I was feeling so relaxed now. It was like this ride was all I needed. Finally, we had made a stop, and I hadn’t been paying attention before—I’d been responding to Ray, who had just invited me to dinner.But now that I’d answered and put my phone away, I looked out the window… and I froze.I stepped out of the car without waiting a second. The view was stunning.A wide fountain glimmered in the golden sunlight, surrounded by trimmed grass and lush green plants that looked like they belonged in a fairy tale.Then there was the grand mansion, standing proudly in the center like something out of a movie. I blinked, wondering if this was the house the Perez family had rented for the weekend.“Wow,” I breathed. The sunset hit just right, the sky soaked in warm orange and pink hues. I would literally give anything to see this view every evening.“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dylan’s voice came from behind, and I nodded, still taken by the view. Then I felt his hands on my shoulders.At first I fli
Sucking in a breath, I sat up straight and turned on the computer so they’d at least find me doing something.“Ms. Sanders…” my assistant walked in with Ximena and her husband. “Mr. and Mrs. Perez.”I stood and thanked her. After she left, I turned to them politely. “Would you like anything? Some water, perhaps?”“No, we won’t stay long. Give her the invitation, honey,” Ximena said. Mr. Perez took out a small invitation card and handed it to me. “Family getaway. You know a Perez loves those.”“Y-Yes, lovely,” I said, pretending to scan the card even though I already knew what it said. It was always the same.“Yes, this year has been tough, and before Elliot’s graduation, I’d love for all of us to unwind.”“Mrs. Perez—”“Ximena, please. And no. My husband isn’t taking no for an answer. You are coming.”“I’d really love to, but work—”“Can wait. I’ll speak to your boss if I have to.”I sighed, trying to find a gentle way to turn her down. “I—”“This getaway is our excuse to properly say
A L E X I SDylan and I had been kissing for about five minutes now, just lips. His hands were protectively wrapped around the back of my head, one sliding down to rest around my neck. It was amazing.I loved how he bit my lip from time to time, how his hand touched the right places, the ones that made me throb, but I wanted us to move forward. We’d been devouring each other’s mouths long enough.I moved my hand down, reaching for his zip, but he suddenly pulled away. Embarrassed, I tried again, brushing his waist, but he shifted back. That’s when I looked down and saw it, he was hard.His bulge was impossible to miss, pointing in one direction, standing tall. Damn, Daniella was right. It looked... big, even through his trousers.“I’m not in the mood for sex. Maybe some other time,” he said.I glanced down at my exposed chest, then back at him. Confused. How could a man refuse a naked woman? Dylan, of all people? I knew for a fact he’d slept with half of LA, some not even remotely sex
D Y L A NWe met Alexis' family on one of those usual, crazy Perez family vacations. And yes, Alexis was a boring girl to me at first.That is, until one afternoon when I caught her standing outside a door, eavesdropping on her parents yelling inside, tears silently streaming down her face.‘They are always fighting. Almost every day,' she said quietly, even though I hadn't asked. I'm not sure why she was talking to me, but I somehow understood her.My parents also fought. Only difference? It was not almost every day. It was every damn day.We became tolerable with each other from that moment on. We spent the rest of the trip hanging out – Elliot was at summer school camp.I didn't realise I had fallen for her until the last day, when we had to part ways.I had just graduated from high school at the time. I had no intention of attending college because I did not believe it was a good fit. However, after meeting her, I changed my mind.I now wanted to go to college, manage one of the P
Ray looked peaceful, but I couldn't let him sleep on my sofa. I had more pressing problems now, a lot to figure out—and he wasn't one of them.“Ray, get up. You're not sleeping here," I murmured, staring towards the door, expecting his men to just step in and take him away, and give me space.I had just fainted—something I had never experienced before. I desperately wanted a minute to take in."Okay, I guess I'll just have to get you up," I grumbled as I walked to the kitchen. I took a glass and filled it with water before returning to the living room, where Ray was still lying there dozing."Sorry, Ray, but this is for my mental health," I said quietly, throwing the water on him without hesitation. I assumed I'd need another glass, but it worked—he jumped up."Alexis!""What?" He still seemed drunk, which is why I asked."My fake girlfriend… Call my girlfriend." He sank back onto the sofa. "I must confess. I am in love with her. I planned all of this.”"Say what?""I got my team to g
The noise of machines and the odor of antiseptic indicated that I was in the hospital. I quickly opened my eyes, and the first person I noticed was Harvey, walking back and forth, appearing extremely anxious.I surveyed my surroundings, verifying that I was indeed in a hospital. I even had IVs attached to me—and that's when I yelled."Lex, thank goodness you’re awake. I was very worried.” Harvey hurried forward, relief evident on his expression.“Please remove this from me,” I begged, wishing to shut my eyes as I sensed the needle in my vein."The doctor said you needed water. You've been under a lot of stress," he murmured as he sat on the bed and tucked my hair behind my ear. "You know, for a nurse, you should know how important this is.""I don’t care. I want it off my arm. It makes me anxious.""Okay, I'll get the doctor. He said you'll be fine though." Harvey seemed really concerned. "Oh God, we were so worried.""Is Elliot here?" I enquired, not sounding pleased to hear his name