๋ก๊ทธ์ธCLAY'S POVPicking up my phone again, I scrolled through my contacts until I found a name I hadn't thought about in a week.Jodie.She answered on the first ring, her voice a sharp contrast to the silence of my office.โWell, look who finally remembered I exist,โ she chirped, her smile stretching into her voice. โI was actually just about to call you, Clay. You owe me a date, or did you forget?โI leaned back, my eyes hardening as I stared at the the shattered mess of the phone on the floor. An assistant would've cleaned it and saved me the displeasure of cleaning up the evidence of my loss of control.But I knew I couldn't do assistants if I wanted to keep my real image hidden. You can never trust anybody, and โuncovering Owen Graysonโ was always a trending topic in the country.โI didn't forget, sweetheart. I was just waiting for the right moment. It seems our minds work alike.โJodie giggled, a high, light sound that lacked Anytaโs smoky depth but still filled the void in the room.
CLAY'S POVโ...the board of directors are adamant about their demands and I'm not sure there is much we can do to change their minds.โโWhy is Landon holding onto a failing company?โ I asked incredulously as I leaned back in my leather chair, the cool air conditioning hum of the penthouse washing across my face.โSentiments?โ Philip answered. โIt could be that he has strong feelings towards it because it has been in the family for generations..much like the Ashbourne's.โI grunted, twirling a pen between my fingers as I grabbed my phone.โLet me just set up a meeting withโฆโ I paused, squinting at my screen.Then I saw it.The post notification box felt like a silent grenade that was dropped into my lap.Frowning, I tapped it with a steady finger and my world narrowed down to not one, but threw high-definition images of Anytaโs lips pressed against Jamieโs, and a blurry one taken from a different angle.Before Anyta, I had never understood or experienced what I felt like for one's hea
ANYTA'S POVโUh, yeah, he's literally built like one.โI snorted, despite myself. โAnd I assume you don't think the โhulkโ build is impressive.โโI mean, if you're into that sort of thingโฆโ Laura answered, chuckling. โWait, why are we talking about this instead of the amazing thing that just happened?โI sighed, rolling my eyes. โBecause I'm trying to bore you so you can leave me alone. I want to go have my morning coffee.โโThen go have your morning coffee.โโEh, this isn't exactly the type of conversation I want to start my day with, besides Alice is already downstairs.โLaura snorted and despite the headache brewing in my temple, I let out a small laugh.โWell people are loving you and Jamie, maybe you two can start a couple's channel?โI rubbed my eyes, feeling a wave of nausea that wasn't just from the alcohol.โBecause of photos? No. Besides, we're not even a couple yet.โโYet,โ Laura echoed. โOuu, I like that. Shows you're actually considering it!โ She squealed and I was sure s
ANYTA'S POVโGet it together, Anyta,โ I sighed as I stared at my reflection in the vanity mirror, a half-used makeup wipe hanging limp in my hand.My skin was still flushed from the clubโs heat, and my eyes looked heavy, and not just from exhaustion.The kiss with Jamie darted into my mind.It had been a โtesting the watersโ kind of kiss to me, even though I already knew where my heart stood.With an inward groan of frustration, I opened my gallery and scrolled once. There it was. The shot Laura had captured was, honestly a masterpiece.The lighting was moody and cinematic, catching the sharp line of Jamieโs jaw and the way his hands rested a bit low on my waist.โHmm,โ I tilted my head to the side. โWell we do look good together,โ I murmured.And truthfully, we did.Post it, a toxic little voice whispered in my head. See if he reacts, he probably will but you won't know unless you post it.โNo.โ I countered out loud. โIโm not that kind of person,โ I muttered to the empty room, dropp
ANYTA'S POVโKiss me.โJamie didn't wait for a repeat. He promptly leaned in, his movement deliberate and slow enough for me to pull away if I wanted to, but I didn't.When his lips met mine, the world around us, the shouting, the pulsing lights, the heat seemed to muffle for a heartbeat.A felt a light buzz of excitement, but it quickly began a speedy free fall.My mind went into overdrive, moving between the voice screaming at me to concentrate on the feel of Jamie's lips on mine, and not being able to concentrate because of the voice telling me to concentrate.Eventually he ended the kiss with a light peck on my upper lip.It was a good kiss. It was technically perfect.But as I stood there, my response delayed by a split second of internal calculation, I feltโฆ nothing. It was like looking at a masterpiece through a thick sheet of shattered glass. I could see the beauty, but I couldn't feel the brushstrokes.Jamie pulled back barely an inch, his expression a mix of hope, and then i
ANYTA'S POV The bass in the club was alive. Like a physical entity, thumping against my ribs and vibrating through the soles of my feet until I felt like I was constantly being pumped full of adrenaline and buzz.The club itself was a sea of gyrating bodies, expensive perfume, and the sharp, antiseptic bite of expensive vodka.We'd had dinner at some local restaurant that Laura saw online and wanted to try it. The food turned out really good, and I'd made a mental note to come backโIf this drink were any stronger, Iโd be able to see the future,โ Laura shouted over the roar of the booming speakers as she slid a tray of shimmering green shots across the high-top table.โAnd in the future, Anyta, you will humour me by at least dancing on a table while I record it for, I'd go viral.โI scoffed, โwhy don't you dance while I record?โShe gave me a โreally?โ look as she eyed me up and down suggestively, โhoney, have you seen your body? I'd literally be booed off the tables if I tried.โI r







