ALAYNA“Alayna, dear.” Ms. Lennie is at the front door when we arrive and greets us with a sweet smile and widespread arms.“Ms. Lennie!” I curl my arms around her and squeeze her against me. “I missed you so much!”“I’ve missed you too, but I’m sure Casey misses you more,” she says kindly and releases me.I giggle. “Yes. She texts me every day.”“This house has lost its light without you, I must say.” Her remark is so sweet, but Ms. Lennie’s tone remains firm. Typical Ms. Lennie; yet, her words are words of motherly affection. I finally see that after living with her for a year.“Alayna? Did I hear my best friend’s name?” Casey’s voice suddenly echoes throughout the hallway. I lift my head and see her coming from the stairs. “Alayna!”I grin. “Casey!”“Oh, my God!” She holds me in her arms as if we hadn’t seen each other for years. “I’ve missed you so much. I thought you wouldn’t come.”I return her affection. “Happy early birthday! I wouldn’t miss your special day.”She releases me

ALAYNAAfter the intense dinner, we wait for Pauline and Brandon to leave. I admit I felt a little bad for her when Brandon dismissed her like that. Honestly, I can say I hardly know him or his character anymore. Knowing someone isn’t always sharing your past or telling a person your struggles, but giving yourselves time to learn from each other. Brandon and I barely even dated before he left for Athens. We never really had a normal relationship, so I shouldn’t be as demanding as I am.He could make me crazy for him with the little things he did, but he could also make me feel like crap when he tossed me aside like yesterday’s trash. I would never know how his mind truly works. Is it maybe because we led a different life in the first place? Or because a normal person like me wouldn’t be able to understand a wealthy man with great responsibilities on his shoulders?However, much as I want to move on, I can’t stop my heart from loving him. I want him to take me back, and nothing I, or a

ALAYNAFor the entire hour, as we wait for midnight, we drink, talk, and mostly listen to Casey sharing her experiences in university. She’s into the third year of her second undergraduate degree, which I find awesome. But our conversation jumps to an annoying cooking partner who pretty much made her do all the work. However, he was also an excellent condiment mixer. Whenever she speaks about him, I’m not sure if she hates or admires him.“Wait.” I laugh. “Did you say ‘him’?”She sips her drink. “Yes.”“Aha!” I snap my finger. “You like him!”“What?” she shrieks. “No, no, no, way! He’s lazy, and he’s rude, and he’s—”“Hot,” I add.“And hot...” Her mouth drops. “No. Alayna!”I burst out laughing. “I knew it! What’s his name?”“E-Eric.” Her face turns so red that she avoids my eyes. “But I don’t like him. I swear!”“We can hear you,” Oliver interjects. “The last time you had a boyfriend was two months ago, Casey. And you came running to me, crying your eyes out.”She puffs. “It’s a part

ALAYNAAt first, I think I’m dreaming as if it were the first time Brandon kissed me. He feels so familiar—a lost lover I’ve yearned for. I give in to the kiss, letting him devour my mouth. He groans at my response. His kiss grows relentless and more demanding. And right when we can’t get enough of each other, wishing to feel more, he picks me up and brings me to his lap. His hands are all over my body, pulling me harder against him. We are panting between each other’s mouths, my nails slashing into his shirt as I try to pull him closer.I moan, and it doesn’t matter. At this moment, he is mine and mine alone. My fingers grip his back as his tongue plunges into my mouth aggressively, gaining much more access. Brandon has become fierce and confident. He used to be gentle with me, and I was always careful while touching him before. My hands are freely gripping his biceps, then his muscular chest, tangling in his hair. He is so passionate, and he knows exactly what I need.I can taste th

ALAYNA I knock at the door next to mine in the hotel the next morning, and Brandon answers it immediately. His expression softens when he sees me. The cut on his lip from Cassius’s assault last night is still swollen and red.“Alayna.”“I heard you stayed.”“Yes, would you like to come in?”Either way, I came here to talk to him. “Yes, please.”He steps aside and holds the door open. I move into his suite.His room is just as spacious as his room in the mansion, but it is sunny inside. I slump on the couch in front of the fireplace, leaving ample distance between us.I watch Brandon walk to the kitchen, pour coffee in two cups, and stroll back toward me. “I already asked for room service. Have this for now.” He hands me the cup.“Thanks.”“You’re welcome.” He sits at the other side of the couch and takes a sip of his coffee.“I thought you’d left,” I say.“I couldn’t.” He looks at me sincerely. “You’re here.”I smile a little and sip my coffee. The warmth calms my senses. “What happen