Dean POVI found myself hardly surprised when Caleb interrupted the proceedings we were engaged in. On some subconscious level, I might have even welcomed his interference as a lifeline out of the quagmire I'd found myself in, knowing I wasn't handling things as effectively as usual. As the others quickly scattered, Caleb took the lead, guiding me away from the business complex and back towards the villa, where the privacy of my office awaited our candid conversation."Let's be honest, brother. You need to get a grip on what's happening. What was going on in there?" Caleb queried as we walked. "I've observed as you meticulously laid the groundwork for this meeting over the months, strategizing intelligently at every turn. But today, instead of leading with the decisiveness you're known for, you appeared uncertain and hesitant. That's not the Dean people rely on.""I know," I muttered in return, not meeting his eyes. "You don't have to tell me.""I
Dean POV "I suggested, would it truly be such a challenging admission to acknowledge within yourself the need for love, a genuine yearning for someone who can reciprocate those feelings? You long for a presence to hold once more, brother. I've observed the way your eyes trace her every movement, the anticipation that fills you when she enters a room. In the relatively brief period that Blossom has been here, she's managed to turn your world completely on its head. She's the sole catalyst making you question your steadfast resolution to never fall in love again," Caleb continued earnestly. "I realize this might not be the message you expected or even wanted to hear from me, but no one understands you quite like I do."I fixed my gaze directly on Caleb, who met my eyes confidently without flinching."I suppose," I began, only to pause and release a heavy sigh. "I suppose it all caught me off guard. I never anticipated it would become an issue. Declaring my
Blossom povDean remained utterly captivated by the mere sight of me. The fact that I turned around both times he silently implored me to confirmed a deep, undeniable connection between us—a realization that we could communicate telepathically. This development came as a surprise, happening much sooner than either of us had anticipated, yet it brought Dean a sense of assurance about the feelings he found increasingly difficult to suppress. Such a rare form of communication, he had mused, couldn't possibly stem from mere lust. It had to signify something deeper and more profound about our burgeoning relationship.He had shared with me before how this type of connection took much longer with Eliza, causing a strain between them. Eliza's frustration had been palpable, her words echoing in his mind as she accused him of "not trying hard enough." But here, with me, everything seemed effortless.The other members of the pack who had been milling around the court
Blossom POVDespite his insistence, I hadn't moved a muscle, and neither had Dean, who remained standing right behind me, his body nearly brushing against my bare skin, exposed beneath the strings of my bikini.Of course, it was more likely that he simply wasn't comfortable with the idea of his mate being dressed so scantily in public. The thought delighted me momentarily, almost akin to sparking a flare of jealousy in him. It reminded me of the morning when he saw me with Caleb and had to digest the discomfort of feeling he had to share me with others. In those moments, Dean experienced a vulnerability similar to what I often felt.Yes, I reasoned, while it may not precisely mirror the envy he felt after witnessing me with Caleb, it was gratifying nonetheless. By now, he must have realized that any romantic implication between Caleb and me was nothing more than an elaborate ruse.Dean was growing visibly impatient. "Blossom, I said get back to th
Blossom POVDean couldn't help but chuckle to himself as I explained that I simply wanted to go for a swim. Given my choice of swimwear, he knew I wasn't merely planning to do a few laps. I looked absolutely breathtaking, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from me. It was clear that he needed to be by my side—not just to get me to go inside or cover up, but because my presence stirred a desire within him that was becoming painfully intense. There were times I felt I made him lose control, and that internal struggle was tearing him apart. He had strong feelings for me, yet he kept insisting that it couldn't possibly be love—he had vowed never to love another woman.I could see that Dean was starting to understand what I needed: to hurt him back for the pain he had caused me. I wasn't someone who sought to hurt others just for amusement, even though people like that certainly existed. I was acting out, desperately trying to grab his attention and make him f
Blossom POVAs I looked into Dean's eyes, I saw disbelief etched across his face. I hoped he would reassure me, tell me it was all a misunderstanding, that I hadn't seen what I thought I saw and that he hadn't been embracing Liza. There were so many things I wanted to hear from him, so many explanations he could offer. Yet, he just stared at me, as if completely clueless about what I was referring to. He remained silent.Summoning my courage, I spoke in a calm, measured tone, "I saw you both last night. After you left me and didn't return for so long, I began to worry about you. So, I crept out into the corridor. There was a door ajar, and I thought I could find you and make sure you were okay. I quietly approached the door until I could see inside, and there you were with Liza. She had her arms around you," I continued. "And I think I saw your arms around her, too."Finally, I had spoken the truth that had been weighing on me all day. I studied Dean's face, hop
Blossom POVSuddenly, Dean felt a strong urge to keep me close, safeguarding me from the world's harm. My sweetness and innocence fueled his protective instincts. He realized he should have shielded me from Liza and wondered if I had encountered her after he sent her away from Eliza's room.I was contemplating Dean's words when I felt his arms wrap around me, holding me protectively. The security of his embrace soothed me more than anything else that day, or perhaps it was finally hearing the truth in his own words. I realized I needed to place my trust in Dean, rather than others. I was relieved to hear that Liza would soon be leaving the villa.As Dean and I lay together, his arms holding me, we each became absorbed in our own thoughts. I continued to process his explanation of the previous night, willing myself to believe him completely. Initially, I thought I could. It was a relief to finally hear him speak about that night, answering questions I had been lo
Blossom POV.Liza knew exactly how to exploit my vulnerabilities. She understood just where my insecurities lay when it came to Dean. Once she found my weak spot, she knew how to press it, cutting deep and mercilessly.Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by Dean's voice. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you," he said. "I need to leave for a business trip shortly and won't be back until tomorrow."Dean tried to sound casual, though I could sense he wished he had given me more notice. It was one of the reasons he sought me out earlier when he found me in the breakfast room with Caleb. Things hadn't gone as planned then, and he'd been looking for the right moment to tell me since. He could have mentioned it sooner, but being caught up in our shared moments distracted him. The timing was less than ideal, he realized, but hopefully, he had soothed my worries. I was naive and innocent, and he knew he needed to be more mindful of what might unsettle me to avoid th