*Noland’s POV*Lexie's allure haunts my thoughts as I gaze into the crackling fire. The mansion is still, shrouded in slumber, yet her essence fills the space, my mind refusing to relinquish the memory of her touch, her scent, the softness of her skin beneath my hands. A fierce ache pulses through my veins, an unyielding need that transcends the boundaries of reason. Each moment we spend close to each other only serves to deepen my longing for her, my restraint wavering in the face of a desire I'm powerless to resist. I need to control myself. I need to realize that if I take her, I might damage her with my dark desires.Silently cursing my weakness, I rise and pour a glass of scotch, the amber liquid burning a path down my throat. Anything to dull the ferocity of this craving, anything to temper the fierce battle between duty and passion raging within. The clock ticks past midnight, then one, and still sleep eludes me. My thoughts fixated on the vision of having Lexie in my st
*Lexie’s POV*The warm sun does little to ease my churning thoughts as I lay out by the pool, the memory of Noland's touch lingering on my skin. How did we let things go so far? Each fleeting caress played on loop, my cheeks burning with shame and arousal in equal measure. Natasha emerges, her laughter shattering my reverie. "Did you see the interview outfit I picked? I want to give them a very good impression of me. Not only looks but also brains, you know what I mean?" She flashes a coy smile, oblivious to the turmoil raging within me. I force a smile, pushing aside the swell of guilt. "You always look stunning. And you irradiate confidence and brains Tash, don’t worry. You got this." "Thank you Lex, you know exactly what to say to cheer me up and give me confidence." Natasha settles into the lounge chair beside me. "So, how was your morning? You disappeared after breakfast, it was just me and daddy. I was looking for you." My pulse quickens at the mention of Noland. Did h
The delicate aroma of rosemary and thyme fills the opulent kitchen as I focus on chopping fresh vegetables for a salad. Beside me, the family chef meticulously plates an intricate meat dish that seems almost too beautiful to eat. The warm, golden hues of the setting Santa Barbara sun stream into the room, casting a glow over the marble countertops and reflecting off the polished stainless steel appliances."Ugh, I'm so exhausted," Natasha sighs as she breezes through the door, her usually vibrant energy slightly subdued. Her hair is piled atop her head in a messy bun, and her face holds the remnants of makeup from her long day."Hey, how's your day?" I ask, pausing my work to give her my full attention. She is my rock, after all, and I genuinely care about her well-being."Actually, it's going really well! My interview got picked up by a national network! Can you believe it, Lex? I'll be on TV soon!" Natasha's eyes sparkle with excitement, rejuvenating her spirit as she speaks."Wo
As Natasha and I step into the sunlight, a warm breeze tousling my auburn curls, I can't help but feel invigorated by the vibrant streets of Santa Barbara. The city's opulent charm seems to cast a spell on me, momentarily dulling the tumultuous storm brewing within. Noland stands in the doorway behind us, his imposing frame casting a long shadow onto the cobblestone path."Have a great time at brunch, ladies," he says, his deep voice resonating with an undeniable authority. Unable to resist the magnetic pull of his gaze, I lock eyes with him for a fleeting moment, my heart skipping a beat as a blush creeps up my cheeks. What is it about this man that makes me feel so undone?"Thanks, daddy!" Natasha replies with a playful grin, her blonde locks cascading like a golden waterfall down her back. She links her arm through mine and leads me to the car, then we head to the bustling streets.I feel relaxed as we drive and I don’t even ask Natasha where we are heading, I just enjoy the beau
“Let me show you how much I care for you, Lexie," Noland murmurs against my lips, his hands beginning to roam over my body with a tantalizing mixture of tenderness and possessiveness that sends shivers down my spine.I nod my consent, unable to resist the magnetic pull between us any longer, and Noland slowly undresses me with reverent hands. The cool air of the room mingled with the heat of his touch, heightening my anticipation.Noland kisses me with a hunger that threatens to consume us both, his hands tangling in my hair to hold me in place. I cling to him, lost in the dizzying rush of sensations—the taste of him, the scent of his skin, the firmness of his body against mine.He tears his mouth from mine, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along my jaw. "Tell me what you want," he rasps against my ear, nipping at the lobe.I gasp, desire coiling tight within me, but I can’t form the words to speak. He then nibbles my lobe and now I feel myself tremble, shaken by the way he seems
*Noland’s POV*The sun pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, casting a golden glow on the polished mahogany desk. I take a sip of my steaming espresso and let out a sigh, feeling the caffeine rush through my veins. Just as I'm about to get back to the paperwork in front of me, the door swings open, revealing Avery in her impeccably tailored suit that hugs her curves just right.We work at the same building, but we had agreed on a monthly meeting to update each other. Lately, she has been strolling into my office once or twice a week. The first couple of times were understandable, she asked about some new properties in the business district, and we both wanted to make sure we got them before anyone else; we had clients waiting to buy them.But as time went by, and so did the weeks, she started to come just to talk and check on me. The last time she came was only four days ago, and there was no need for another update when I still had to close purchases before we de
*Lexie’s POV*The warm glow of candlelight flickers against the luxurious drapes that envelop the private area of the club, casting shadows that dance to the rhythm of the live band's sultry tunes. My gaze drifts from the sparkling chandeliers above to the glass of wine cradled in my fingertips. The rich crimson liquid swirls lazily, mirroring the turmoil within me.Although we have been here at this club for over an hour, I just can’t stop thinking about how out of place I feel here. The people are dressed to kill, with elegant clothes and fancy shoes, and although Natasha lent me a sexy outfit to wear while we are here, I just feel like a fish out of its bowl.Then I let my mind drift to the earlier hours, and how I can't help but think about Noland and the way his eyes burned into mine earlier today, like a moth drawn to a flame."Lexie, meet Tristan," Natasha's voice cuts through my thoughts, drawing me back to the present moment. She introduces me to the man beside her, whos
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite things from Santa Barbara; the sun as it creeps through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my face when I stir awake.I blink groggily, trying to focus on the ornate ceiling above me. After a while, I finally get up and head to Natasha’s door, knocking gently on it. There is no answer, and I realize that she isn't in the room.There is so much silence, it makes me uneasy. I focus all my attention into every sound around me, but the more I listen, the more convinced I am that I am completely alone. There is no music, no voices, no whispers. I feel like I was left abandoned in a castle.My phone buzzes with a message from her, explaining that she has left early for her show and will pick me up after lunch. The emptiness of the house presses down on me, leaving an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach."Miss Montgomery, breakfast is ready," a voice calls softly from the door. I quickly go back to my room to get another outfit on