Melissa Williams couldn’t believe her luck when she saw the handsome young man with dark hair striding into the gallery. God, he literally took her breath away, and she really couldn’t take her eyes off him as he purposefully headed toward her. There was that something about him that really fascinated her. She decided it was partially due to the way he was walking, with that easy and confident grace that told the world he wasn’t the type to be messed with, that he knew what his goal was and wouldn’t deter until he accomplished it. The aura she sensed from him was that of mystery and darkness, and it intrigued her even more, thrilling her to a new height. This guy was the hard-to-catch type—the type that wouldn’t get into bed with her that easily. Then there was also the fact that he was way out of her league, but that made Melissa want him even more. Her eyes gleamed with delight as he came toward her. God, just look at the way he walks. And his body? She was sure beneath that expens
Darcy felt his heart thumping loudly and furiously within his chest. His head was pounding at the reminder of their childhood. Could this tree in the painting be the same tree on St. Joseph Island? But how? No! It must be his imagination. No, he reasoned himself. It was just very alike, that was all, and nothing more. “Ah, there you are,” Melissa said from a distance. “It’s ready.” Darcy turned to her then. “That painting, how much is it?” Melissa blinked, momentarily confused. Then she turned her attention to the painting on the floor resting against the wall. The first thought that came into her mind was, It’s finished? “How much is it?” he asked again, his eyes intense. “I’m not sure,” Melissa said uncertainly, taken by surprise by his tense tone of voice. “I’ll have to ask first.” “Who’s the owner?” Darcy demanded. “Ms. Tanaka,” Melissa said. “But she’s out.” Darcy gritted his teeth. “I want that painting. How much is it?” “I don’t know, sir,” Melissa replied again. “You’
Oh God! Kill me now! Just kill me right now, Sakura thought as she stared at herself in the full-length mirror. Was this really her? Holy Mother of Jesus Christ! She had pink hair. Candy floss pink hair! It was intricately formed into a chignon high on her head with a garland of cherry blossoms and beads of pink mother of pearl artistically decorating it. Her face! She moved closer to have a good look. She had to gasp again. Was this really her? She blinked. Her face was flawlessly made-up with rosy pink blush, bright eyes, long, dark lashes, and hot ruby lips. Sakura, she thought, you looked like one of those high fashion models who was about to walk a catwalk. Her heart did a somersault. Oh God, yes, that was exactly what she was about to do in twenty minutes’ time, and it was all due to a case of mistaken identity. She was supposed to be here, minding her own business to sneak a peek at her supposedly biological mother, Haruka Tanaka, but now look at where it got her. The gown!
Sakura was praying very hard Jane would miraculously appear and sort out this mess when she heard a commotion on the other side. She looked up to see the famous Japanese designer Mr. Tachibana coming toward them, his long hair—dyed bleach blond—flying and his long white robe fluttering about him. Beside him was the woman Sakura had been waiting eagerly to meet in person, the woman who had given birth to her twenty-five years ago, Haruka Tanaka, also known simply as Ms. Ruka. She was tall, Sakura realized, with strong, angular face, and thin nose that sat nicely on her face. She was very beautiful. “What?” Mr. Tachibana shouted at Chris Wilson. “Sakura isn’t here yet? And you didn’t tell me this until now? When we only have ten minutes until showtime?” Sakura licked her lips, her stomach flipping in dread as she watched them coming closer to her, still arguing about the missing supermodel Sakura Taito. Ms. Ruka watched Chris fluster in his spot as if he wanted to die. After all, Saku
Sakura wasn’t prepared for today. In fact, she wasn’t at all prepared for any of this to happen to her. There she was, standing in the middle of the endless runway, watching Akira expertly doing her walk, her slim hips slightly swaying as she elegantly held one hand to the long dress, showing it off. Meanwhile, a few other girls were heading back toward her. Thump! Thump! Thump! What was she supposed to do? She nervously glanced at Mr. Tachibana, who nodded at her to start walking. Don’t think, she told herself. Just listen to the music. That was when she heard it. Why hadn’t she heard it before? It was lovely Japanese traditional music mixed with modern pop, and it caused her heart to soar like a bird. She felt as though a pair of white feathery wings had just grown out of her back and were taking her up higher into the air. Then she did it. She walked. She was actually doing her walk in time with the music. She wasn’t thinking of her stage fright, nor was she thinking of the audie
