Page 20

Aoi

I lay awake in wait.

With Visha slumbering profoundly in my arms, I detangle myself from his grasp and get up.

It’s time I deal with the bargain I made with Jason. In return for his help, he wants me to move back in with him once this whole Visha situation is solved.

The deal is off.

Jason wants to find a family to adopt Visha and be done with it, but I can’t agree with his way of proceeding. I can’t let Visha go through more potential abuse and the only way to keep him safe is to keep him with me. Jason will never allow Visha to move in with him along with me.

He hates children for their weaknesses and he sure as hell doesn’t like Visha because of his background.

There are countless people like him out in the world who believe that your family background has more importance than your identity as an individual.

He believes in money, power and connections and that they can bring you at the top of the ladder if you use them correctly.

His reason for wanting me to move back with him is clearer than crystal. I’m moving on from him and he doesn’t like it. This mess needs to be solved one way or another. Jason has a bad temper when things don’t go according to his plans, but I know how to soothe that anger and make sure it doesn’t flare up.

I have to speak to him about my plan.

I glance back at Visha still curled up under the navy sheets, sleeping soundly. It’s going to be quick. I promise myself that I’ll make it back before the little one realizes I’m gone. He might freak out if he finds himself alone in the middle of the night.

Closing the door behind me as soundlessly as humanly possible, I grab my coat and shoes from the closet. It’s already well past midnight and driving during the pitch-black night is a pain in the ass but there’s nothing I can do about it anyway.

I grab my keys and slip out of the apartment, rushing to the elevator. If I could, I’d simply run down the flight of stairs, but I’m not about to run down eleven floors. Waiting for the screen in the elevator to indicate the minus two floor is nerve wrecking.

The second the doors slide open, I rush towards the BMW. Jason has the habit of working overtime, no matter the time and day he’s laboring.

Unless I call or text him.

I should consider myself fortunate to be so high on his list of esteemed people but my affection for him can only go so far. They say the line between love and hate is extremely thin and that couldn’t be truer.

I long for his attention and the way he forces me to stay alive but unfortunately it isn’t enough to let him destroy the little self-respect I still own.

Though I can’t say how long I will last.

He always makes time for me. We have a bond that no one can break but us and we both know how to tug on it to get what we want.

I know he’s at the office, so I drive straight to it. It’s hardly a twenty-minute drive from my place. Simply thinking about what I’m going to do makes me want to crash this goddamn car, but I have to go through with it. Not for my sake but for Visha’s.

There are countless reasons why I hate the idea of manipulating Jason into getting what I want. He’s the only person that I cherish more than myself but in my case it might not mean much. Still, it doesn’t mean I enjoy treating him like this. He might be a jerk but he’s still my family. Yet this is beyond our bond. This is about doing what’s right, about helping a defenseless child that needs help.

I could try to convince myself that I don’t have to do this, that there is a different way but there isn’t. Visha matters more than our bond that has been withering away over the past years. This boy deserves a chance, and I will make it happen.

I grab my phone at the red light and send a text.

Me

Are you at the office?

Jason

As usual.

ME

You don’t have much else to do beside working, do you?

Jason

Should I?

Me

I guess not. You’re basically in love with your job at this point. Invite me to the wedding while you’re at it.

JASON

Are you jealous? I do remember being the one to ask you to come over. Don’t make me regret not having kidnapped you on the spot and brought you home.

Home.

I don’t think I’ve ever considered his place my home. We have countless formidable and enchanting memories between those walls, but they’re overshadowed by the rotten truth.

He’s oil and I’m water. He burns, and I flood.

I park in front of the law firm and storm inside the building. Typing in the code, I run up the stairs until I stop in the middle of the hallway leading up to his office.

I take a minute to recollect myself. Being out of breath makes me look more eager to see him than I actually am. He’d think I’m too impatient to be in his arms. A long time ago he would have been right, awfully right, but tonight I’m in control.

Tonight, I’m going to bend life to my will and finally do something worth living for.

I take step by step until I halt in front of the door. My fingers clench around the handle, and I swiftly push the frame open.

Jason’s sitting in his chair, a pile of documents lying on the desk on each side of him. He seems exhausted yet the moment he looks up, his demeanor shifts. “Well, well, look who’s here. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come by?”

The irony irritates me, but I wave it to the back of my mind and instead make my way to him. He spins in his leather chair to face me. I stand tall, looking down at his gorgeous grey suit.

He’s undeniably the most handsome man I’ve ever encountered and no matter how often I fight it, my body craves his touch.

