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Chapter Ten
Last Updated:
2025-04-20 04:09:01
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RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Eleven
AmiriamAmiriam and her sisters spent the rest of the evening munching on salty tortilla chips, spicy salsa, and cheesy enchiladas. The food was great in spite of the grouchy hostess, and Amiriam definitely planned to return.When she pulled into the driveway of the Oden home, she noticed the red BMW was not there and wanted to scream. Her heart racing, she reached for her phone to call Luke when she saw his message from earlier.Luke: I told James I upset you. He said if I bought him ice cream, then he'd take care of it. So, now we're getting ice cream. Because that's how it works exactly.Noticing when the message had been sent, and the current time, she did the math and raised an eyebrow. Three hours for ice cream?She read another message that had been sent an hour afterwards.Luke: Oh. And make sure you take a few weeks off from babysitting James for our honeymoon. We'll want to lay low for a bit after the wedding so we might as well do it in a foreign country. You do have a pass
Last Updated : 2025-04-20RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twelve
LukeLuke's ring rested on his dresser in the corner of his bedroom, taunting him as it waited for him to pick it up. He glared at it and then flopped onto his mattress with his phone held tightly in his hand. The guilt of lying gnawed at his stomach, but he suppressed it. He had one thing he wanted to accomplish, and he needed to focus on it. Get his inheritance. Get out from under his dad’s thumb. And live his life. He didn’t care who he had to climb over or use to get it. Even if she was an enigma.His eyes found the damn Tiffany box again.Groaning, he reached for his phone and dialed Stacy’s number.It rang once before a breathy voice answered, “I was wondering when you’d call.”“We need to talk.”“Obviously.”I'm going to have to take that ring off. You can keep it for your time, but when you departed, you forfeited the right to address me as your fiancé. The deal's off."A quick gasp echoed through the speaker. "Excuse me?Pinching the bridge of his nose, he grumbled, "I don't
Last Updated : 2025-04-20RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter thirteen
AmiriamWhat devil's work am I doing here? Amiriam thought for what felt like the thousandth time since she'd poked her nose into places it shouldn't be. And it wasn't helping that she'd been crammed in a car with her archenemy slash fiancé most of the day. Biting her bottom lip, she looked sideways at him as they arrived at the fifth place in as many days.She threw Luke the side-eye once again. How the heck did he manage to do that and get them to appear sexy? It was frustrating her. With an indignant sniff in her head, she leaned back out of the passenger side window, adopting her favorite six-year-old mimicry. If James could play like there was no tension between them in the car, then so could she. Or maybe she was only imagining it. That was always an option too. She was on her period. And when she was on her period, she was as cranky as hell for completely no reason. Except the fact that—she was guessing it—she was on her period.You know what else was frustrating and awesome si
Last Updated : 2025-04-20RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Fourteen
Amiriam The next few weeks flew by. Luke went all out in ways Amiriam could have never imagined. Ordering a three-tier cake, creating a small but lovely area, and even taking James to the tailor to be fitted for a custom tux. She wondered over-the-top emotions might scare a guy into doing just about anything. Meanwhile, she sat on pins and needles waiting until the day finally came. She was doing this. She was really doing this. Her hands shook as she fastened the white, lacy wedding gown together and looked in the mirror at herself. Her mother and sisters were buzzing around the bride's room like bees, preparing to walk her down the aisle. She was getting married. She couldn't believe she was actually getting married. "Sweetie, are you alright? You look a bit pale," said her mother anxiously. She touched the back of her hand to Amiriam's forehead and let out her breath. "No fever. Good. Are you sure you're alright?" "I'm fine," she gasped. "Just anxious. That's all." Since h
Last Updated : 2025-04-20RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Fifteen
Amiriam"Smile!" the photographer shouted before snapping another billion pictures. There were sparkling chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling, and she was reminded of Beauty and the Beast when Belle was getting ready in the yellow dress, and they danced the night away. She pretended another forced smile and looked up at Luke.Yeah, she was making the moment a little creepy with how similar it was. Kind of a jerk being a prince. There has to be something in the punch."Mr. Oden, lean in and give her another kiss. The lighting is perfect for it!" the photographer ordered.Stomach tightening, she stood with his arms around her waist and lifted her chin to meet his green eyes. Not that she particularly wanted him to kiss her. She was just curious to see how he would respond. She'd told him that a photographer was extravagant, but his father had said they should have a memento of the sacred day.Luke's eyes scanned her face for a brief moment before he hardly nodded and released her.
