I wait in the parlor, a sunken space surrounded by open windows. Salted wind blows in freely, smelling wild and precious. Music plays somewhere, or maybe a wind chime. A figure tends a natural pool down below on the hillside. I can't make out his face."Well, well, well. If it isn't Georgina Felton."I whirl gracelessly, only to stop dead even more gracelessly.Before me stands the most impossibly beautiful man I have ever seen. Tall, golden, sleekly muscular-his thick chestnut curls are dragged back, his sculpted jaw dusted with the chic beginnings of a beard. He wears all linen clothing, showing off golden calves and powerful arms.His eyes, set in a chiseled face, are thick-lashed and the exact color of the wild jungle."Flight was OK, I take it?" He doesn't seem to register my blank awe. Maybe he's used to it. He crosses the room, brushing past me to a bamboo drink cabinet by the windows. He smells of pine and sandalwood and man."What's your poison?""Oh. I. Um."Get it together!
The news comes that night, as I'm questioning my choice to get into that car on the tarmac.I change into something modest and business-like, even though it's getting late, and head downstairs. One of the servants directs me to Richard's office.I take the stairs, an elegant spiral of pale wood and bamboo, and find Richard standing in the conference room on the third floor. Every wall is made of glass, the unyielding black of night stretching on into infinity on all sides.I catch my breath at the sight of him. He's wearing a suit, changed for the dozen video calls he had to take as soon as we got back from the airport. (I can't believe he came in person to the airport! Is he already trying to coax mne into his bed? The thought makes my face burn.) He is a composite of elegant, powerful lines.The slope of his shoulders is broad, and he looks impossibly tall, one hand in his pocket, the other bringing a short glass of whiskey to his lips.I hesitate. Don't hesitate! Then I head in, kn
Even hunched over her laptop, wrapped in the drab kind of clothes so many women wear to hide their curves, Georgina is difficult to look away from.Her hair is an unusual shade; black from some angles, but when struck just right by light, a deep, violet sort of red. She has plain features, a nice mouth, a pleasing profile. But her eyes they're striking. A soft brown that seems to glow in the light and deepen to black in the dark.You want her because you can't have her, says the voice in the back of my head. It sounds mysteriously like Lewis. No, worse — you want her because she doesn't want you.I don't like the thought. I'm not sure a woman has ever turned me down. Even though Georgina is here strictly on business, somehow, the idea that she won't sleep with me does make me want her more. A conquest. A challenge. Like work, or college, or the markets.Something that can be broken like a wild horse."You can take that off, you know," I say, gesturing to her rumpled suit jacket. "You
My heart is in my throat. I grip the sailboat rail and gaze up at the waterfall, a pouring sheet of perfect, glass-clear water. The cave behind it is an open mouth, dark and mysterious and inviting."Well?" Richard is close enough his arm grazes mine, bare skin to bare skin. He's astonishingly hot."Romantic?"I can't help but smile and nod. "Yes. Perfectly romantic."He chuckles, retreating to his seat. Though he did most of the sailing himself, he brought a silent assistant in a polo, who now mans the helm of the sleek, beautiful little watercraft. "Shall we swim?"I turn to him in surprise. He mentioned a bathing suit, but — "We have work to do.""And well still have it after a swim." He'd put his shirt back on, but strips it now. In the second his face is covered, I let myself, foolishly, gape at the gorgeous, golden statue before me. A broad chest dark with hair, stacked abs that glisten slightly with tropical sweat. A furl of dark hair trailing beneath his navel..."Jump in," he
"I don't understand," he says, brow furrowed, eyes narrowed. "When did you post these?"The candid shots I've posted to Richard's Instagram since yesterday — him stolid and suited in front of the dark, rainy window; him bent over his laptop, shirtsleeves rolled to the elbow, expression bare and stern and surprisingly vulnerable; and one of him almost, almost visibly anxious, hand in his dark curls, eyes narrowed on a video call just out of focus — have absolutely blown up."You have six hundred new followers," I say, showing him and ignoring the question. Sea water still drips from his hair and mine, and we're huddled (far, far too close) under the sailboat awning, wind whipping over the little vessel as the assistant pilot steers us back toward Villa Bijou."And far fewer hate comments than usual. And a dozen unsolicited nudes from variously attractive models." This last bit I say with humor, but feel the barest pinch of something like embarrassment, or worse — envy."This is the kin
But she is beautiful.When she works, when she watches the sunset, when she scolds me. No — not my type. Not at all. Too soft, too soft spoken and at other times too direct. I can't peg her down.Maybe that's why I can't keep her out of my mind.I catch her looking at me too. I don't bother hiding the display.In fact, sometimes I even tempt her deliberately. Every time her dark eyes slide to my body, or over it, every time her lips part or she bites her bottom one, a thrill of victorious pleasure goes through me.The days of that first week pass quickly, and I don't trick Georgina Felton into any more sailing trips or sexual conversations, as much as I want to. I keep my promise. And she keeps hers — she impresses me.Lewis texts the first Saturday after Georgina's arrival in Saint-Égaré: Board is happy. Keep it up. Also — told you so. Also, also — don't. Fuck. My. Sister.I can't help but grin, replying, Again, no promises. He ignores me after that, and I take it as a good sign that
