Page 56 of Can You Take It?

I snap out of my trance, taking the shirt from him. The silk fabric hugs my body, and I can feel his heat lingering on it. With a murmur of gratitude, I turn and walk in the direction of my room.

“Good night, Izel,” Richard says with a smirk.

My response is barely more than a faint, “Good night.”

In my room, as I lay in bed, I think about the risky situation I’ve just walked into. It’s a complicated mess, one that I’m not entirely sure how to handle. But in this moment, I feel a sense of empowerment that I haven’t felt in a long time. I'm grateful that he’s given me something I’ve never had before - a glimmer of respect and a taste of what it feels like to be treated with care.

Chapter 17

RICHARD

I’m back in my office, surrounded by stacks of case files that demand my attention. But my mind is a jumbled mess, and I can’t seem to think straight. I’m still rock hard from the encounter with Izel, her moans are replaying in my head like a broken record. I’ve even jacked off, hoping it would help me focus, but my insatiable cock refuses to calm down. It’s like it has a mind of its own, and I’m starting to wonder how it hasn’t detached itself from my body yet.

I run a hand through my hair, forcing my thoughts back to the case in front of me. But every time I try to concentrate, I’m distracted by the memory of Izel beneath me, her body responding to mine with an intensity that’s hard to forget.

Noah enters my office, and I don’t even look up before snapping at him, “What do you want?”

“Someone’s in a great mood. Is it because you haven’t gotten laid in a while?”

I shoot him a glare. “It’s none of your damn business.”

Noah chuckles, undeterred by my annoyance. “Come on, Rick, don’t be such a prude. Everyone needs to get laid once in a while.”

“I have more important things to worry about than my sex life.”

Noah leans against my desk. “Well, maybe you should take a break. It might help you focus on your work better.”

“I don’t need your advice, Noah.”

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, just trying to help. But if you ever change your mind, I know a few places where you can get some action.”

The only action I need is from Izel and rightfully so my thoughts are consumed by her, by the hunger that she’s awakened in me and the memories that I can’t seem to shake.

Just as I’m about to get lost in my thoughts again, the door to my office swings open, and Colton walks in.

“Can’t you all bother knocking?” I snap.

Colton raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “We’ve never knocked before. What’s got you so riled up, Rick?”

“Yeah, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?” Noah teases.

I shoot them both a glare. “You might want to watch your mouths. I’m not in the mood.”

“Well, I’ve got some news for you,” Colton begins. “My recent visit to Hollowbrook was... weird.”

Colton’s words pique my interest, “Weird how?”

“Well, I went to Hollowbrook as you requested, to check on Izel’s background. It all seemed so... normal, but something felt off, like a weird vibe in the town.”

I nod, eager to hear more. This could be a clue, something that might help me understand Izel’s past.

“I visited the schools and hospitals, but there was never anything wrong with Izel. In fact, she was named Isla after hergreat grandmother. It’s only when she turned eighteen that she legally changed her name to Izel.”

“That’s strange. Why would she change her name?”

“I don’t know. But her academic background checked out and based on the medical records Luna was able to charm off the hospital, Isla or Izel never really had a scar,” Colton shrugs.

“But I’ve seen the scar on her stomach. It’s real, and it’s old.”

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