Last Updated : 2025-04-20RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Sixteen
LukeWhat the devil was that?He rubbed his hair and glanced over at Amiriam beside him. Her cheeks had turned pink as her fingers stroked the ring on her left hand, examining it closely."Is everything all right?" he asked.Glancing over at him, she smiled shyly and stopped fidgeting. "I see you snuck into my room and took the Tiffany box.""I actually made James do it. Bribed him with some Twizzlers. Do you like it?"Her gaze fell to her left hand before she lifted it for closer examination. It was a huge, square-cut diamond flanked by smaller ones. Any girl would swoon over a stone that big, but she didn't fawn like he'd expect a typical girl to. She just said instead, "It's beautiful, but you shouldn't have. I was happy with the ring we talked your parents into thinking belonged to my grandma."He knew that she was. But he wasn't comfortable with it. He'd witnessed how this arrangement had affected her. And if he was honest with himself, it had affected him, too. Teasing Amiriam b
Last Updated : 2025-04-21RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Seventeen
AmiriamThe journey to Detroit from Manchester was uneventful, and before she knew it, Amiriam was en route to Rome. Thanks to Luke, having booked the flights, she wasn't surprised to find herself in first class, squirming her backside over the comfortable seat."How're you doing over there?" Luke asked with a grin."Doing good, my friend. Doing very well. No wonder you love flying overseas. With so much space for the legs, the eight-hour trip will be easy," Amiriam said, stretching out her legs for good measure, which made Luke laugh."Happy to oblige," Luke replied.Plugging in his headphones into his ears, he started going through some of the films being offered on the flight, and Amiriam did the same. Her spine settled into the seat as the plane departed a few minutes later, and she smiled as the rush of energy ran through her. She had yet to sleep since the wedding the night before. They'd both decided to get out of New Hampshire as quickly as possible, and the adrenaline of thei
Last Updated : 2025-04-22RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Eighteen
AmiriamThe hot water from the shower would have to be enough to reinvigorate her weary bones and prolong her fight against the jet lag a few more hours. Luke and Amiriam took turns, naturally separately, before venturing out to see some sights."So, where are we going?" she asked, gazing at the charming alleys that were filled with lush, green vines and colorful flower pots. Italy was even more lovely than the photos on the internet had indicated."We have a tour of the Colosseum in thirty minutes," Luke said, glancing at his wristwatch."Ooh! I've always wanted to see the Colosseum!" Amiriam exclaimed. "Have you seen Gladiator?"“With Russell Crowe?” He gave her a look that said she was dense for even asking. “Of course, I’ve seen it. It’s a classic.”“Right? Can you imagine if we had gladiators today?”Rolling his eyes, Luke said, “You’d probably love to have a bunch of Russell Crowes walking around so you could cheer them on.”Throwing her head back in laughter, Amiriam razzed, “H
Last Updated : 2025-04-22
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RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Thirty-one
Amiriam failed to appear. Not the day after Mr. Oden's unexpected visit, nor the following day. She'd given up hope when she crawled into her frayed pajamas on Sunday night with the intention of surviving another lonely night of ice cream and Netflix. She'd told her family that she wasn't feeling well. Generally, they met Sunday evenings for dinner and cards, but she was not in the mood tonight. She'd rather spend her night wallowing in self-pity.She was such a sad case.Grabbing a spoon and a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream, she watched as the front door creaked to a persistent knock. Her heart fluttered in her chest before she convinced herself it was just the FedEx man. Because, you know, he usually came on Sunday nights. She rolled her eyes and tiptoed to the door, not allowing herself to get her hopes up. Peering through the peephole, the spoon dropped from her fingers and clattered on the floor."Amiriam?"Luke's deep voice boomed through the thick door as she leaned agai
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Thirty
Amiriam remained with Christiana. It was the only sensible thing to do with all the time they were spending together. And since Amiriam had also been kicked out of the Oden house a few days previously, it was a welcome relief. Frank and Rita were wonderful and did the dirty work for her, carting off her stuff so she didn't have to.The next few sentences just went by, and a massive chunk of Amiriam hated how Luke hadn't even bothered to reach out to her. No calls. No texts. Zero. Her stomach turned at the mere thought, and her eyes ached from all the crying they had done over a guy who obviously never did care about her. Elaine, mother of one of Christiana's classmates a year previously and who conveniently happened to be a divorce attorney, was fantastic and had all the paperwork drawn up as quickly as possible before agreeing to drop everything off at Luke's. As long as Amiriam never had to lay eyes on him, she didn't particularly care how he took the papers. She just wanted this li
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-nine
And storming off after, Amiriam had just been able to grab purse and keys when she slammed the front door behind her and got behind the wheel. Luckily she'd left her car at Oden's instead of home. She'd go back for the rest of it later. Or maybe she'd have Rita do it. Anyway, she was repaying her for all that kitty litter she'd cleaned up after her for years. Her fingers fumbled over her cell phone as she punched in her sister's number and waited for it to ring. As it did ring, she jammed her car into reverse and backed out of the Oden's driveway."Hey, Amiriam! Back from your honeymoon?" Christiana's voice was altogether too perky for Amiriam's grouchy demeanor.With a sniff, Amiriam growled, "Do you know any lawyers?"Christiana hesitated, her previous cheerfulness lost. "What?""Lawyers. Do you know any? Or maybe I should call Rita. She had to get one when the whole Frank fiasco occurred, didn't she? Yeah, I should really call––""Amiriam. What is going on?""I'm getting divorced."
