LOGINShe gathered her essentials into her night bag, her heart racing with anticipation. Just minutes ago, Mr. McKenney had informed her that she would be staying in his room for the night, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. While she knew and understood what she had signed up for, her nerves were all over the place.
She carefully folded her favorite silk pajamas, the ones with delicate lace trim that she knew he would appreciate. They slipped into the bag with a satisfying rustle. Next, she added a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as I imagined sharing a bathroom with him.Contemplating whether to bring a book, she decided against it and left it on the shelf, opting instead for a quick snack if she got hungry late at night or just to distract herself if he made her stay up with him while he worked.Just as she finished packing, her phone beeped with a message from Mr. McKenney, confirming that he was waiting for her. The excitement and nervousness surged, and she threw my phone into the bag, along with a charger, just in case. One last glance around her room confirmed she hadn't forgotten anything important, because Mr McKenney wasn't going to let her come back to pick it.Ready, with her bag in hand, she took a deep breath and headed out the door, her heart pounding with anticipation for the night ahead.With much hesitancy,she knocked on his door. He immediately opened it and she saw that he changed into casual clothes. His gaze ran down my full length, the second his eyes rested on her."Good evening." She greeted, waiting for him to let her in. He stood there, staring at her, and she couldn't help but ask, "Is there a problem?""No." he simply said, making way for me to enter his room, which was similar to mine but with a better view of the park next to the hotel."The bathroom is over there. You can get changed." Mr. McKenney instructed as he took a seat on the couch, his intense gaze remaining focused on her."Thank you." She murmured as she headed to the bathroom with her night bag to change into the pajamas she had packed.In the bathroom, she took a moment to compose herself. Her reflection in the mirror revealed a mixture of excitement and apprehension in her eyes. She changed into the silk pajamas, smoothing out the delicate lace trim with care. It was impossible to ignore the anticipation building inside her. She took a moment to stare back at the image in the mirror before her and found that her hair was sticking out in some places. Good thing was that she didn't forget to bring her comb.Freeing her hair from the band, she combed it all out and let it cascade down her shoulders. She was sure McKenney would love it that way.On returning to the room, she found him still seated on the couch, his eyes following her every move as she approached."I'm all set." She said softly, feeling a shiver of nerves and curiosity in the air.He nodded, his gaze never leaving her. "Good. Come over here," he gestured toward the couch next to him. She complied, taking a seat as his intense presence enveloped her, making her nervous."You're quite far." He remarked, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips. "I promise I don't bite, Annette.""Forgive me, I'm just feeling a bit nervous." She admitted as I closed the gap between them. Suddenly, he lifted her and settled her onto his lap, evoking a gentle gasp from her."Annette, I want to kiss you, May I?" He asked, and when she nodded shyly, he leaned in, his breath on her lips. She closed her eyes and his lips met touched hers, sending electric sparks through her system.He tasted like bourbon, maybe he had some before she came over, she thought, but was soon distracted by how his lips were soft against hers. And when he bit on her lower lip, she let out a soft moan, allowing his tongue access into her mouth as he deepened the kiss.They kissed for a few more minutes before he slowly pulled away so they could catch their breath. She blushed as she noticed a smirk on his lips. He pulled her on his lap, so, she was now on top of him, straddling his waist.His fingers tenderly brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. With a gentle touch, he tilted her chin upward, locking his gaze with her's . A smile played on his slightly reddened and swollen lips, leaving her restless in his embrace.Leaning in close, he whispered huskily into her ear, "You smell absolutely divine, Goldilocks." His grin widened and her blush deepened in response to his compliment."Thank you." She whispered, her words stumbling out awkwardly. She chide herself for acting like such a fool around him; after all, she was a mature woman who could handle this.Without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him once more, hoping she'd gotten it right despite the passage of time. To her surprise, she felt him chuckle softly against her plum lips. Feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her, she instinctively covered her face."Forgive me," She stammered, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I