"You've got to be kidding me."I sigh as I look into the sleek, white cardboard box. The fabric inside is midnight black, glowing faintly red when I turn it toward the light. "He bought me a dress?"But even as I express my discontent, my mind is wandering, wondering, what would it feel like to let him take it off?No. Way. In. Hell. I shake myself, but I don't have time to dawdle. I quickly change, tying up my hair and applying a scant amount of makeup. When I see my reflection, my breath hitches.The girl in the mirror, she actually, impossibly, looks beautiful. The dress is stunning and tasteful, likely outrageously expensive. It falls above the knee, and the straps are thin as wires.It makes me look younger than I've felt in years. Suddenly, all I can think about is what Richard will say when he sees me in it.People have already started arriving, It's a (reasonably) small party, only fifty people, every last one of them flown discreetly to the island on private jets. Just about
"Thanks, Mary," I say, patting the head servant fondly on the shoulder. "And the red from France, the one — yes, you know it."I turn from the kitchen, ducking out toward the deck — and stop dead. A pair of figures, laughing, is stumbling up from the natural pool below. I recognize Blake Tanner first. And then, somehow —"Georgina."The two halt abruptly on the cobbled walkway. Georgina is unmistakable in that dress. She's drenched head to toe, shivering violently, heels in one hand.When she sees me in the light of the open kitchen door, her eyes go huge, irises lined in white. Blake's arm is around her waist."Mr. Platton," says the pool boy, with telling haste. "I was just — ""I'll take it from here," I say, my voice made of steel. Barely my own. My hands at my sides are clenched into white-knuckled fists. "Thank you, Blake."The pool boy has the audacity to look at Georgina, as though for permission. She nods once, stoically, and Blake hurries past me and into the kitchen."I can
The weeks passed, and after confirmation from the doctor, they set to work decorating one of the rooms into a nursery. They went for neutral colors and gave Logan free rein to help them decorate. He had an artistic eye, and Norman loved seeing the boy come out of his shell. During the decorating of the nursery, it sank in that he was going to have a baby.They were going to have a tiny little life in their hands. It wasn't about being a father, or for Sasha a mother, as they already felt that way for Logan. He'd spoken with Sasha about it, and she had the same thoughts and fears as he did.Norman knew he hadn't made a mistake with Sasha. Not only did he love her, but she was a fantastic mom, and she knew exactly what to say and do to help Logan along the way. Therewere moments, late at night, where he'd still have nightmares.She never once shouted at him. Instead, she'd nurture him, and love him.Once the nursery was complete, they went shopping, letting Logan pick some of the stuff
Two weeks after purchasing the house, they had Logan officially adopted. Norman took as much time away from the office as he could. Sasha went to the office between school hours, completing his work for him. He didn't want her to hire anyone else. Another two weeks after they had Logan, their house was available, and they moved in on that weekend. Her parents came to help as much as they could.They looked after Logan while she and Norman organized movers. They had her mother's slow-cooked pulled pork for dinner rather than have takeout.For an entire weekend, they got the house exactly as they wanted, starting with the bedrooms, and bathroom. Time seemed to move quickly but smoothly where life just played out.Logan came out of his shell, and completely animated their lives. She loved him like he was her own son. He talked constantly about what he loved, which bands he enjoyed listening to. It was fun getting to find out what food he liked as well. He didn't like broccoli, which was
Norman watched as Sasha kissed Logan's cheek, wrapping him up in his new jacket. Each time they brought him back to the foster home, the harder it was to leave him behind.There had been a snag with the adoption, but Shannon was dealing with it.There had to be an assessment done on Logan to make sure he wanted to live with them.Their backgrounds had come back fine, and Shannon assured him it was just down to paperwork. One department needing to talk to another, and rather than phone calls, they had to do it in paper. He was used to problems like this.Logan threw his arms around Sasha, holding her close.She was so beautiful, and she took his breath away. They had been together for a little over a month now. A month of being married, and he loved her ever more.Shannon nodded at him, taking hold of Logan's hand as Sasha came back to him."I hate this. I hate leaving him.""We'll have him soon. I've already got my lawyers working on speeding up the process." He handed her some leafle
