LOGIN“Authenticity is not expensive,” Harper countered. “It is just that the tools to run an authentic campaign is scares. That is why we are here. You have access to models and advertisement platforms that already advertise authenticity regarding your skin care brands.” The room goes quiet for a beat. Thomas and Julian both shift in their seats, their eyes darting between Harper and Seraphina. Seraphina slowly raises he gaze from the notes, her green eyes fixed on Harper w
Around 8 PM, Tera paused the series. “Want to head to bed?” she asked suggestively. The suggestion hung in the air like a warm invitation, and the shadow of Seraphina felt completely eclipsed. Marius set his white tea much down on the coffee table with a soft clink, his yellow green eyes dark and focused entirely on Tera. “I thought you would never ask,” he said, his voice dropping into a low, husky register. He reached out, his hand sliding behind her neck, his fingers tangling in her bland hair as he pulled her toward him. the kiss was slow at first, tasting of peach tea and lingering spice, but it deepened quickly. Big Bang theory remained paused on the screen, Sheldon Cooper frozen in some absurd pose, forgotten. Marius stood up, pulling Tra with him, his lips never leaving hers as he guided her toward the bedroom. The weight of the office, the secrets, and the looming briefing felt miles away, buried under the simple, urgent need to be close to her.
Marius watched Tera move toward the black plastic kettle on the counter, the domestic rhythm of her actions filling the silence between them. The apartment was warm, the lighting soft and for a feeling moment, the image of Seraphine’s sharp, predatory smile faded from his mind. “I think I saw a few episodes of that on Netflix last week,” he called out over the sound of the kettle beginning to hiss. “But I do not remember much. You will have to catch me up on who is who.” He took another bite of the Kung Pao chicken, the spice blooming on his tongue.“Then we will just watch it from the beginning,” Tera said placing a tea bag in each mug before filling the mugs with hot water. “It never gets old.” She then added sugar to each mug and stirred thoroughly. The sound of the spoon clinking against the ceramic mugs, was steady and comforting, a domestic metronome that Marius found himself leaning into. He watched her move with su
“I am kidding,” Tera said playfully as she rounded the counter. “I have not had a bite yet.” Marius let out a breath he had not realized he was holding, a small, genuine smile finally breaking through the tension in his face. he shed his coat and tossed it over the back of his chair, the weight of the day finally starting to lift. “You are a cruel woman, Tera,” he said, walking over to her and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. He rested his chin on her shoulder breathing in the scent of her shampoo– something floral and clean that had nothing to do with expensive perfume or corporate boardrooms. “I was genuinely worried about those spring rolls,” he murmured against her skin. He pulled back just enough to look at the spread on the counter. The containers were open, steam still rising from the Kung Pao chicken. It looked perfect. “Smells incredible,” he said, reaching for a pair of chopsticks.&ldq
At 5 pm sharp, Harper left for drinks with Knox and Marius sat in his office staring at his laptop screen not really paying attention. The glowing screen of the laptop cast a harsh, blue light across his face, but the words on the campaign brief were nothing but meaningless shapes. His mind was a loop, replaying the image of Seraphina walking out of that conference room over and over again. Ten years. His plan with Tera also looms in his mind. He picked up his phone and opened his messages, searching for Tera’s name. A picture of her with a milkshake and ponytails accompanies her name. he opens up the message tab.Marius: Chinese tonight? Your place?Marius typed out, then deleted. He did not have the energy to pretend to be the relaxed, carefree boyfriend Tera deserved. Not tonight. His thumb hovered over the screen. He thought about Knox and Harper out at some bar right now, probably laughing about how to break Seraphine’s spirit. He wond
“Harper,” he breathes her name like a prayer and a command all at once. His lips find the sensitive skin behind her ear, his teeth grazing it lightly. “You have no idea what you do to me.” He moves with a slow, deliberate rhythm each motion calculated to maximize the sensation, to draw out the tension until it is almost unbearable. His hands never leave her– one gripping her hip, the other tangled in her auburn hair, anchoring her to him. the world outside– the deadlines, the office politics, the ghost of past relationships– has completely dissolved.Harper plants a quick kiss on Oliver’s cheek and down his jaw line. “I love you,” she mutters before placing an open mouth kiss on his neck. They have said those words to each other before, but even in the dark, even with the alcohol blurring the edges of her voice, the words land with their weight of a tectonic shift. He freezes for a split second, his entire body tensi
Oliver does not finish with the dresses zipper. Instead, he grabs the light blue fabric of the dress and tugs it down Harper’s shoulders, his hands tougher now, less careful that before. He backs her up against the closed door of his bedroom, his body a solid weight pressing into her. “You want a caveman?” he mutters, his mouth finding the crook of her neck and biting– not hard enough to leave a mark, but enough to make her hasp. “Fine. You got one.” He lifts her up, her legs instinctively wrapping around her waist. He opens his bedroom door and carries her in, his stride heavy and purposeful. He drops her onto the edge of the bed and kneels between her thighs, his hands gripping her hips with a possessive force that say, ‘you are mine.’Harper hummed with satisfaction and smiled brightly. The sight of that bright, satisfied smile– the kind she never wears in the office, the kind that is entirely, unapologetically hers&nda
A small, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of Oliver’s mouth as she suggested a cafe mocha for tomorrow. The idea of another deviation from his usual black coffee routine seemed to amuse him in a way he rarely allowed himself. “Cafe mocha, huh?” he repeated, his voice losing some of its
Over time Oliver notices Harper’s presence more and more. He notices how she handles her tasks with efficiency and grace. He notices her attention to detail and how skilled she was at organizing. As time went on, his interest in her became less professional, he began to wonder about her dreams and
Harper Miller had always been a little too nerdy, despite her attractive appearance. She had always preferred order to chaos. Books over parties. And work over vacations. Her parents were constantly pushing her to go out and socialize more; her peers were always inviting her out to movie nights and
“Perhaps, in this case resistance is futile? Perhaps, the opposite is the solution.” Harper suggested trying to maintain a professional face. She felt her cheeks flush and her heartbeat quicken. “How about a drink after work?” she added quickly, before she can change her m







