FAZER LOGINMy thumb hovered over the green button, heart slamming against my ribs like it wanted out.I could picture him on the other end, those dark eyes, the low growl in his voice when he said my name. Maybe he had realized that he wanted me and couldn’t live without me. But what if I was just his sex on call? Heat pooled low in my belly at the memory, but I shoved it down. Melissa’s angry face flashed through my mind. I was done being taken for granted. I was done acting like a lost puppy who had just found its owner. Done with the chaos and secrets.I declined the call, silencing the ring, and forced myself to keep walking to the bed. The mattress dipped under my weight as I lay back, phone still clutched in my hand. Call again, just once. Maybe I would hear him out. Nothing more. The seconds stretched. Nothing. The silence hurt more than a sharp sting right under my ribs.I scrolled past his name, thumb shaking only a little, and tapped Ryan’s instead. He picked up on the second ring, his
My thumb hovered over the green button, heart slamming against my ribs like it wanted out.I could picture him on the other end, those dark eyes, the low growl in his voice when he said my name. Maybe he had realized that he wanted me and couldn’t live without me. But what if I was just his sex on call? Heat pooled low in my belly at the memory, but I shoved it down. Melissa’s angry face flashed through my mind. I was done being taken for granted. I was done acting like a lost puppy who had just found its owner. Done with the chaos and secrets.I declined the call, silencing the ring, and forced myself to keep walking to the bed. The mattress dipped under my weight as I lay back, phone still clutched in my hand. Call again, just once. Maybe I would hear him out. Nothing more. The seconds stretched. Nothing. The silence hurt more than a sharp sting right under my ribs.I scrolled past his name, thumb shaking only a little, and tapped Ryan’s instead. He picked up on the second ring, his
Surprise and warmth bloomed in my chest, tangled with a sharp stab of guilt and the unwanted shadow of Ryder’s face. But Ryan was right here, trying so hard to make me happy.After a beat, I met his eyes. “Yes.”His grin spread wide and bright, lighting up his entire face. For a moment, everything felt light. He let out a relieved laugh and reached across the small table to take both my hands in his.“Really?” he asked, thumb stroking gently over my knuckles. “God, you just made my night.”He didn’t let go of my hands for a long moment, his eyes soft and happy in the glow of the string lights. We stayed like that, talking and laughing quietly as the music played on. He ordered us another round of drinks to celebrate, clinking his glass against mine with a playful “To new beginnings.”Later, when he dropped me home later, he walked me all the way to the door, cupped my face gently between his hands, and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.“Text me when you’re inside,” he murmured, steppin
Ryan stood by the corner of the living room, a bouquet of red roses mixed with white lilies gripped loosely in one hand. He wore plain dark brown trousers that hung straight on his lean hips and a sky blue button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off the corded muscle in his forearms.“Hey…” I mumbled, forcing a weak smile as I closed the door behind me. “Did you call?”I fumbled for my phone, quickly checking the screen. Hazel leaned against her bedroom doorway, watching quietly.“Yeah, but it’s fine.” He nodded, still smiling softly.He stepped closer and held out the bouquet of red roses mixed with white lilies. “I thought this could brighten your mood after yesterday.”“Aww,” I stretched up on my toes and breathed in their sweet scent. “That’s really thoughtful of you.”His eyes softened as he watched me. He rubbed the back of his neck, almost like he was a little embarrassed about the gesture. “Yesterday was rough on you.”I smiled, genuinely this time, but st
DallasSadness crashed over me the moment Ryder walked out of the ceremony. A twisted, selfish spark inside me flickered with dark satisfaction that still cared enough for my actions to hit him so deeply. But that small victory did nothing to loosen the heavy, suffocating ache that had taken root in my chest. It only made everything hurt worse.I gently peeled Ryan’s hand from my waist, murmuring something about needing air. My shoulders slumped under an invisible weight. My hands clenched into tight fists at my sides as the memory of the pain flashing in Ryder’s eyes and the tight set of his jaw replayed relentlessly. I could not even tell anymore if the crushing sadness came from Allie’s smiling photos displayed in every corner of the house, or from the fact that I had forced myself to bury my grief for her just to provoke that reaction from him.I drifted toward the decorated table crowded with her frames. Her bright, familiar eyes stared back at me, full of the life I had stolen
I jolted awake as ice-cold water slammed into me, gasping and choking while it soaked every inch of my bare skin. The sharp, tangy taste of blood flooded my mouth, and my head throbbed so violently the room spun.I shivered hard, trying to move, but thick cuffs bit deep into my wrists behind the back of a metal chair, locking me in place.Before I could catch my breath or even take in my surroundings, the blows started raining down.A heavy fist crashed into my jaw, snapping my head sharply to the side. I groaned deep in my throat as white-hot pain exploded across my face and stars burst behind my eyes. Almost instantly a boot drove viciously into my ribs, the sickening crunch of bone sending fresh fire lancing through my chest. I gasped sharply, the impact forcing a wet, choking cough from my lungs as blood sprayed across my lips.The pain blurred everything together. I curled inward on instinct, grunting and snarling with each new strike. Blood dripped into my eyes, blurring everyth
“God, you look terrible. When was the last time you slept more than an hour?” Melissa asked as we pulled away from the kiss. “Work’s been…. You know how it is.” I tried to shrug it off, but my shoulders felt like lead.“Why don’t I take the stress off you for a few hours at least.” She leaned in a
Dallas“Ma’am, if you don’t stop, we’re going to call the cops!”I ignored the security guard and shoved past the second one who tried to block me. My shoulder clipped his chest hard enough to make him stumble.“I’m here to see Ryder,” I snapped before I could soften it. “I have an appointment.”Th
RYDER The engagement announcement spread through the ballroom in under minutes. We had been teasing it for weeks, but now, it was certain. Ryder Callahan was engaged and would get married soon. Everyone wanted to shake my hand now. ‘Congratulations.’ ‘Finally.’ ‘Great for the company.’ ‘You make
DALLAS I woke up to warmth, to an arm across my waist. I opened my eyes slowly and remembered where I was. I hadn’t come here for this yesterday, but ended up in his bed. He looked so wrecked yesterday, and I wanted to comfort him, so I did it in the way I knew best. We had comforted each other







