The digital clock on my bedside ticks over from twelve-fifty-nine to one a.m.I blink at it. How am I still awake? I thought I washed away the remaining adrenaline from the fight in the shower, but I still feel tiny zaps of it in my blood.Huffing, I grab my phone from my bedside table, throw my blankets off, and roll onto my back. I unlock the screen and squint as the brightness burns my retinas. Through the watery haze, I set my phone to night mode, making the screen easier on my eyes. I have no new texts and no missed calls. I don't know why I checked. One a.m. is considered an early night to Selena. The only notification I have is from Facebook. You have a new memory to look back on today. I click the notification and it takes me to the Facebook memory. On this day two years ago, it reads, and it's a picture of Blade and I at Portland's Maine Zoo. We're standing side by side and we're happy. I mean, we don't look happy because the massive, yellow snake we're holding is trying to wr
My eyes flutter open and I squint into the bright morning sunlight that seeps through the gaps in my curtain. I blink until my eyes adjust and the blurry lines of the world sharpen enough for me to recognize my bedroom. I extend my arm to the other side of my empty bed, touching the cool, empty mattress. I wonder what time he left... I lift my head off my pillow, my sights set on a small, folded piece of lined paper on the white pillow next to mine. The corners of my lips quirk and I grab it, rolling onto my back as I open it.O,Gone to training.Text you later,SethI smile, kick off my blankets, and lift myself out of bed, full of energy. I place Seth's note in my bedside drawer for safekeeping, then pull my silk dressing gown off the hook behind my door and slip into it. In the living room, I peer over the back of the couch at Selena and laugh at her state. She opens one of her eyes, and it's bloodshot and puffy."Good morning, Sunshine," I coo, touching the side of her face.She w
Inside the clinic, there are no patients and I use the quiet moment to close my eyes and drag a big gulp of air into my lungs."Rough morning?"My eyes shoot open and I watch Mason as he saunters up the hall, brushing his palm down the front of his fitted navy suit."Something like that," I reply.I push off the door and stalk to my desk to start up the computers. My limbs tremor with rage and disappointment. Rage because Blade has the audacity to grovel when I'm trapped inside his car, and disappointment because...well...maybe Seth did kiss another woman last night. Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his slacks, Mason watches me bang around the reception area, steam billowing from my ears, probably."You wanna talk about it?"I shake my head. "Nope.""I'm here if you do."He returns to his office. I listen for the door to close before I place my head in my hands. I hate I'm being like this after Mason graciously gave me time off to get it together. I've been great. Before this mor
Surprisingly, Seth doesn't launch himself at Mason and I slip between the two men before he changes his mind and unleashes on the lean psychologist. I press my splayed hands firmly against Seth's wide chest. He's coiled tight and I'm afraid, if I let go, he'll spring straight into a fistfight. "He's not worth it," I tell him, reminding him of the bigger picture. "Let's go, Seth."Blowing frustrated air from his nose, he growls and whirls on his heel. Seth yanks the door open so hard it slams against the front window and minutely cracks the glass. Shit. I cut my eyes at Mason. "His dad? Really? That's low.""Dating Seth is low. I expected more from you.""What did he do to you?" I demand to know. Scowling, Mason storms to his office and slams the door. The calming, blue walls shake and the framed college degrees shudder. Exhaling, I let my eyes fall closed. I use the silence to quieten my pounding heart and gather my thoughts before meeting Seth outside. He paces the sidewalk with h
"Are we friends?" I ask, my voice a decibel above a whisper.He nods and eases me forward until my chest rests against his, until our noses graze. My breath leaves me quick and shallow as anticipation builds in my veins, mixing dangerously with the lust he stirs. "Good friends."Our lips brush and he holds us there, barely kissing, as he smooths his giant palms along my thighs to my backside. Seth tightens his grip, holding my pelvis firm to his. His desire swells beneath me, too rigid for me to ignore his intentions. "Friends do this all the time," I say, convincing myself that this isn't anything more than what it is; a friendly moment. "Right?"Seth nods. "Yeah. All the time." He crushes his lips to mine, catching me off guard. A strangled moan leaves my throat as he plunges his tongue into my mouth and kisses me with wild abandon. He claws at my blouse, tugging at buttons, and opening them with ease. He shoves the fabric down my arms and holds me around my waist, feeling the cur
He swears and lifts his body off me. Releasing my wrists, he reaches between us and pushes on his jeans, shoving them down his thighs. His hard, thick arousal presses against my center, and I still, sobering once more. Seth settles against me, using his big thighs to push my legs wide open. I swallow hard as he touches his lips to the shell of my ear, his breath ragged and heavy."I'll be careful," he murmurs, and I nod.I trust him. Seth slides his hand into the nape of my neck and presses his lips to mine. I melt into him, running my hands over his incredible physique, enjoying the heat of his skin as it gathers in my palms. With his free hand, he fists himself and drags the tip of his cock through my wetness, up and down, making it slip so easily. He flicks his tongue over my lower lip, coaxing me into opening my mouth to him. I part my lips and his tongue is right there, pushing into my mouth as he inhales and breaches my entrance with the head of his cock. I inhale sharply, and he
Exhaling, I shut the door of the taxi and walk up my parent's drive. I peer up at the orange and red sunset as it casts a warm, beautiful glow over my parent's one-story house. I can't help but inhale the cool, Portland air and smile as I open the familiar white gate, stepping through to the rocky pathway. Pebbles crunch beneath my feet, a sensation forgotten once the smell of shepherd's pie and roast vegetables wafts up my nose.I walk along the pathway and stomp up the wooden stairs and across the porch. I knock on the door and wait. A heartbeat later, Mom is ripping the door open and beaming widely at me."Darling!" she greets, pulling me into a hug that smells of basil and salt. "You know you don't have to knock here."I bury my face in her short, chocolate curls as I hug her back. "I know."Pulling away, she takes me by the wrist and drags me into the house, smiling gleefully at my ugly sweater. She loves it. She loves the mustard-colored ruffles and the white stripes around the e
I smooth my palms down the front of my tight black dress, fingering the folds in the fabric as I go. The expensive black fabric wraps tight around my body and clings high on my thighs. The tiny, thin straps hold the dress over my bra-less breasts, but the neckline dips deep. It's the only dress of its kind I own. Long forgotten, I found this impulse buy hidden far in the back of my wardrobe and away from Blade's prying eyes. It still had the price tag on it and Blade hated when I spent money on expensive clothes. So, I hid it to avoid conflict. Wearing it reminds me why I bought it. It was breathtaking on the mannequin and when I tried it on I felt sexy. Good to know time hasn't changed that.I sit on the edge of my bed and slide my feet into a pair of black stilettos that aren't mine, but match the dress perfectly-thanks, Selena. I just manage to get the last buckle clasped around my ankle when there's a firm knock on my bedroom door."Come in," I call, lifting myself off the bed, exp