ALEXANDER'S POVI groaned in frustration as I watched Isabella walk out of the living room. Shit!Why did Olivia choose now to come home? I slipped my hands into my pocket to control the urge seemingly burning through my skin to run after her and pull her into my arms. I didn’t realize just how intimately my body reacted to hers.I had absolutely not been mistaken. The woman held a power over me that no one else could contend with.When it came to our relationship, she gave up easily and I didn’t understand why. I cared about her so much that I uprooted my life and came all the way to her.I thought about Olivia, my mood instantly darkening. I knew Olivia wasn't fond of Isabella, probably because she was used to getting all the attention from our father, and probably because she and Isabella were practically the same age. She probably couldn't imagine a girl her age being her stepmother. But today, I found out it ran deeper than that.Olivia resented Isabella and she didn't hide it an

ISABELLA'S POVMy hands were still wringing until I was sure I was going to peel the skin off my bones.Olivia stood before me, smiling maliciously at me. A long silence passed between us before she spoke again."I'll forget about your ring. I'll forget about finding it in my brother's room. I'll forget it all. I'll erase it from my mind. On one condition."When I didn’t respond, she turned to face me, and when I met her gaze, I found in her eyes the quiet desperation."You have to do something for me in return."I regarded her quietly and remained quiet, dreading what she would request. Olivia had never missed an opportunity to make me miserable. She enjoyed insulting me and never failed to remind me of how I married her father who is old enough to birth me.She was a thorn in my flesh. I felt peace when she got admitted into college and left. The times she came home, I avoided bumping into her.She was a nightmare.She walked closer to me until I could smell the alcohol on her breat

ISABELLA'S POVI woke up the next morning feeling sore. I tried to move my legs but the jolt of the sting almost set me off right there. I took a few seconds to calm myself. I couldn't move my legs without hurting.Edward had fucked me last night until I almost passed out. I watched him fall asleep after the intense blow-job I gave him and I thought I was free.But I thought wrong.I was fast asleep when I was rudely awakened by Edward pulling down my shorts. And the next thing I knew, he shoved his member into my dry sex and I let out a piercing shriek.He always seemed to think that the sounds of pain I made were sounds of pleasure. It seemed to excite him.He didn't understand foreplay. He didn't understand that I needed to get ready to receive him. And he didn't know how to be gentle. He didn't know how to give me pleasure.He pumped into me like a dog in heat and spanked me continuously. I was sure his palms were imprinted on my ass. After he was done, he collapsed on me and I la

ISABELLA'S POV His low, rough words washed over my shaking, twisting body. Crying a little, tormented by those long, probing fingers as he brought me to moist readiness, I tried again to free my hands, and this time he let them go.“Now,” he crooned, pulling the nightgown up. I lifted myself to aid in the removal of the frustrating garment, pulling it over my head myself and throwing it across the room.Alex’s face tightened even more as he stared down at my naked body, at my flushed, glowing skin. Briefly, his eyes closed, and he ground his teeth together.Carefully he rolled to his back and guided me astride him. “Slow and easy,” he muttered, his eyes glittering like black fire as he positioned himself for me. “Let’s go easy, a little at a time.”Oh Alex,” I whispered achingly, closing my eyes at the probing of his flesh against mine. I braced my hands on his chest, my fingers flexing in the mat of curly hair, and slid onto him.He made a guttural sound and arched beneath me, his ha

ISABELLA'S POVThe dreams were so vivid that it was several minutes before I realized that I was awake, but awareness did not necessarily bring understanding.But were they memories, or dreams?I dreamt of Alex, with eyes as clear and blue as a highland lake under sunny skies, his hands tender as he caressed me, the feel of his strong chest against my palms.My fingers twitched; the dream was so real I almost ached to feel him under my hands. I lay quietly, feeling the lips on mine, trying to stop my body from responding the way it did.My head throbbed. I lay there until certain things began to return, and I knew that they weren’t dreams. The argument with Edward, my acceptance into the modeling Academy, leaving my room... and then nothing.I slowly opened my eyes and realized I wasn't dreaming. Alex was bending over me. The kiss had seized the moment he noticed I was awake and he paused to look at me.I gazed at him for a moment."Alex, what are you doing?" I whispered."You were ly