SAFFRON

 I wake up with a brutal headache, my skull pounding like a drum. The remnants of last night flash before me in sharp, angry waves, each memory slicing deeper than the last.

 Groaning in agony, I pull myself up from the couch, where I never left, wrapped in a cocoon of my tears and broken heart. My body feels heavy, like a lead weight, but I force myself to stumble to the bathroom. I splash water on my face, hoping to drown out the rawness in my chest, the exhaustion still clinging to my bones.

 At least I have one sliver of hope today. I'm getting another job. It's something, at least.

 But before I can lose myself in that thought, a sudden knock on the door jolts me from my daze. Who the hell could be visiting this early? A thousand questions spin in my head, a whirlwind of confusion. I find myself walking toward the door before I even realize what I'm doing.

 I glance through the peephole and freeze.

 Rehnan. Again.

 Why is he here? Did he not get me the job? Or maybe... maybe he's here to offer me my old job back. Is that even possible? Can we even work together again after everything that happened?

 I hesitate, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. Then I open the door.

 And there he is.

 God.

 I can't breathe for a second.

 Rehnan stands there in a navy three-piece suit that hugs his body like it was tailored for him, actually no, designed is the better word. Designed for him. The sharp angles of his jaw and cheekbones make my pulse quicken, and I can't help but notice how the dark fabric of his suit emphasizes the muscles beneath it, the power in every movement.

 His white shirt gleams under the dim hallway light, the gold of his cufflinks catching my eye, sparkling like they belong to a man who could have the world at his feet. His hair is perfectly slicked back, not a strand out of place, but all I can think about is how badly I want to tug at it, yank him toward me, and taste him.

 I almost forget to breathe when he looks at me, his gaze so intense, it sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. It's like he's undressing me with his eyes, and for a moment, I feel like I'm the prey, and he's the predator.

 His voice pulls me back from the edge of my thoughts. Low, rough, and absolutely dangerous.

 "Good morning, Saff." He says my name like it's a secret he's dying to uncover, like he knows exactly what it does to me.

 I can barely manage a breath, let alone a word. My body is betraying me, reacting to him in ways I can't control. Fucking traitor!

 "Can I come in?" He asks, his voice softer now, but the way he says it makes it clear he's not asking.

 I step aside instinctively, my heart still racing, and watch him glide past me. Every inch of him exudes power, confidence, the kind of man who takes what he wants without hesitation.

 And God, his scent. Rich, earthy, and just... intoxicating. I want to bury myself in it, let it fill me, consume me whole.

 I move past the mirror in the hallway, only to freeze when I catch sight of myself. I'm still in my nightie, the silk clinging to my skin, my nipples painfully hard against the fabric. Oh shit. I quickly fold my arms over my chest, but it's too late. I've already caught the way his eyes lingered, a flicker of something darker passing through them.

 His voice cuts through the tension, deeper than before. "Saffron... I'm sorry. About last night. I...I shouldn't have..."

 I watch him for a moment, taken aback. This isn't the usual hard, unshakable Rehnan. This... this man in front of me looks torn, vulnerable even, and it confuses me more than I care to admit.

 "I spoke to a friend of mine at Queens Global," he continues, his eyes focused on me like he's unsure of how I'll react. "And he's promised that you can come work with them whenever you're ready. They'll take you. No questions asked."

 A rush of disbelief floods through me. Queens Global. My heart skips a beat, my mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of what he's just said. That's the company of legends. The ones who make careers, shape futures.

 "Wait... wait, what?" My voice is barely a whisper, the weight of his words sinking in slowly. "Are you serious?"

 He nods, his expression still a little strained. "You have up to six months to make a decision. But whenever you're ready, you can just walk in, like I said no questions asked."

 I feel a wave of warmth spread through me at his words-joy mixed with confusion. Six months? He's giving me six months to decide? How much power does this man have to get Joshua Queen to agree to this?

 For a moment, I'm speechless, trying to find the right words. "Thank you," I finally manage, my voice low. "But you could've just called, or sent me an email... Why this? Why come all the way here?"

 There's a slight shift in his expression, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Because some things need to be said face to face." He inches closer, just enough that I can feel the heat radiating off of him. The air between us feels thick, charged, like it could snap at any second.

 I sit there, frozen, my heart racing faster than I can process. For a moment, it's just us. No words, no space, just the intensity crackling between us.

