Do You Want Him?It was the sweet scent of baking and steaming chicken that woke her up. Lolita turned over in bed and stuffed her face into the pillow, hoping to snuff out the scent. When she was finding difficulty in breathing, she turned over in her back and inhaled deeply, allowing the air mixed with spice and chocolate to fill her.Confused, she rubbed her eyes and sat up. Nothing from the kitchen was supposed to reach her, unless the person in there had closed all the air ducts and left the door wide open for the aroma to fill everywhere. It was probably the maid. Lolita had to remind her constantly that the air ducts were exactly what they were—air ducts. She didn’t like that every corner of the house had to smell like bacon just because someone was preparing it.She climbed down from her high queen sized bed, glanced into the full-length mirror to make sure she was still in her night dress—which was a low neck, flimsy little thing—and then walked out of the room and straight

Spies and JealousyIn the span of two days, Lolita soon realized all that she was jealous. She identified and recognized the unflattering feeling whenTessa continued to hit on Hayden like her life depended on it. They were literally everywhere; Tessa talking about the past relationship she had with Hayden as if it was just yesterday and not years back. Because she was so irritated and just wanted to get the question out of her chest, he’d asked:“How long ago did you date him, Tessa?”Tessa had flipped her hair back, like that was the most important question she could have asked her.“It’s been four years, give or take, but I still like everything about him.” Then she smiled at Hayden. “We were just sex partners then, but since we’ve met again and both of us are so single…”Hayden was on a business call in the living room then. He’d heard her, and so he winked at Tessa before continuing his call. Lolita was pissed. It was silly, given that she had not felt jealous before so the feelin

The Guilt of LustFor the second time since his stay, Hayden slipped into her room in the early hours of the morning. The first time he did it, she was unsuspecting and was asleep with her door open. He hadn’t watched her for long—just about an hour or so. He felt like a creep watching her in her sleep, but her windows were open and the rays of the moon slipped into her room. It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen, and he swore he would never do it again. As a matter of fact, he told himself to take the deed to the grave. She was innocent and would not be ensnared in his traps.But Lola was different from the others. He didn’t know what he was expecting from her when she found out he was the one she met first, but he certainly didn’t expect her loyalty to run deep. It intrigued him. He wanted to know if she was just afraid or Jarrod had a strong hold on her. Whatever it was, it made the challenge even stronger.As he slipped into her room for the second time, he told himself t

Oaths and Promises.Lolita lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. After Hayden’s departure, the house had been unbearably silent. Jarrod was in long calls with his mother and brother, probably discussing Hayden’s inappropriate behavior. Twice, she heard some crash in his office and she stood outside nervously, not sure of how to handle the situation.Lolita had never been directly involved in confrontational business before. She had been just the princess he expected and wanted her to be, never soiling her hands or body. It worked fine in the past because as an orphan, she had no one to turn to. She wanted to calm him down, to apologize for being so easy, but when he came out of his office hours later, he simply touched her face and smiled.“He’s gone now, but not for long. He’s promised that he would never touch you again.”And then he left to make them dinner. He was so calm and quiet as he prepared their meal, which made Lolita more anxious as the seconds passed. She looked into

IllusionsTessa sighed dramatically as they passed by a line of condoms. She massaged one pack before turning to her friends.“Do you guys know when I’ll be able to use one of these?” She asked.Samantha raised her brows. “You’re asking us when you’ll be able to use a condom?”“With Hayden, dummy! With Hayden!” She folded her arms and glared at Samantha. “Didn’t you listen when I told you that Hayden and I didn’t get to the sex part with each other?!”“You did?” Samantha glanced at Lolita and away. “I don’t think I remember you mentioning that part…?”“How would you, when you’re thinking about Lolita all day!” She grumbled. “Why would you be thinking about her? She’s perfect: she has a boyfriend and would get married soon and leave us!”Lolita bit her lips. The outburst was unnecessary, but when Tessa was like this, it was best to keep quiet. Samantha’s eyes widened in shock as she turned to Lolita.“You’re going to marry him?”Lolita coughed uncomfortably at the question. Seeing her