Christian Hendrix's story (straight out of Coffee And Papers) * * * His heart was broken by the rejection from his one true love and now, a possible way surfaced for him to grow out of that pain. There was no thinking twice. He accepted the proposal and now, he's about to marry the only child of a business tycoon except, she's no ordinary person. Twenty-three-year-old Harieth Gryffin was a woman dazzled by the materialistic features of this world. A total opposite to his first love. A living epitome of your typical blonde heiress. Shopaholic, carefree, sassy and child-like attitude. A date was fixed and the media fully informed but it seems the Gryffins are up to something a little sinister behind the cameras. * * * My husband, whose heart belongs to another. * * * "I..." "You seem to have forgotten why you're standing here in the first place... Perhaps, I should remind you. We're getting married tomorrow just because I wish to see my family's company progress further. Therefore, because of the money. For future reference, there's no need for you to act like a wife. Don't ask me questions relating to my personal life and don't try to get close to me. I don't like you now and I definitely won't like you in a few months." With that, he walked away, leaving me to reminisce on his harsh statement. A crazy chuckle escaped my lips as I try my best not to feel affected by his words. Definitely, I've heard worse. * * * I won't call this book a sequel because it can be read as a standalone.

I stand there with my back away from him. I couldn't look at him not after he hurt me. How was I supposed to believe anything that came out of his mouth? "Helena. I'- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." taking a step closer. The heat of his muscular body penetrated my cold skin. "Leave, just - leave me alone. I can't take it anymore. You broke me. Don't you get that?" whispering the last part. "I did. Please..." "Don't, your words don't mean anything. You don't mean anything." I wanted him to hurt as badly as he hurt me. "That's not true. I know you don't mean that. You want me as much as I want you." his breath lingering in my ear. "Don't flatter yourself. I hate you. I.Don't.Want.You." hissing as I turned around to face him. He pursed his lips and I knew my words cut deep. I wasn't going to be nice anymore. Kane made sure that part of me was gone. Silence filled the room. It was suffocating me just like he was and right when I was going to turn around he grabbed me slamming me to his hard chest. "Too bad, cause I want you." smashing his lips on mine he kissed me hungrily as if his life depended on it. I tried pushing him away but I couldn't or simply I just didn't want to. Did I want him after what he's done? Lifting me up he walked us to the bed laying me down slowly. Pulling away he took his shirt off then kissed me again. "I want you. There's no one else I want more than you. Let me be your first and last." I didn't know what I was thinking or if I was at that moment, but I wanted him. I couldn't deny it. "Take me. I want you to make love to me." letting the words come out making him smile. Without another word he kissed me softly. "I've been waiting for you to say that to me for a while. I will make love to you until the sun comes up baby." then took my shirt off with everything else. His body pressed against mine. "I love you Helena and I always will." as he entered me taking my virginity just like he always planned to. #47- 11/23/16 #65- 11/24

He never knew life could be this way, but truly if he did, he wouldn't have cared. He cared about nothing, not even himself until her. Before her, he was empty/ Before her he knew nothing of joy or completion, and this is his journey to his life After her.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.

I stand there wide eyed and frozen where I am being held in place. The sounds of fists connecting on skin, cracking under his bloody fists. How can he be so cruel and heartless? Why doesn't he just leave me alone? "STOP PLEASE JUST STOP!" I hear myself scream feeling warm tears fall down my cheek. I couldn't bear it anymore. At the sound of my scream, he stops midair snapping his head towards my frightened one with a sadistic smirk. He does that every time someone begs. "Sorry Princess, I don't think I heard you?" He heard me, that's how he plays with people's emotions. "Stop just let him go he didn't do anything wrong." He stares at me blankly. His eyes show anger. "HE DID DO SOMETHING WRONG! HE TOUCHED YOU! NO ONE TOUCHES WHAT'S MINE!" I flinch from his screams, something I always do when he yells. "I'm... we aren't." I shake my head. "Say it. I WANT.TO.HEAR.YOU.SAY.IT!" I know what he wants me to say, I just couldn't. He notices that I am not going to say the three words he wants to hear. Turning to face his punching bag, he lifts his arm again, hatred in his eyes. "STOP! I -- I'll say it, just please stop. He's had enough." I say defeated. Dropping his arm, he drops him on the ground like a sack of dirt and stalks towards me as the arms that restrain me let go. "Tell me Princess. Tell me what I want to hear." he cups my face with his bloody hands. Staring into his cold-hearted eyes I let out a shaky breath "I -- I'm...only...yours." His lips curl up into a smile pulling me into his lips. Kissing me possessively, I shut my eyes tightly. Pulling away he goes back to a serious face. "You.Are.OnlyMine! Remember that. You belong to me. You know I will kill any guy that even thinks to look, speak or touch you. Do you understand me? I nod my head yes glancing over at the limp body on the ground then back at him. Stepping back, he turns and kicks him on his side making him spit blood out. "Next time you're dead!" ... I'm only his...

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.

The passionate story of Tessa and Hardin continues as family secrets, deep betrayals, and career opportunities threaten to tear them apart.