The Secrets We Keep (Lover's Secrets Book I)
12/11/2023
The Secrets We Keep
Ivy Rhodes has never had an easy life. Now nineteen, she has spent her life in the foster care system, and now lives alone in a rundown apartment building, working a dead-end job as a waitress for a boss who has stopped paying her. But Ivy’s life is forever changed when her best friend introduces her to Celestial, a secret high-class business that provides beautiful young women to rich men who will pay them thousands for steamy nights. Although she knows it is high-class prostitution, Ivy is desperate to not end up homeless, and signs up to entertain one of the men for a night. What she doesn't count on is meeting Corbin Black. Incredibly handsome and immensely rich, Corbin immediately draws Ivy to him, and the two begin an intense relationship filled with physical passion behind securely closed doors. But as she continues to see him, Ivy begins to realize that not all is as it seems. Because everyone has secrets, and some are written on one's very soul... **Available on Galatea - First 5 chapters available on Inkitt**
Excerpt
The elevator finally stopped and opened to a long, wide hallway. I followed it to the left, scanning the door numbers. It was almost at the end of the hallway when I reached 1066. I stopped in front of the door, steadying myself, then knocked. “Enter.” a male voice called. I grasped the knob as the light over it turned green, and the door opened for me. The room I stepped into was large and luxurious, with a king-sized bed in the middle that had a dark comforter on it. There were dressers on the side, and a huge TV was hung on the wall across from it. I stepped in there, allowing the door to close, and I saw a figure sitting in a chair at the small table by a wall made up of windows with an incredible view of the city. My heart almost jumped in my throat as I took in the man sitting there. No, this guy wasn’t old at all. He was drop-dead gorgeous. He didn’t look that much older than me, maybe in his mid-twenties, and had a handsome face that was swept by pitch-black hair. His eyes were vivid even in the dimmer lighting of the room, and I swore that his irises looked like they were a dark violet. He smiled as he stood up and came over to me. I was only a little over five feet, and the way he stood towering over me, I was sure he was at least six-two or three. “I have to say I’m impressed. You are as beautiful as your picture,” he commented with a voice that sounded as smooth as silk. “T-thank you…” I managed, “Are you… Corbin Black?” “I am, and yes, that is my real name. You can call me Corbin,” he told me. “Corbin…” I said absently. He chuckled like I’d amused him, holding my chin to look at my face. “Yes, very beautiful. I love your eyes the most, although I’m looking forward to seeing your body too.” I gulped as I heard this, but worked hard not to let him see it. I was nineteen, and I understood the mechanics of sex. I could do this. Besides, this guy was hot. A small part of me was anticipating being with him. “If that’s what you’d like, then we can get started anytime you want.” I offered. A cocky smile crossed Corbin’s face, “I do like that you’re so willing too. Why don’t you set your purse on that chair? Then we can have some fun.” I did as he asked, and Corbin pulled me closer to the bed, cupping my face. I closed my eyes as he drew closer to me, feeling his lips press against my own. The first motions were soft, an almost sweet caress. I had never been kissed before, but I liked how his felt. He pulled back a little, then kissed me again, and this time, I felt his lips part a little, and the soft lap of his tongue against my lips. I hesitantly opened my mouth, allowing his tongue to slip in and caress my own. A soft sound escaped me as I moved my tongue with his, pressing a little closer to him. My hands moved to his chest, feeling the firmness of it under his dress shirt. Corbin finally pulled back again, that same smile still on his face as he looked at me. I had the sense that my face was a bit flushed, but I had never experienced such feelings before, and to think that they were only from a kiss.
