Justin growled and rolled his eyes. “I don’t see how racing off with some guy she’s never met constitutes romance. The fact is, I’m concerned for her safety.”“Oww?”“Grandmother, she is taking a risk, and I worry. What if—”Mittie’s brows rose higher. “Is that what it is? Are you worried?”Justin wasn’t sure what he heard in her query. “Of course. What else?”“She’s turning your world upside down.”“You’re right, she is; I mean, I need her, um, the kids need her so badly, I can't do this alone," he agreed, irritation weaving through his chest when he remembered the fact. “The kids need her, and she’s abandoning them.” And me. Yeah. It felt that way too.“That’s correct,” Mittie said gently. “She is needed here. Although I’m not sure you fully comprehend why,” she smirked at her grandson. “You know why Chase and Tyler are happy with their lives right now?”“Because?”“Because they too took the risk, Chase told Amaya about what he felt. Tyler did the same. See, they were happy now.”“W
Justin frowned. What was with everyone today? First his grandmother, now Mitch? “I don’t plan on competing with anyone. She wants to leave so she can get married. Probably to this," he gestured in frustration, "stranger.”Mitchael grinned. “That might be a little premature. She’s never actually met this guy, right?”He shrugged. “Not yet, but they’ve been corresponding for months, apparently. I’m just as confused by the whole thing as you are. Maybe Tess can talk some sense into her.”“Don’t count on it,” Mitchael replied. “My wife thinks it’s romantic and has volunteered to be with Allena when she meets this guy.”What?Justin tossed his hands in the air. “Great! Has everyone lost their minds in the last twenty-four hours?”“Possibly,” Mitch said, laughing again. “Tess said her sister has been thinking about it for some time.”“Nice to be told.” Jesus!“You can be a hardass,” Mitchael said, grinning. “Maybe she avoided telling you because she knew you wouldn’t listen rationally.”Wha
“Bobby’s asking to meet,” Allena said, sighing and keeping her voice low so that Cassie wouldn’t pick up on the strain in her tone.“Are you having second thoughts?”She shrugged. “Second and third, and fourth,” she admitted. “I just want to be sure I’m doing the right thing. I mean, you know what I mean—”“I know, and I guess there are no guarantees in any relationship,” Tess added. “But you’ll never know unless you take the chance.”“So,” she queried, her voice quiet. “You think I should do it?”“You know what I think,” Tess replied gently.Tell Justin how she felt. Oh God, I can't.“I can’t,” she whispered.Tess got to her feet. “I’m here for you, whatever you decide. And now I think I’ll go and make coffee for you and tea for me,” her sister said, and then called Cassie’s name, asking her if she wanted milk and cookies.Cassie was on her feet in a microsecond, and Allena continued to cradle Charlie after they left the room. Alone, with her thoughts and the sleepy baby in her arms,
On Wednesday morning, Allena rounded up the kids, got them dressed and ready for the day, and then headed into town to take Jayden to school. He’d gotten past the hugging stage about a year ago, preferring to high-five her at the school gate. But for the past couple of days, he’d clung to her, oblivious to his school friends walking past. Allena hugged him tightly, smoothing her hand over his hair, telling him she loved him.“I saved my allowance,” he said as she crouched down in front of him, straightening his backpack. “You can have it if you want.”Allena looked at his serious expression. “Why would you want to give me your allowance…?”Her words trailed off, and he shrugged in a way that was so much like Justin that her heart rolled over.“I know Dad said it wasn’t about money, but you know my friend Simon—well, his mom has a job at the library, and she stayed there when she got more money—”Allena squeezed his small shoulders gently, pain and guilt radiating through her entire bo
“You know, Justin’s being more unbearable than usual at the moment,” Justin’ sister, Leah, said.Allena didn’t disagree.It was after ten the following morning, and she was in the kitchen with Leah and Mittie, chatting about the older woman’s upcoming Asian tour. Leah was several years younger than her brother and a talented artist as well. She was also much more naturally outgoing than he was—easier to warm up to, which was why Allena had befriended her so quickly when they met.Allena shrugged and took the coffee cup. Mittie passed her and replied to Leah. “I guess he’s got things on his mind.”“He’s got you on his mind,” Mittie announced, grinning broadly.Allena almost spluttered her coffee across the table. “What?”“Granny,” Leah said and sighed. “Stop making things worse.”Allena looked at Leah and smiled. “Your grandmother is only—”“Stirring,” Leah said, raising both her brows. “We all know what Justin is like.”“Don’t we just?" Mittie said and chuckled. “I love my grandson, b
Allena stalked past him and left the room, her chest so tight that her ribs ached. She raced down the hall and headed for her rooms, slammed the door, and flopped onto the couch, every part of her body hurting.She was on the verge of letting the tears flow when there was a sharp rap on her door. She got to her feet, rubbed her hand over her face, and walked across the room, only to find Justin standing on the other side of the door.Allena sucked in a breath and stared at him.“What do you want?” If she sounded rude, she didn’t care. But she wasn’t in the mood for an argument or a rehash of the very obvious tension burning between them.“To talk.” He said, and then sighed. “To apologize.”Allena turned on her heel and walked further into the room. She stood by the couch and faced him, hands on her hips.“So, talk.”“I’m sorry, okay?” he said quietly and moved across the room, standing a few feet from her. “I shouldn’t have made that remark about your personal life. And I shouldn’t ha
