CARLTONI've been trying to meet Zayden Martin for months, I needed his influence in the industry. I needed his support to fulfill the final condition set by my father. Alexander has already taken control of the company's operations through bribery and has the board's favor. I've tried every possible way to reach Zayden Martin - social media, industry events, even attempting to infiltrate his inner circle - but nothing. I've never seen a photo of him, let alone met him in person. Laura told me she had somehow managed to get in touch with Zayden and sent me his contact information. I confirmed but he insisted that he wouldn't meet with me unless Laura was present too. It wasn't a big deal, so I agreed. He came to my cabin, and we had a few rounds of business talks. After some negotiations, he finally agreed to partner with me."Thank you, Mr. Martin," I said, extending my hand for a handshake, which he reciprocated. "You should thank Laura," he remarked, turning to face her with a hi
SAMANTHAI drained the last of my beer, the bitter taste matching my mood. I signaled the hot brunette bartender for another bottle. I turned to Layla and sighed."And that's how my new life has been," I said, shaking my head."I'm so sorry, girlfriend. I shouldn't have come up with such idea, I didn't want you to go back to your old life," She said, patting my back."I got a job, it'd be a way out for us, a fresh start in New York with Sarah.""What kind of job, Layla?" "It's not whatever you are thinking, it's clean." She said and smiled. I was thinking she got herself into something shady, it was something she could do. She once started selling drugs, it took me discouraging her before she stopped. Layla could do anything, but she had her limits. Layla is brave, confident, and can pierce someone's heart with a knife if she wants to. She grew up with a gambler as a father, who physically abused her; then moving in with her boyfriend, Liam, was also hell. I can't even imagine going
CARLTONI released her neck and ran my fingers through my hair, seething with anger. She clutched her neck, coughing, her eyes wide with fear. If it wasn't for Jace, I wouldn't have known what really happened last night - and what made me even angrier was the fact that she had a condom and was willing to give some other guy a chance. I stormed out of the car, slamming the door behind me. What the hell is wrong with me? I told Henry to take her home; if I stayed with her for one more second, I didn't know what I would do. I needed to find a way to calm down, to soothe my rage.******I smashed the glass that held my whiskey and slammed my fist on the table.The sound of breaking glass echoed through Jace's living room. I was still fuming from my argument with Samantha - her defiance, her willingness to let another man touch her, and her gullibility in believing Laura's lies. "What the hell, Carlton?" Jace asked. "What's wrong, man? I'm expecting a chick, you need to get your shit toget
"I will agree to your conditions, but the cohabitation agreement, I won't agree to that. This meeting is over. Let's go home," I said, standing up and walking over to Samantha, holding out my hand for hers.But Samantha faced Charlotte. "Charlotte, that's what I want. I'm not moving an inch if he doesn't agree to it."I cut Charlotte off before she could respond. "I will think about it, okay?" I said, my hand still extended."I'm not crippled," she said. "Until you agree to sign the cohabitation agreement, let's keep a distance. And we came separately, so we'll leave separately. See you at home."With that, she stood up and walked away, leaving me seething. I clenched my teeth and shoved my hands into my pockets, following her out of the room.As we reached outside, I quickened my pace, reaching for her arm. "Get into my car," I growled, spinning her around to face me.But she shook off my grip, her eyes flashing with defiance. "No. I'm sure you understand what distance means. Let go
SAMANTHAHe turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, the shower still running. I emerged from the bathroom, wrapping myself in the plush robe that hung on the door, and stood in front of the mirror, trying to make sense of what just happened. Kissing me, then pulling away and asking for permission? He is crazy. He said nothing happened between him and Laura, but the picture was saying other wise, she was pressing all of herself on him. I don't even care about that. I didn't understand why he would get angry seeing me with another man, accusing me of doing anything for money. It hurt that he thought so little of me.I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. I wasn't going to get involved with him again, no matter what he said. I wanted that cohabitation agreement, and I was going to get it. I was done being confused. Get the money and get out of his life.I turned away from the mirror and walked out of the bathroom, only to find Carlton completely naked, his chiseled bo
I ripped through the trees, searching everywhere for Samantha. Rain pounded down on me. I muttered curses under my breath, furious she'd gone looking for a stupid teddy bear in this weather. I'd been yelling her name for minutes, but nothing. No answer. What if something happened to her? What if she's lying there, hurt or worse? Goddamn it!I was livid, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. And to think she'd gone off on her own, trying to be some kind of hero. Miss Goody Two-Shoes, always trying to save the day. But now, she might be the one who needs saving. The thought sent a chill down my spine.I pushed through the underbrush, my eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of her. The rain drummed against my ears, making it hard to hear anything else. But I kept calling out her name, hoping against hope she'd answer. "Samantha! Samantha, damn it, answer me!""Samantha!" I yelled again, yanking my wet hair back in frustration. "Carlton." Her soft voice came from behind, and I spun
SAMANTHAHis smile took a more decidedly wicked slant. He removed his trousers without his eyes leaving mine and once again, he was completely naked. The view was quite...ahem... Impressive.He stepped into the shower with me, his hand on the glass wall, while the other hand gently grasped my hair, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. Then, he leaned in, his lips crashing onto mine in a hungry kiss. Our mouths fused together, exploring each other with a deep, passionate intensity.He turned off the shower, and his lips left mine, trailing a path of kisses along my jaw and down my neck before returning to claim my mouth again. 'You're mine, Mia sola. Only mine,' he whispered, his words sending shivers down my spine. I melted, moaning in pleasure as our lips met once more.With a growl, he lifted me, breaking the kiss momentarily, and carried me to the bedroom. He lowered me on the bed, our gazes locked, desire simmering in the air between us. I reached for him, my fingers trailing do
Chapter 1I walked down the Miami streets, the air warm and humid, the sounds of the city enveloping me. My heels clicked on the pavement, and I feel my heart beating faster. I try to stay focused, to remember why I'm here. But it's hard not to get caught up in the energy of the city, in the endless possibilities that it seems to promise. I took another deep breath and force myself to concentrate. I see people walking by, all kinds of people. There are tourists in Hawaiian shirts, families pushing strollers, young people laughing and talking on their phones. There are people selling things on the street, people begging for money. I see a man in a suit walking by, talking on his phone. I see a homeless person, dirty and disheveled, pushing a shopping cart full of belongings. UghIn the city of Miami...I opened the doors leading to the Sultry siren, where I work.The bouncer nods at me as I walk in, and I head straight for the dressing room. The room is a bit of a mess, with dancers