INICIAR SESIÓNIsla's POV It’s Saturday.I stand at the window and watch Shane pull out of the driveway in his truck, dressed to impress.For who?His little whore.The whore who knows he’s married.And yes, he is married. I don’t give a fuck what she thinks, and I don’t give a fuck what he thinks either.I sigh and sit down on the couch, staring at my cell phone in my hand.My contacts list is open.His name is right there.I hover my thumb over it.Should I do this?It feels like I’m getting in bed with the devil.But is he really the devil… or is he just a man who wants something back that belongs to him?But does she really belong to him?Because if she did… he would have married her.I sigh heavily and press the call button.It rings.Once.Twice.Three times.Four.Finally he answers.“Stanley Rogers speaking. How can I help you?”I lean back against the couch.“Hi, Mayor. How are you doing today?”He chuckles softly.“I’m good. How are you doing, Isla?”I sigh.“A bit disappointed. A bit agi
Maya’s POV As I look over at this man snoring as he lays on top of me, I chuckle softly. His arm is wrapped around my waist while his head rests right on my breast like it’s the most comfortable pillow in the world. I slide my arm around him and pull him a little closer, and he just snuggles deeper, continuing to snore without a care.I glance over at the clock on the nightstand.Seven o’clock.Seven p.m.I blink.We have been going at it and napping for hours.I feel rested, relaxed, and… okay, maybe my kitty is a little achy after the afternoon Shane and I had together. But honestly, I feel good. Really good.The position we’re in is actually hilarious. I’m lying flat on my back, head on the pillows, and Shane is half sprawled across me like a giant sleepy bear. His feet are hanging off the edge of the bed, and he’s completely passed out.I sigh.My stomach growls loudly.When I say I didn’t eat anything today, I mean nothing. I think Shane had some breakfast earlier this morning,
Explicit Scene AheadShane’s POVShe lets the jacket slide off her shoulders and drop to the chair like it’s nothing. Then her fingers find the first button of her denim shirt. Slow. Deliberate. One flick at a time.My breath snags somewhere in my throat.“Maya…”Her lips curve, small, wicked, knowing. She doesn’t answer with words. Just another button. And another.The fabric parts to nude lace strapless bra. The soft swell of her breasts rising with each shallow breath. My hands flex at my sides before I shove them into my pockets to keep from reaching.“You’re fucking dangerous,” I mutter, half laugh, half warning.She closes the distance in slow, rolling steps, hips swaying just enough to make my pulse vibrate behind my eyes.“You haven’t seen anything yet, baby,” she whispers, voice low and velvety.Her fingers are already on my shirt. Button by button, she opens my shirt while her gaze locks on mine, searching, daring me to look away. When the last one gives, she pushes the shir
Shane’s POVSaturday morning.After the disaster that dinner turned into last night, I wake up with a long sigh. But the moment I sit up in bed, a smile slowly spreads across my face.Because today, I get to see my girl.I get to see that beautiful smile of hers.She’s probably still confused about where I’m taking her. I never told her the plan. But that’s intentional. I wanted it to be a surprise.A full night away.I made reservations at the new Windtrust Hollywood Casino and Hotel across the state line in Indiana. A little gambling, a good dinner, a night out where nobody from my circle is likely to show up asking questions.Questions like why I’m out with someone who isn’t Isla.Most people close to me already know the situation, but still… avoiding unnecessary conversations sounds good right now.I drag myself out of bed and head toward the bathroom.As the shower warms up, my mind drifts back to last night—specifically to my son telling me I ruined his life.Ruined his life.I
Maya’s POVAs I finished up my latest piece, I leaned back on the stool and let out a long sigh.I was always a little sad when a piece was complete.The process, the creation, the building, and the shaping, that was the part that made my heart beat. When it was finished, when the last touches were placed and the piece had cured, it always felt a little bittersweet.But this one?This one was beautiful.Two masks sat side by side, blending into each other so seamlessly that it almost looked like one was morphing into the other. One wore a soft smile, the other a deep frown. The way I had sculpted them made it feel like emotion itself was shifting, like happiness slowly dissolving into sadness.On the smiling side, etched carefully into the surface, were the words:What you see.And on the frowning side, carved just beneath the curve of the mask:Inside of me.It was done in subtle tones of black and white, colors that technically weren’t even colors at all, but people never really tho
Shane’s POV.The week went by like usual, work, coming home to the kids, homework battles, dinner, and trying to keep the house from falling apart.Before I knew it, Friday had arrived.Earlier that morning I called my baby Maya.“I’m not gonna make it today,” I told her. “I’ll see you Saturday. The kids are spending some time at my mom’s tomorrow.”“And Shane Jr.?” she asked.“He’s still on punishment, so he’s going too. He’s not happy about it, but it is what it is.”She laughed softly. “That’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Just make sure you spend time with your daughter because I want you all day to myself,” I added.She scoffed. “You don’t have to tell me to take care of my child.”I chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’m just playing.”“I’ll see you Saturday,” she repeated.Today wasn’t about fun anyway.Today was about meeting my son’s little girlfriend’s parents.I sighed as I sat at the large conference table at work while Charles Morgan talked through the weekly updates. My mind