“Has Justin found your replacement yet?”Allena smiled at her sister as she stretched out on the yoga mat. Tess has started attending the classes with her and she was delighted for the company. Hanging out with her sister was one of her favourite things to do. And Thursday night yoga class was their opportunity to talk and catch up. Justin usually finished work early onThursdays and spent extra time with the children, which gave her a free evening. “No,” she replied and stretched out her calves. “He has another two interviews scheduled for tomorrow. Both applicants with the right references.” She’d told her sister about the two unsuitable candidates they’d interviewed the day before. She hadn’t told her about the argument or the kiss. Mostly because she couldn’t believe it actually happened. Her lips still tingled at the memory. Her heart ached knowing he’d said it was a mistake. Which of course it was, and obviously it didn’t mean anything. But Tess was a romantic and would read way
After two interviews the following morning, Justin decided to offer the position to the grandmother looking for a part-time job. He wanted someone trustworthy and reliable and since he knew his chances of finding someone as perfect as Allena were impossible, those qualities would need to be enough.Someone as perfect as Allena…Funny, but he’d only just come to realize how true that was. She’d accused him of treating her as though she was invisible. He’d denied it at the time, but since then he’d had days to think about, and now he realized she might be right.He’d taken her for granted and now he was paying the price. She was on the verge of leaving and would soon have a different life. With someone else. With the fireman. She’d fall in love with him. Marry him. Have children with him.And he couldn’t bear thinking about it.“She was nice,” Allena said when he returned to the office after the last interview. “You were right.”“Sometimes that has been known to happen,” he said and grin
Thomas drove her to the city, exceeding all speed records to reach the private hospital in time. They were too late for anaesthesia. She’d just barely settled into her private suite, and Dr. Bartlett had just rushed in to check on her, before their baby was born.Thomas held her close as their son came into the world, protecting them. And in the instant their newborn baby was placed in her exhausted arms, both their lives changed forever.Thomas kissed his wife’s sweaty forehead, then tenderly cradled them both in his arms. Their love was newly reborn in that single instant, brilliant and flashing like a comet illuminating the dark night, shining like a star that would always last.*****Mommy….mommy, they’re here!”Four-year-old John was running up and down the hallways, screaming like a banshee when he heard the helicopter land on the other side of the island. Leah smiled down at her son, even as she tried helplessly to hush him before he woke his two-year-old sister, who always got
Leah knelt, brushing the earth off the grey marble angel before placing half the daisies on her grave. “I’m going to have his baby any day now. And I forced him to promise to stay away from us.” She gave a harsh laugh. “I guess I never thought he’d stay so true to his word. Perhaps he’s not the liar I thought.” She wiped the tears that left cold tracks down her cheeks, chilling beneath the brisk spring wind as she said softly, “What should I do?”Her father’s grave was silent. Leah heard only the sigh of the wind through the trees as she stared down at the words on the gravestone.No. Her throat suddenly hurt. Sometimes love and passion can be equally joined, like a mutual fire. She’d felt it.The desire between Leah and Thomas had been explosive. She’d been so lucky, and she hadn’t even known it. For all her adult life, she’d been focused on the wrong thing. On revenge. On regaining a memory that had ultimately caused her nothing but grief.A bitter laugh stuck in her throat.Hearing
“No!” Leah jerked away from him. “Don’t touch me!” She turned away, heading for the door, desperate to get out of the bedroom, away from the soft, mussed sheets that were still warm from the tender passion of their bodies, away from the scent of him that still clung to her. Away from the happiness of the innocent, explosive joy she’d experienced moments before.“I don’t blame you,” he said quietly behind her, causing her to halt. “When I found out you were Justin De Nero's stepsister, I already knew I was falling in love with you. So I brought you here to the island.” He took a deep breath. “I thought if I kept you safe and hidden from the world, you wouldn’t remember. I prayed you never would.”She whirled around with a gasp, and the breath suddenly knocked out of her.“To punish me?” she said, wanting to cry. She lifted her chin. “To claim your victory?”Thomas bowed his head. “To be your husband,” he whispered. “To love you for the rest of my life.”His words crept into her soul li
