All Chapters of Echoes Of A Shattered Heart: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

58 Chapters

Dress temptation

Jared POVWhen Zina returns downstairs, she's in an even bolder dress. I almost choke on air as my eyes become stuck on the deep neckline. It dips so low, ending just above her belly piercing that I can only imagine what the back looks like. Her perky tits make my mouth-with the taste of herstill lingering-water.I discreetly adjust my dick when she approaches."I'm ready. Big mate." She snidely saidm"What are you wearing ?Oh, did I mention her dress is creating the illusion of her being naked?"Versace." Twirling, she gives me her back.Her bare back. Flicking her hair over her shoulder, she cocks her hip and seductively purrs, "Do you not like it?"She's trying to kill my poor dick."You're practically naked, Zina.""Good to know your eyes work," she retorts, facing me. "I saved you a yearly trip to the doctor."Rubbing at my temple, I grumble, "I don't understand women's fashion."Just say you don't know women.""Oh, I know about women where it counts, my mate." I cross the dis

The gala confrontation

Zina POV The limo ride had been its own storm of intensity. Jared's commanding words still lingered in my mind, pulling at the thread of control I tried so desperately to maintain. But as the sleek car rolled to a stop and the blinding lights of the red carpet flooded my vision, I forced myself to push his dominance aside.This was my battlefield now.I stepped out of the car first, my heels clicking against the pavement as I straightened my dress. The silver fabric clung to my figure, daring anyone to look away. Jared followed, his tall frame radiating authority as he extended his hand. I accepted it, letting him help me out, but the subtle smirk I gave him was all my own—a reminder that he couldn't control me entirely."I see you're enjoying the attention already," Jared murmured, his lips brushing close to my ear."Just setting the tone," I replied, my smile sharp as I walked ahead of him, forcing him to keep up.Flashes from cameras went off like tiny fireworks as reporters shout

Rekindled tensions

Jared POVThe car ride back was heavy with unspoken words. Zina sat rigidly in the passenger seat, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed out the window. The anger rolling off her was almost palpable, but beneath it, I could sense something deeper—something raw and unresolved.The memory of her lips lingered, and despite everything, I couldn't stop thinking about how perfectly she fit against me. The way her breath hitched when I touched her. The way she tasted, sweet and heady like forbidden fruit.By the time we reached the estate, the tension between us had stretched to its breaking point. Zina climbed out of the car without a word, her heels clicking sharply against the cobblestone path as she strode toward the house."Zina—" I called after her, but she didn't stop.She pushed open the front door and headed straight for the study, slamming it shut behind her.I followed, determined not to let this spiral further out of control. When I stepped inside, she was standing by the window, b

A night to remember

Zina POV I pulled away from Jared's kiss, my breathing heavy and uneven. My heart hammered in my chest, and I couldn't tell if it was from the heat of the moment or the way his gaze lingered on me, dark and unreadable.His lips curved into a sly smile, one that sent shivers cascading down my spine. "We're not done yet," he said, his voice low and teasing."What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.He reached for his jacket and grabbed his keys from the side table. "There's somewhere I want to take you.""Now?""Yes, now."I hesitated, but the curiosity bubbling inside me won out. "Fine," I said, grabbing my coat.The ride to wherever Jared was taking me was anything but ordinary.The moment we got into his sleek black car, the tension from earlier returned, thick and suffocating. He didn't speak much as he drove, but his hand rested on the gearshift, his fingers brushing against my knee every now and then. Each touch sent jolts of electricity through me, and I coul

Tension

Zina POV The hallway had a chilling tension to it, maybe it was because it lacked an eerie amount of light.There's no crowd back here, but a few people linger along the walls, and unlike in the main room, no one looks at me. They keep to themselves, or each other, and not a single head turns in my direction. Gentle light emits from the large windows on either side, and it takes my brain a few moments to register that the people gathered around the hallway aren't looking at me, because they're busy…with each other.I don't stare long enough to actually see what they're doing. One man has a woman pressed face-first against the glass as he grinds slowly against her from behind.Trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible, I slink into the darker corners, trying not to be a creep. Moving slowly down the hall, my heart is literally pounding so hard in my chest that I can feel it in my ears. What am I doing here? This is insane.But my curiosity is too strong, and I've gotten this