 "I feel the wetness between my thighs and I just know I want him to keep talking. I want to hear him whisper sweet nothings against my ear while fucking me slowly from behind.

 "I wanted to see you again and hopefully convince you one last time to enjoy one month with me. Just one month, just spend Christmas with me Saff and you can go back to your job. This time with two million dollars as a goodbye"

 My heart pounds loudly against my chest when he suddenly stands up and stalks towards me, his index finger traces my lips and I want to swirl my tongue around it. "Please Saff, just this holiday and I promise to treat you right".

 I feel my pussy clench tightly at his words and the feel of his hands on my lips.

 "Since you ask so nicely..."

 I suck his finger into my mouth and release it with a pop which causes him to growl in pleasure. I take his other hand and lay it on my breast, his face immediately scrunches up in a flash of lust and intense desire.

 "Okay"

 "What?" He asks, confused and surprised at my answer.

 "Okay Rehnan, but I have rules too.

RHENAN

I can't contain my joy when Saffron agrees. I had prepared several speeches and ways to convince her to spend the holiday with me but who would have thought she would actually answer.

While I'm still smiling at her, she slowly walks closer to me while pressing her body against mine. The flush of her breasts against my chest leaves me breathless and brings back memories of the feel of it in my hands. How I wish I can strip her of the flimsy little silk she calls a nightwear.

The sinful cloth has been messing with my senses since I stepped into her apartment. All I could think about were the different ways I could have her writhing beneath me in pleasure.

"I should be mad at you but I'm too horny and sexually attracted to you to do so" She says with hooded eyes and flushed cheeks while biting her lower lip seductively and I'm tempted to pull it out with my teeth and kiss her succulent lips.

It's as if she read my mind when she suddenly wraps her hands behind my neck, tiptoes and presses her lips against mine. Her lips are warm and wet, sending a jolt to my dick and before I can register what's going on, I'm already on her couch. My abs clenching as her trembling hands rips my zipper open.

"Fuck baby, you make me want you so much" I say my hands gripping her couch a little too tight.

She drags my pants down with a lazy and sinful smile and I know somewhere deep down that this woman would be the death of me.

She spits on my cock and gives it a lick before straddling me.

Panting with need, I take off her night wear so I can admire her wonderful titties and taste them.

 "I missed these so much" I say while palming her breasts. I take one of her nipples in my mouth while squeezing the other between my fingers.

She starts to unbutton my shirt with speed and concentration, her head clammy and tinged with sweat while I take my time worshiping her breasts.

Once she's done, Saffron starts to trail wet kisses all over my jaw down to my lower abdomen while grinding against my already hard as rock dick causing me to groan in need.

"Baby please, you're torturing me. I want to bury myself in your sweet little cunt. If you keep up with these little tortures, I would go insane" I say to her through ragged breaths.

My little whore finally decides to pity me when she readjusts herself and slowly sits on my cock swallowing half of it down her pussy.

 "Fuck Rehnan, you're s....o b..i..g. I can....t, I can't take it all". She says in a trembling voice.

 "Yes baby you can, just go slow baby, daddy would take care of you"  

She continues to descend slowly on my covk and her pussy feels so good. "Damn baby, your cunt is so tight and warm. I'm going to go insane from the crazy amount of pleasure you're making me feel."

"Daddy, oh God, I'm so...fu....ll. Your cock is so big. Hmmmm, this is so good, fuck yes" her moaning sounds are so erotic, as she starts to move her hips slowly against mine.

Her rhythm starts to go faster as our bodies melt together in sweat and sin.

"Oh fuck, fuck yes, yes Saff, keep going baby, don't stop, don't fucking stop, don't you dare stop." I'm panting hard and so does my little slut too.

"Fuck Daddy's cock, ride it like the fucking whore that you are, you love it when I call you a Daddy's little slut don't you?" I ask her amid our panting breaths.

 "Yes daddy. Call me your little whore, I love being your slut, fuck daddy, you feel so.....so good, I can literally you in my womb. Fuck yeeeeeees!"

Her movements start to slow down but I'm not having that, I hold her ass and lift her up while slamming into her from beneath.

"Fuck Rhenan right there, yes right there. Oh my god fuck! Please don't stop, please don't stop." I take her nipple in my mouth and lick, suck and bite until she screams while clenching and shattering in my arms.