Thomas pulled off the soft pink cotton dress with its innocent eyelet lace. Removing his own black T-shirt and jeans, he dropped them to the floor. His eyes greedily drank in the vision of Leah in her translucent white bra and panties.Looking into her eyes, he finally spoke the words that had long ago been written across his heart.“I love you, Leah.”She sucked in her breath, her gaze searching his. Wanting to believe. Needing to believe.Then he kissed her.Her lips seared him to the core. With every beat of his heart, he loved her. And all he wanted to do was make his vow of a month ago true; he wanted to spend the rest of his life kissing her.She moved beneath him on the white blanket of the bed. Above him, he could hear the soft whir of the ceiling fan, hear the cry of the morning birds outside, and feel the soft breeze against his naked body.He touched her naked skin, bronzed from so many days spent outside. He stroked her body all over, worshipping her with his fingertips, wi
After she had slept, he reached his breaking point. Getting up from the bed, he gazed through the open French doors onto the terrace, where the gentle breeze swirled the curtains. He observed the full moonlight dancing on the black waves of the Aegean, resembling lost spirits ensnared in invisible webs to the earth.He had believed he could shield them here, far from the world's reach. He was mistaken. To protect his family, he could never again be intimate with his wife, not even a kiss. For if he did, she would remember everything, and he would lose her.Thomas was consumed by pain, his breath catching in his chest. He stole one final glance at his pregnant wife, peacefully sleeping in their bed. He cherished her beauty, even as he agonized over the tear stains on her face. As the pink hues of sunrise began to fill the room, he clenched his fists and left her to sleep alone.How had it all gone so wrong?A month later, Leah remained baffled. She resided in a breathtaking Greek villa
“Two?” Thomas pouted.“Six?” she countered good-naturedly.He looked down at her, his dark eyes smiling. “We can compromise. Three.”“All right.” She leaned against him with a contented sigh. “I’m so happy here,” she confessed. “I never want to leave.”He flashed her a grin. “Then we won’t.”“Just what do you have in mind?” she teased. “A honeymoon that never ends?”He bent to kiss her lightly, tenderly on the lips. “Exactly.”He went to the white granite table, removing the two lunch plates from the tray. He set them out with silverware and linen napkins. He brought the two glasses of sparkling water to the lounge chairs and handed one to her.He held up his glass. “To the most beautiful woman in the world.”Flushing with pleasure, she clinked the glass against his. “To the most wonderful man in the world,” she said softly. “Thank you for telling me the truth. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for putting it all behind us and bringing me home.”His dark brows creased, and he look
Thomas was blown away by her openness and vulnerability. Leah had accepted blame for a betrayal she could not even remember. She’d chosen to believe him. To trust him when all he’d done was lie to her, trick her, and punish her. It was enough to bring any man to his knees.Thomas started to walk toward her, but he’d gone only a few steps before the phone in his hand rang. He saw his lead investigator’s number and answered. “That was fast.”“I can tell you about your wife’s father right now, Mr. Alexander.” Barr paused. “Do the names Chase Johnson and Justin De Nero mean anything to you?”Thomas’s entire body went hot, then turned to ice.He was only dimly aware of the ebb and flow of people around him as his hand clenched around the phone.“Johnson and Justin De Nero?” he repeated in a strangled voice.“The owner of Johnson Inc. is the best friend of Leah’s stepbrother, Justin De Nero. They are close friends... very close friends.”Thomas’s heart pounded in his throat. He saw black bi
“And so I’ve been waiting for you to remember. Every place I’ve taken you, every memory I’ve hoped to reignite, was so you could tell me why.” Suddenly, she understood everything. “Not just that,” she whispered. “You wanted to punish me. It’s what you’ve wanted since the day you found me in London. You wanted revenge—” “Justice,” he corrected coldly. “But when you found out I was pregnant, that changed everything, didn’t it?” She gave a choked laugh, then covered her mouth with an intake of breath. “You felt you had to marry me because I was pregnant with your baby. You never loved me. All you wanted was to hurt me.” “I spent months trying to find you before you resurfaced at your father’s funeral. You’re a wealthy woman, Leah, so you couldn’t have betrayed me for money. So you must have done it out of love. You’re in love with Jake Skinner. It’s the only explanation.” She thought of the playboy with his bleached-white smile and shook her head. “I could never love him.” “Then wh
Cradled in Thomas’s strong arms, beneath the soft dawn spilling from the windows, Leah hadn’t wanted to wake up. She’d pressed her head against his naked chest, relishing the feel of his warm skin laced with dark hair.His body was so much larger than her own. Snuggled against him in the enormous bed, she’d felt protected. Safe. Loved. There was so much about him that she still didn’t understand. But still, she was falling in love with him all over again.Drowsy and content, she’d listened to the beat of his heart against her cheek. The beat grew louder, like the sound of heavy footsteps stomping in unison against a hard stone floor. Step. Step. Step.She felt suddenly cold as she looked at the blurry faces around her. Her father’s sobbing face came into sharp focus. She clung to Leah, wailing as they watched her mother’s and sister-in-law's coffins pass out of the church on the shoulders of old men. Leah clutched her father’s hands in her own, suddenly terrified that her mother’s and