LOGINSARAH I’m one breath away from collapsing when Grey finally pulls back. The air rushes in, and in my mouth? A bitter aftertaste of coffee and mint. I stay upright by sheer will. And pride. Mostly pride, grinding my teeth so hard my dentist felt it. Fisting my knuckles because if I don’t, I’m punching his torso on sight. And God help me, I want to. Because… What was that for, huh?! That’s how you kiss a girl?! My gaze darts sideways. Treacherous, traitorous eyes—don't you dare look away first. I yank them back, facing Mr. GREY squarely. I adjust my suit too. If I’m gonna die of secondhand embarrassment, I’ll at least look tailored. His brow pinches in thought. He’s studying me like _I’m_ the science experiment. Wait—_I'm_ the one who crossed a line? No, seriously. He mugs me with his mouth, nearly kills me via oxygen deprivation, and _I_ get the ‘fascinating specimen’ squint? Scoff. The nerve of this man! “Unbelievable.” “Sam, you’re—” Grey’s voice catches, and for one s
GREY I wonder if Ma’s heart can take tonight. I’ve hidden who I really am for so long, buried it under silence, under duty, under the man I was expected to be. Even Ma, strong, and loving, the one who raised me, doesn’t know. Not because she wouldn’t understand. But because I’ve been afraid. Afraid of changing how she sees me. “Nathan, just find a wife already,” Ma said.I force a smile. “Yes, Ma,.”That same night, I was across town on a date with a guy, someone who didn’t ask me to be anything I’m not. I held his hand, laughed at his jokes, and felt guilty for the first time in years. Because loving him means breaking her heart. And I don’t know which pain runs deeper. “Nathan, find a wife, please,” Ma said again, soft, pleading, like she could pray me into a life I can’t live.I nod, same as always. “I will, Ma.”That night, I walked into the hotel and straight into Eddie’s arms and fell into bed like we always did.“Nath, find a wife!” Ma’s voice cracks, more desperate this ti
SARAH With that hair, look, and makeup, Ruby was clearly yanked straight from a strip club mid-shift. Her eyes? A masterpiece of sleepless drama—smudged liner, panda vibes strong, like she’s been rubbing them raw after 24 hours at the precinct. Her curls? Total chaos. Not “sunset in Sedona” vibes—more like forest fire in July. Her lipstick—fire-truck red—somehow still flawless. Either she’s got supernatural staying power… or it’s the real deal, not some drugstore knockoff that flakes after two sips of water. There’s that black leather jacket again, with its one lonely button doing its best to hold things together and failing gloriously. Her assets? Fully on display. And that dress—red, tight, barely there… “Listen, I didn’t put Leonardo in the hospital. I’m innocent. And you’ve got no right dragging me in here like some criminal. If you can’t treat a lady right, at least do your damn job and catch the actual culprit.” She’s not arguing—she’s stating facts Ruby’s got that “I
SARAHMy eyes lock onto the elevator—ding—and out steps Grey, looking like he just walked off the cover of GQ.He's all put together, and that chocolate-brown suit? Tailored to perfection, rich, warm, and matching the deep tone of his eyesThose eyes... honestly... Get me butterflies in my belly every time, and it's annoying how much they affect me. My throat tightens. I swallow hard. He’s trouble. Hot, devastatingly put-together troubleHe strides over, tossing a small bunch of keys my way without breaking pace. I fumble a little, catching them midair as they clatter into my palm.Brisk, bold, and barely deigning to acknowledge I exist?Yep. Classic Grey. A tiny smirk tugs at my lips—just one side, barely there—but I let it live.Because okay, fine. He’s annoyingly hot. I’m allowed one traitorous facial expression.He brushes past, muttering under his breath, “That girl… tsk. She’s not getting away with this, not when I'm standing right in front of the precinct.”The way he says it
SARAH “Act as my partner, and I'll increase your driver's pay threefold.”My eyes dart upward. He’s dead serious about this. leaving me tongue-tied and swallowing hard. “Mr. Grey, uh…"“Call me Grey, please,” he says, and even cracks a smile.“Eddie has to pay for what he's done.” His jaw clenches, and the chill sets back in.My heart races a mile a minute. Grey motions for me to park my butt,”Have a seat. Let's discuss this, father.” The atmosphere lightens somewhat, but there’s still an undercurrent of unease. I check out the comfy gray chair, then plop my behind into it. Heels click-clack, grabbing our attention. A radiant woman descends the stairs, wearing a sunny yellow top and a lively floral skirt. Her graying dark hair frames a face full of warmth. Grey can’t hide his happy grin when he lays eyes on her. His chocolatey eyes twinkle, forming adorable wrinkles at the edges. She wraps him in a warm hug, peppering his cheeks with gentle kisses. “Oh dear. What'll it be for
SARAH Girls, everywhere flaunting their goodies in bras that barely exist and G-strings that scream, 'Check out my butt.' Every chick’s got her ass out, whether it’s inked or bare, and they’re all bouncing around like it’s nobody’s business. I'm camped out in a corner of M.M.'s locker room, a bedraggled bird after my rainy escapade. Dropping my boss off and hailing a taxi turned into a wet adventure, but I'm here now, in the heart of the strip club, courtesy of Ruby's invitation. She nudges me, “Hey loosen up!” I pout, looking away. She sighs and continues lipsticking. “Ready to take off those clothes?” I shake my head, “No. Not sure I can do this.” “We’ve discussed this before, right? What’s holding you back now?” I nod, agreeing we’ve chatted about this, but I trail off, glancing at girls around us. “Yeah, we talked, but…I mean.” “Hunny, you don’t need to go full diva, alright. A little tease, a few sassy moves, and you’ll rake in those tips. Save the wild stuf