Sakura gained control of herself and moved out of his embrace. She took a few steps back, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. Then she found herself bumping against Sebastian and in his arms. She panicked and glanced up to see azure-blue eyes gazing down at her. There was both pain and pleasure in those beautiful eyes. Sakura bit her lip and wanted to cry out in outrage. Why here? Why now? She wasn’t ready for this. She wasn’t ready to meet them again. She hadn’t prepared herself—both mentally and emotionally. Both of them had affected her too much last spring after they’d confessed their love for her. She herself had fallen in love—not with just one of them, but with both. How could a woman fall in love with two men at the same time? Even more shocking when those men were brothers! She freed herself from his arms and stood in the middle, tears in her eyes. She had to get away. Suddenly, Tristan appeared before her, his face only a few inches from hers. He grinned. “Interesting,
She was nuts! That, Sakura was very sure of. She was utterly and foolishly nuts. What made her think she’d get away from the Princeton brothers? What made her think they’d forget about her, especially after last spring, after what they’d been through? She closed her eyes and felt tears burn within them. What am I going to do now? she thought miserably. The brothers had found out she was here, living in New York. In fact, a mere stone’s throw away from the hotel. No. Don’t think about that. It was the least of her worries. Now she had to figure out how she was going to get her handbag, which was still at the hotel. And of course, how the hell she was going to return this five-hundred-thousand-dollar gown and two-million-dollar necklace. “You all right there, miss?” Sakura flashed her eyes open at the inquiry. She managed to give the taxi driver a small smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Thanks.” “Fashion show, is it?” She nodded. “Didn’t have time to change, eh?” The driver chuckled. “Yes
The tension in the room was so thick and hot it could be cut with a knife, and Jane swore there was murder within the Princeton brothers’ eyes. They all stood there with their imposing stance, questioning the staff about a woman. Jane was pretty sure that particular woman they were inquiring about was her friend Sakura. Why, she wasn’t sure. She just knew she had to get the whole story out of Sakura tonight. That was if she managed to get out of this inquisition alive. Thank God she’d managed to hide Sakura’s bag from the brothers before she was being herded—yes, there was no other word for it; the staff had been herded by the head of the Princeton Group himself, Mr. Nicolas Princeton—into this very large conference room. Now she stood there, gazing up at the tall CEO, telling herself not to faint in front of him, or everyone else for that matter. Then there was her brother, Luke, who was on the other side of the room, his arms folded across his chest, watching her. On the opposite
Six Months LaterWhen Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of birds chirping and morning light shining in through the windows. She blinked a couple times to get used to the brightness as she lay there feeling exhausted, as if she had just finished running a race. Once she’d gotten used to the light, she searched about her surroundings, wondering where she was. Because this certainly wasn’t her room.Her eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier dangling in the center, the crystals exuding an array of rainbow colors about the space. A moment later, her gaze shifted to the king-size bed that she was currently in.She sat up, her mind still reeling over what had happened last night. When she moved, she realized she was naked under the sheet. She frowned for a moment, and then everything came flooding back.Instantly, she blushed and clutched the sheet against her.“Oh God,” she whispered softly. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? With Sebastian and Darcy?”She licked her lips as she pulled t
The moment her hands were removed, the two men stared, marveling at the sight. Sure, they had seen many women’s breasts before, and in fact, to them, they were just part of the female anatomy. Nothing more. But with Sakura, her pair of exquisite beauties, the perfect-size mounds of pale, smooth flesh topped with cute pink nipples perking at just the right angle—they were something marvelous.Sebastian tittered with excitement, which drew Sakura’s attention to him. She gazed at him, wondering why he had such a passionate look in his eyes as he stared at her breasts. When he flicked his gaze to hers and their eyes met, Sakura swallowed hard at the raw passion she noted radiating from him.“Wow,” Darcy said, his voice deep and hoarse, which sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “Just wow.”Sebastian nodded. He couldn’t find words to describe how happy he was.Suddenly, Darcy cupped her breasts, one in each hand. Sakura gasped at the intimate contact as her body squirmed in his embrace.
