Let Me Read You In — Anae

Welcome to Let Me Read You In, where you can hear a chapter of my novels before choosing which world you want to enter.

This is Anae, a dark chaebol romance, by me, Tierra Cox.

If this chapter catches you, you can find the full book on Amazon or Noir Pages. (starting July 10)

Now, let me read you in.

Transcript

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Welcome to Let Me Read You In, where you can hear a chapter of one of my novels before choosing which world you want to enter. This is Anne, a dark chaul romance where one has to be careful who you give your attention to. Written by me, Tiara Cox. If this chapter catches you, you can find the full book on Amazon or Noir pages. If you're on my website right now, click the button below. Now, let me read you in. I should have thought harder about what having sex with Chung would do to our relationship. I knew he was a little over-eager. I did know that. For the last four months he's been bringing coffee, treats, flowers, walking me to the bus stop or giving me rides home. Which is fine. Awesome. But my lord, the man hovers. He's in every ounce of my business, whether it concerns him or not. Then there are the gifts. He walks me to my apartment, love that for me. And what do I see? Flowers so large he has to carry them inside. I'm at home on the weekends, and a lavish dress is delivered. Cut to my size. Then he's picking me up for a date. The expensive dates we've been on, it's a lot. It feels like too much. And each time I ask him where he's getting the money, all I hear is my grandmother left money for me. How I choose to spend it is up to me. Enjoy the fact that I want to make myself happy by seeing you smile. Sassy, I have to admit it, I like that. What I'm starting to feel is overwhelmed. Hey Ella, Unwu grins as I walk into the foyer. I had to cancel our dinner last time. Can we go this weekend? I scan my badge and nod. Yes, you, me, Mina, who else? He raises his eyebrows. Oh I meant the three of us is fine, but he turns. Jun, do you want to come with us? Drinking, eating? Me, you, Mina, Ella? Jun smirks. Mina Wong? Yes. Well, that cements it. We make a plan for after work on Friday around eight thirty, and that's the end of my thought trail. I don't look at it any further. Coworkers and friends hanging out. It isn't until I'm halfway into Soju bottle number two and Enwu leans over close to tell me some gossip he's heard lately that a chair scrapes at our table. We all look up, and I see Chung smiling down at me before he sits. Hello, Baube. I notice he reverts to Chinese when he wants to be direct or snippy. Korean is for everyday use. You didn't tell me about your get together. I'm shocked. Mina begins to giggle, and when my eyes cut to her she presses her lips together, looking away while her shoulders shake with mirth. I'm having fun with my coworkers, I say, trying to keep composed. We work together. Chang picks up my soju bottle and drinks from it. You didn't answer my text for two hours. Embarrassing doesn't begin to cover this. Enwu places his arm around the back of my chair, and that's his first mistake. Answering texts. He looks at me then back to Chung. I don't know you very well. I've known Ella for some time. Chang sets the bottle down harder than necessary. I think I know Ella well enough. His eyes darken as he leans in, voice barely above a whisper, as he says to me, should I tell him what you're screaming when you're dribbling down my chin? Okay. I scoop my chair back, snatching Chiang's arm. Come with me. Outside is no better. As soon as we disappear around the corner he turns the tables, hand on my throat as I'm gently cornered in an alley. Two hours, Lao Po. That's a long time to make me wait. He leans in, the air around him smells like tobacco and white musk. Then I find you with another man. Are you trying to make me jealous? How the fuck did you know where I was? I push his chest, but of course he doesn't budge. He holds up his phone. We share location. I never I did it, Cheng replies. What is Enwu to you? I want to know before I break his legs. If you think he's cute like a puppy, fine. If he's just a friend, I'll tolerate it. Chung meets my eyes, his gloved hand gently cupping my chin as he tilts my head up. But if you ever thought about sleeping with him, we have a problem, Ella. The threat hangs in the air. The alley smells of exhaust and fear. My pulse is loud. My body answers before my brain gives permission. That fact will shame me later when I have time to reckon with it. Slipping away from him, I open and close my mouth searching for something to say. I should not be turned on by his possessiveness or the way he looks at me like I'm his saving grace. The hook keeping him from falling off the edge gives me a sense of power. He's making me feel powerful, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. No, Chiang, I've never thought about sleeping with him. He's also not a puppy. Enwu is a friend. Licking my lips, I hold up a hand as he tries to come closer. You cannot do things like this. It's embarrassing. I