I sucked in a breath, envisioning how Mateo would react to never being able to work as a professor again; it would quite possibly break him. I knew he planned on returning to teaching as soon as his sister got educated and learned how to handle the company independently. Being a businessman had never been in the cards for him, but teaching? That was his true passion. Could I let someone take that away from him?16As for the sex club owner... he's pretty dependent on the trust of his members, isn't he? What would've happened if their names were leaked to the press? Would he be buried in legal charges, perhaps? He would for sure lose his precious club. He'd never regain their trust.228My thoughts immediately turned to DD's members; actors and actresses, known businessmen and politicians. While many thought that having a kink shouldn't be shameful, too many found it repulsive—mostly because of ignorance. If this got out, and the world got to know what their favorite actress or political figures were into, it could ruin their image, and they, in turn, would ruin Callan's. He prided himself in providing them with a secure and private club where they could experience their kink in peace. I was sure they wouldn't let it stand if their activities got out, and that it was linked to Desire's Den.9Fuck. Callan lived for his job the same way Mateo did. Gideon...while he worked a lot, I could tell his passion wasn't in it like theirs was.1And let's not forget about that broken guy of yours. With what I have on him, I wouldn't just ruin his career, I would destroy his entire life. Tell me, do you know anything about his childhood at all? No? Maybe they don't trust you as well as you think they do.230Whatever he was hinting at with Gideon, it twisted my heart. Not the part about them not trusting me, because...weirdly, even after their dishonesty, I wasn't as worried about that as I would've been only a day ago—my mind had already put most of it behind me. But bringing up his childhood? I'd had my suspicion that something had happened to my big and scary man. Something about the way he never let me see him naked and how he wouldn't let me sleep with him for the night—not to mention the unnatural aggression rolling off of him in waves—made me worry for him.37Mateo had practically confirmed my suspicions that night when we had a public scene. However, he respected his friend enough to not divulge something that wasn't his to share.It was the last text that did me in, however. If that's not enough for you, my darling, I am not opposed to something more physical. You might think I am doing this to torture you, but I'm not. They were the ones who tortured you, putting their filthy hands on you and causing you pain. I'm the one who will save you.238And, darling? You shouldn't try to tell anyone else. Don't test me. 130The threat of physical harm...the deranged mentality of this person...it was proof enough that this wasn't just a slightly ill person, but someone who was so mentally not there that I was genuinely afraid of what they were capable of.62

Kevin had already gone to work by the time my alarm rang. I didn't have any classes until later today, and for once, I would show up, even if one of those classes I had was Mateo's.4My thoughts went back to the guys like it always did. In the weeks that I had known them, they'd taken over my entire mind, and if I could admit it to myself, they'd taken over my whole heart as well. That was why what they'd done cut me so deep because I hadn't just trusted them; I'd fallen for them too.7What if...Kevin was right. If I searched hard enough, I would always find something to worry about next. What if they hurt me again? What if I would never be able to trust them like I'd once done? What if I decided to let them go and then regret it for the rest of my life? There were so many things I could second-guess about, and I would never get an answer to them until I made up my mind.3So, instead of what ifs, I focused on what I truly wanted. Did I want them gone, or did I want to give them a second chance and work through this? I deep dived into my feelings and analyzed each one of them, trying to find out which one of those options appealed the most to me. A smile tugged on my lips as I realized my answer. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders when I knew what I was going to choose. Decision making always did that to me, it weighted me down, even the smallest thing, but when I finally made up my mind, I was a hundred percent sure and felt a hundred times lighter.1The intercom buzzed to life, bringing me out of my overactive brain. Walking to the door, I pressed down on the intercom that would allow me to speak."Who is it?" I asked.1"I have a delivery for one Emma Fields?" A woman asked through the speaker.109Puzzled, I told her I'd be down to collect it. What was this about a delivery? I couldn't stop wondering about it as I went down the two flights of stairs and opened the door. I didn't even notice the woman as my eyes zeroed in on the massive bouquet she was holding. It was a beautiful mixture of white, blue, red, but mainly lavender-colored flowers.10My breath caught as she handed it to me. "Can you sign on this tablet?" the woman asked, offering a pen. I did as she asked, and then she was on her way.Breathing in the scent of the bouquet, a small smile rested on my lips. I had an idea, or three, on who sent this to me, and my heart was going crazy thinking about either of them sending me flowers.26I spied a note in the bouquet, and I hurried upstairs so I could read it. Kevin being the lover of flowers and plants, already had many vases to choose from, even for one as big as this.Putting them in the water, I snatched the card, eager to see what it said.My favorite color is blue. Callan's color is red. Gideon's is white. If you mix every one of them together, you'll get lavender.104You once told me that was your favorite color.9No one could suit us more perfectly than you.1You match us, Gorgeous.2Yours truly, Mateo

