FAZER LOGINThe 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 of
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
Lauren's hands flew to her mouth, bile rising in her throat. The casual violence of the dead bird. The possessive tone. The thinly veiled threat against Wyatt. The implication that she was property to be kept pristine on a pedestal."I'm going to be sick—" She stumbled toward the bathroom, barely making it before she emptied her stomach into the toilet.She heard Wyatt moving in the other room, his voice low as he made phone calls. Lauren stayed on the bathroom floor, her forehead pressed against the cool tile, trying to stop shaking.This was different from the messages and the flowers and everything else before. Different from him watching. This was a threat. This was a promise of more violence to come if she didn't comply.She felt like she was on a rollercoaster that was out of control, and the only way to survive was to jump."Lauren?" Wyatt's voice was gentle as he crouched beside her, a washcloth in his hand. "Hey. Come here."She turned to him, and he wiped her face with the d
Amanda and Jason both escorted Honey through the Taylor Industries lobby. She could feel eyes following her, curious glances from security staff who'd obviously heard about the confrontation with Morgan. Honey straightened her shoulders and walked not making eyes contact, ignoring the whispers that
Grayson's hands slid higher on Honey's thighs, his thumbs tracing patterns that made her breath hitch, and she could see the heat building in his eyes."I need you to understand something," he said, his voice dropping to that commanding tone that made her core clench. "When I say you're mine, I mea
Grayson's arms tightened around Honey. "I can't lose you," he whispered against her temple, his voice rough with emotion. "When Amanda called, saying Riley had confronted you, then to find out about Paul with the beer... I wanted to beat the living shit out of them—" He broke off, unable to voice t
Thursday, October 19th, 7:15 AMHoney woke wrapped in Grayson's arms, sunlight streaming through gaps in his bedroom curtains. His chest rose and fell against her back, his breath warm on her neck. For a moment, she allowed herself to simply exist in that peace before reality intruded.Work. They b