don't care. You belong to me, he growls. I am not for sale. I didn't buy you Ella. Chiang chuckles. I could never buy you Ella. If I could, you wouldn't interest me. You found me. He snakes his left arm around my waist, his right hand sliding up my chest between my breasts. And I latched on to you for warmth I've never experienced. I'm not letting go. He's insufferable and poetic. Damn him. Chung, let me go. I'm with my friends, and I will call you when I'm leaving. I'll wait for you in my car, and I will drive you home. He doesn't take no for an answer. Chung takes my hand and leads me back into the restaurant, making it plainly known who he is to me when he leans forward and kisses me on the lips. Back at the table, Enwu smirks, eyes downcasts. I guess I was too slow. A man dressed in all black enters the restaurant not long after and takes a seat near us. Removing his black gloves, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before. I'm sorry, I say, directing my attention back to Enwu. He jerks his chin toward the door. You're dating Cheng? She is, Mina interrupts. I did tell you last year to ask her on a date, Enwu. June smirks. He's shy. Besides, Cheng is young, no? He smiles at me. Stability is with a man who sees in. Enwu is thirty eight this year. I don't want to be rude or hurt feelings, but I also won't want to detract from my relationship with Cheng. That's enough of that talk. I place my hand on En Wu's. Yes, Cheng and I are dating, but you are my friend, and that won't change. Of course not, Enwu smiles. He does seem scary, though. Big security man like you worried, Mina chuckles. You're built like Ma Dong So In Wu lifts his arm and flexes. True. The rest of the night goes well, and as soon as I step outside, of course, there's Chiang leaning against his car smoking a cigarette. I say my goodbyes, and he stares as I walk over, flicking it away. Did you pick up your pills today? He asks, like everything is hunky dory. Shaking my head I suck my teeth. What does that have to do with anything? Yes, don't be stupid, Chung. He doesn't respond, just opens the passenger door. Into the car, pretty lady. Chung Break up with me? I doubt it. Be irritated with me? Absolutely. I stare at her without looking away as I turn on the vehicle. It's only when I pull out and reach a red light that I look at her. She's staring back, narrow eyed and annoyed, mouth pinched. She's so beautiful. It's been three months since we started dating, and I've loved every minute of it. She's been combative, testing me, and get the way she looks at me, the way she wraps her arms around me, the way she says my name, I've never felt this level of love, and I know she hasn't either. I love you, I say. I'm in love with you, Ella, and I don't want to hide that anymore. She covers her face. Chiang, you don't have to say it back. I know she's nervous, but damn I need to hear it. She breathes heavily. I care about you a lot, but things have been so rocky lately. Because you won't let me love you. What was tonight? She snaps. What was that? It's not far to her home, and I park in front of the building. I'm protective over the ones I love, I say before getting out. As I open her door, Ella looks up at me. Protective or possessive? Both, I grin, taking her hand. Besides, he likes you. It's not lost on me that Enwesn't think I'm good enough for you. Chang, she rolls her eyes. What you did tonight no more ever, and I mean it. I have a teasing streak, but sometimes I enjoy pushing her. I like watching Ellis snap because I know exactly where that energy will go. That and I've been tracking her phone, her messages, her calendar. As she reaches her door I finally answer What if I don't? What if I keep doing this? My hands brace on her door frame, sealing her between my chest and the door. What are you gonna do? Ella clucks her tongue. Jugle Her answer takes me back and I laugh. I'm dead ass, she says, pushing my shoulder. Chung, I'm a grown ass woman. If I tell you to stop, then I mean that shit. She's feeding into it. Time to seal the deal. Grabbing the hair at the nape of her neck, I force Ella toward me, securing both her wrists and my right hand. She gasps, and the way her pupils widen tell me she's turned on. You belong to me. Got that? I rub my nose along her neck, tilting her head back. Your body your mind Your soul. Stop. She breathes hard, not because I'm hurting her, but because her chest is rising and falling. Chiang My tongue slides along her carotid artery. She huffs and settles immediately. Look at you. Probably wet. Skin flushed. Pupils blown. You want me, Ella. And I've always wanted you. Let me go. She swallows. Open the door. My hand stays at the back of her neck. As the door creaks open, my grip tightens. Take off your shoes. Go to your room. I close the door behind us. Now. You just heard the opening chapter of Ane by me, Tierra Cox. If you want the rest of the story, you can find the full book on Amazon or Noir Pages. Follow the link below for Ane or explore the full Crimson Ties collection. Thank you for listening. I'll see you in the next story.