Her smile is hollow and her stomach is in knots. "It's not that simple," she whispered, walking to the window and resting her overheated forehead against the thickened glass. Her throat was dry and her head hurt. "My family has lost so much. After Carlos, they were never the same again. I know I can't replace him.""What does that mean?" His tone was sharp and close. She didn't move. Sadness hung over her, as fresh as that day many years ago."I don't like them," she said softly. "My mom, dad, Lance, Carlos. They were all cut from the same fabric. I was the cuckoo in the nest, a mystery. They never got me. Marrying Dom was supposed to be—." Shaking her head, she didn't want to discuss her ex husband at that time, nor did she want to discuss the reasons for her too reckless engagement."I didn't mean to add to their grief, but I did. I made them suffer and I just wanted to give them this gift. I wanted to do something they would be proud of, just once in my life , before it was too lat
They discuss marriage without emotion, but Victor is no fool. Because Amy was the only woman who had ever called out anything close to emotions in him—even if they were dark emotions—and he had to spend his life now making sure that never happened again. Feelings had no place in his marriage—they never would. ***The driveway gate opened as Amy entered the security code he had given her, and as she pulled up in front of the stunning house, she noticed it was open. It's one of the best areas in Córdova and he's clearly confident in the security arrangements in place. A quick research of counterpoint revealed several hidden cameras, which she suspected were being beamed to some data cloud in real-time, if not to a live surveillance service.She stepped out of the car with innate grace, smoothing her skirt with her hands, frowning slightly as the afternoon sun pierced her like a knife's edge. Covering her eyes, she scanned the house with interest and noticed the modern aura, which remi
"Oh, go change. I'll wait here." The words couldn't have been more brief, and she cringed inwardly. Why on earth did he agree to this? He can find any number of women to bear him children. But it's not without its emotional complications, she reminded herself after a moment. Victor, like her, doesn't want a "real" marriage.So what about giving birth to one or more of his children? The thought stuck in her throat like gravel. All afternoon, she thought about his request, remembering how convinced she was that she wanted children. But her marriage to Dom kills her dream day after day, and Amy isn't sure she can revive it.She put the briefcase on a bar stool, reached for the champagne, took a sip, and put the glass back on the counter. He was back in no time, thankfully in a pair of khaki shorts and a gray T-shirt, so all she had to face was the alluring specter of his tanned legs, muscular calves, and perfectly covered black hair. So masculine, and—she moaned inside. It will be a di
"Is there anything wrong with that?" "Except that I'm not someone my family would give away?" "He's traditional. It's about respect." "But you are you," she reminded him. "What do you mean?" "You're the last person on earth to ask anyone for anything." "True, but the circumstances here are unique. My relationship with your cousin, your brother, your parents—I cannot ignore your father's wishes. I will speak to him first."She wasn't expecting this old-fashioned insistence, and she had to remind herself that it was out of respect for her father, nothing more. "Okay." He turned over the contract page. "What kind of wedding do you want?" He kept asking her questions for the next hour, listing details she hadn't considered until finally he put down his pen and staggered to his feet. "That's it.""Very well rounded," she agrees while wondering why the butterflies in her belly seem to be more excitement than anxiety. "I'll have my office draft a press release tomorrow." "I've done
The vows were recited in full, and then the priest uttered the platitudes out of nowhere, completely oblivious to Amy. "You can kiss the bride now." Startled, her eyes widen, and she flies to Victor's face, berating herself for not pre-empting it as she grapples with the turn of events. Of course, they have to kiss and seem to enjoy it.Aware that their guest was smiling and watching, not realizing that something was wrong, she raised a hand to Victor's chest, fingers splayed across his pectoral muscles as if to keep him at arm's length— Or maybe to bring him closer? No time to analyze her intentions. A second later his hands came up and grabbed her face, one on each side, big and strong, so her cheeks were completely covered, she was both trapped and held, neither word has a negative connotation for Amy.He tilted her face, glanced at her, mocked, asked, and finally warned, lowering his head. His breath brushed her mouth first, warm and intoxicating, so her lips parted involuntaril
"I wonder what he thinks about it," she asked, shaking her head slightly. "He wants to kill me," Victor replied without a doubt. "Why? To pop in and be my savior?"He turned his face to hers, his eyes gleaming with obvious intent now. "Give direction to my thoughts all week."Her lips were drawn into a perfect curve, and she dared not ask - she didn't need to ask - to clarify where his thoughts were going, because her own had already gone there. She's trying to keep busy, but in her mind, the fact that they're getting married, and the whole weekend now before them, is like a form of hypnosis.If she wasn't paying attention, she would feel like she was being carried away by these thoughts, most wanting to remember every detail of that night. "Are you hungry?" The question was the last thing she expected. She shook her head, but didn't stop making eye contact, she can't. "Do you want to go swimming? Or fishing?" Swimming? Despite the warm weather, that was the least of Amy's conce
Butterflies bloomed on her. So it's not just a means to an end, he's not taking advantage of her desire for him to have a baby, but she can't shake her self-doubt anyway. Old habits are too ingrained, and she has too much to overcome. Yes, that's how Dom treats her, but at the root of it all, and the real reason Dominic is able to sabotage her so successfully, is because Victor rejected her three years ago.The way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her—she'd never forget it. What if it happened again now? What if they slept together and he reacted the same way? Panic broke out, and beads of sweat oozed from her brow. He kissed her hungrily, but her pleasure gradually faded, leaving only anxiety. Sensing the change in Amy's mood, he pulled away, frowning and scanning her face. "Are you okay, sweety?"Great. This is exactly what she needs - kindness. From Victor. With a wink, she turned her attention to the stunning view and feigned a fascination befitting someone who has never
This is a heavy question with only one answer. She needs him. But what she needs more is to put the past out of her mind. She just doesn't know what to do. Marrying Victor made sense that day, but she didn't realize she would be living and having sex with the man who broke her heart and destroyed her self-esteem.She sincerely believes she's gotten over it all, but the more the idea of sleeping with Victor becomes a reality, the more her fears surface, leading her to believe he'll reject her again. And how severe will the sting be this time? No. I won't be long.The dusky is filled with shards of light that split from the slowly setting sun like golden arrowheads on a fuchsia and peach background. The stars are just beginning to twinkle overhead, and the air smells of salt and summer. For the first time in years, she longed to capture landscapes on canvas.She closed her eyes for a moment, imagining the colors she would be mixing to distill exactly the right hue—beyond Amy's color r