—SAMANTHA POV— The call ended abruptly, leaving a hollow silence in its wake. My fingers trembled around my phone as a new message flashed on the screen—an address, stark and ominous, located on the outskirts of the city. My stomach twisted. Whoever this was, they weren’t playing games. Ryan was still unloading the car, his back turned to me, but Grace lingered nearby, her eyes darting between me and the phone in my hand. I hesitated only a second before striding toward them, my voice low but firm. "We have a problem." Ryan turned, his brow furrowed. "What kind of problem?" I held up my phone, the glow of the screen casting shadows across his face. "Someone just called me. They claim to know who’s behind the attempts on my life. They want to meet." Grace sucked in a sharp breath, her hands flying to her mouth. “What?" Ryan’s expression darkened instantly. "No. Absolutely not. You’re not walking into some trap." "I don’t have a choice!" I snapped, my patience fraying.
—SAMANTHA POV— The whole day had passed in a blur. I stayed in my office until well past 6 PM, long after the last employees had trickled out. The silence in my office was suffocating, my thoughts louder than the hum of the air conditioner. My body still hummed with the memory of Dalton’s touch—his hands, his mouth, the way he had pinned me against my own desk like he owned me. And God help me, I had let him. I rubbed my temples, exhaustion weighing me down. But worse than the fatigue was the shame. The way my skin still burned when I remembered the way he’d whispered in my ear, the way my thighs had clenched around him, wanting more. How could I have been so weak? I stood abruptly, shoving files into my bag with more force than necessary. My reflection in the darkened office window was a mess—hair disheveled, lips still slightly swollen. Quickly, I raked my fingers through my curls, trying to erase the evidence, but it was pointless! The memory was seared into me. Just a
—DALTON POV— The sight of her beneath me, skin slick with sweat and my cum, her chest rising and falling with each ragged breath—it was intoxicating. Samantha always had this way of unraveling me, even when she pretended she didn’t want to. Even now, with her hair a mess and her lips swollen from my kisses, she was trying to push me away, her hands pressing against my chest like she had any real chance of stopping me. I smirked down at her, relishing the way her eyes burned with frustration. She was pissed, but she was still wet for me—still trembling from what I’d just done to her. Then, the sound of footsteps outside the office door. "Boss! I need you—” That must be her assistant, Grace. Samantha’s body tensed beneath me, panic flashing in her eyes. "Get off, Dalton!” she hissed, shoving at me harder. Like hell I would. Instead, I caught her chin, forcing her to look at me before I crushed my mouth against hers. God. She made a muffled sound of protest, it sounded so
—Samantha Pov— This is wrong. So wrong. The thought flickers through my mind, but it’s already too late. Dalton’s belt is undone, the leather sliding free with a soft click, and my breath hitches. He hasn’t taken me yet, but the way he’s looking at me—dark, hungry, possessive—sends a shiver straight between my thighs. His hands are firm as he guides me back, pressing me down onto the desk. The wood is cool against my bare skin, a stark contrast to the heat pooling low in my stomach. I should push him away. I should stop this before it goes any further. But then his mouth is on me, and all rational thought dissolves into a gasp. “Dalton—” His name escapes me in a moan as he licks a slow, deliberate stripe up my center, his tongue teasing before he sucks my clit between his lips. My hips jerk, but his grip tightens, holding me in place. “Fuck, you taste good,” he growls against me, the vibration sending another jolt of pleasure through my body. His fingers slide inside me, c
—Samantha Pov— The office was quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall and the low hum of the city beyond the tall glass windows. I sat behind my desk, my eyes were fixed on the screen, reviewing the details of the upcoming Galen banquet. We had no room for errors. This was the only opening we had to get the information we needed, and I wasn’t going to let emotions or distractions get in the way.But of course, distractions always had a way of finding me.A knock came at the door, and before I could respond, it creaked open.Mary strode into the office, arms full of designer shopping bags, boxes wrapped in velvet ribbons, and one ridiculously large bouquet of white roses."Miss Alice," she huffed, staggering in, "these just arrived. Three men sent them. Mr. Roland, Mr. Cheung, and... I think the last one is from the senator's assistant. Each came with a note.”I blinked at the mountain of unnecessary nonsense she was trying to balance.“Mary,” I said slowly, pinchi
—Samantha Pov— The morning sun penetrated softly through the windows, casting a warm glow across the breakfast table. I sat at the head, sipping on my hot ginger tea, the edge of my plate filled with fruits and toast I wasn’t really eating.Grace sat across from me, munching on scrambled eggs, trying and failing to hold back her laughter.“I still can’t believe that comment online. It was hilarious,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m imagining Ophelia face when she gets to see it. Its like she got slapped by karma herself.”Grace didn't know I was the one who anonymously dropped that comment last night. I chuckled quietly, swirling the tea in my cup. “Karma wore heels last night and kicked her straight in the chest.”“She’ll be crying for days,” Grace added with a devilish smirk.“For sure she would,” I rolled my eyes wickedly. Grace slapped her palm on the table, laughing. “Oh my God, Samantha! You’re evil!”“I’m not evil,” I said with a smirk. “I’m just very, very fair.”Amore h