LOGINBella's pov“No, you can’t.”I breathed the words out in seconds. My voice echoed through the room in waves, and I saw how everyone paused, their gazes fixed on me as they waited.I shouldn’t have screamed like that. I should have pulled Kane into a corner and talked him into leaving, but I didn’t. Shit, I’m such a dumbass.And every second that lingered only reminded me of my desperate need to push him away. My own words haunted me, as if I’d said something terrible.“And why can’t he?” Melissa’s voice cut through the awkward silence, and I turned to her. Her gaze was stern as she silently observed me, like she wanted to see beneath my face.She wrapped her arms over her chest. I glanced at Kane—a half-smile playing in his eyes—while Steve simply stared at me with a questioning gaze.“Uh… I…” I stuttered, unable to find the words to lie. I had so many reasons why he shouldn’t stay the night, but those reasons were only valid to me and no one else.And Melissa would only say I was try
Bella’s POV“What is he doing here?” Steve’s question echoed, and a chill ran down my spine. My heart pounded erratically in my chest. I searched my mind, but nothing came.What was I supposed to tell him to get out of this mess? I couldn’t let Steve figure out the reason behind our closeness. I needed to think of something… anything.“Uh…” I began. A half-laugh rolled off my lips before I could stop it. I was terrified of the truth coming out. “Right… Kane.” I glanced back at him. He wore a nonchalant, carefree smile.Seriously? He was going to keep up that act like nothing was about to happen?“Kane is Lisa’s fiancé.” I breathed out the only words I could manage, only to earn a raised brow from Steve.“Fiancé?” he repeated. I nodded continuously. His gaze darted to Kane before landing on me again. He didn’t look completely convinced.“Then why are you with him?”My mouth dropped open the moment those words left his lips. Instinct kicked in. I jumped forward and began leading Steve a
Bella’s POVI sat on the couch, my heart hammering aggressively in my chest as my hands trembled. I grabbed them tightly to stop the shaking, but failed.Kane sat directly across from me, staring at me intensely with those eyes I couldn’t seem to hide from. If he could have it his way, I would probably be on my knees now, naked, while he taught me exactly what it meant to be obedient.Steve sat next to me, eyes narrowed at Kane, who acted like he didn’t exist.The atmosphere was intoxicating and awkward, and I felt every damn weight of it pressing down on my shoulders until I could no longer breathe.“I… uhh…” I cleared my throat, not sure of what I wanted to say. “Who here would like something to drink? Water? Juice? Wine?” My voice was barely a whisper. I knew they heard me, but none of them responded.Kane was now staring daggers at Steve, who didn’t seem to have any intention of backing down.Shit. What should I do now? I didn’t know what to say at this point, and maybe I did, but
**Bella’s POV**I watched Kane pull his pants up to his waist and buckle them. He straightened his shirt, ran his hands through his hair, and walked out of the room without a backward glance.I stayed there, still leaning against the wall. The second the door clicked shut it was as if he’d taken the last of my strength with him. My knees gave out and I slid to the floor.The weight of reality crushed down hard. My heart felt shattered under the bitter truth of what we were—what *I* was letting us be. Still, deep down, I couldn’t bring myself to truly hate him. I couldn’t even make myself seriously consider leaving. I was hooked long before I understood it, and every part of me still wanted him, no matter how wrong it was. The warm liquid that slipped from between my legs and trailed down my thigh was a cruel reminder of everything I wished could be real instead of this terrible secret I couldn’t claw my way out of even if I tried.Using whatever strength I had left, I pushed myself of
Bella’s POV“Kane?” I murmured into his mouth as his lips angrily devoured mine. He sucked the air from my lungs until they burned with the need for breath.I struggled to push him away, but failed miserably. He grabbed my waist and pulled me against him, his hot body pressed against mine, burning away every bit of fight I had left.A soft cry tore from my throat when he bit my lip. The metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth. He growled into the kiss, and I trembled involuntarily.My first instinct was to push him away, to scream at the top of my lungs and warn him to back off. But the words wouldn’t come, and I couldn’t muster the courage to resist him.The feeling of his fingers caressing the sensitive spot between my thighs was unbearable. My body responded despite my mind screaming that it shouldn’t. It hadn’t been long since we’d had sex, yet I still felt that familiar ache building inside me.“Please,” I breathed, unsure of what I was begging for.“You don’t get to beg now, Be
**Bella’s POV**I watched Kane approach us, and I could tell he was fighting the urge to rip Steve’s hands off me. His steps were heavy, each one echoing the silent rage only I could feel.I gulped and tried to pull my arm free, but Steve didn’t understand. He held on tighter, as if I might disappear the moment he let go.“Are you okay?” Steve asked, clearly noticing how pale I’d become. I gave him a nervous smile, my eyes darting back to Kane. He was only a few steps away now.I yanked my hand from Steve’s grip with all the strength I could muster, rubbing my arm as if it actually hurt. “That hurts,” I muttered, and watched fear flicker across Steve’s face.“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rough.” His apology sounded more sincere than anything I’d ever heard from him.Steve was my childhood friend and first love. We’d grown up in the same neighborhood, played together, eaten together—like family. If I’d ever had anyone to confide in, it was him.Back then we were inseparable. We did e







