“Hello.” My voice is timid as I stare at his wife. She’s slowly deteriorating, each day I come in here, I see the difference. It’s worse today. Her smile is forced, she’s in pain, it’s written all over her face.

“I-I w-wa-anted to g-give th-this t-to you.” The stuttering of her voice is more than I can handle. I’ve been strong coming in here, keeping her company, but now I’m finding it hard to deal with watching her die.

The envelope that’s lying on the table near the bed has my name scrawled on it. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” I whisper the words—the same ones I tell her every day—but she ignores me as she does each time she tells me her dying wish. She attempts to shake her head, but the movement is stifled by machines, tubes, and other shit they connect to you when you’re dying.

“H-he n-nee-ds you.”

It’s the same story. Same damn look in her eye that tells me I’m the savior of this story. If only she knew I’m the one who needs saving. I’m the one with scars on my wrist. The girl who tried to bleed out all over her parents’ carpet. The one who’s got something wrong with her head.

I’m an addict. I know that. My doctor explained what’s wrong with me, but he doesn’t know why. I haven’t told anyone. It’s my burden to bear. It started a long while ago, before I even turned sixteen.

“P-please?”

“I promise you, I’ll be there for him.” My promise is the truth. I never say something I don’t mean. And I need her to close her eyes and leave this world knowing I’ll do as she asked. As she begged.

I glance at her face as she once again tries to smile. I wish she’d stop. I pick up the envelope and make my way to the door. A soft croak of ‘thank you’ meets my ears before I leave the room with a heavy heart.

---

Today started out like any other day. The only difference is, I was late for work at the coffee shop. After what happened with Eli, I got home with my body still humming from the orgasms he bestowed on me. There was no explanation as to why he wanted me to leave, and I didn’t ask. His driver brought me home, with another man I didn’t meet following behind in my car. They made sure I was inside the apartment safely before leaving.

To say that I’m confused would be an understatement. Everything about what happened was too much, but so damn good. His mouth, his hands, and his cock. That was what set me off and I had no way of saying no. Not that I wanted to, but everything he did to me was more than I’d ever experienced.

“Hey, girl!” my best friend pipes up from behind me. Her long wavy blonde hair is tied messily on top of her head, and those big green eyes watch me with a smirk. “You look like you’ve been fucked.” Her voice carries over the almost empty store, and I can’t stop the blush from creeping onto my cheeks.

“Do you have to talk so loud?”

“That means my girl got laid. Give me all the deets!” Her excitement is palpable, but before I can even mention Eli’s name, a deep gruff, yet amused tone interrupts our chat.

“The usual please, Giana.”

My head snaps in his direction. Elijah Draydon looks ever the professional businessman standing at the counter with a charcoal three-piece suit and a crisp white dress shirt. His tie, a dark blue—that reminds me of blueberries—pops against the stark color of his shirt. “Yes, sir, Eli.” Stumbling over my words, I grab a mug and start making the drink.

“Can you give us a moment, Leila?” He questions, caressing her name on his tongue as if he’s lapping at her pussy. The thought sends jealousy swirling through me at an alarming rate.

“Yes, sure.” I can tell my best friend is intrigued, but she leaves us, heading to the back of the store.

As soon as I set the mug down, his hand reaches for mine. “Giana,” he murmurs seductively, making sure my panties are soaked through. “I have a proposition for you.” Lifting my gaze to meet his, I hold my breath as nerves kick in attacking my belly as it flips with both excitement and anxiety.

“Is this the time and place for something like this?” My question earns me a chuckle. It’s dark and seductive, just like the man himself.

“I want to offer you a job, Ms. Bianchi.” The tone of his voice drops as he lifts the mug to his lips. A sensual move that has my body thrumming with need that only he can satiate.

“A job?” My brows furrow in confusion, which earns me a smirk that has my nipples hardening in the soft silk of my bra. My skin heats to a feverish level. Every movement he makes is calculated. As if he’s planned it all out in his head. The scenario is his to manipulate, just the same way he controlled my body last night.

“I have an opening at the office for an assistant. Mainly taking notes, scheduling clients and court dates. The usual.” He watches me like a hunter waiting to attack. The prey is caught, now all he has to do is go in for the kill. One bite and I’ll be his.