Sasha watched as Norman spoke with his clients. It had been a week since he'd asked her about Logan. Things were moving slowly with Logan, but Shannon was reassured that they would be able to have him by next week. Until then, they both went and visited, getting Logan used to them.The boys with Logan weren't angry or upset that he was coming home with them. In fact, they were damn happy. She was shocked by the love the boys showed Logan, and she was proud.The workplace gossip had died down now. No one was whispering behind their hands, looking at them, and laughing. It was the laughter she'd hated more than anything. Norman wouldn't let them hide their relationship anymore, and for that she was glad. She'd never enjoyed hiding that part of herself, and it never felt natural for her to."Here you go," Lottie said, interrupting her."So sorry, I was away in a different land there," she said, taking the mail from her."Marriage must really suit you.""Why do you say that?""You're pract
"Norman, this is my mom and dad, Emma and Harold Miller," Sasha said.The two people were a lot older than Norman imagined, but he saw that they were loving, caring people. The kindness in their eyes showed through. While he'd been participating in this yearly event of torture, "taste the food", he'd noticed her parents arrive. The care they gave to each child was something he admired."Hello, it's great to meet you," he said."It's about damn time we met you. Been married for what? A month or so, and we're only getting to meet you now. It's a disgrace.""Dad, stop it," Sasha said, chuckling. "We've been busy, and we both know you'd have needed to calm down before you could even accept him into your life.""Yeah, well, a father is still allowed to be ... annoyed."Norman smiled as he noticed Harold hesitated before saying something, making sure kids didn't hear any cussing words.According to Shannon, the event was a roaring success. Norman would double, maybe even triple, his donatio
That Saturday, Sasha stayed beside Norman, holding onto his arm as they were surrounded by congratulations. She didn't miss the questioning looks that some were throwing their way. There was no mistaking their confused thoughts. They were all wondering why he was with her.Norman, though, he was so different. The kids from over ten different foster homes in the area had turned up at the school for a day of fun. Every year Norman would donate money to the school so that he could host these events. The previous four years she had stayed in the background, playing her part but never really getting too close.This year was different. Norman grabbed her arm, holding up their hands, and announcing to the whole event that they were husband and wife. He didn't address anyone but the kids."Kids, listen up. Something is a little different this year. You see this beautiful lady by my side?""She's your PA," one kid said."Now she's my wife. Sasha accepted my proposal.""Does that mean you're in
Later that night, Norman was waiting for Sasha to finish in the shower. He would join her, but he had plans with her, and he intended to carry them out. After he'd escorted her to the human resources department for the two of them to change their marital status, and also her name, his building was humming with gossip.Martha and Lottie took the time to stop by her desk to ask about the details of what was going on. When she had looked toward him, he'd gone to help her, letting them know that they couldn't stop love.Norman stared at his reflection in one of the mirrors, and then stared down at his wedding band.Love.He'd never felt it before in his life. The people in his world didn't deserve love, and he didn't really believe in it either. At least, he hadn't.No, he didn't love Sasha.Love was just an element of control that people used.He believed in sex.Sasha came out of the bathroom dressed in a towel."Why did you take my nightshirt?""Why would I want you dressed?" He ran hi
"Please tell me he's a meat eater?" her mother, Emma, asked."Yes, Norman likes meat."Sasha sat outside of the office building, eating a sandwich. Norman was on a very important conference call. She made sure he had some lunch and decided to eat hers outside on one of the walls, watching the hustle and bustle of the city life go by."Good, good. I have no problem with people being vegetarian, or whatever they want to call it. Just not for me. A meal is not a meal without some meat.""There are a lot of people who will disagree. I like vegetarian food. You should make the lasagna. Amazing."She heard her mother's scoff. "Can you imagine me feeding Harold a vegetarian lasagna?""Nope. Dad wouldn't talk to you for weeks.""Now that you say that, I may just make it for him."Sasha started laughing. Her mother and father loved each other very much. "How much does he know of... my arrangement?""He knows everything, sweetie. You know I don't keep things like that from your father."Sasha g
One glorious week had passed. Norman stared out of his office window, and couldn't keep the smile from his face. He was married, and slowly, he was moving Sasha into his place. Their wedding hadn't been a big deal.No white dress, no flowers, no guests. Like Sasha wanted, they'd gone down to the courtrooms during a break, and simply gotten married, signed the paperwork, sealed it all up, and he'd placed a ring on her finger. It had to be one of the coldest moments of his life. Then he recalled Sasha's smile, and nothing had been cold about that day. They all had to make sacrifices, and she was giving up her life to be with him.There had been a few minor setbacks. She didn't want anyone to know that he was married in the office, so the ring he wore was around his neck attached to a necklace. Sasha wouldn't wear her ring either, which pissed him the fuck off.She belonged to him. They were in the process of making a baby together, and they were husband and wife. It would only be a matt