

Desire and Obsession
Cherese Nortje · Ongoing · 49.2k Words
Introduction
Instead, one reckless night with a mysterious stranger spirals into a forbidden affair with her English professor. Ethan James is intoxicating—older, charming, and impossible to resist. But when Laramie learns he’s married with a baby on the way, her perfect fantasy shatters into a nightmare.
Breaking things off should have been the end.
But Ethan isn’t willing to let her go.
As obsession twists into something darker, Laramie’s reputation, relationships, and very future hang in the balance. To reclaim her life—and her chance at real love—she’ll have to find the strength to fight back before Ethan destroys everything.
Chapter 1
Laramie:
The college bar was dimly lit. But not in a weird or creepy way - rather in a way that suggested romance and mystery. A sweet scent hung heavy in the air. Soft slow music pulsed somewhere in the distance. It was the kind of atmosphere that made you feel like anything could happen.
The place was mostly empty, except for a barkeep, lazily wiping down the counter, a couple sitting in the far corner, deeply staring into each other's eyes and whispering sweet nothings, and a man sitting alone by the bar.
He had his back to me, so I couldn't see his face, but something about the way he sat there, isolated and silent drew me in - made me curious. About what he would look like if he turned around. What would his voice sound like? What did he smell like? Maybe even what it would feel like if his fingers were to graze the delicate skin of my inner thighs.
I walked into the room fully and headed over to the bar. No one seemed to notice me and if they did, they didn't seem to care. I had just finished moving into my new dorm room and had some time to kill while I waited for my dad - he was in a meeting with the Dean about his new job as the head of the English department.
I was excited about college. It would be different than high school in the way that no one cared who you were or where you came from. Everyone seemed too busy minding their own business to pay any real attention to anyone else.
College would be a place where I could get lost and eventually find the me I wanted to be. I could be anyone here. Do anything. I could be reckless and wild. Or I could simply disappear completely. Both would be fine. Both would be acceptable.
"A beer, please?" My voice sounded a little uncertain as I sat down on one of the empty stools.
The barkeep looked up from his labouring, regarded me with vague interest before shrugging. "Sure. Coming right up." He turned and a few seconds later, put an ice cold beer down in front of me.
"Thanks," I sounded a little more confident after clearing my throat.
He gave me a tight nod and returned to his work as if our encounter never happened.
I glanced over my shoulder at the couple in the corner - their mouths were devouring each other, their bodies twisted together in passion, hands exploring eagerly. Like they had somehow completely forgotten that they were in public. What it must feel like to be that free... After watching them for a few seconds, I began to feel awkward, so I slowly turned my head back toward the lonely stranger sitting by the bar.
He had shifted on his stool - enough for me to see his profile. God, he was gorgeous: broad shoulders, strong hands, dark hair. His sharp features softened slightly by the glint of his glasses and the sensual curve of his full lips. He was older - not by much, but enough to make him forbidden. A hot sensation began to swirl between my thighs. I pushed them together and took a sip of my beer, trying to calm the unexplainable ache rising from between my legs.
I almost choked when the stranger spoke to me.
"You okay down there?"
His voice was deep, sultry. Like velvet. When I looked at him again, he was staring at me - his eyes dark, hungry. As if they were stripping me naked, memorizing every curve of my face. His stare pinned me to the spot.
I couldn't move - wasn't sure that I wanted to.
Maybe I should have minded, looked away even. But I enjoyed the way he was looking at me. I liked seeing the desire on his face - the need in his eyes. I relished in the fact that I was the reason for it.
"Fine, thanks," the words came out in a seductive sort of whisper that made them sound more like an invitation than an answer.
A slow smirk crept across his face as he stood, slowly, and made his way over to me. He sat down on the stool next to me, moving closer than he needed to be, his drink in his hand. I caught his scent - it was even better than I imagined: strong, masculine, sensual.
The flood of desire I felt almost made me slip off the stool.
"You look nervous. Is this your first time in a bar?" He drawled in an effortlessly sexy way.
"No... I... no," I tried to sound sophisticated - grown-up, but he made me feel nervous instead.
He smiled. "Okay."
"It's the truth," I could feel the colour rushing to my cheeks. Why was I defending myself to this stranger? Why did it matter so much what he thought of me?
