LOGINDamian"You know," Carter said, swirling liquid in his glass, "There's something about running a business that some people will never understand."I leaned back in the chair across from him, listening. Thinking about other things....some bad things that have been circulating in my head since last night. "They think money alone builds an empire," he continued. "Connections. Shady alliances. Shortcuts."He was referring to JJ Holdings his longtime rival. Word around the city was that they'd just secured a massive investment contract through a politician whose name had been dragged through enough corruption rumors to fill a courtroom.I shook my head, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "Jones is desperate. He's trying to level up to your success, but that doesn't happen through fraud and dirty deals."Carter chuckled, satisfied. "Exactly. Let him try harder. He still won't be able to compete with me."I laughed, lifting my glass. "You've been doing this for decades. Let's sit back and w
Sophia"Are you sure she'll be okay going home now?" I asked as I carefully arranged the last of Bree's Aunt belongings into the booth.I glanced over my shoulder at Bree, who was standing there. The morning sun made her look even more fragile than usual.She closed the back door with a soft thud, then let out a long breath."She insisted," Bree said finally. "She says she's tired of hospital walls. And since the doctor said she's stable for now... I think she'll be fine. She just needs to be monitored closely before the next surgery. There's still a few weeks before that."Seeing Bree like this worn down, pale, trying so hard to stay strong made something ache deep inside me. I walked over wrapped my arms around her."She's going to be fine," I said softly. "I know she's the only family you have left, but trust me... she's strong. She'll fight this.""Thank you. Honestly, I'm glad we're on break. I don't know how I would've handled classes on top of all this.""Right," I replied, nod
SophiaWarmth flooded my face and spread downward so quickly my knees trembled because of how intensely the command sank into my bones.This man is going to be the death of me. I headed to the sofa and tech for the zipper of my pencil skirt, fingers fast with anticipation and slid it down.The cool air in his office grazed my skin, and I felt suddenly exposed in a way that made every nerve in my body light up.Damien didn't move but his gaze dragged down my legs, slow... deliberate... like he was memorizing every inch of me. The weight of it made my breath unsteady, my chest rising and falling faster than I wanted it to. I was already feeling the jelly in between my legs. I sat down on the sofa before my knees gave out completely.My palms pressed into the cushion for balance as I opened my legs just the way he'd told me to. A rush of heat and arousal rolled through me, a mix of embarrassment, anticipation, and something darker... something that only he seemed capable of pulling out
SophiaI arrived at the hospital early. Bree was seated beside her aunt's bed, gently feeding her with a small spoon. A pillow was propped up and the woman was looking tired but so much better than yesterday."Good morning. How are you feeling, ma'am?"Her aunt smiled weakly. "Good morning Sophia. Better... thank you, Sophia."And Bree's eyes? Yeah. Suspicious. Very suspicious. One look from her had my stomach doing a full somersault.After a few more minutes of small talk, Bree stood abruptly. "Aunt, I'll be right back. Just want to talk to Sophia for a second."Her aunt nodded. We stepped outside, and Bree closed the door behind her with a soft click. Then she folded her arms and stared at me like she had caught me stealing."So," she started. "Where did you spend the night?"My eyes darted around. "Obviously I slept at home."She threw me a glare. "Don't lie. You're still in the same clothes from yesterday."Right!I sighed. "Okay, I slept at his house. Happy?""Happy?" she whispe
Sophia My head jerked back, hands gripping the edge of the counter so tight my knuckles hurt. A broken moan slipped past my lips as Damian's fingers moved deeper, harder, making my body quake."F–fuck," I breathed out, heat rushing through me, my chest rising and falling like I couldn't catch my breath.I was supposed to be eating. That was why we came to the kitchen. But what started as teasing had quickly turned into this and truth be told, I didn't mind. I didn't mind his hands on me. I didn't mind the way he made me forget food even existed.His hand moved up, squeezing my breast through the fabric of my top. His voice came low, rough against my ear. "Do you like what I'm doing to you?"God, yes. I liked it too much. Liked it so much I felt like I was going to lose myself any second. But the words stuck in my throat, my body betraying me with moans instead."Hmm?" His voice pressed again, his fingers driving deeper, making me gasp out loud. "Do you like it, baby girl?"My body an
SophiaI checked my phone for the time. Again. 4:26 p.m. God, this day was dragging.The screen dimmed and I let out a quiet sigh. We were still at the second-to-last location, and the staff here wouldn't stop talking. Every answer turned into a story, every story led to more questions. I tried to smile through it, jotting things down and nodding like I was fully present.But I wasn't. My mind was somewhere else—someone else.Every tick of the clock pulled me closer to his office. To Damian.His message still buzzed at the back of my mind.I bit my lip."You okay?" Nessa asked beside me."Huh?""You've been checking your phone like every two minutes," she said, squinting at me with a teasing grin. "Got somewhere to be?"I forced a smile, shaking my head. "Not really. Just exhausted."Nessa groaned dramatically. "Same. Let's pray Mia won't be breathing down our necks for that report first thing tomorrow."I let out a weak laugh, nodding.But Mia wasn't my problem right now.We finally







