Lahat ng Kabanata ng Midnight Desires: A Taboo Collection : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Diana’s POV I stood in front of the mirror in my tiny apartment, tugging at the hem of my simple black dress. It wasn’t anything fancy, just something I had sewn myself last year with leftover fabric from my fashion projects, but it hugged my curves enough to look decent. Tonight wasn’t about me anyway. It was about Dad. After fifteen years of showing up early, staying late, and taking every extra shift Mr. Hudson’s company threw at him, Dad finally got the promotion he deserved as the regional Manager. I was so proud I could burst into tears of joy, but the thought of going to this fancy dinner at the CEO’s mansion made my stomach twist. “Mom’s with Grandma, so you have to come, sweetheart,” Dad had begged over the phone earlier. “Just one night. Please.” I couldn’t say no to him. Not when he sounded so happy. The drive to the mansion took us through the richest part of the city. Tall gates opened slowly as our old Toyota pulled up, and I stared at the massive house glowing u

Diana’s POV I barely slept that night after the dinner party. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt Luke Hudson’s fingers brushing my cheek on the terrace. The way his deep voice had wrapped around my name as he owned it. The heat in his steel gray eyes made my whole body tingle. He wanted to see me again, just the two of us. The next morning, while Dad hummed happily in the kitchen making coffee, I knew what I had to do. I couldn’t let whatever this was go any further. Dad had worked too hard for his promotion. One wrong move and everything could crumble. When Luke’s number appeared on my phone that afternoon, my heart jumped. I answered with shaky fingers. “Hi, Mr. Hudson.” “Luke,” he corrected, that low, commanding tone sending warmth straight through me. “Did you think about my offer, Diana?” I swallowed hard, gripping the phone tighter. “I did. And… I’m sorry, but I have to say no. It’s not a good idea. My dad works for you, and I don’t want to complicate things for him. Or

Diana’s POV The argument exploded the moment I got home that evening. Dad paced the living room like a caged animal, his face red with fury. “He admitted it, Diana! Right to my face. He intends to court you. His own employee’s daughter! After everything I’ve worked for in that company…” I stood by the kitchen counter, arms crossed, heart racing. The rumors at the office had already been bad enough. Now this. “Dad, calm down,” I said firmly. “I’m not a child anymore. I’m twenty two. I can make my own decisions.” He stopped pacing and pointed a finger toward the door as if Luke were standing there. “I forbid it. He’s too old, too powerful, and too dangerous for you. One wrong move and he could ruin both our lives.” Before I could respond, my phone rang. Luke. I answered on speaker so Dad could hear. “Diana,” Luke’s deep voice filled the room, steady and calm. “I just left the office. I assume your father spoke with you.” Dad’s eyes narrowed. “She’s not seeing you, Hudson

Stella dragged her suitcase up the wide marble steps of the Kensington family home, the late afternoon sun warming her bare shoulders. At twenty one, she’d spent four semesters at college trying to outgrow her small town roots, but stepping back into this sprawling house felt like slipping into an old, dangerous habit. Emma burst through the front door with a squeal. “Stella! You’re finally here!” Her best friend tackled her in a hug that smelled like vanilla shampoo and summer. “Dad’s out by the pool. He’s been grilling all afternoon. Come on, drop your stuff and let’s get you a drink.” Joseph. Just hearing the name sent a familiar flutter through Stella’s stomach. She’d told herself the crush was childish, something she’d left behind with high school. But as she followed Emma through the sunlit foyer and out onto the terrace, her gaze found him immediately. Joseph Kensington stood at the grill, broad back to her, flipping steaks with practiced ease. He was shirtless, golden ski

Emma’s departure for the evening felt like fate intervening. “Date night with the girls from work!” she had announced brightly, kissing Stella’s cheek before heading out in a cloud of perfume. “Don’t wait up. Dad’s working late in his office, so you two won’t even notice I’m gone.” Stella’s stomach flipped as the front door clicked shut. She was alone in the house with Joseph. She tried to distract herself curling up on the couch with a book, then scrolling mindlessly on her phone but every creak of the house made her hyper aware of him upstairs in his home office. After an hour, she gave up and headed to the kitchen for a glass of wine. Joseph was already there. He leaned against the counter in a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up, exposing corded forearms, and dark slacks that hugged his thighs. The top buttons were undone, revealing a tempting slice of tanned chest. His eyes lifted the moment she stepped in, dark and intense. “Stella.” His voice wrapped around he