Alle Kapitel von Ruin Me Once, Twice The Regret: Kapitel 31 – Kapitel 40

LAURAThis morning, Harlan and I shared our first awkward car ride. It was horrible. I couldn't stop thinking about it. It was on my mind the entire night. I tossed and I turned in bed, thinking about how I could have handled things differently. I wasn't sure if I should apologize for slamming the door in his face. I mean…that was nothing. My room, my rules, right?“You know, for what it's worth, I'm sorry,” Harlan’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. I glanced at him, surprised. “Sorry? Why?” “I was a total jerk last night. What I tried to do…how I followed you to your room…it's..”“Forgotten, Harlan.” I flashed him a brief smile. “It's a new day, we've moved past it.”He brows knit into a small frown. “You sure?”“Yes.”His lips curved in a small smile, and he lightly brushed the back of hand. The car fell silent afterwards. We both had things to say, undoubtedly. But somehow, staring out the window and just keeping it in seemed like the easier thing to do. We parted ways half

LAURATristan’s fingers brushed mine as he handed me the glass. The very mere contact sent heat rushing through my veins. “The PR team has organized a photoshoot to elaborate our partnership.” “Elaborate? I'm confused.” I cleared my throat and took a sip of the whiskey.He leaned against the arm of a couch and watched me closely. “It's their job to do what they think is best for the company.” Then he took a sip from his glass, watching me over the rim. I opened my mouth to protest but he quickly cut me off. “Our partnership is with you, Laura, as the face of Pierce Holdings. Don't you think it's right to paint that picture from the very beginning? A totally harmless photoshoot where we stand close to each other as business partners and smile for the camera.”“Harmless, huh?” The alcohol already swirled around in my head like an ocean. It was getting difficult to sit still under his gaze. I leaned back against the couch and tilted my gaze to his. “Tell me that this is not one of yo

LAURAFortunately, the reporters were aloof to the fire that burned on stage between Tristan and I. It was just us two who felt the unbearable pull, the heat, the erratic heartbeats. I could tell from the way Tristan’s pupils dilated as they burned into my lips. The spell lasted for about ten seconds before it got broken by more questions from the audience. Questions that rattled my being. “Is this purely a business relationship or there's something else underneath?” When I looked at Tristan again, even he seemed tongue-tied for a moment. How could a question like that be answered when this press conference is clearly for the purpose of officially announcing the new partnership?From my peripheral vision, I caught Charlotte’s silhouette by the backstage, making an urgent hand gesture in our direction. Tristan picked the cue and jumped in for the save. “As earlier stated, this is a partnership between Pierce Holdings and Phoenix. An official statement will be released by both com

LAURA“No.” The words slipped from my mouth in a firm syllable. Madison scoffed in disbelief. “Why?” “We're fully booked for the season.”She laughed. “You don't even know when my wedding is.”“We're booked from the whole year, Madison.”“I'll pay you generously.” It was my turn to scoff. “No amount of money you want to pay me will change my mind.” “And what amount will you accept to stay away from my husband?”I started to respond in the heat of the moment. Until I really registered what she said. And my jaw cracked with rage. “What?” The machines stopped rolling in the background, and the seamstresses let their attentions loose on us. Madison folded her arms across her chest and stalked over to me. “You heard me. Drop the partnership deal. Stay far away from my husband. I'll pay you whatever amount you name.” I stared at her for a long moment, then I burst into a soft laugh. Her face turned pale and she couldn't hide the sickness under that fake, repulsive smile anymore. “

LAURA I ran my tongue over my bottom lips as I contemplated what to do with Tristan Pierce and these messy butterflies that were all over the place. I wondered what to do with the ache between my legs. I wondered how to get my pussy to stop clenching…doing that around something else instead would be a better idea…He just said we could do anything we wanted. Would it be acceptable if I climbed his annoyingly captivating face and rode his mouth until all the pent-up desire came crashing down in a terrific orgasm?I mean…that's kinda like the only thing on my mind now.He leaned back in the seat and watched me carefully, like a predator that knew what was the kind of its prey. “So, what do you want to do?” Look at him, edging me on. I should be the predator here. I stopped being prey a long time ago.I shot him a knowing smile, my body sizzling with heat as he matched it with a dashing smile of his own.Slowly, I dragged my heel down his leg and closed the distance between us. Swayin