Shaking my head, I take a step back. I can’t do this. “Thank you, Mr. Draydon, but this… I mean I can’t do that.”

“Why?” he questions smoothly. “Was my cock too much for you? Or was it when you came all over my face?” His taunting queries have me blushing. Dropping my gaze, I watch his fingers tighten around the cup, and I wonder if he’s worried I’ll say no. That I’ll do one thing that most other women won’t. I’ll deny him.

“I can’t… I mean, working for you? How would that even work?”

“You’d dress in pretty corporate clothes, come into my office and do as I ask. Then, when I feel the need to, you’ll swallow my cock and take the hot seed that spills into your pretty mouth,” he tells me easily. His lips glisten from the liquid that’s left behind after he’s taken another sip of coffee.

The man is filthy, purely sinful, but everything he tells me has me aching, desperate for release. Lust. It drives everyone to do things they normally wouldn’t. And it’s pushing me closer to the edge. Elijah is dangerous. My feelings for him. The desire that seems to electrify the air around us is inexplicable. I wonder if he remembers me. If he knows at all that we’ve been this way before. Lovers.

“Don’t forget, I’ll have the driver collect you at the club at eleven. You’ll stay the night so prepare yourself. I want your cunt shaven smooth because I plan on eating you till you’re unable to walk.” With that, he turns to leave. I watch his retreating back as it disappears through the glass doors. They shut with a click. I can’t drag my eyes away from him as he makes his way to the car that’s parked just outside. Before he slips into the backseat, his gaze lands on me once more. Then he’s gone and I’m a mess of desire and lust. I shouldn’t do it. My mind is screaming no, but my heart, pussy, and body are screaming yes, a million times yes.

“What was that about?” Leila squeaks behind me, her face the picture of confusion and excitement.

“He offered me a job,” I tell her, still floating on a cloud of need for one man that has the power to make me or break me. If he knew who I was, why I was even with him in the first place, I don’t think he’d forgive me.

“What?” Her chin hits the floor as she regards me, her big green eyes are wide with shock. “Tell me you accepted?”

“I… I can’t…”

“Wait, why? He’s rich, sexy, and he’s just offered you a job where you can spend all the time in the world with him and you refused?” Leila stares at me, mouth agape in incredulity, and I don’t blame her.

“I fucked him last night,” I hiss, dropping my voice to a whisper.

“What?” The screech that comes from my best friend echoes through the store and has the few customers that are dotted around at the tables lifting their gazes. “Sorry!” Leila giggles, waving that everything is fine. “How did you fuck him?”

“Well, when a man and a woman—” I start but she swats me painfully on the arm.

“You know what I meant!”

“Ugh, he came into the club last night, offered me a business card and told me if I wanted to break the rules, I should be at the address on it. When I finally talked myself into going, I arrived at one of the most beautiful homes I’d ever seen,” I tell her, my excitement once again returning as I recall the moment I stepped foot inside his mansion.

“Oh my God, then what happened?”

Sighing, I pick up a mug and fill it with black coffee, and before I continue, I take a long sip. “Well, he basically dominated me, ate me out…” I murmur, blushing at the memory, “and then fucked me senseless and sent me on my way.”

“Shit. What’s his bedroom like?”

“That’s the thing, I didn’t see it. We fucked in the living room, or what looked like one. I mean, it’s all a messy blur.” I sound like a teenage girl who’s got a crush. It’s stupid. I can’t give him what he needs, what she thought I could.

“Oh, I’m sure it was, Darling. How many orgasms did he give you?”

Taking another long sip before I answer, I can’t help smiling when I respond. “Three.”

“And working for him would be too distracting?” she quips playfully. “I mean… I’d happily do anything he wants.”

“Anything?” A deep rumble startles us both. We both turn to find the man who I know as Oliver Michaelson. His voice drips with sex as he stands at the counter with his piercing eyes on us. “Hello ladies, apparently Eli is correct, this store definitely has the best view.” The man is tall, about the same height as Elijah, his hair has a dusting of salt and pepper, but is short, styled perfectly like he’s just stepped off a GQ magazine advert. His face is more chiseled than Eli’s. His eyes are steel, a light gray that shimmers with flecks of blue. His black tailored suit is fitted to his broad shoulders and he oozes confidence like a cologne.