Auction Proposal

Zina's POVThe club was buzzing with life, the kind of energy that made you feel alive and out of place all at once. Laughter and soft murmurs floated through the air, mixing with the faint hum of sultry music. My heels clicked against the polished floor as Jared guided me back toward the main hall, his hand warm and steady on the small of my back.Every step felt heavier than the last, my thoughts spinning. I couldn't shake the memory of the hallway—the sounds, the sights, the way my body had betrayed me. Shame burned at my cheeks, but Jared walked beside me like nothing had happened, like my entire world hadn't just shifted."You're awfully quiet," Jared said, breaking the silence. His tone was casual, but I could feel the teasing edge in his voice."I'm fine," I muttered, keeping my eyes fixed on the crowd ahead."Liar," he said with a smirk, his fingers brushing against my back.Before I could respond, a tall man stepped into our path. He was broad-shouldered and confident, with p

Prize

Zina POV"Where are we going?" I shriek. It's dark back here, but I hear a door close behind us as we reach the dimly lit room with a black bed that I can't remember. My stomach clenches in both excitement and fear. "I paid for an hour of your time, Zina." His voice was a bit gruff and rough, it was a small change but I could pick it up easily."Red." I whispered against his shoulder."Hello my little mate."He tosses me on the bed and stares down at me with a look of masked anger. "It's time to collect what I won."His large hands grip my ankles and yank me toward him. I let out a yelp. I'm not afraid of Jared or his mate. I trust him, but right now…he seems unhinged. Angry at me for reasons I don't understand, and I can't quite tell if we're supposed to be in a scene or if he's being real. "Remind me, Zina," he asks as something soft wraps around my right ankle. When I try to pull my foot away, I realize it's a restraint. He's cuffing me to the bed."Who do you belong to?" He r

You’re enough

Zina POV "Do you need mercy?" he asks, but it takes my brain a minute to catch up. He's asking if I want to stop. Do I? God, that hurts, but he's doing this for a reason. And aside from all of that, my body is awake, sensitive and a little horny behind the pain. "No," I whimper. "Good girl." Before touching me again, he sits up and I feel his hands glide up my legs, massaging my hips. "I wish you could see how beautiful you are right now. You are perfection, Zina. And I hate to hurt you, but feel what it does to me." His hips grind against my leg, and I feel his rock-hard erection. He's naked, and I writhe, trying to feel him more. "Do you want me to fuck you, baby girl?" "Yes," I cry out. "Tell me you're worth it. Tell me how beautiful you are." Emotion stings my throat. No, no, no. Please don't get emotional. Please don't fucking cry. This is supposed to be a sexy moment, and I'm about to ruin it because I know he's right. I know I never say anything good about myself, b

Aftercare

Zina POV When we reach Jared's place, he takes me straight upstairs. We don't stop in his bedroom either, pulling me into his giant bathroom. There's a glass shower, and with one hand still laced with mine, he uses the other to turn on the water. Then, without a word, he begins stripping me of my clothes. His ministrations are slow and deliberate, as if I'm sick or hurt and he's trying to pamper me. When he pulls my dress off, he kisses the black-stained skin where the candle wax fell. When he releases my bra, he kisses the red marks from the clamps. And he gently presses his lips against the spot where he bit me earlier. They're not heated kisses. He's not trying to get me warmed up for more sex. It feels more like he's trying to heal the hurt, and I want to tell him there's nothing to mend. Nothing physical at least. But if he can quiet these voices of doubt and fear in my head, that would be great. Once I'm naked, he opens the shower door and whispers, "Get in." Then he t

Tangled emotions

Zina POVThe water pours down relentlessly, the sound a soothing yet deafening roar around us. Each droplet feels like a whisper against my skin, but it does little to calm the storm raging within me. Jared's arms are wrapped securely around me, his chest rising and falling steadily as if he isn't as affected by this as I am. How could he be so calm when I feel like my world is on the verge of shattering?I press my forehead against his chest, trying to focus on his warmth. It's grounding, comforting even. I should feel safe here, and I do, but there's an undercurrent of fear—fear of what this moment means, fear of what I've just given him, fear of the unknown future."Zina," Jared's deep voice cuts through the quiet chaos in my head. He says my name softly, almost reverently, as if it's the most precious word he's ever spoken. "Look at me."I hesitate for a moment, reluctant to meet his gaze. When I finally tilt my head up, his dark eyes are waiting, filled with something I can't qui

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