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck, daddy fuck I'm coming, I'm comin.....g"

I feel the hot squirt pouring in waves against my abs while I keep pounding into her until I am trembling while pouring my cum into her sweet little cunt.  

We lay like that for a few minutes while trying to gather our breaths and I can see Saffron already closing her tired eyes. I carry her towards her bedroom and into the shower to clean her up before wiping her and laying her on the bed.

"Rhenan" she called me while I was walking to her living room to wear my clothes.

"Yes baby" I turn back and look at the pink flushed woman before me, my dick hardening for a round two.

 "For the period I'm with you for this arrangement, we have to be exclusive. You won't be seeing anyone and neither will I."

I smile happily at the thought of us being exclusive, I didn't want to impose on her but since she's the one bringing it up then I'm happy to oblige. "I wasn't planning on it babe".

"Where do you think you are going by the way" she asks me while looking at my naked body appreciatively.

 Damn this woman is insatiable and I love it. "I was going to dress up and let you rest, baby. I will be back at night to finish what we started."

"No, I won't have that"  she gets up and crawls towards me on her hands and knees "I'm not done with you, so you can't leave yet"  She opens her bedside drawer close to me and brings out a red and green vibrator.

"I bought this as a gift to myself for Christmas, but now Santa has handed me a live one so I have two gifts and I want them both stuffed in me before you leave sirrrrrr" she slurs while batting her eyelashes.

She reaches me and slinks down on her knees before me while taking my hard cock in her mouth, her hand trailing down her breasts to her pussy. "Fuck you taste so good, I want to suck your dick forever" she says while rubbing her pussy in pleasure.

"Sucking my dick turns you on"?

 She answers by sucking me so hard I almost see stars. Shit, I might have entered a deal with the devil after all and I can't wait for all the surprises I'll be getting for this Christmas even if it means my name would be on the naughty list.  

Christmas here I come.

AZALEA POV

Two days.

Two measly days until I officially become Mrs. Sage Callahan-a name that tastes like sandpaper in my mouth. Am I thrilled? No. Will I still show up at the altar? Well... unfortunately, yes.

If I had my way, I'd be marrying someone I actually cared about. Someone who wasn't an arrogant, over-polished, over-groomed corporate deity with the personality of an overripe tomato. But the world of business mergers and dynasty-building doesn't care about my preferences. A beautiful daughter is simply a bargaining chip; a tool; a shiny ribbon on a billion-dollar deal.

Lucky me.

But honestly? I've learned not to mind. At least this "arrangement" will give me freedom-financial freedom specifically. If Sage wants to pretend he's won a prize, I'll happily spend his money until his accountant faints.

A knock sounds at my hotel room door.

Before I can respond, the door swings open and my best friend, my maid of honor, my other half, my partner in crime-steps in.

Rosa is a vision in a red-and-white coat dusted with melting snowflakes. With the hood trimmed in faux fur and her cheeks flushed from the cold, she looks like Mother Christmas on a mission.

I grin. "Oh my God, it's snowing. Wait-" I squint dramatically. "I thought you bailed, you little shit!"

She scoffs, stomping snow off her boots. "Oh shut up. As if I'd miss the chance to save you from your tragic life choices."

"My tragic life choices? I'm not the one who once dated a guy just because he had dimples."

"Excuse me," she says with a hand on her hip, "those dimples could water crops."

We lock eyes and then burst into laughter.

Her expression shifts suddenly, softening as she tosses her coat over the bed. "Look," she says, crossing her arms, "I know you're not happy about your 'forever' with Sage. "But," she points a stern finger at me-"please don't run off tonight with some man I have never met. I'm your maid of honor, not your accomplice in an international scandal."

"Yes, Mum," I reply, grinning ear to ear.

She throws a pillow at me. "I'm serious!"

"So am I," I say. "I'm ready for a fun night. Like... irresponsibly fun."

"Good," she says, satisfied. "Now put on your coat, you dummy, and let's go. We don't want to miss our flight."

"Flight?" I echo dramatically. "Wherever could we be going?"

Her eyes sparkle wickedly. "A magical land of sin."

"Vegas."

"Vegas," she confirms with a smirk.

A city filled with booze, horny men, and enough poor decisions to fuel a season of reality TV.

A perfect one-day holiday of debauchery... right before I chain myself into matrimony.