must have made a fool of myself." She muttered, lowing her head.But before she could retreat in embarrassment, his hands found her waist, pulling her back towards him until she was straddling him once again.She wrapped her hands around his neck to keep herself from falling, it was obvious he noticed the confusion in her gaze as he stared at her. Then he moved his head to her neck and softly kissed it, biting down on a spot, causing her to squirm in his lap.She was already a mess when he pulled away. His eyes glowed in the kitchen light as he stared back at her, saying nothing. His lips were already plump and red, making him look sexy as hell.He moved his hand to her hair and ran his fingers through it, lightly caressing her cheek.She bit her bottom lip to keep from acting on my desire. His gaze went to her lips, he gently brushed his fingers over it. In response, she licked his finger, and his eyes shot back up to stare into hers. She had no idea where this newfound confidence came from, but she could tell by his eyes that he liked it."Don't push me, Annette; I want to take my time with you, so behave yourself and be a good girl." he said, his voice deep and raspy.An undeniable heat erupted within her as her gaze met Hudson's. The tension between them was palpable in the air, making it difficult for her to keep it together. His desire-filled gaze never left her's. Her heart palpitated in expectation…Hudson's soft touch on her cheek sent tingles through her, awakening her senses. With each tender stroke, her body yearned for more, and when their lips finally met, time seemed to stand still as they shared a passionate kiss.As his lips moved against her's, their passions intertwined in a dance that left her breathless. His touch was tender and demanding, igniting a fire deep within her. She felt the world around her fade away, leaving only the pulsating energy between them.She clutched his shirt, bringing him closer, craving the sensation of his body pressing against her's. Their mouths moved in perfect unison as their tongues explored each other with zeal. It was a kiss full of raw desire and unspoken promises that made her yearn for him.She surrendered completely, her inhibitions melting away, lost in the intensity of the moment. She relished the taste of him, the way his hands roamed her body, lighting her up with desire. Nothing else mattered except the enthralling connection they shared at the time.Reluctantly, they pulled apart to catch their breath, which mingled with the charged atmosphere. Her heart raced and her lips tingling from the ghost of his touch. She met Hudson's gaze, and his eyes reflected the unspoken need that bound them together, and the need for more…Hudson softly murmured, almost inaudibly, "Would you like to go further, Goldilocks? I could show you beautiful things." With that lingering inquiry lingering, she lost all self-restraint; her desire for him was so intense that being apart was painful, and all she yearned for was to be wrapped in his embrace and a deeper connection.Mariah pushed open the office door and paused just inside, letting the heavy air settle over her. The sunlight poured in at a sharp angle, golden stripes cutting across the polished floor. It was barely 9:15 a.m. on a Wednesday, the city just waking outside. She didn’t stride straight to his desk. No. That would be obvious. Instead, her gaze slid over Hudson, the tense set of his shoulders, the fingers tapping on the documents, the faint crease between his brows. She lingered, savoring the quiet authority he radiated, before dropping her bag by the chair in the corner with a soft thud.“Morning, sir,” she said casually, sliding into the chair without waiting for permission. Her legs crossed slowly, the skirt riding subtly higher than usual, just enough to draw attention. “I brought the reports you requested, Q1 projections, market trends, and the European data flagged last week.”Hudson’s eyes flicked to her once, then back to the documents. “Good,” he muttered, clipped, unyielding.M
Annette’s suitcase clattered onto the terminal floor with a hollow thud, the sound echoing in the cavernous space as she exhaled for the first time since the plane had touched down. Her body still felt tethered to Athens, the warmth of the sun, the smells of the city, the memory of Sam’s apartment, and yet, here she was, back in New York. Her chest tightened with a mixture of relief, dread, and exhaustion. She’d flown halfway across the world to escape, only to return carrying the heaviest weight of all: the life growing quietly beneath her ribs.The moment she stepped out of the sliding doors into the late afternoon glare, she spotted Jane immediately. Her best friend’s eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed from running through the terminal, hair escaping in loose tendrils from the scarf wound haphazardly around her neck. Jane had that combination of shock and delight that made Annette’s heart ache a little, seeing someone care so much was comforting and painful all at once.“Annette!”
