Chapter 23
Nova POV
I have two updates.
Bad news first: Grant didn’t fuck me.
Good news: despite that tragic reality, he still managed to make me come. Twice.
Hot Grant is officially back, and Asshole Grant has temporarily vanished. Hopefully it stays that way.
Later, lying in his bed, my body still buzzed from everything he did touch. My nipples tingled where his mouth had been, but the memory tangled itself with something else—Tyler’s hands on me. That moment and the fear that comes with it.
The worst part is that my body doesn’t know the difference. My thighs squeezed shut, and I couldn’t tell if it was from shame or leftover need from Grant or maybe both.
I should feel broken but instead, I feel… branded. Like Grant stamped something into me without even finishing what he started. He told me he’s going to make me wait. Make me burn. Make me beg.
The pathetic thing is, I’m already halfway there.
I roll over, burying my face in his pillow. The smell of everything grant, something warm and sinfully male. It doesn’t help, but motherrr, I wish I could freeze the moment and just bask in the adrenaline of this forbidden mess.
But Madam luck is my enemy, By morning, the fantasy collapses.
I’m no longer his distraction or his plaything, I’m back to being a suspect.
The Alpha Corp mole is still spreading viruses under my laptop credentials, like it’s their favorite party trick. Every time anyone brings it up, the room gets heavy.
And I’m the perfect target: The new intern, the outsider and the unlucky girl who stumbled too close to secrets and too close to the boss.
Grant’s solution was to Keep me right under his nose. Where I can’t breathe without him knowing. I don’t know if it’s protection… or surveillance.
He has been softer, though. Coffee. Food. Listening to my random facts without calling me ridiculous. Almost sweet. Which only makes me wonder what he’s hiding.
And then there’s the Tyler issue.
Tyler is gone, like vanished. His phone has been off, His parents were worried and his friends were asking questions. Lena was frantic, probably because the last person she saw him with was me.
Grant swears he left the mansion that afternoon, and he walked out fine.
But all I remember about the afternoon is his hands on me, his weight crushing me, and Grant ripping him off.
So where is he now?
When I pressed, Grant just said, “He’s gone. That’s all you need to know.” His hand on my thigh firmer and his voice like steel, I couldn’t even press him for more details.
But I do need to know.
Did Grant make him disappear?
Or is Tyler still out there, waiting and watching just like my godmother warned someone always would?
What I do know is that Grant is keeping something from me. He’s been distant in a way that isn’t just about work. Touching me casually, sure, but not enough to quiet the fire he lit.
So tonight, I decide to change that.
Lip gloss shining in anticipation, hair down, paired with a Scandalous blouse and one of the flimsy shorts Katie bought me. The combination is meant to kill.
I walk to his door, heart thudding. I knocked once and didn’t bother waiting for response before I slip inside—
And freeze.
The sight before me is not something I’ve ever prepared myself for in all my adrenaline thrills and forbidden anticipation.
Before me, Lena is sitting on Grant’s— her dad’s bed.
The same bed he almost fucked me on.
“Nova,” she says.
“Lena,” I breathe.
“What are you doing here p>
“What are you doing here p>
We blurt it out at the same time. My embarrassment could kill me on the spot.
Her smile is tight. “It’s my house.” She gestures around.
“What are you doing in my dad’s room p>
I force a paper-thin smile. “I came to ask for something p>
Her eyes drop to my shorts. “Cute p>
“Thanks,” I mumble, wishing the ground would open up.
Then Grant steps out of the closet, his shirt half-buttoned, abs on full display and his eyes finding mine like he can read exactly why I’m here.
“The video from that night is gone, baby. But Tyler left here safe p>
His gaze drags down me from my lip gloss, blouse, down to my shorts, very slow and deliberate. The corner of his mouth curves like he knows exactly what I came for.
Lena doesn’t seem to notice. “But Dad p>
“No, Lena,” he cuts her off. “Go back to your hostel. Let the police handle this p>
“But Dad p>
“Tomorrow morning. Jay will drop you off p>
Lena leaves reluctantly, and I have no choice but to follow. What excuse could I possibly give for staying locked in her father’s room?
“You look different p>
Her eyes narrow, scanning me the way only Lena can. She has this annoying gift of seeing straight through people, even when you don’t want her to.
I swallow hard.
“Acting different too. But at least your fashion is getting better p>
If only she knew the inspiration behind my outfit tonight. Also, Was that a compliment? Or an insult with extra frosting?
And then like my nerves aren’t already fried, she beams.
“Let’s have a sleepover in your room. I want all the details. Did Tyler pop your cherry before he left p>
My stomach twists.
Tyler.
“No. I wasn’t ready p>
The safest lie I can manage. Because how do I tell her the guy she hooked me up with almost raped me before her dad dragged him off me? and gave me one of the most intense orgasms of my life… Nova you’re rambling p>
But would she still believe Tyler left on his own? Would she still believe me?
Lena and I might be best friends, but we are galaxies apart in how we think, live, and breathe.
My hands find each other, nervous, pinching at my palm.
“Novaaaa,” she groans, smacking her face with her hands. “Well, that just means we have more time to discuss things further p>
Her smile is coy and suspiciously warm.
“Things like?” I ask carefully.
“Well, Tyler has a weird fetish. I’m not sure if he shared it with you already, but I advised him before making any move p>
My brows knit. “Okay p>
“He can’t get hard unless he goes through a certain… stimulation. And if you ask me, it’s not that bad as long as both parties are cool with it p>
“He has to pretend to force a girl. That’s the only way he gets hard enough to actually fuck p>
My gasp is loud, sharp. Now it makes sense, actually, too much sense.
“What if I don’t like it? And I end up traumatized? Or worse p>
I don’t notice the tears sliding down my face until they’re already there.
“No is no, Nova. Stimulation or not. He needs a doctor, not a fetish partner and I told him that p>
Lena leans closer, invading my space, her eyes burning into me.
“What are you not telling me, Nova p>
“Nothing.” My voice is flat.
“You’d tell me if something was wrong, right p>
I swipe my tears away and force a smile. I’m getting too good at that lately.
“Yes p>
Or maybe not.