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Chapter Twenty-five
Last Updated:
2025-05-01 04:22:22
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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
Last Updated : 2025-05-02RECKLESS 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
Last Updated : 2025-05-02RECKLESS 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
Last Updated : 2025-05-03RECKLESS 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."
Last Updated : 2025-05-03RECKLESS 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
Last Updated : 2025-05-05RECKLESS 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
Last Updated : 2025-05-05RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY chapter one
AmiriamAs Amiriam pulled up to James's residence, she scowled and studied the unfamiliar car ahead. It was a gaudy, red BMW, but she couldn't put a model name to it for the life of her. Her favorite six-year-old squirmed in the back seat, reminding her. Looking in the rearview mirror, she mashed her SUV into park and focused on matters more urgent. Like preventing urine from dripping onto her leather seats."Do you need to go pee?" she asked James. She was his nanny for a couple of years, and it truly was the greatest job in the world. He had a sticky mop of dark, curly hair on his head, and two dimples that made him able to get away with murder. Most of the time, at least.With a quick motion of his head, James unfastened his seat belt and scooted over toward the back passenger door as if his pants were afire.That's what you get for not going while we were still at my sister's house, Amiriam had to think about saying, but she kept quiet. It made no difference how many times she ins
Last Updated : 2025-04-12RECKLESS DESIRES: THE ODEN LEGACY Chapter Two
LukeThe water from the hot tub still hadn't completely dried in his hair as he smoothed it, holding the polished leather steering wheel in front of him. The GPS bellowed through the Bluetooth speaker, telling him to turn left."Thanks again today. I had fun," the blonde purred in the passenger seat.Brushing her off, Luke readjusted his aviators to shield the scorching sun and activated his blinker. Ever since the nanny had burst in on them, he'd been…irked. Not enough to deny a second orgasm in the hot tub, no. But irked enough to send her packing minutes after they'd completed it.He was an ass. So sue him.With a quick glance to his right, his nostrils flared. The nanny hadn't been lying. He didn't know this girl's name. They'd met on an app with one intention. He'd asked her if she was DTF. She'd agreed. He'd picked her up. They'd done their thing. Now, he was driving her home.Simple. Transactional. And numb. Though he'd never verbalize it."So…," the blonde began, twisting her
Last Updated : 2025-04-12
Latest chapter
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