Sakura grabbed Sebastian’s hands that were about to cup her breasts, stopping him. She looked from one man to the other, her mind reeling at what was going on. She licked her lips nervously and then finally managed to ask, “What are you two doing? Aren’t you going to order room service?”Sebastian’s eyes glinted with that mischievousness that Sakura found both vexing and endearing at the same time.He said, with a hint of a laughter in his deep timbre, “Oh, but you are our room service.”Sakura wasn’t accepting it. She knew they both were toying around with her. She demanded, “The dessert?”Darcy said, his voice sensual and deep, “You are our dessert. That’s why it’s the best kind, one we’ll remember for the longest time.”It was only then that she understood what they meant. She. Was. Their. Dessert. As in they were going to make love to her?That pushed her into a panic attack, and she struggled in Sebastian’s arms, desperately wanting to break free. The damn handsome man, however,
Darcy said, “Sakura, remember the night you confessed to us?”Slowly, Sakura nodded.“You told us you’d either have both of us or none at all,” Sebastian said.Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn’t realize he was standing behind her, so close to her in fact that she could feel the heat of his body warming her against the coolness of the night.She nodded again. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. I can’t…” She sighed, her heart now racing furiously. “I can’t live with the knowledge that I picked one of you and not the other. That I’d be living with one and not the other. That I’d be showering my love on one and not the other when I love you both. It just isn’t fair.” Her body and hands were shaking now, even her voice, quivering softly under the two men’s scrutiny.“I won’t be able to handle the guilt, the pain of not having both of you in my life. I know I’m greedy. I know… It’s weird to love two men and want both in my life…living like a family like it’s nothing.” Sh
Sakura relaxed back in her seat and then put on the safety belt. A moment later, Sebastian started the engine and then they were off.It was dark, and the city lights glittered beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky, competing with the stars. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, and Sakura was mesmerized.“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Sebastian said.Sakura nodded. “After what happened…” she said, her throat feeling a little dry. “After what happened, I appreciate what’s around me more.”Sebastian reached out his free hand and cupped her face. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again. I’m here with you, and Darcy, too.” He chuckled. “In fact, all of us Princetons. We’re family.”She smiled, appreciating his comforting words. “Thanks.”It was a few more minutes when Sakura realized they were heading toward the hotel. Of course, she was a little confused as to why they were going there and was about to ask Sebastian as he parked the car when he intercepte
Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly cha
Sakura and Sebastian stayed with Darcy throughout the morning, with Sakura entertaining Darcy by telling him about her family reunion and that Ned was actually her biological father and Beth her aunt. Of course, Darcy wasn’t surprised with this outcome, as he had known how much Ned loved Sakura. The same went for Beth.It was some time later when Darcy asked the question he had wanted answered since he’d seen the news on the television early that morning. It was about Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods, who had been taken into custody.Sebastian said, “Tara might get a lighter sentencing than Mrs. Clark and Ray Woods. She’s only an accomplice.”“And Mrs. Clark?” Sakura asked, her body tense.“Probably life in prison for first-degree murder or something along those lines,” Sebastian said.“For murdering Mrs. Taylor?” Sakura asked.At this, both Sebastian and Darcy turned to look at her, surprised. Sebastian asked, “How did you know she was one of the victims?”Sakura cast her eyes downwar
Sakura woke with a start, gasping and whimpering and her skin soaking with sweat. With her heart beating loudly in her chest, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing as tears welled in her eyes.Dream. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t lost Darcy. She hadn’t lost Sebastian. Both men were still here with her.“Sebastian. Darcy,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Just moments ago, she had dreamed of them—she and the Princeton brothers—once again on that yacht in the middle of the ocean, the storm raging above them. Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods had been there, too, torturing her.Sakura shut her eyes as she remembered the nightmare vividly.Mrs. Clark had shot her, only to hit Darcy instead. As Darcy lay there in her arms, dying from the gunshot wounds, Tara slayed Sebastian with her knife and then pushed him off the boat into the rampant sea.The thought of losing her beloved men made her feel sick to her stomach, and she whimpered softly. She shook he
Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her and helping her when she had needed someone like a parent the most reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and c