LillyI race toward the water, ignoring the sting of the pebbles under my feet. Michael’s harsh breaths are just steps behind me. I splash into the cold surf and dive under as soon as I can, cutting through the water. He’ll catch me. Any second now. He’s a strong swimmer, with those long arms and al
“Fuck, baby. You’re so hot. I love how you feel around my hand.”“Get inside me, then.”He groans. “You’re trying to shred my control, aren’t you?”“Yes. Oh, that feels good. Do that again.” I’m wet and needy, and every time he twists his fingers, I clench around him. “Michael, ah. Yes.”“I can’t re
His hand comes up to brush my cheek. “What’s that look, Lillyy?”I love you. I can’t bear to be the one who begs, but for Michael, I’ll do anything. If both of us are stuck, we’ll never move forward. Maybe he needs the encouragement. Maybe he needs to hear it first. I take a deep breath, needing the
“Ten years?” I whisper.He nods shortly. He hates this. His eyes are shadowed, and his face is tense. “Do you want to know why I stopped having sex?” His voice is low and rough. I nod, even though I sense something terrible is about to happen. “Because the first time I slept with my then-girlfriend,
“Lilly, wait. Don’t leave.”I whirl. “What am I supposed to do? Keep waiting for you?” I can feel my eyes heating with tears. Don’t cry. Just wait until you’re alone. “Should I stop dating just in case you decide to love me? Should I come to holidays and pine over you?”“Just give me time. Maybe I c
LillyI pack woodenly, carefully wrapping any delicate items in the bags they came in. I run my hands over the thick silk crepe of the red dress. It’s been dry-cleaned by the hotel and is ready to wear again. I make a choked sound as I remember Michaelzipping it up my back. His touch was reverent th
“Do you want to talk about it?”“I’m not sure.” If I tell Levi, is he going to go crazy? He’s never been that kind of brother. Protective, but not overly so. “I think that pretending to date Michaelwas a bad idea,” I say carefully.He nods and sips his beer. “I might not be experienced in love, but
MichaelThe pilot calls me the next evening to let me know the jet is back at the jetport. It took him a little longer than normal with all the private jet traffic coming in for the wedding. She’s gone. I knew she’d leave. I wouldn’t have stayed either. I can’t blame her. Last night was a train wrec
“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