Carefully Picked Novels & Stories

"I was the one who handpicked everything. Of course I know what they cost." The words hit harder than they should have, slamming into me with unexpected force. Handpicked. My brain stalled completely, tripping over the image that word conjured: him, Killian Vale, with his impossibly polished suits and eyes like a locked vault, standing in some exclusive boutique. Actually selecting a dress, running his fingers over fabric, holding jewelry up to the light. Weighing what would suit me best, considering my coloring, my figure, what would make me look like I belonged at his side.

I then distributed gifts to the elder who had taught me and to the butler as well. They were all visibly touched. Each of them thanked me and praised me for being thoughtful and considerate. Oscar alone looked displeased. He let out a dismissive snort. Smiling, I retrieved a custom-made silver bow and walked over to him. "Oscar, this one's for you." His expression froze. "I heard Mother say you enjoy hunting. I had this bow customized based on the design sketches on your desk. See if it feels right." He accepted it. His eyes lit up briefly before he stubbornly barked, "Who told you to snoop through my things?

Vren signaled the bartender for another drink. There were a few women flashing smiles his way, the invitation clear and plain. He would jump to the opportunity to spend the night with one of them and leaves her bed early in the morning before she wakes up to offer breakfast – which he normally steer clear from. He enjoyed most of it. He likes to socialize and he happens to like women. However, things got a little different when he turned thirty. His choices narrowed and he went from a little picky to exceedingly... picky. And it sucked the fun out of everything. He could even say it was so damn close to lonely.

That could end up being more dangerous than letting Ahiga have his way, especially since I felt attraction for this man. Following behind Calian as he led the way, my hand started to get clammy in his. I was too nervous to pull it away and draw attention to my sweating. He walked with long steps, slowing down each time he remembered that I was in tow; shooting me an apologetic smile each time he got carried away again. I couldn't help but watch as his hair bounced when he'd cock his head. I was so close to reaching my fingers through it. The thought of it feeling silky between my fingertips did not help one bit.

There’s only one thing I can think about now. More. My hands slip beneath the stretched fabric of her tiny shirt and glides up the satin smooth flesh to the fabric cupping her tits. I can’t help but to flick my thumbs back and forth over the rigid peaks just barely making impressions through the bra. She responds right away, arching her back and shutting her eyes. Leaning in, I nip at one stiff pebble with my teeth just to see her react again. Then run my fingers just beneath the wire frame. I want the damn thing out of my way. To take it off and expose her to my line of sight so I can stop wondering what they look like in great detail.

Mahesh encouraged, his questions carefully phrased to ensure Isabella felt entirely at ease and confident in her ultimate selection. A delicate blush graced Isabella's cheeks, a testament to a burgeoning sense of self-assurance nurtured by Mahesh's thoughtfulness. She felt a deep appreciation for his meticulous attention to detail and his genuine concern for her comfort. A warm smile illuminated her features as she responded, "Mahesh, I have complete confidence in your professional judgment. I would be most pleased if you select an item that exemplifies sophistication and a compelling charm."

I am learning that different and safer are not the same word. I filed it. I filed the greasy warmth that traveled up my wrist and the three seconds and the sound of his breath and the way his grip was firm without gripping. I filed the specific quality of a man who is being careful with something he is afraid of dropping, and I put all of it in the cabinet with everything else I was not looking at until I was out of here. The cabinet where I kept the things that made me feel sick. The eastern yard opened around me.

Didn’t understand power. Didn’t understand sacrifice. And most importantly She didn’t understand me. My fingers paused over a small bundle of herbs. Dark green. Sharp-smelling. Rare. Very rare. A slow smile spread across my lips “There you are. I picked it up carefully. Rolling the stems between my fingers. Testing its strength. Its dryness. Its readiness. Perfect. This would not kill immediately. No. That would be too easy. Too quick. Too merciful. Instead It would weaken.

All so delicately matched when chosen. I allowed my finger to graze one of the delicate petals, trying to wonder who would put so much time and effort into choosing such beautiful flowers. Most people would just go to the store and grab some, right? But these were most certainly not store-bought. These were hand selected. Carefully considered. Much thought had gone into them... and again, the fact they were in my favorite color kept returning to my mind. How many people other than those close to me knew about that? Or could it have been a lucky guess?

*** Manzitti *** I mindlink Ivan and Slayne and tell them Helen and Summer are moving in with me today and ask them for some help. Yeah Alpha, no problem, just give us two minutes, Ivan answers. Make that ten minutes, Alpha, kind of busy here, Slayne interjects and I shake my head. Fine, ten minutes and then get in here and help us. I ask Helen what she wants to take for now and we start with Summer’s bedroom. Summer tells me she needs her ‘babas’ which I now know means her dolls, so I fill a box with her toys and Helen packs up a suitcase with Summer’s clothes.