In Jerald's place, Ixora had managed to wipe away her tears. She checked Jerald's room, but he wasn't there. She then walked to Zira's room. The young girl was dressed in a lovely pink nightwear, all set to stay with Cherry as Ixora had arranged in advance. Ixora took a moment to admire Zira's newly styled hair before entering the room.When Berezira saw her, she smiled slightly, "Ma'am Ixora."Ixora returned the smile and took her hand. "Are you ready, dear?"Berezira nodded, "Yes, ma'am.""Where's your father?""He's out back.""Did you tell him about our arrangement?""I didn't tell him like you instructed," Berezira replied.Ixora smiled, appreciative of her discretion, and bit her lip. She didn't want to ask Berezira to provide Jake's phone number, not wanting to involve the girl in her plan. Besides, she had a pretty good idea where to find the written number.With that in mind, she smiled and led Berezira out of the room. Holding the girl's hand, they walked through the woods
Ixora wasn't sure how much time had elapsed since she had returned to the house and entered Berezira's room. She found herself fixated on a piece of paper clutched firmly in her hand, which bore the name "J. Brown" along with a string of numbers.An internal debate raged within her. If she took this step, there would be no turning back. If she faltered now, there would be no second chance."It's for their own good. It's for their own good," she whispered to herself as she slipped her hand beneath the oversized nightgown she had layered over her more provocative attire. Retrieving her cellphone, she glanced around, checking if Jerald had returned to the house. The surroundings remained unsettlingly quiet; he had not.With uncertainty gnawing at her, she placed the phone back into her pocket, then withdrew it. This process repeated itself several times—phone in, phone out, phone in, phone out.Finally, she let out a sigh of resignation and pulled the phone out once more. Fingers trembli
Jerald believed he'd experienced life's extremes, having traveled extensively and endured six months of harrowing torment. However, nothing could have prepared him for the vision that greeted him when the woman before him shed her robe.She appeared absolutely stunning in her form-fitting black gown, rendering him momentarily speechless—or was it that he'd lost his ability to speak? He couldn't be certain anymore.Not only did his mouth fail him; his desires surged uncontrollably. He had never yearned for a more exquisite sight.Ixora, without so much as a glance in his direction, awaited his response. As seconds ticked away, the only sounds were the chirping of crickets and his deepening breath. She began to feel a growing unease.Her twin sister had been rather confident that this plan would work. "All you have to do is drop your robe...consider him seduced," Cherry had advised. But it certainly didn't seem like she'd seduced anyone at this moment.Ixora managed to avert her gaze fr
Jerald gently placed Ixora on the bed, his desire burning hot, yet he was determined to make this special for her.She was in nothing but her red panties, while he remained in his jeans. He seized her lips in a passionate kiss, repeatedly exploring her mouth with his tongue, demanding and consuming every moment.Ixora held onto him, surrendering herself to his touch as his hands moved to tease her erect nipple, causing her to cry out in pleasure.The sound only fueled his passion further, and their tongues continued their sensual dance.The intensity of his kiss overwhelmed her, saturating her senses completely."You taste incredible," he murmured. "Better than the finest liquor, more intoxicating."She bit her lower lip, her voice trembling with desire. "I've been longing for this kiss ever since that day in the kitchen, a week ago," she confessed, her passion clouding her words."Me too. Resisting the urge to touch you has been the most agonizing torture," he groaned as his hands co
***********Jerald rose above her, his gaze locked onto the woman beneath him. Internally, he cursed himself in various languages for losing control and causing her pain.Throughout his life, he and his twin had been known for their unwavering self-control. He despised himself for hurting this kind and selfless woman beneath him."I'm fine, truly. It's just a slight discomfort," she hurriedly reassured him, offering a small smile through her tears when she saw the self-loathing and anguish on his face.She wasn't fine, but Jerald didn't argue with her.His eyes returned to hers. "I know," he replied gently.His hand moved tenderly between her trembling thighs, still intimately connected, and she caught his wrist, wincing in discomfort."Shhh," he whispered, disregarding her protests as he began to stimulate her again, lowering his head to take one rosy nipple into his mouth."Ow...!" she cried out, shocked by the unexpected burst of pleasure. Her wide eyes sought his, her mouth openin
Cherry was in deep slumber, on the verge of being ensnared by her own nightmares when a piercing scream jolted her awake.Her eyes snapped open, and she sprang upright from the bed, instantly alert to confront whatever threat had caused the scream. But she quickly realized that it was Berezira who was having a nightmare.The girl would have normally slept in Ixora's room, but Cherry couldn't explain how she had shifted and ended up encouraging the girl to lie beside her. Now, Berezira was firmly ensnared by her night terrors."Hey, it's alright. It's okay. I'm here with you," Cherry whispered, gently nudging the girl to pull her away from the clutches of her nightmares.Berezira's eyes widened as she stared at Cherry, but it was obvious that she wasn't truly seeing her. Cherry, too, had experienced her share of nightmares."Ma'am Ixora!" Berezira gasped in her half-asleep state, throwing her arms around Cherry and clinging to her tightly.It was the first time the girl had confused th
CASTLE LORE.Ixora Crystabella Moores woke to the sounds of chirping birds, people talking, and laughter. Slowly, she opened her eyes, struggling to focus after a deep sleep. When her vision cleared, she shot up from her bed."Oh no!" Ixora exclaimed, glancing outside. It was already nighttime."Cherry!" She called out desperately, holding onto hope. "Cherry?" She repeated as she searched for her slippers. When met with silence, she made one last attempt. "Silverbella?"But deep down, she knew. Her twin wasn't at home; she had gone out again.Ixora sighed. She wasn't supposed to oversleep. If she had been awake, she might have been able to stop Cherry from going out. She quickly found her slippers and headed outside. She thought about how her late Grandma Nora would have been driven mad by Cherry's wild antics.Outside, Ixora paused to enjoy the fresh evening air of Castle Lore, their small town. Her dyed blond hair swayed in the wind, brushing against her face. There was no place lik
NEW YORK CITY."Mother, I'm back," came the deep, familiar voice.Camila Brown willed herself not to startle, not wanting to alert her son that she had been lost in thought once again. With her back still turned to him, she carefully wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes as she set down the picture she had been gently caressing, lost in mourning.She whirled around and managed a watery smile as she approached her son's imposing frame, enveloping him in a tight hug. At least, Jake was here, she thought painfully."How was your day at work today?" Camila asked, as she released herself from her son's embrace.Jake smiled wanly, "It went great. Do you remember Sarah? We performed surgery on her today, and it was a success," he said joyfully.Sarah was a familiar patient at Jake's hospital, a seven-year-old girl with a fragile heart. The little girl had spent several weeks in the large medical facility and had made many friends, including Camila. Sarah's kind-heartedness, des