(Aiden’s POV)When Jessamine started blabbering, I found an amusing and pleasing way to stop her. I slid my hand on her hair, pulling her to me, then pressed my lips to hers. I intended it to be a quick kiss to stop her from talking, but her soft lips were sweet and delectable, urging me to taste more. I had to have more. I slipped my tongue out, meeting hers, melting together as I deepened the kiss.I had been contemplating, considering how our relationship should be, when Deborah and Xavier arrived earlier at Adilene’s. It was unfair for Jessamine to give herself entirely to me when I could not be honest with her, but how could I stop myself when she was uncontrollable?Like a starving man, I was not satisfied with the kiss. I wanted more. Remembering her naked earlier, irresistible and hot, the thought of controlling myself died along with the reminder that she was my best friend and off-limits. When she curled her fingers in my hair and moaned in my mouth, I lost myself, exploring

(Aiden’s POV)“What are you doing?” Sasha asked.Sasha looked displeased, placing her hands on her hips and squinting her eyes at me. One thing about her, she was only like this whenever I was too focused at work, neglecting whatever was considered essential for my health. “Reading an email?” I answered straightforwardly because it was what I was doing.“Funny.” She sneered. “You know it’s not what I mean to say.”“Then what?” I asked, raising my head to look at her.Sasha rolled her eyes at me, then walked toward the fridge, getting a soda can. When she returned in my direction, she glanced at Jessamine in one of the sleeping quarters and wandered her eyes around the tent.While the house was under renovation, the construction company set up a tunnel tent near the lake. It excited Jessamine, following Morris around, not minding she was limping, and asking him many questions. She was exhilarated, telling him she had never been in such a big tent with four sleeping compartments, but s

(Aiden’s POV)“Oh, God! What happened?”My heart hammered, hurting my ribcage, when I saw Jessamine sitting on the floor, clutching the shower curtain and trying to reach the metal rod. Charlie beat me into rescuing Jessamine. The puppy ran toward her, biting the polyester fabric, but he could not get it because she was gripping the curtain hard. The dog barked again but exited the bathroom instead of trying to pull it away from her again.“Jess! Are you okay?” I asked, rushing toward her.Crouching on my knees, I made a quick check on her. Jessamine looked fine, but her body was shaking and gripping the fabric hard as if her life depended on it. I had to move each of her fingers to release her hold of the curtain, taking me a few seconds to take it from her.“Are you hurt? Tell me, Jess,” I asked worriedly, picking up the metal rod and placing it on the side. “Answer me… or at least, talk. You’re scaring me.”Jessamine chuckled weakly, nodding at me. “Is my shower curtain okay?”I

(Jessamine’s POV) I arched my head backward, gasping as I saw Rick tying my hands against the metal headboard. My heart pounded hard, hurting my chest as I lost the excitement, replacing it with extreme fear and stress. “N-No!” I cried, writhing my hands to escape from the rope. My eyes were wide, horrified as I tried to break free from the familiar metal ornamental butterfly in the center of the headboard. “Jessamine.” It was Aiden calling me, but his voice seemed distant. “Aiden!” I cried, turning my head from side to side, hoping someone could explain why I was back in the dark bedroom. “Help! Aiden, help me.” My heart hammered, seeing Rick whistling toward the bed and tying my foot to the metal footboard. I squirmed, screaming when he caught my other foot and tied it, spreading my legs. “Help!” I cried, wriggling my body when he climbed on top of me. “Please, help me!” I wept, breaking down. I screamed in pain when he thrust his manhood into my core, pounding hard despite my

(Jessamine’s POV)Without my brother knowing, Charlie and I crashed at his apartment. Thinking he could fix my heart, I went to his place, waiting patiently, and while I cried my heart out, Charlie was also whimpering like he knew that Aiden and I had broken up… as best friends.The clicking sound from the doorknob made me jump, waking Charlie from his sleep on Benedict’s couch.“Finally!” I took my phone, glancing at the time, and groaned, seeing it was past midnight already. I stood up and walked to the main door, waiting for it to open.“Jesus Christ!” Benedict’s body jerked, startled when my brother saw me standing in the dark. His hand groped for the switch, turning on the lights.“Not even close.” I clucked my tongue and sighed. “You should have said either Mary or Magdalene. That would be acceptable,” I said, walking back to the couch. “Didn’t the great palace clock remind you it’s past midnight?”“I’m not Cinderella. I’m a doctor,” he answered, closing and locking the door. “H