"A story? Oh, you mean for the dating thing? I suppose so." His voice carries a weary tone, triggering an unexpected wave of sympathy. Don’t pity him. He’s the one who scorched everything around him. It’s not your fault.I can’t help but contrast the person he is now with the one he used to be—unsmi
LillyThe car ride from the plane is tense. Michael broods more with every passing mile on the road that locals call the Stretch. We finally pass Montauk village, then head out toward the lighthouse and the water. We pass the right-hand turn that would lead to the Bonell house, and Michael looks awa
Amora nears. “Michael, hi. It’s so nice to see you.” Her voice is cultured and composed. Michael pulls me more tightly against him.“Amora.” Michael gives a short nod. His whole body is taut. If this is how he’s going to act all week, it’s going to be a long wedding.“Oh, Lilly. Nice to see you agai
His face is hard. “You wouldn’t understand,” he bites out, and I rear back.“Yeah, and why not?”“You’re not part of this world, Lilly. You don’t get it.” His words are harsh and I’m reeling. This is how I felt at nineteen and twenty-four, rubbing elbows with his parents’ friends who would never acc
MichaelGreat job, asshole. My words seem to spill out without thought when I’m around Lilly, and it’s electrifying and horrifying all at once. She gets under my skin like no one else. She always has. I take a sip of the whiskey I found in the hotel minibar and hope for the second time that it’s cos
LillyMichael is tense and quiet as we head to the party on the outdoor deck. He looks beautiful, even brooding. The black and white of his clothes set off the tan perfection of his jaw. And why is he so tan? Does he still surf every weekend in Montauk? All those years ago, it was his passion. I too
That’s depressing as hell. I don’t say that, though. Michael was ready to give up his chance at happiness for a sham of a marriage. I will never understand, but I can help him. For Levi, you softhearted idiot. He most definitely does not deserve this, but my brother would want me to help him.I slip
Henry makes a disgusted noise in his throat. “It’s costing me way too much money. At least if she were marrying Bonell, he would have paid for it.”Lovely.Before anyone can respond, another man joins us.“Michael, buddy, nice to see you.” The man’s voice is hale and hearty, like his appearance, but
“Rodrigo and Jade are perfect for one another.” Jule smiled. Tony chuckled. “I think everything we did for them worked out, starting from that text you sent me telling me to encourage the dinner plan. After Rodrigo mentioned where he was going for dinner, I ensured we went to the same restaurant he
“Why?” “It was named ‘Playing by Her Rules’.” He smiled, understanding her hint. “And just like that lioness in that painting, I will always protect you.” Now it was his turn to laugh out loud. And she loved it. She loved seeing him like this, carefree and so much at ease. “You are magnificent,
The horse pushed further into her hand as if in agreement again. She smiled. Xerxes reinforced her belief that he understood what she was saying, always. “I love how you communicate with my horse.” She looked sideways and found Rodrigo leaning against a pillar, watching her, arms crossed. “He’sou
He turned to Kabier and Sameer. “Thank you for your support that day. You guys stood by me when you didn’t need to. You were ready to battle your wives for me, and I appreciate that.” Kabier shrugged. “We all needed closure on your silly and childish squabble with our women.” Sameer nodded. “Besid
Soon after Jade had proposed to him, Rodrigo had whisked her off to Delhi and to his home. He’d finally slept properly again with her in his arms. His insomnia was a thing of the past now. Jade had even returned to work at FF. His woman was brilliant. One day, he was certain, she’d head the FF team
Three months later Delhi The late afternoon sun rays washed over his stud farm, casting a golden light over everything they touched. Summer hadn’t set in yet, and a light cool breeze was blowing, adding to the surreal ambience. The weather was perfect, just as his wedding had been. A few hours ago
Aisha and Jade laughed. Rodrigo felt like his chest would split open with all the happiness he was feeling. Jule and Anthony approached them. “I’m so proud of you, Jade,” Jule said. “You are brave and strong. You battled hard to win him, and now you have.” Anthony patted Rodrigo’s back and hugged
He swallowed through the lump in his throat. “I’m glad you pushed me away. Seeing you with Ayden opened my eyes. I hated it when he touched you. My heart burned when he touched your hair. Seeing you with him made me realize what a colossal fool I’d been. I figured that to get you back, I had to try
“Yes.” “Uh, okay…” He couldn’t for the life of him understand what was going on. She tilted her head to study him. “Once upon a time, there was a girl who fell in love with a prince, and they were happy for a while. But then he rejected her. Again and again.” His muscles tightened. He understood