se two days, I'd been far from unaffected by their words. It meant a lot to me to hear how Mateo was willing to quit the job he loved before his last semester was up. My heart had warmed when Gideon used his words to express himself even when I knew there was a tragic reason behind the fact that he hated to talk. It made me cry when Callan was willing to shoulder all the blame so his friends could be spared—even if it meant us being together without him. He'd begged for me to give his friends a second chance, but he hadn't asked the same for himself.7I filled Kevin in on my conversation with Callan, just like I'd done yesterday after Mateo's and Gideon's. It felt good to share it with someone; it helped sort out my own thoughts and feelings."Choose whatever makes you happy, girly. You don't owe them a thing, but you owe it to yourself to make the choice that's right for you," Kevin said as he patted my knee. "You know my thoughts about this." I did know. Kevin was team Emma all the way, but he'd also said he believed the guys would never betray my trust again. I didn't understand why he was so confident about that, but he was.187"It's not an easy decision to make. What if I forgive them, but it happens again? Or if I don't, and I'll end up regretting it?"27"I know it's not easy, honey, but you can't continue to think about the 'what-ifs.' If you search hard enough, you'll always find something to be uncertain about. Sleep on it. Right now, you're emotionally exhausted, and no one can think straight in that state."32YOU'LL ALSO LIKEHis Slave152K2.4K"Remember what I said at the coffee shop?" He asks, and I cringe. "I can report you, slave. And trust me, I will. And you know full well what that entails...LOVE ME HARDER16.4K166Mature content 18+ only "You are crossing a very dangerous territory, Natalia. I suggest you better stop, before I take things in my hand." He growled in a low...Love & Lust (CURRENTLY BEING EDITED 2024)1.3M23.7K------------------------------------------------------------ I jumped a little at the feel of his cold rings, "How do you think Nathan would feel," he asked, w...DOMINANT✔ (DSD SERIES, BOOK ONE)1.3M31.4K⚠️⚠️Rated Mature ⚠️⚠️ 🌟🌟I do not own rights to images on the cover or the song lyrics in the book. All rights go to the photographers and writers. 🌟🌟 CHRISTINA HASE ...Dream Of Me280K4.7K"Please, fuck me, please!" I cried, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Only because you look so pretty when you beg." He pushed my face to the cement f...Dominant & Submissive | 18+51.9K1.6K"Good girl, now, call me Daddy!" He whispers, his voice sexy as fuck. "Daddy!" I voiced out, but it came out as a whispering threat. "Louder!&q...Nathaniel Lachlan (Billionaire Brothers Seri...1.5M44.9KStating that Elizabeth Paige had a huge crush on "The Nathaniel Lachlan" since high school would be an understatement but she was a shy girl and never handled..."Yeah, you're right," I sighed. "Do we have any ice cream left?" My appetite for food was practically gone, but I craved anything sugary.12"Choose a movie for us, and I'll go get you a bowl." Kevin walked to the kitchen and got us both a bowl of chocolate-flavored ice cream and topped mine off with chocolate chips, just the way I liked it.97"Thank you." I smiled at him before scrolling through Netflix. In the end, I picked a movie called Molly's Game. I needed something less romantic and more drama-filled right now.94We spent the evening watching two individual movies. On the third, I got so tired I went to bed early and fell asleep to the sound of Kevin chuckling from the living room as he continued the comedy we'd picked out for our second movie.

