로그인As the kiss deepened, Derick’s warm, firm lips pulled me into a dark, intoxicating haze where nothing else in the world mattered. My hands gripped his broad shoulders, my fingers clinging to his damp skin as every ounce of my resolve melted away under the heat of his touch.
Then, a metallic click echoed from the far end of the pavilion.The sound of approaching footfalls on the teak floorboards shattered the quiet room like a glass pane hitting concrete.I gasI sat frozen in my seat, my fingers curling tightly around the handle of my butter knife.I was supposed to be listening to my mother gush about floral arrangements and ice sculptures. Or maybe searching Leo’s subtle expressions for any crack in his billionaire facade I could exploit to burn their upcoming union to the ground.Instead, I was completely, hopelessly consumed by Derick.I couldn't stop looking at him. I found myself watching and noticing every single tiny detail about the man sitting directly across the table from me.I noticed the way his long, tanned fingers tapped a slow, rhythmic pattern against the edge of his saucer as he read a financial report on his tablet. I noticed the faint, dark shadow of stubble along his sharp, jawline that even the closest morning shave couldn't entirely hide, and the tiny, nearly invisible scar just above his left collarbone.Most of all, I noticed his lips. The same firm, warm lip
As the kiss deepened, Derick’s warm, firm lips pulled me into a dark, intoxicating haze where nothing else in the world mattered. My hands gripped his broad shoulders, my fingers clinging to his damp skin as every ounce of my resolve melted away under the heat of his touch.Then, a metallic click echoed from the far end of the pavilion.The sound of approaching footfalls on the teak floorboards shattered the quiet room like a glass pane hitting concrete.I gasped, shooting backward so fast my head spun, my back slamming against the plush cushions of the alcove. Panic surged through my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs as I looked toward the frosted glass doors.Derick moved with smooth composure. Without a single trace of hurry, he shifted his body slightly, using his broad shoulders and tall frame to completely block me from view. He casually pulled his dark robe closed, resting one arm over the back of the bench."Is e
His invitation hung suspended in the warm, humid air, vibrating with a quiet, dangerous lure that made my skin prickle.One part of me craved to accept his invitation. Even if it means that I have to temporarily forget my senses and strip naked for the swimming. But the little part of my working brain reminded me of my new mission, which was to get revenge for my dearest father. That is what I need to be focused on right now. "I don't have a swimsuit, Mr. Stone," I said, forcing my voice to stay cold and steady as I took another step back toward the frosted glass doors. "And I certainly didn't come down here to go swimming with my boss."Derick let out a low, gravelly chuckle that rumbled deep in his chest. He didn't push it. Instead of diving back into the water, he grabbed a dark terrycloth robe from a lounge chair, tossed it loosely over his broad shoulders without tying it, and walked over toward the secluded glass nook at the far co
Passing through a set of frost glass double doors at the end of a long ground floor corridor, the cool marble under my boots gave way to polished teak wood. The air suddenly shifted, growing warm, humid, and rich with the subtle scent of chlorine and clean water.I had stumbled into the indoor pool pavilion.It was a breathtaking, subterranean space. Recessed mood lights cast a soft, deep blue glow across an Olympic sized infinity pool, its crystal clear water rippling gently under the soft ambient illumination. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls framed the dark, moonlit gardens outside, creating an surreal illusion of swimming directly into the night.I took a slow step forward, my eyes scanning the perimeter for any security keypads or staff access doors that could prove useful later.Suddenly, a powerful splash broke the silence of the room.I flinched, snapping my head toward the deep end of the pool. A tall, muscular figure cut t
After the maid bowed politely before stepping out of the room, I stood alone in the center of the east wing suite, staring at my surroundings in stunned silence. The room was larger than my entire old apartment. Soft, cream colored carpets sank beneath my boots, a massive plush bed adorned with Egyptian cotton sheets anchored the far wall, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opened onto a private stone balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens below. A sparkling crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, casting a warm, romantic glow over the polished hardwood furniture and marble fireplace.It was a room built for royalty. I set my worn duffel bag down on the silk settee at the foot of the bed. It looked tiny and pathetically poor amidst such staggering luxury.My chest felt suffocatingly tight. I reached into my coat pocket, pulling out my phone with trembling fingers. I didn't care that it was past nine at night. I needed to hear his
The five o’clock chime echoed softly from my computer screen. I sat at my desk, staring blindly at it. Every single second of the workday had bled into the next like a slow motion nightmare. I had weighed every variable, ran through every possible escape route, and searched for a miracle that simply didn't exist. There was no secret bank account, no long lost relative, no sudden reprieve from Mr. Higgins. My time was up. I was trapped. With a sigh, I packed my purse, stood up, and pulled my coat around my shoulders. I had no other option left. If I wanted a roof over my head, I had to walk straight into the gilded cage waiting for me. Before I took the elevator down to the basement garage, I pulled out my phone. My thumb hovered over my mother's contact details. The last time we spoke, I had screamed my hatred into the receiver, blaming her for pushing my father out of the city. But pride was a l







