That day, Lucy followed Ms. Quinn's commands perfectly. She ate her breakfast, listened attentively during their meetings, took detailed notes, and did her best to impress the clients. Afterward, she had dinner alone, took a shower, and waited for Ms. Quinn to call her to her room. After what felt like an eternity, with her body humming with need, the call she had been anxiously awaiting finally arrived. Ms. Quinn's voice...

The hotel restaurant hummed with the soft clink of silverware and the low murmur of morning conversations. Lucy sat at a booth by the window, sunlight streaming in and feeling impossibly bright against her skin. She sipped her orange juice, the tart sweetness a stark contrast to the memories that coated her tongue. The walk of shame had nothing on the walk of sheer, dripping revelation. Last night, after Ms. Quinn’s dismi...

Ms. Quinn’s hands left Lucy’s spent body. She guided her, a steadying arm around her waist, from the steam-softened bathroom into the cooler, dimly lit living area of the suite. The city lights glittered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows like a scattered diamond necklace. “Here, Lucy,” Ms. Quinn said, her voice a low, satisfied hum. She settled onto the large, plush sofa, arranging herself with a casual grace that made...

Lucy was surprised when her boss informed her that the department director had requested her to join her on a business trip. Having been with the company for just over two months, she felt honored that Ms. Quinn trusted her to assist with an important client meeting. During the first client meeting, everything went smoothly. Lucy was impressed by how Ms. Quinn led the meeting and held everyone's attention in the room. Her...

The Carolina sun poured through the window as Marcus Watson lounged comfortably on his sofa. It was a Sunday, and the day was all his. He sipped his beer while sitting in a tank top and shorts, watching the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels on the TV. Since his move to Beauford, North Carolina, his life had indeed started to turn around. Growing up in southern England, he believed the world was his oyster. Up unti...

Chapter 1 – The Exam The phone vibrates on the desk. Dawn breaks. Eve opens her eyes slowly and outstretches her arms. She abruptly taps the phone to shut off the alarm. Today marks doomsday. The Japanese Language 400 final exam begins in the next two hours. Whatever score she receives on this exam determines whether she stays another semester in Tokyo or she must book the next flight back to Scotland. “Deep breaths, Eve,...

She knew he wasn't thrilled. Katrina and Matt had ben married for nearly three years now and she was pregnant again. Once again, not his baby. Little Penelope was one and a half years old and she was joyful to have. But Matt wanted to have kids of his own with his wife. After all, nothing was medically wrong with him. Katrina just wouldn't let him. She preferred being impregnated by other men. In her mind, Matt was a good...

Saad took the elevator up to the luxury penthouse condo of his friend, Rob. The friendship between the pair had evolved after years of going out to chase women together and drink on weekends. As the years passed, the two had made it to their mid-thirties and established themselves in life. Rob had entered a long-term open relationship with a woman who was okay with him sleeping around. Compared to Rob, Saad was still livi...

After Shelley's long day of classes that Wednesday—made even longer by her choice to start the day off by working out—she finally walked through the front door at around 7:30 pm. I glanced over at her and smiled as I finished plating the piping hot roasted chicken with herb potatoes I prepared for us. The timing worked out perfectly. "Hope you're hungry," I greeted her. "Starving." She started to walk to the couch and I s...