He turns and stomps away. I look around for another drink.In the last week, I’ve had enough of the Geralds to last me a lifetime. And we’re only just getting started in our new “close-knit” relationship.Donald can take his protective older brother schtick and shove it up his ass.He thinks Julia has some vulnerable side?I doubt it.She’s an animal, just like her brothers.Which means she needs to be broken.Osmond wasn’t able to tame her—she ran right over him. Made a fool of him, publicly. Well, she’s not doing that to me. If Julia is a rock, then I’m the fucking ocean. And I’m going to beat against her, over and over, wearing her down one pebble at a time. Until I’ve broken her up and swallowed her whole.*****JuliaThe whole next week is wasted in idiotic wedding planning. Imogen Green is handling most of it, because the Greens are control freaks and my family doesn’t give a shit what the wedding looks like. Still, she expects me to approve seating arrangements and flowers and
“You’ll be the perfect bride,” she says.It sounds more like a threat than a compliment.Each day is whipping by faster than the one before. When the wedding was two weeks away, it seemed like a lifetime. Like anything could happen in between to call it off.But now it’s only three days away. Then two. Then, it’s actually happening tomorrow, and I’m waiting outside my house for Imogen’s stupid town car to pick me up, to take me to some spa day that I neither want nor need.I know they want to pluck me and exfoliate me and rub off all my rough edges, making me some smooth, soft little wifey for the scion of their family. The great Calester Green. He’s their JFK, and I’m supposed to be their Jackie Kennedy.I’d rather be Lee Harvey Oswald.Still, I stuff down all my irritation and let the driver take me to a posh spa on Walton Street.It’s not so bad to begin with. Calester really did book the works. The aestheticians soak my feet and paint my fingers and toes. They have me sit in a gia
I love the idea of her being primped and cleaned and waxed to my specifications. Like a little doll, built just the way I like it.I’ve already showered and shaved, so now it’s time to put on my tux. But when I check the hook in the closet where I expect it to be hung, there’s nothing there.I call down to Marta, one of our house staff.“Where’s my tux?”“I’m sorry, Mr. Green,” she says nervously. “I went to the shop to pick it up like you said, but they told me the order had been cancelled. A box was shipped here instead, from Ms. Gerald.”“A box?”“Yes, shall I bring it up?”I wait impatiently in the doorway while Marta jogs up the stairs, a large, square garment box in her hands.What the hell is this? Why is Julia fucking with my tux?“Leave it,” I say to Marta. She sets the box down gingerly on my couch.I wait until she’s gone, then I open it up.On top is an envelope, with the messy handwriting I can only assume belongs to my fiancée. I rip it open, pulling out a note:Dearest
“You look amazing,” she whispers, snickering.“I’ll get you back,” I inform her calmly.“I was already getting you back for that bullshit you pulled at the spa,” she hisses back at me.The priest clears his throat, wanting to start the service.“When you’re married to me, I expect you to maintain yourself at all times,” I inform her.“The FUCK I will,” Julia snaps, loud enough to make the priest jump.“Is there a problem?” he says, frowning at us.“No problem at all. Start the ceremony,” I order.Julia and I continue to snipe at each other in muttered tones, while the priest drones his way through the vows.“If you think I’m gonna be some little porn star for you—”“That’s just bare minimum standards—”“Yes, it certainly was bare—”We break
“I’ll show you your room,” she says.I follow her up the wide, curving staircase to the upper level.I’ve been here once before. I already know what lies to the left: the girls’ rooms, and the master suite belonging to Imogen and Fergus.Imogen turns right instead. We pass the library, which gives no hint of smoky ruin. I can’t resist peeking inside. Looks like Imogen already renovated, replacing the carpet and repainting the walls. They’re pale blue now, with shutters over the windows instead of curtains. Even the fireplace got a facelift, with a new white stone facade and a glass enclosure for the grate.“No more accidents,” Imogen says drily.“Much safer,” I agree, not sure whether to laugh or be embarrassed.We walk down a long hallway to another private suite, similar in size to the master. When Imogen opens the doors, I realize we’re in Calester’s room. It&rs
Christal was already cleaning away their lunch. Cursing, he watched her pack everything as the men of the collective alphas walked off the elevator. He counted five men. They were not all there. In fact, he saw at least one missing. Riley was the name, the one who had forced the issue of John’s outlawed status.“Too late.”“Dick, I see you’ve already informed John of our visit.”John recognized the man who spoke as Charles, one of the oldest men of the group. He didn’t look a day over forty, but John knew he was close to seventy years of age.“What warning? Dick was arranging to come to my house for dinner tonight. Christal’s an amazing cook, and he is always looking for an excuse to visit.” He gave Dick a pointed look, entering the office. Christal stood by his desk with a smile plastered to her face.The five men entered his office as Dick took a seat.“I’ll see you at home tonight. I’ll do my famous chicken curry,” Christal said. She was nervous. Reaching out, he held her face, sla
He cupped her cheek, holding her close. “If you wish to leave to join your pack, you may do so. They’ll take care of you giving you a home.”“Do you want me to go?” Only a minute ago he’d been telling her how much he loved her, and now he was telling her this. Christal felt torn in two on what to think.John held her face, staring into her eyes. She saw the pain in his dark brown depths. “No, I don’t want you to go, but I don’t want you to feel forced to stay here. I love you, Christal. I want to mate with you. This is a choice you’re going to have to make.” He kissed her lips, pulling away. “The curry smells amazing. I need to run,” he said, turning toward the door.Unable to stop him, she watched him tear his clothes off and change within the next second.“He’s scared,” Dick said, bringing her attention back into the room.“Scared? Scared of what?” She was confused, and she hated the feeling.“John is outlawed, and he bought you. I know you didn’t have the best start in this relatio
She stroked her nub, and seconds later she climaxed. Even as she was caressing her clit, John fucked her hard. The desk moved under the force of his thrusts. He didn’t care. Finding his release was all he cared about. Plunging inside her, John stared into her eyes. She was so fucking beautiful. He’d die a happy man being inside her.The stirrings started, and he plundered her tight heat spilling his cum into her waiting folds. She took every drop, moaning as he held her tightly.No one was taking her away from him. John would kill every last one of them if they even thought to take her from him.****Later that night, Christal padded back to the bedroom. She had brushed her teeth and washed her face. The whole of the night had been spent with John inside her. Christal’s folds was sore, but she didn’t care. The feel of John’s hard shaft inside her was more than worth it.“Your breath smelled fine to me.”She rolled her eyes and climbed on the bed beside him. Before brushing her teeth s