came out louder than I intended—panicked, even. She froze immediately, blinking up at me with her hand still poised on the edge of the box like it had just burned her.My heart hammering against my ribs, I darted forward and dropped to my knees in front of her. My towel slipped slightly down my shoulder, but I didn’t even care. All I could focus on was slamming the lid shut and pulling the box protectively toward me like it was my lifeline.“I—I’m sorry. I just. It’s—these are important things.”Amber tilted her head, a slow, suspicious smile playing on her lips. “Important things like… your costume?”My breath caught and my brain went completely blank. “C-costume?”She raised a brow, clearly amused now. “That expression just confirmed it. You really are terrible at lying.”“Amber, what are you even talking about—?”“You’re LunaLust,” she said simply, like she was telling me the sky was blue. “It’s you.”I couldn’t even respond at first. My brain flatline
DALAI was still in Vander’s shirt.No, no. It wasn’t because I was trying to be sentimental or anything, it was warm, soft, and still smelled like him. Fine, okay, maybe a little sentimental.I was brushing out my hair in front of the mirror when I heard the knock. A part of me hoped it was Vander, back earlier than expected with that sly smirk and whatever nonsense he’d forgotten to tell me but when I opened the door, the universe laughed in my face.It was Knox.My brows furrowed. I could barely hide my disappointment. “Um…”“Hey,” he said, his hands in his pockets. It was obvious how hard he struggled to make this casual. “Hi?” I tilted my head. “Is something wrong?”“No.” He stepped inside without waiting to be invited, scanning the room with eyes that didn’t miss a thing. “I just wanted to check in on you. Make sure you were okay.”“I’m fine,” I said, shutting the door behind him. “Thanks.”“How’s the hotel treating you?”“Still standing and still a little too fancy for me.”He
VANDERI had never been in this room before, but it felt like I’d been waiting for it my whole life.The boardroom was glass and steel and silence was thick enough, it made your footsteps echo. There were twelve chairs with men older than sin and a sleek table lined with untouched bottles of water and folders I wasn’t supposed to touch yet.Then there was me, the very bottom of the pile. My father stood at the head of the table like some monolithic god. His voice carried as he spoke, commanding without needing to raise it.They were discussing the expansion, something about a new branch overseas and projected returns, territory, and playing nice with another house of power. It was all neatly laid out in a presentation that had already bored half the men at the table until my father paused and his eyes flitted to mine. “Vander,” he called, wearing an unreadable expression.I lifted my head. “Yes?”“What’s your take?”Wait. What?My take? A few brows lifted across the table. Some sid
VANDERShe was still asleep.Hair sprawled across my pillow, her lips parted slightly as she drew slow and even breath. I’d never seen anything—anyone—look so peaceful. So utterly mine.For a moment, I just stared. I couldn’t tear my gaze away. I burned the image into my memory like a selfish man who never wanted to forget. I felt utterly alive.Her skin still carried the imprint of last night—my touch, my kisses, her sighs. It all replayed in my head like a favorite song on a loop. I could’ve stayed like that for hours.But her stomach had other plans. It rumbled loudly and a small laugh tore past my lips. I snorted.“Really?” I muttered, brushing a lock of hair off her cheek. “Dreaming about me wasn’t enough?”She stirred a little, but didn’t wake. I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could, tossed on my jeans, and grabbed the hotel phone. Room service, baby.“Yeah, hi,” I said. “Can I get the strawberry waffles, two omelets, and coffee? Uh, make it two and whatever fresh juice yo
DALAHe didn’t hesitate. Vander smiled against my mouth, pleased. “As you wish, Queen.”His fingers hooked into the waistband of my panties, sliding them down my legs until I was completely bare. I stepped out of them, my legs trembling as he knelt before me, his hands gripping my thighs, with his breath warm against my core.“You are so wet,” he murmured, his fingers brushing my folds, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. “So ready for me.”I moaned, tangling my hands in his hair as he pressed a soft and teasing kiss to my inner thigh. “Please,” I begged, desperation painting my tone. “Touch me.”His fingers slowly slid between my legs, parting my folds and exposing my clit to the cool air. I gasped as he circled it with his thumb, building up a tension that had me squirming against his hand.“So responsive.” His voice was thick with desire, barely audible. “I love how you react to me. Let's keep it that way, kitten.”Just when I thought I couldn't be more of a leaky mess. My grip
DALAThis…Him.He was still approaching, his eyes never once leaving mine. Panic sank into my bones and more than anything else, I wanted it.I slipped past him before he could take the one necessary step required to make this completely unbearable.“Gotta go change!” I gushed. “You are so full of yourself. Checking you out? You wish!”I stepped into the bathroom and inhaled deeper than I ever have in the history of my existence. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, flushed face, confused gaze and all.Rain still clung to my skin. My dress—tight, black, annoyingly form-fitting—was plastered to me like a second skin. I just felt trapped in it after the hoodie was gone.The zipper was stuck at the top of my back. My fingers clawed at it, useless. Of course. Of course, I couldn’t reach it.I exhaled sharply and headed back into the room, towel-drying my hair with one hand. Vander was standing near the window, still shirtless.I gulped hard. He turned when he heard me. His eyes dragg