He ……. (teach) in this college for five years.teachesis teachingtaughthas been teaching

According to the author, what were TWO direct influences on Herrera's career?A. involvement in El MovimientoB. life experience of growing up ChicanoC. teaching poetry to children in CaliforniaD. participation in a theater groupE. earning a scholarship to study sociology

away a lonesome tear, I swallowed down the lump in my throat and steeled myself to go downstairs to Mateo.12This meeting...it wouldn't be easy, but it had to be done. It had to. I couldn't start doubting my decision.4I felt like a self-sacrificing idiot, but wasn't that how it should be if it meant keeping those you cared about safe?14A knock on the door made me flinch, still feeling the effects of the phone call."Gorgeous, are you ready?" Mateo's voice was like a balm for my nerves, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I could breathe easier. The only person outside my door was one I cared about. 37"I'm coming right now," I told him, surprised when my voice came out steady. Beating down whatever hesitation I might've still felt, I went to the door and opened it.5YOU'LL ALSO LIKEYes, Sirs (Book 1 of Desire's Den)62.3M1.4M"You were ours from the second we saw you," he stated as if I didn't have a choice in it, and the truth was, I didn't need to because he was right. I was their...Submissive Desires345K3.7KThis story is really HOT. Like really really really HOT. It's essentially about a college student learning about her hidden desire to submit to a man, with the help of h...Lusting After Lucifer (18+) ☑259K2.5KThis is an erotic romance. Recommended 18+! Completed. Excerpt: His mouth was back on mine in an instant, the door behind us rattling loudly as he thrust against me. &qu...Solicitude394K7.6KRated R "Please, faster," I begged but he didn't oblige. "No, my control, my pace," he said. Then, I felt his lips on mine as he continued easing in...Sometimes he loves me140K3.2K‼️Content warning and trigger warning‼️ This is a dark romance and contains mature content that is not suitable for all readers. The trigger warnings include: - Assault...DOMINANT✔ (DSD SERIES, BOOK ONE)1.3M31.4K⚠️⚠️Rated Mature ⚠️⚠️ 🌟🌟I do not own rights to images on the cover or the song lyrics in the book. All rights go to the photographers and writers. 🌟🌟 CHRISTINA HASE ...Saving Leah2.1M52.3KSaving Leah Series Book 1 Buy an edited and refined version on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PTD577S/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=saving+leah+book&qid=1607281...My breath caught the second I stepped outside as his warm ocean eyes connected with mine. There were so many feelings flashing through his gaze. Still, I didn't let myself read them, too afraid I would see something there that would make leaving even harder. Though, I didn't know if it would be possible for it to be harder than it already was.7His usually easy smile that showcased his beautiful dimples was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was strained and sad. The last time we had spoken, I'd come at him with all my hurt and betrayal, and to say it had been a tough conversation would be an understatement. I could still recall the last time I spoke to him in the park when I confronted him about what they'd kept from me. I'd been a little broken and a little scarred and a whole lot hurt.32Mateo was the one I found the easiest to approach, which was why I'd wanted to talk to him first. He always had this laid-back way about him that had drawn me to him right from the start. It made me feel safe and calm, which I had needed the most when it became time to deal with their betrayal. 16Even with the sadness surrounding us both, I still felt the easiness of being with him now; my soul yearned to never let go of that feeling of tranquility he provided.2There was this instant humming beneath my skin as I joined him outside my apartment. Every cell of my body begged me to cross the small gap between us and fling myself into his arms and the safety of his embrace. Even with the trust currently broken between us, I didn't think my craving for him and the others would ever go away.8He was wearing a dark blue suit that was fitted to his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Two of the buttons on the white shirt underneath his jacket were undone, and I just knew it was because the formal wear felt stiffening to him. He was more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, but damn...he looked good in it.37It had only been a couple of days since I'd seen him last, but standing in front of him now, it felt like ages ago. The sight of him was heartbreakingly beautiful.5I noticed he'd been able to get inside the building, but I didn't comment on it. If Callan still had the key from when he fixed the ceiling and shower, then Mateo had probably borrowed it from him. Frankly...it made me feel safer knowing they could reach me if I needed them.