He kept his eyes on me. His hand was so close to mine on the bar that his fingers brushed mine slightly. A moment of silence fell between us - the air grew thick with anticipation. I had to swallow hard.
"You're kind of adorable."
"Gee thanks," a different kind of heat was rising inside me then.
"I meant it as a compliment," his eyes still lingered on my face, the smirk still on his lips.
"That's something you say to a puppy, or a baby."
"Or something innocent... pure."
"What makes you think that I'm innocent?"
His face grew serious then. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch was electric.
"Aren't you?" The question felt loaded.
I had to look away then - I suddenly felt vulnerable beneath his intense stare.
My fingers twitched slightly, and when he lay his hand on top of mine it felt so natural - so right. My skin tingled beneath his. Images of his naked, sweaty body rubbing up against mine found their way into my mind.
He looked at me, his eyes searched mine, patiently waiting. I could feel my nipples harden as they strained against the lace of my bra. My heart raced, blood rushed - my breath hitched. I wanted this man. And I was sure that he wanted me too.
After a beat, he turned in his stool and began to swirl his drink in his hand. He sighed -
"Do you ever wish that you could just be someone else for a while?"
The question caught me off guard, and for a moment I couldn't answer. It's exactly what I've been thinking.
"Yes," I said finally. "All the time."
His eyes found mine again. He looked pleased with my answer. Like I had somehow just given him permission.
"Then come with me,"
He stood up, pulling me to my feet as well, and led me to the back of the bar. I stopped and hesitated for a second. He never took his eyes off me as he stepped closer, putting his mouth next to my ear. The rasp of his breath was hot and slightly wet against my skin - it sent a delicious shiver down my spine.
"Be someone else with me for a while."
I remained frozen. A part of me was screaming at me to turn around and leave - that there was something dangerous happening here. But another part of me, a much louder part, was urging me to surrender to this handsome stranger.
I wanted to be reckless and wild. I wanted to follow him - not just to the back of the bar, but to the end of the earth if he allowed me to.
I wanted to lose myself in this man. But somehow I knew that I would never be the same if I did... nothing would be.
I turned my head toward the door - walking away was the easy, obvious choice. Or at least it should have been.
Last Chapters
#43 Chapter 43 Behind the closed door.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#42 Chapter 42 A quiet moment with Ethan.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#41 Chapter 41 Tension.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#40 Chapter 40 Unexpected.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#39 Chapter 39 A promise. A suspicion. An expectation.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#38 Chapter 38 Only Ethan now.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#37 Chapter 37 Laramie.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#36 Chapter 36 Just don't, please?
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#35 Chapter 35 My mind is made up.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025#34 Chapter 34 Hot and cold.
Last Updated: 10/10/2025
You Might Like 😍
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions
After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.
Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.
Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
The Badass Mafia Princess and Family
Mr. Ryan
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.
Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.
She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan
Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!
Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.
Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
His Mission
Emily is suddenly thrown from one world of danger and uncertainty into another. The two teens ride the rollercoaster of love, unbelievable betrayal and heartache.
Surrendering to Destiny
Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.
From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.
Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Omega Bound
Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life.
Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
“Burn those who burned me!”
Burn those who burned me is an anthology book circulated on truth; justice; and REVENGE!
Story #1 The Ballad of Rabena Price.
Story #2 The rebirth of Clara Granger
Story #3 The violin of Graceland Teague
Story #4 The list for Josie Taylor
Story #5 COMING SOON!
Letting Go
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend
“You are going to take every inch of me.” He whispered as he thrusted up.
“Fuck, you feel so fucking good. Is this what you wanted, my dick inside you?” He asked, knowing I have benticing him since the beginning.
“Y..yes,” I breathed.
Brianna Fletcher had been running from dangerous men all her life but when she got an opportunity to stay with his elder brother after graduation, there she met the most dangerous of them all. Her brother's best friend, a mafia Don. He radiated danger but she couldn't stay away.
He knows his best friend's little sister is off limits and yet, he couldn't stop thinking of her.
Will they be able to break all rules and find closure in each other's arms?
I Am His Wolfless Luna
Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.
"Please!! Ethan!!"
As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.
Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.
I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
The Wrong Alpha - A Twist of Fate?
Balance of Light and Shadow
Little did she know how much both worlds need her to bring peace and true freedom.