I hate the way I lose all sense of control of my life and limbs when he’s around. He has a way of bewitching people and bending them to his will.

I’m no exception .

“You knew I’d come.” I’m like a fly caught in a spider’s web, trapped, and lurking before getting devoured.

“Did I?”

“Stop playing coy. We both know why I’m here.”

“How naughty.”

I roll my eyes at the absurdity of his choice of words. “You pervert.”

“Did you miss me in the hour we parted?” He pats his lap, gesturing to me to sit.

I don’t especially want to. What I do want is to turn around and bolt, but I know him better than myself. The only way for him to listen to me and not go berserk is if I comply with his demands. So, I position myself in his lap, facing him. His rough hands drift from my thighs to my waist, pulling me in. I can feel his erection pressing against my ass.

“Maybe I did,” I lie.

Did he figure it out? Well, it doesn’t matter, because I slide my arms around his neck, and he groans as I press myself further against him. It’s as familiar as it’s foreign. It’s been a while since the last time we fucked. I never intended it to happen again so soon but here we are.

My fingers tangle in his golden hair and tug on them, tipping his head back. I press my lips to his and let him devour me. His tongue takes hold of mine and dances in my mouth. I hate how much I love it. His hands slide under my shirt and a whimper escapes my lips. His palms are rough and cold against my blazing skin.

I can’t stand this anymore. I need more. Why can’t I have more resolve for fucks sake? It’s like I’m only thinking with my dick or my goddamn heart. Both are the worst decision makers in history.

A shudder erupts all over me like snow falling over burning coal. “Stop teasing me and do something about the weapon pressing against my ass.”

His touch is like a chain, turning me into a slave to lust and desire.

Jason smirks against my lips, “So greedy.”

“Can you blame me? It’s been so long and all you do is play with me like I’m some toy.”

“You’ve never been patient.”

“You’re one to talk.”

He shifts his hips underneath me, making me squirm. Fuck, he knows what I want, and he’s going to make me ask for it. I glare at him, but he ignores it and instead pulls my shirt over my head, exposing my bare chest.

“Perfect. You’re so fucking perfect, Aoi.”

“Don’t say shit like that.”

“How could I not? You’re the most gorgeous specimen on this planet. You should take more pride in your beauty, my dear.”

I flush at his words and even more when he bites his lips at the sight.

Jason has always known how to make me feel wanted , how to make me want more .

I hold back any sounds threatening to spill as he makes a mess of my nipples, biting and sucking them.

“I know I’m pretty,” I say. “Just don’t say it when I’m half naked. It’s embarrassing.”

He trails kisses over my skin, lingering on my soft spots. “You like it though.”

“That’s beside the point.”

A devilish rumble leaves his mouth, and I smile despite myself. He doesn’t laugh often and when he does it might be one of the most exquisite sounds existing.

“I want to tell you something. Ah - Jason, wait-”

“You’re even more beautiful when you’re moaning my name.”

His hands roam my back as he seductively chomps down on my nipple, forcing a gasp out of my parted lips. Arching my back, my erection strains against the fabric of my pants. My body develops a mind of its own and I start grinding my hips against his, yearning for friction.

“You’re really impatient tonight, my dear.” He kisses my clavicle. “Don’t think I don’t know that your devious little mind has other plans for tonight.”

Ugh . He’s always been able to read me like an open book. It’s useless hiding it at this point. If I don’t spit it out, he’ll make me, and I’d rather not take that path.

“I have something important to talk to you about,” I breathe, holding on to his shoulders.

He doesn’t stop his assault on my nipples and makes a ‘mhm’ sound, nudging me to speak.

“It’s about Vish-” I gasp and dig my nails in his flesh. “Fuck. Jason, that hurts.”

That jerk bit down on my skin, drawing blood.

Tears well up in my eyes. He’s like a dog in bed, always biting and nibbling at my skin but never has he made me bleed before.

Humiliated and hurt, I swallow my pride and throw away my dignity. I remember who I’m doing this for, but I’d rather go home.

“Stop doing shit like that.”

“Then stop talking about useless things when you’re in my arms. Do I need to remind you who you’re talking to?”

“Seriously? You want to play it that way?”

“I’m not playing.”

I grab his jaw. “I don’t know how many times you’ll have to act like an ass for me to be done with your shit.”

“As if you could ever get rid of me.”

Fucking asshole knows that he’s right. We both know I’d never have the guts to go through with it or else I would’ve ditched him ages ago.

“I hate you.”

“I love you too,” he whispers against my skin.