I glared at him, refusing to be intimidated."Don't flatter yourself. You're always busy, always away, and now you're leaving again? I know you still love her, but don't forget we're married. You're my husband now." His grip on my arm tightened, and a glint of anger lit up his eyes. "Are you jealous? Is that what this is about? Don't forget our deal. This is a business arrangement, nothing more and you are only my wife on paper. Now, go to your room."I heard Anne's heels click towards us. "Here is the file, sir." He snatched the file from her and stormed out. I stared after him, my hands clenched into fists.I loathed the way he toyed with me, making me feel drawn to him one moment and then pushing me away the next. Laura, right? I won't make you fall in love with me, I will make you beg me.I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, the delicate lingerie, a pink babydoll that Layla had insisted I buy when we'd gone shopping together, sat in the back of my closet like a secret weapon. I sm
I was going through my paperwork in my office when Carlton walked in, his 6'3" frame commanding attention in a deep blue suit, his right hand casually slipped into his pocket. I felt a flutter in my chest as our gazes met, and I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself. Last night was so embarrassing for me; I'd been avoiding him ever since. What will happen now that I broke a term in our contract? I didn't even do it alone; he kissed me back, and I could still feel the lingering sensation of his lips on mine.As he approached my desk, his piercing azure blue eyes seem to see right through me, and I wonder if he could tell how much I'm struggling to keep my cool. I fidget with the papers in front of me, trying to focus on the task at hand, but my mind keeps wandering back to the way he made me feel last night - vulnerable."Good morning, Samantha,"he said, his deep voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine. I nod, trying to play it cool. "Good morning, Mr. Williams. How
CARLTONI've been trying to meet Zayden Martin for months, I needed his influence in the industry. I needed his support to fulfill the final condition set by my father. Alexander has already taken control of the company's operations through bribery and has the board's favor. I've tried every possible way to reach Zayden Martin - social media, industry events, even attempting to infiltrate his inner circle - but nothing. I've never seen a photo of him, let alone met him in person. Laura told me she had somehow managed to get in touch with Zayden and sent me his contact information. I confirmed but he insisted that he wouldn't meet with me unless Laura was present too. It wasn't a big deal, so I agreed. He came to my cabin, and we had a few rounds of business talks. After some negotiations, he finally agreed to partner with me."Thank you, Mr. Martin," I said, extending my hand for a handshake, which he reciprocated. "You should thank Laura," he remarked, turning to face her with a hi
SAMANTHAI drained the last of my beer, the bitter taste matching my mood. I signaled the hot brunette bartender for another bottle. I turned to Layla and sighed."And that's how my new life has been," I said, shaking my head."I'm so sorry, girlfriend. I shouldn't have come up with such idea, I didn't want you to go back to your old life," She said, patting my back."I got a job, it'd be a way out for us, a fresh start in New York with Sarah.""What kind of job, Layla?" "It's not whatever you are thinking, it's clean." She said and smiled. I was thinking she got herself into something shady, it was something she could do. She once started selling drugs, it took me discouraging her before she stopped. Layla could do anything, but she had her limits. Layla is brave, confident, and can pierce someone's heart with a knife if she wants to. She grew up with a gambler as a father, who physically abused her; then moving in with her boyfriend, Liam, was also hell. I can't even imagine going
CARLTONI released her neck and ran my fingers through my hair, seething with anger. She clutched her neck, coughing, her eyes wide with fear. If it wasn't for Jace, I wouldn't have known what really happened last night - and what made me even angrier was the fact that she had a condom and was willing to give some other guy a chance. I stormed out of the car, slamming the door behind me. What the hell is wrong with me? I told Henry to take her home; if I stayed with her for one more second, I didn't know what I would do. I needed to find a way to calm down, to soothe my rage.******I smashed the glass that held my whiskey and slammed my fist on the table.The sound of breaking glass echoed through Jace's living room. I was still fuming from my argument with Samantha - her defiance, her willingness to let another man touch her, and her gullibility in believing Laura's lies. "What the hell, Carlton?" Jace asked. "What's wrong, man? I'm expecting a chick, you need to get your shit toget
"I will agree to your conditions, but the cohabitation agreement, I won't agree to that. This meeting is over. Let's go home," I said, standing up and walking over to Samantha, holding out my hand for hers.But Samantha faced Charlotte. "Charlotte, that's what I want. I'm not moving an inch if he doesn't agree to it."I cut Charlotte off before she could respond. "I will think about it, okay?" I said, my hand still extended."I'm not crippled," she said. "Until you agree to sign the cohabitation agreement, let's keep a distance. And we came separately, so we'll leave separately. See you at home."With that, she stood up and walked away, leaving me seething. I clenched my teeth and shoved my hands into my pockets, following her out of the room.As we reached outside, I quickened my pace, reaching for her arm. "Get into my car," I growled, spinning her around to face me.But she shook off my grip, her eyes flashing with defiance. "No. I'm sure you understand what distance means. Let go
SAMANTHAHe turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, the shower still running. I emerged from the bathroom, wrapping myself in the plush robe that hung on the door, and stood in front of the mirror, trying to make sense of what just happened. Kissing me, then pulling away and asking for permission? He is crazy. He said nothing happened between him and Laura, but the picture was saying other wise, she was pressing all of herself on him. I don't even care about that. I didn't understand why he would get angry seeing me with another man, accusing me of doing anything for money. It hurt that he thought so little of me.I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. I wasn't going to get involved with him again, no matter what he said. I wanted that cohabitation agreement, and I was going to get it. I was done being confused. Get the money and get out of his life.I turned away from the mirror and walked out of the bathroom, only to find Carlton completely naked, his chiseled bo
Chapter 1I walked down the Miami streets, the air warm and humid, the sounds of the city enveloping me. My heels clicked on the pavement, and I feel my heart beating faster. I try to stay focused, to remember why I'm here. But it's hard not to get caught up in the energy of the city, in the endless possibilities that it seems to promise. I took another deep breath and force myself to concentrate. I see people walking by, all kinds of people. There are tourists in Hawaiian shirts, families pushing strollers, young people laughing and talking on their phones. There are people selling things on the street, people begging for money. I see a man in a suit walking by, talking on his phone. I see a homeless person, dirty and disheveled, pushing a shopping cart full of belongings. UghIn the city of Miami...I opened the doors leading to the Sultry siren, where I work.The bouncer nods at me as I walk in, and I head straight for the dressing room. The room is a bit of a mess, with dancers