“Hello, Mr. Michaelson.” I smile, waiting for him to respond, instead, he pins Leila with a stare that’s hungry. As if he’s about to devour her in one single bite.

“You can call me Sir.”

“Sir,” my best friend purrs like a kitten, and I don’t blame her.

“Coffee, large, black. And don’t put those damn plastic lids on the cup,” he orders, his eyes, alluring as they take in Leila’s now trembling form. When she begins making the drink, he pins me with a stare. “And you’re the new toy?” he questions, tipping his head to the side, regarding me with an inquisitive look.

“I don’t know if—”

“Oh, sweet Giana, trust me when I tell you. I’ve known Elijah for most of his life, and when he’s so wound up, it’s because he’s found a new toy.” He leans in then as if spilling a secret. “And when I saw him stalk into the office moments ago, I knew exactly who it was, you pretty brunette.” He reaches for the curl that’s escaped the clip that’s holding my long hair up. He twirls the lock around his deft fingers. “I trust you’ll take him up on his offer. He’ll make it worth your while in so many ways.”

I open my mouth to respond, but can’t find the words.

“Here you go, Sir,” Leila says as she sets the drink on the counter.

“Thank you, Leila.” He caresses her name, which has us both gasping. If I thought Eli was pure lust, Oliver is the epitome of sex. Both men are incredibly sensual and ooze masculinity. He slides a card over the counter to her. I recognize it immediately.

“That’s Eli’s—”

He lifts his gaze to mine and smirks. “We each have our own personalized cards. Trust me, when Eli and I want to play, we’ll make sure you’re both there as we devour your luscious bodies. Now, Leila.” He turns to regard my friend like a feral animal. “Meet me at the address tonight at eight. Don’t be late, I hate tardiness.” With that he turns to leave, but halts. Glancing over his shoulder, he pins my best friend with a smirk. “And forget the panties, I don’t want to waste time.”

As soon as the door shuts, I turn to Leila. “You just got propositioned by one of the hottest men in this town,” I tell her, folding my arms in front of my chest. She looks like she’s about to burst with excitement.

“And you fucked the other one. I think it’s my turn to see if his best friend can deliver as many orgasms as Eli.” We’re two giggling school girls at the thought of being used for pleasure by two incredibly handsome men. The only thing is, Leila doesn’t know the real reason I made sure to put myself in Elijah’s path. I haven’t told anyone about my past. Perhaps I should. But I know deep down, it’s too late for that. Too late for truths.

“I still can’t work for him. It’s a ridiculous offer.”

“Giana, let me tell you something. A job offer is something else. More than just sleeping with him. This could be a career move, one that may result in a full-time job. And could even have you getting your dream job in a large law firm like his. I know you don’t want to be in the court room, but you love solving cases. Being stuck in this shitty place for so long.” She gestures at the coffee shop. “I can’t let you do it. Accept the job offer, Giana. Please?”

She’s right. This could be a good thing, but how can I work alongside a man I’m sleeping with? “I’ll think about it. I’m seeing him tonight after work. I’m sure he’ll tell me I need to decide soon.”

“Listen to your head, I know your heart is saying no to the job because you could fall for him,” she admits the one thing I couldn’t. Only, she doesn’t know I’m already in love with Elijah Draydon. I’ve been in love with him since I was seventeen.

“I can’t think about that. You know I can’t love anyone again, Lei.”

“You know I didn’t mean it like that, but he’s a good-looking man who gets what he wants. If he wants you, I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”

Once again, she’s hit the nail on the head, and that’s what scares me. As much as I know I can’t tell him who I really am, Elijah Draydon will be my weakness. He has been for years, seven to be exact.

I kept my distance because I was forced to. When I found myself in a predicament being left alone, an offer came along, I took it. Not knowing that it would be the biggest mistake I ever made. I submitted to a man who was no Dominant, no Master, he was an abuser.

All I wanted was Eli, but he left me. He walked out one day and I never saw him again. We made promises we both broke. But I’m done hiding. I’m done running from him. And now that I’ve been with him once, I don’t think I’ll be able to refuse or resist him again.