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-eight
Amiriam was confused somehow as the car drove her home to Luke Oden's family house. The flight home had been like she burst a bubble over a parallel universe where everything existed. She glanced at their joined hands, her gaze on Luke's thumb as he stroked it slowly back and forth across her knuckle. It was soothing, rhythmic movement, and just enough to relax her.Are we really going to give this a shot? Can this be my happily ever after?She sighed and looked out the window. The trees whirled down the highway, close enough to make her drowsy. She didn't even know it until the car slowed, and they were at Luke's parents' house."Ready?" Luke asked."For what?" Amiriam replied with a whisper that was almost lost in her own ears."For our life to begin," he grinned, pulling her away from the car.Upon approaching the entrance door, it swung open automatically. Amiriam's stiletto heels scraped against the cement.What the hell?"Hi, baby," Stacy cheered out, her arms folded over her ch
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-Seven
AmiriamIf Amiriam learned anything from the Italians, it was that they knew what to eat. She massaged her full belly after a Pasta Carbonara dinner and propelled her back into the comfortable chair that she was reclining in."Did you like it?" Luke Oden asked with a sympathetic smile.She replied back with one of her own. "How is everything freaking so good here? Tell me."Shrugging, Luke reached for his wine glass and had another sip. The Italians really knew their wine as well. And when you weren't bingeing it with the intention of becoming drunk, it was a great accompaniment to food. Luke had found it entertaining to mention it prior to the waitress arriving to put in their order.Smartass."I wish I knew," Luke said. "You can't find Italian food like this at home."No. No, you can't. Which means we have to order some tiramisu."Especially since this is our last night," Luke noted before settling back in his chair across from her and mirroring her move by slapping his six-pack. Th
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-Six
Amiriam"So, what are we doing today?" Amiriam inquired, still ensconced in the sheets. They hadn't left their apartment all day. And it had been the perfect hangover cure.Luke Oden's fingers teased her long locks as she nestled her head in his chest. Every so often, he pulled softly, making shivers spread along her scalp. It was incredible, and she'd already decided she never wanted to shift from the position. Nope. She was fine. She'd just stay right here forever."Today is quite short," he conceded, confirming her suspicion. She could detect the smile in his tone, but she did not bother to look up. He was far too damn comfortable. "But I was thinking tonight we'd go to a special spot with the most incredible view of Florence you've ever seen. Maybe we can watch the sunset. What do you think?""I think that sounds wonderful. I should shower first, though."His broad chest shook with laughter when she didn't move an inch. "Like…today? Or…?"Laughing, she slapped his chest and fought
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-five
AmiriamAs a new Greyhound, the smell of coffee rouses Amiriam from her restless slumber."Hey, sleepyhead," a grumbling voice growls.Amiriam slept like crap. She hadn't listened to what other folks were saying. Booze didn't put her to bed like a baby. How anticlimactic. She'd also determined that getting bombed wasn't everything it was built up to be. She rolled and turned the entire night, her stomach grumbling the whole night as she sought a position that would not cause her to vomit. She didn't know she actually slept until this morning. However, the smell of caffeine, which was familiar, and the husky voice beside her ear were enough to rouse her from a disturbed sleep.Gradually, Amiriam gradually opened one of her eyes to catch a glimpse of a superhero hiding under a black T-shirt and tattered blue jeans that sit low on his hips."Hello, Husband," she said with a smile.He returned her smile. "Hello, Wife. How's it going?""Feeling better now that I'm going to have a cappuccin
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-Four
LukeThe smell of vomit stuck in her hair as Luke held a fistful of it. Amiriam's tiny form jerked on the bathroom floor as she vomited another round of wine from her stomach."This is your fault," she groaned after a few minutes.A chuckle escaped him as he grabbed a damp washcloth and wiped her face. At least they'd made it back to their apartment so he could at least have a little more control of all this."How the hell is this my fault? If you're looking to yell at someone, maybe you should scream at Gabri for pouring you so much Chianti in the first place."She rolled her eyes. "Nope. I blame you. You're the one who pissed me off.".Never drink when you're mad, baby. I believe the word you used was substance abuse?" When she glared, he went on, "Just kidding! Blame me if you want. I was a moron, and I'm sorry for making you go through hell, including the fact that I kind of goaded you into drinking too much, and then went on to vomit your guts out for the last quarter hour.".She
RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Twenty-Three
AmiriamFun fact. Italians are a lot of fun to flirt with.Second fun fact. Especially ones who have access to plenty of booze.Third fun fact. Luke was absolutely correct. Drinking oneself silly is actually, actually fun. Amiriam could testify to that."I think that's enough," Luke ordered beside her. Following a rushed tour of the vineyards, they were led to a quaint little balcony with little tables scattered around its edge. That's when the wine showed up, accompanied by a smooth talk about the different alcohols and how they complement pasta, cheese, yada, yada, yada. Luke put a hand over the rim of Amiriam's just emptied glass in a bid to dissuade Gabri from pouring more Black Rooster Chianti into it.Not just Chianti.Black Rooster Chianti.It's a thing. Amiriam had no idea what it was or why it was important, but Gabri made sure she knew that his Rooster was better than any other Rooster that existed.Then he made her taste it. In fact, he made her taste a lot of it.And she'd
