Sage declined. "Why don't you just hail a cab?"Calvin sighed. "Well, Ian had quite a bit to drink. He just complained about his shoulder and said he had a stomachache. "It'll take a while for an Uber to arrive. Don't worry, Ms. Joyner. My driver is already on the way. We'll hop out once we see him!"At this point, she felt as if she couldn't refuse anymore. Sage turned to Zachary and said, "Head home and get some rest, Zack."Zachary was aware that Ian's friend was doing this on purpose, but he didn't want to put Sage in a difficult spot. He couldn't bring himself to be sarcastic, either. So, he responded warmly, "Alright. Call me when you get home."As Sage nodded in agreement, Calvin helped Ian into the back seat and quickly got into the passenger seat. "Ian gets a little grumpy when he's drunk. I'm afraid he might punch me." He added, "But he wouldn't lay a hand on women, especially you."Sage was rendered speechless. She didn't have the energy to argue with Calvin, so s
"Let go of me!" Sage elbowed Ian's chest and he grunted. Sage hesitated as she thought about the night in Southbend County when his wound reopened while he was protecting her. Meanwhile, Ian seized the moment and tightened his arms around her. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Don't fight me, Sage. Give me a chance…"His hoarse voice, laced with the scent of alcohol, enveloped Sage. It made her heart skip a beat.She wondered if he was behaving like this because of what she had said earlier about never going back to her ex.Her senses were overwhelmed by his presence. Uncomfortable, she pushed him away. "Let go of me.""No. If I do, you'll leave me, and I won't be able to hold you again." His voice was tinged with frustration and desperation. He buried his burning cheeks in her neck and murmured, "I miss you so much, Sage."He did miss Sage. Even though they had spent several days together in Southbend County, even though they had just seen each other a few hours ago, even though
In an instant, his desire became uncontrollable. He held her hand, led it to his throbbing arousal, and rasped, "I miss you so much, Sage. It's driving me crazy…"Her cheeks turned as red as a beet as her hand came into contact with his erection. Sage desperately tried to yank her hand away and fumed. "You pervert!""Sage." His scorching, hot breath grazed her ear. "Give yourself to me. I know you want it just as much."Sage did feel a burning desire within her. She despised her drunk self for being so easily aroused. His hands began to roam, and her body reacted to his touch. Her resistance proved futile, and she found herself giving in, welcoming his advances even. When he sunk his teeth into her neck, Sage cried out in embarrassment, "Stop it, Ian…"Ian lifted his head when he heard her sobs. The burning desire in his eyes made her heart race. His voice was dripping with lust as he asked, "Did I hurt you, Sage? Do you want me to be gentler?"Tears streamed down her flushed
Sage realized she was in a sorry state from the playful tone and mischievous glint in his eyes. The blouse and suit she was wearing that day had suffered during their makeup session earlier. He had ripped off several of her buttons. Not only was her bra exposed, but there were also visible bite marks on her chest. Sage realized her disheveled appearance was far more embarrassing than being held by him. She gave up and buried her head in his chest. She also tried to cover herself with his jacket. Ian chuckled as he watched her do all that. He then planted a kiss on her head and carried her into the elevator. After the doors closed, he realized something and asked in a low voice, "Which floor is your apartment on?"After she murmured the floor number, he pretended to reach out to press a button before tightening his grip on her hips. Sage could feel his erection pressing firmly against her. "Can't you think of something else?" she asked, embarrassed and angry."Well, what I wan
"I'm glad Ian didn't waste all my efforts," Calvin said, relieved.Tiana remarked, "You're quite the loyal friend to Ian. I'm surprised you went to such lengths for him""Of course." Calvin felt proud of himself for a moment. "Tiana, do you know what Mrs. Holcomb meant by the wedding gift? I asked Ian, but he wouldn't tell me."She filled him in on the bracelet Ian had designed for Sage. "In my opinion, Sage's feelings for Ian might not be entirely over. Otherwise, she wouldn't accept it, even if she liked it.""That's great!" Calvin exclaimed after hearing that. "I'll have to push Ian to step up his game so he can win Mrs. Holcomb's heart back sooner!"As the two of them gossiped, Tiana couldn't help but feel like this moment called for some drinks and a barbecue. After hanging up the phone, she decided to rush Sage, who was taking a shower, so she could get more insight into her thoughts and feelings. Just then, her phone rang. Her mood immediately soured as she looked at th
Under Sage's supportive gaze, Tiana answered the phone."Tiana, has Mom called you?" Wilson asked.Instead of answering him, she asked, "When are you free tomorrow? Let's have a proper conversation."He pondered for a moment and said, "I'm not sure whether I'll be free tomorrow, but I'm free right now. Where do you live? I'll come find you."Tiana checked the time. It was 9:00 p.m. It wasn't too early or too late to talk. She had no idea when Wilson would next be free, so she figured it was best to talk to him now. "Alright." Tiana agreed to meet Wilson at a café near Bayview. Before heading out, she hastily wiped her face and threw on a coat. Sage cheered her on. "Don't worry. I've got your back no matter what decision you make." Even though she hoped Tiana could break free from the tragedies that had happened to her in her previous life, if this was what Tiana wanted, she could only respect her decision.Tiana nodded. Soon, she arrived at the café. While she ordered he
Wilson patiently responded, "Mom definitely didn't choose her words wisely. I'll talk to her and ask her not to say such things in the future."Tiana could see right through him. She chuckled and said, "It's alright. I won't make things difficult for you anymore. "Your parents have never liked me, and I'm done trying to please them. Let's go to the courthouse and file our divorce papers when you're free."He massaged his temples. "It's been days, Tiana. Are you still not over it? "Mom has already promised me that she won't meddle in our affairs anymore. We'll be responsible for our own lives now. "Maybe she's mad because you haven't been home in a while and have been ignoring her calls."He paused before continuing, "Tiana, I have a lot of work piled up and academic reports to complete. Could you please drop this? What happened in the past was my fault, and I'd like to apologize to you."Tiana had never argued with Wilson before. Usually, if something upset her, she'd just su
Tiana turned around and was surprised to see Calvin getting out of his car. He was holding a bag of grilled skewers wrapped in aluminum foil and a few bottles of beer. She thought about how she had casually said she wanted beer and barbecue when they were gossiping earlier. Did he go out of his way to buy it because he had taken what she said to heart?"What are you doing here, Tiana?" Calvin walked up to them and glanced at Wilson, who was standing beside her. "Who's this?""Wilson Tate, my husband." Tiana then introduced Calvin to Wilson. "This is my friend, Calvin Luther.""Oh, so you're Wilson! Nice to meet you!" Calvin extended his hand to Wilson.Wilson frowned slightly as he glanced at Calvin, who had the air of a nepobaby, and at the skewers and beer in his hands. However, he maintained his composure and extended his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you.""Wilson, I brought some food and drinks over to see Tiana and my sister-in-law, Sage. Would you like to join us?