LOGINLiam sat in his car down the street from Lauren's building, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles had gone white.That kiss.That fucking kiss.The ape had put his hands on her. Had claimed her mouth in front of everyone. In front of him. Like Liam didn't matter. Like what he and Lauren had meant nothing, when they meant everything.His Lauren. His beautiful, perfect Lauren, letting that Neanderthal defile her with his touch.Liam's chest felt tight, his breathing coming in short, sharp bursts. The rage was building again, that red haze that made it hard to think, hard to focus on anything except the wrongness of what he'd witnessed.She'd kissed him back. That was the worst part. She hadn't just stood there and tolerated it, but actually kissed him back. Her body had melted into the ape's, her hands had come up to grip his shirt, and for those few seconds, she'd looked... happy."No, that can't be right." Liam muttered, shaking his head. "No, that's not real. He
The police station was depressing as far as Lauren was concerned. She had been here before, but the police hadn't wanted to do anything... They had told her Liam hadn't crossed a line and just couldn't take no as an answer. He would come around.Wyatt's hand never left the small of her back as they entered, his other hand holding his phone where he'd taken multiple photos of the bruises already forming on her arm. Angry red marks in the clear shape of fingers, already darkening to purple at the edges.Lauren had texted the photo shoot coordinator from the car, apologizing profusely, explaining there'd been an incident and she needed to reschedule. The coordinator had been understanding, told her not to worry, that they'd find another time this week and get back to her.One more thing Liam had stolen from her. One more professional obligation disrupted because of his obsession."Wyatt." A familiar voice called out as they approached the desk.Nate stood near the entrance to the back off
Wyatt's hand pressed against her lower back, grounding her, reminding her she wasn't alone."Sir, I'm afraid you'll need to wait out here," the receptionist said apologetically. "Only actors in the audition room.""Actually," Wyatt said, his voice pleasant but carrying an edge of steel that brooked no argument, "I'll be accompanying Lauren inside."The receptionist blinked, clearly thrown. "I but… we don't typically allow—""I understand." Wyatt's smile didn't reach his eyes. "But I'm going in with her regardless."Lauren saw Liam stiffen in her peripheral vision, his expression darkening. He didn't like that Wyatt wanted to be with her.The receptionist looked helplessly toward the audition room door. "Let me check with—""It's fine," a woman's voice interrupted. Jenna appeared in the doorway, the casting director from yesterday. Her eyes moved between Wyatt's immovable stance and Lauren's pale face, understanding that something was going on. "He can wait just inside the door.""Than
The next morning Lauren walked into the kitchen wearing Wyatt's t-shirt from yesterday and her sleep shorts. The shirt hung to mid-thigh on her, the fabric soft and smelling like him. It gave her comfort and made her feel safe.Wyatt was already up, dressed in jeans and a black henley, standing at her stove flipping what looked like perfect golden pancakes. Lauren paused in the doorway, just watching him.He glanced over his shoulder as if sensing her watching him and, in fact, caught her staring, and his lips quirked. "Morning.""Morning." She moved to the coffee pot, bless him, he'd already made coffee, and poured herself a cup. "You cook?""I'm a man living alone. It was learn to cook or live on takeout and protein shakes." He plated the pancakes, setting them on the counter along with butter and syrup. "Eat. We're hitting the gym first thing."Lauren slid onto a barstool, pulling the plate toward her. "Any particular reason we're going so early?" Mornings were so not her thing if
She kissed him, her teeth catching his bottom lip, biting down just shy of pain. Wyatt groaned into her mouth, his cock hardening fully beneath her, but his hands stayed where they were. Letting her lead. Letting her have this.Lauren kissed down his jaw, his throat, feeling the vibration when he swallowed hard. Her mouth moved lower, across his chest, her tongue tracing the contours of hard muscle, her teeth scraping over his nipples. She felt him tense beneath her, felt his breathing change, but still, he didn't move. Just let her explore, let her touch, let her take.She kissed lower, over the ridges of his stomach, feeling them jump beneath her lips. Her hand wrapped around his cock, thick and hard, pulsing in her grip."Lauren—" His voice was strained. "You don't have to—""I want to." She looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "I want to taste you. Want to feel you come apart. Want to know I can do that to you."His jaw clenched. "Then do it."Lauren didn't need to be told twice. S
After everyone left, the police, Nate, the evidence bags containing that dead bird and the note, even the fingerprinted box was gone, the apartment was finally quiet, and she was alone with Wyatt.She'd fielded phone calls. Honey first, her voice tight with worry, offering to come over, offering anything Lauren needed. Then Maggie called from the hospital, asking if she wanted her to prescribe something to help her sleep. Which Lauren had rejected. She needed to be aware of what was going on.Even Prue had messaged, her text simple but heartfelt: Here if you need me. Day or night. Just call. I know you have a lot going on. She really did have the best friends. But she had only wanted to be alone with Wyatt.Now Lauren sat on her couch, tucked against Wyatt's side, his arm around her shoulders, his thumb tracing absent patterns on her arm. He was keeping her tethered when all she wanted was to disappear into the panic clawing at her chest."I should cook something," she mumbled into hi
Honey slumped back against the leather seat of The Velvet Room's private car, her heart hammering against her ribs like it was trying to escape her chest. The driver thankfully kept silent as she struggled to catch her breath, to process what had just happened. Her world had just imploded in specta
Grayson staggered through his front door, his mind spinning like a fidget spinner on too much drink and thoughts that would not go away. The revelation from tonight's encounter at The Velvet Room had shaken him to his core. He tossed his keys onto the console table with more force than necessary, t
On the other side of the locked door, Grayson pressed his forehead against the cool wood, one fist clenched at his side. His heart hammered in his chest, adrenaline still coursing through his veins from their explosive encounter and the shock of recognition in her eyes when his mask had fallen."Re
Grayson stared at his phone, Morgan's two little words echoing in his ears. "I'm pregnant." "I'm pregnant."He felt like he had just been thrown a hand grenade with the pin pulled and that any second now it would explode in his face."What did you just say?" He didn't know why he was asking; his he







