Leonardo's POV.I don't mean to shove her, but I do.She groans on the ground, then musters the strength to stand up and yell, "Suit yourself, asshole," before storming off in tears.Howling as loud as I can to the full moon, something in me awakens and brings me to my knees.I feel myself changing.I don't know what to do. I don't know how to control me. The surge of power and anger in my veins scares me. It's the type of power that can kill. Fierce, endless, dangerous and unpredictable. If Lara had stayed any longer, I could have hurt her. Really make her bleed. Since the night that Sinclair bit me, I have not been the same man. I cannot sleep without seeing red blood. So I don't sleep. I cannot eat meat without craving blood. So I don't eat. And Tonight... Tonight, my body finally turns against me. It feels like my bones are on fire. I'm groaning on the ground, trying to tear out the fire. My muscles are moving in ways they naturally shouldn't. My fingers curl and twist, nails
BACK TO PRESENT LARA's POV.I still can't believe that I just attended a Hollywood movie premiere and met Meryl Streep. I might hate Hollywood, but I love Meryl. If you had told Lara from five months that this would happen, she'd laugh in your face. Literally laugh. Someone pinch me. Also, I almost cry watching the screening of Golden Colors. Leo’s acting is absolutely captivating.Not that I’ll tell him, though. His ego is already big enough without me adding to it.We're at the after party. And there's a myriad of people complementing him and the cast. Then, he joshed around with his costars, before coming to me with a plate of hors d'oeuvre. "Hey, player. Have you eaten?" he asks."No, but I kind of have a bad history with hors d'oeuvre so I'd rather not eat that." I point at the plate."Oh." He drops the plate on a nearby plate. "Let me go get you something else.""No, no," I say, touching his arms softly. "I'm about to go home anyway."His face saddens. "So soon?"I shrug. "The
Leonardo's POV. Five months ago. October 31, 2024. Roman is throwing a Halloween party for the cast and crew of Two Billionaires at his luxurious mansion in a forest. "Damn, this place is gigantic," I muse aloud, taking in the outside surroundings. Trees surround it on all sides. There are lights strung up everywhere, making the place glow against the dark forest. Off to the side, there is a massive pool that looks like it could have its own beach, with a steaming jacuzzi right next to it. HipHop music floats through the air, and I can already hear people laughing inside. This house is probably worth ten million. Or eleven. I can't help but wonder how Roman can afford it. "I got paid a million dollar to star in Two Billionaires. I thought, what the hell, let me invest in real estate," he boasts with a smug smirk. When my eyes widen, he adds, "how much did you get, Leo?" "Nah, man. It doesn't matter." I shrug, tucking my hands into my pocket. "Just tell me. I'm curious." "Fi
Leonardo's POVGolden colors, the periodic drama I spent two months shooting in the Sahara desert is premiering tonight. I put a lot of effort, money and time into this movie. But according to Armani Jones, those three don't guarantee ticket sales. What does is clout and publicity. So I need my fake girlfriend.As we drive to the movie premiere at the village theater, Armani speaks to us,"Just hold hands and look into each other's eyes adoringly. No kisses, if you're not comfortable with it. Most importantly, pose for the photographers. Let 'em get your good side.""Wait.. where's my good side?" Lara asks.I've not told her yet, but she looks spectacular. She's wearing a soft, off-the-shoulder navy blue dress that falls just below her knees. Her curls are pinned back with tiny star-shaped clips that catch the light every time she moves."All your sides are good, Lara," I interject, and watch her suppress her smile.Armani clears his throat, and continues, "As I was saying, when you
"Dear Lara.My next research paper is on criminal law in the anonymous cyberspace. I think a smart girl like you could have some useful insights for me. Come over to my office whenever you can.Sincerely,Professor David J. Norman."My eyes go over the email for the umpteenth time and I squeal on my bed like a lovesick teenage girl.Is this real?I read it again.It is!Normally, I'd go to Alyssa and we'd scream about this together. But I'm not so sure that I trust her anymore. I put on a simple flowery dress, pair it with a denim jacket, and slip out. ** * **I give a quiet, careful knock on his door."Come in," I hear, and let myself in.My professor has his head bent, perusing some papers. He looks so tired—his shirt is slightly unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, tired eyes, tousled slick back hair. It only makes him sexier though."Professor Norman?" I whisper.He looks up and straightens his posture. "It's you. Lara." He takes in what I'm wearing and lets out a satisfied sigh.I no
LARA's POVDavid Norman. His name alone feels like a little jazz tune in my head. He's brilliant, well-respected and composed. A real man. The man I dream about after a long, stressful day at university. I also dream about him while I'm in school. And well... even before I go to school. Fine, always!He's the crush that lives forever in my brain without paying rent. I want him... so bad. But I can never have him.Because of one tiny, inconvenient detail... Maybe two. He's my Criminal law professor. And he's thirty-nine years old. 16 years older than I am."The mens rea of a crime is the mental element. The offender's state of mind. In this case scenario, can anyone tell me the mens rea?" he asks at the front of the class.My hand flies above my head. "Miss Bello?""The intention to steal, sir.""Correct." He smiles.He smiles to everyone. Lara, don't get ahead of yourself.David Norman continues his lecture and I hang on to his every word. No professor gets me as excited as he do