LOGINDerek“Yes, Paige. I’m so sorry for canceling it—I know I promised you but this case was… I couldn’t risk it.”I felt like a dick, an asshole, a prick.Everything I promised her I would never be.The silence in the office was maddening, but I was deep in a complex corporate acquisition brief, and for the first time in years, I hated being a lawyer.Because I missed my wife.Paige’s voice was soothing as she replied, “Derek, it’s okay. I know how busy it can get. Get home when you can. I’ll save you leftovers.”I glanced at the clock on my monitor. It was eight-fifteen on a Friday night. My stomach twisted with guilt. I should have been home two hours ago, enjoying a quiet, candlelit dinner with my wife.Instead, I was alone, exhausted, and working in an empty office.“I promise I’ll make it up to you,” I said, meaning ev
PaigeI either looked different or the mirror was defective.Because I barely recognized myself looking this happy and so beautiful. The makeup artist had outdone herself, sharpening my features and making my hazel eyes pop.Derek had recovered in a few days after the kidnapping, and thankfully, Lily was okay as well. As soon as he was back on his feet, he wanted to get married soon. And since Jack was rotting in prison, I had agreed.The wedding dress hugged my curves and hid the small baby bump as ivory silk draped around me, whispering softly each time I moved.“Cold feet yet?” Summer asked from behind me, adjusting the delicate veil that cascaded down my back.Her reflection had a mischievous smile in the mirror.“No,” I laughed, shaking my head. “Not even a little.”“Are you sure? Because I’ve got the car running outside if you want to make a break f
DerekThe rope burned against my wrists as I worked them back and forth, feeling the fibers give way and the rope loosen.I thought he was lying about hurting Lily. Despite his rocky relationship with Paige, he had never done anything to harm her. Even when he snatched her, he took her blanket and favorite elephant soft-toy with her.That’s not something someone would do to hurt a kid.Jack paced in front of me, his movements erratic, while Cillian’s voice crackled through the tiny earpiece lodged in my ear.“Keep him talking,” Cillian murmured. “We’re checking every room upstairs.”I swallowed hard, tasting blood where he had punched me. “Jack, listen to me—”“Shut up!” He turned around, his eyes wild. “Just shut the fuck up, Derek.”My fingers found the loosened knot.Almost there. Just a little more.Th
Paige“Drink some water.”Derek’s voice cut through my panic. His suit jacket was draped over my shoulders and it felt warm with his scent. But I didn’t deserve it when my daughter was out there somewhere, scared and alone.I took the water bottle from him with trembling hands. My eyes were swollen from crying and every blink hurt, every breath hurt.Everything hurt.It had been an hour since Jack had broken into our penthouse, fought Sarah and Richard and taken my baby girl with a gun.Sarah had a scratch across her cheek where Jack had shoved her aside. Richard had fallen trying to stop him, hit his head on the coffee table, which resulted in a minor concussion. But he had really tried.We watched the security cameras. Jack had stormed in with wild eyes and that gun and took Lily away. The baby monitor had captured her cries that would haunt me forever as he had snatched her from her
DerekI was pacing around the penthouse because my father was going to arrive soon. To meet Paige and my soon-to-be daughter, Lily.He had been married four times and divorced three times. He was someone I vowed never to be growing up, because he taught me everything about what not to do in a relationship.“Derek,” Paige said with a hand on my arm that stopped my pacing. “It might go well. You don’t know until you give him a chance.”“He has never been good at chances,” I said, remembering all the time I accepted his lunch or dinner invitation, thinking he was finally ready to have a talk with me as my father, only to meet his new wife.But I let her pull me close anyway and found myself being comforted in her warmth.“Then maybe it’s time he learns,” she whispered, kissing my cheek. “For Lily, for the baby and maybe even for you.”The doorbell ra
DerekPaige said yes because it ‘made sense.’Those words had been circling my brain for weeks now, even though I was over the moon about her agreement.Maybe I was moving too fast. We went from fake dating to fake engagement to actual dating the moment her divorce was finalized, and barely months later, we were preparing for marriage.Am I rushing her? Pushing her into something she isn’t ready for?But she was carrying my baby. Our baby. And I wanted—no, I needed—to make it official.I stared at my laptop screen with Lily sitting perched on my lap, her tiny hands grabbing at my keyboard, babbling nonsense that I found infinitely more interesting than my work.Working from home was supposed to be productive. Instead, I spent the last hour browsing forums about being a new dad while Lily occasionally ‘helped’ by smashing the space bar.
12 - Impressive SizeDylanI frowned, looking down at my crotch where she was pointing. Thankfully, it was covered by the towel or else she would see how pathetic I was. I was already half-hard seeing her standing in front of me. She was taller than
7 - Auction NightSean My jaw clenched, and I slammed the file on my office table, making my colleague and secretary jumpy. Even after a morning workout, my neck, shoulders, and arms were still tense. Massaging my temple, I tried to relax. “What got your panties in a twist?” Derek asked, going t
3 - Pound My Cake, DaddyChelseaI wish I had a filter in my mouth. Because sometimes, I blurted out things that shouldn’t be said out loud. But I couldn’t help it. He was tall and extremely handsome. And rich. Maybe I needed a rebound sex.My throat dried up when his piercing dark eyes looked d
4 - ThirstyChelseaI rolled my eyes so hard that I was surprised I didn’t lose them in the back of my skull. I got further irritated by the sound of his chuckle, his deep voice making my hands clammy, especially when he looked at me from the corner of his eyes, mirth gleaming in them. “Weirdo,” I