For the first time in twenty-four years, I'm about to do something without my parents' knowledge and the thrill of rebellion tastes sweeter than any champagne.

The flight to Vegas is long and cramped, but excitement pumps through my veins like caffeine. I barely sit still. I keep bouncing my leg until Rosa snaps at me.

"If you don't stop vibrating like a defective phone," she warns, "I'm sedating you with complimentary peanuts."

"Try me," I challenge.

She gives me the look and I immediately face forward.

When we land, a blast of warm dry air hits my face, so different from New York's icy bite. We grab a taxi to our hotel-a sleek, shimmering tower coated in neon lights and crash for a few hours.

When I wake up, it feels like Christmas morning. If Christmas morning included the promise of half-naked men.

"Get up!" Rosa shouts, ripping the blanket off me. "We have strippers to see!"

"Jesus, Rosa. Buy me dinner first."

She rolls her eyes. "For what you're planning tonight, sweetheart, you should buy them dinner."

By the time we step out of the taxi in front of the club, the entire street pulses with bass. Neon lights splash over us in pinks, blues, and electric greens. The sign above the entrance glows: SIN HAVEN.

My stomach flips.

Inside, the air is thick with perfume, cologne, and excitement. Music thunders through the floor; lights flash; women scream; bodies move everywhere.

I cling to Rosa. "Oh my God."

"Oh my God indeed," she says, eyes sparkling. "Welcome to paradise."

We dance for a while, letting loose in ways we never have before. I down two shots of something I can't pronounce but tastes like battery acid. My head swims, but in a good way.

I play some casino games and nearly pass out laughing when Rosa convinces a drunk lady that I'm a lost British princess.

But eventually, Rosa grips my wrist. "Come on! The private show starts in ten minutes!"

"The what?"

"You heard me," she says smugly. "I paid for the VIP experience."

"You WHAT?!?"

Before I can process her betrayal, she drags me down a hallway dripping in red velvet and gold accents.

We step into the private room and...

"What the f-"

My jaw crashes to the floor.

Shirtless men.

Everywhere.

Not just shirtless-sculpted, glossy, pant-only men. And not even normal pants. Tiny, tight, snug pieces of fabric that leave absolutely nothing to the imagination.

I grab Rosa's arm. "Men wear thongs? That's unfair. That's dangerous. There should be a warning!"

"You're welcome," she replies.

One of the men passes us with a tray of drinks and I swear something inside me short-circuits. My knees wobble. My face heats. I even feel my pant dampen. My body reacts in ways it has absolutely no business reacting.

I swallow hard. "Ro... I think I just-"

"Yeah," she laughs. "I noticed."

Before I can fully recover, a staff member approaches us with a tablet. "Names?"

We confirm, and he leads us to a velvet booth up close to the stage.

The lights go out.

The room screams.

Blue spotlights flare as the curtains open.

Three men step onto the stage, wearing nothing but low-slung jeans and neckties. Their bodies look sculpted by sin itself. They move like they're made of water-twisting, gliding, flexing.

"Oh..." I whisper.

"Oh YES," Rosa whispers back.

The first dancer unbuttons his jeans slowly, teasing the crowd, rolling his hips. The other two follow, sliding denim down toned legs until-

They're in thongs.

Tiny.

Stretchy.

Obscenely perfect thongs.

The crowd goes feral.

I grip Rosa's hand. "I'm going to die."

"If you die," she says, "I'm putting 'death by stripper' on your gravestone."

One by one, the dancers leave the stage and move through the crowd, picking women at random.

My heart pounds. My palms sweat. Every time a dancer approaches our row, I hold my breath-but they walk past.

Until the last one.

He's taller than the others. Dark hair. A tattoo curling over his collarbone. Eyes like midnight. His smile is slow and wicked, like he already knows the effect he's having on me.

He stops in front of me.

I freeze.

He leans down, his breath warm against my ear.

"Would you mind being my girl tonight?"

Shivers ripple through me so violently Rosa actually squeals.

My brain short-circuits into pure chaos. My stomach flips. My pulse jumps. I've never felt anything remotely like this-not even with Brian, my high school boyfriend who I was sure I would get married to, not even close.

"Yes," I whisper, then louder, "YES!"

I don't know what tonight holds.

But I know one thing

I'm ready.

For sin.

For freedom.

For whatever happens next.

And God help me...

I don't want to stop.