Annette hadn’t planned to stay in Athens this long. It had started as a brief escape, a few days to think and breathe, and somehow it had stretched into weeks. She no longer counted the days. Time moved differently here, slower, heavier, like the snow pressing against the windows had frozen her will to leave.She’d told herself it was just a break. Just until she could sort through her tangled thoughts. Yet, in the quiet of Sam’s apartment, sharing laughter and quiet domesticity, she’d allowed herself to feel. To let him in. And she had.They’d shared dinners at little cafés tucked in Plaka, wandered through streets thick with history and lights, stolen small moments of intimacy in doorways and rooftops. Sam’s laughter had become a balm, his presence a sanctuary. And each time, she had felt a little less guarded, a little more herself.But the night before had broken something she couldn’t patch.They’d been on the rooftop, city lights twinkling beneath them, music humming in the back
“Didn’t you say you’d marry the guy who baked you that cake?”Annette looked up from the bowl she was stirring, a brow arching suspiciously. Then she recalled.“That was a drunken exaggeration.”Sam leaned against the fridge, arms crossed, a smug glint in his eyes. “You said, and I quote, ‘I love you, Cake Man. I’ll marry you so I can eat this forever.’”She blinked at him.He grinned. “And guess who baked it?”Her eyes narrowed. “No. That was your grandfather’s recipe.”“And I’m his grandson. Legacy flows through these blessed hands.” He held up his palms with mock reverence.She tried not to laugh. Failed. “You’re so full of it.”“You’re in my kitchen, in my shirt,” Sam said, leaning against the counter with a smirk.Annette glanced down at herself—his oversized shirt dusted with flour. She hadn’t brought a change of clothes for their baking date, and somehow, borrowing his had felt… easy. Natural.They’d had a few of these cozy moments over the past week, low-pressure, oddly domes
2pm, New York.The city outside Hudson’s office window stretched like an ocean of glass and light, Skyscrapers blinked silently, each window a tiny screen showing a life that was different and wasn't his. He sat behind his desk, unmoving, the room was too still, too sterile. A half cup of Irish coffee sat beside him, gone lukewarm.His phone was in his palm, screen lighting with a photo that seemed to mock him. It was from weeks ago. A picture of Annette in winter light, bundled in a cream shawl, hair tucked behind one ear, smiling at something off-camera. She looked peaceful. Unaware. Safe. It had been taken a week before the mall attack that triggered her memory recovery.Back when he could pretend he was worthy of her.He stared at the image, his thumb hovering over her name. Her contact was still saved as "My Annette".But she wasn’t. Not anymore.He’d heard she left the country. Greece. With Sam. That part hurt in places he hadn’t known still existed.He had no right to reach out
The wind outside whispered through the lodge’s shutters, brushing snowflakes against the window panes like tiny fingers asking to be let in. Annette sat on the edge of her bed in her hotel lodge. It was 9: pm, the golden light of the antique lamp beside her made everything feel a little softer, like the world was holding its breath with her. Just as she was about to switch off her bedside lamb, her screen lit up with a video call from Jane. She hesitated for a beat, wondering what time it was in New York. 2pm. She swiped to accept. The screen came alive instantly with a chorus of overlapping voices. "ANNETTE!" "There she is!" "Took you long enough, stranger." Jane’s familiar grin beamed at her. George waved from behind, half-visible, tapping on a keyboard. Cassie popped her head into the frame with wide, sparkly eyes and a fancy bonny headband. “Okay, we’re all here," Jane said, crossing her arms dramatically. "You owe us a full update. And don’t you dare hang up in twenty m







