Justin shrugged. “Maybe, but not right now. I don’t want this to end.”Allena touched his jaw. “I think that’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard you say.”He smiled sexily. “You don’t think I’m romantic, do you?”“Not especially,” she replied, still smiling. “You’re very practical and sensible, which is why you make an excellent office man. But romance isn’t your thing. I can’t imagine you raiding a flower bed to pick a bouquet or reciting a poem, can you?”He frowned mockingly. “Guys actually do that?”“Some,” she replied. “For example, how often did you buy flowers for that woman you dated last year?”He knew she was well aware of the other woman’s name and seemed amused that she didn’t want to say it. “Rachel wasn’t the type of woman who liked flowers.”“What type was she?”He traced a long finger down her cheek. “What difference does it make? She was very focused on her career, which is fine, but she wasn’t interested in making room for family and kids. Which is a big part o
“I’m so relieved Dad had another good night.” Justin half heard his sister’s words. They were at the hospital on Thursday, sitting side by side in a small waiting room specifically for relatives of patients. The doctor had spoken to them at length about their father’s condition and recovery. Of course, he was grateful Igor was getting better and had gone through the last forty-eight hours without a stroke reoccurring. The doctor had indicated there could be some memory loss, and of course he was still struggling with the paralysis of his left side, but he was speaking much better and eating well. Igor was lucky, and they were all thankful he was on the road to recovery, even if the journey was likely to be a slow one.But Justin was also completely wired and couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the fact he’d spent an incredible night with Allena in his arms and how she’d snuck off while he slept.“Are you listening to me?” Leah complained and shoved his shoulder with her own.J
Allena raised her brow at Justin and said, “We’re a situation now?”“I don’t know what we are,” he said flatly. “You left pretty abruptly the other day.”“I didn’t want the kids to see me,” she said frankly, spooning a little sugar into her coffee. “Itwould only confuse them.”“It confused me, too,” he said and met her gaze. “I thought you might have...""Might you have what?” she prompted when his words trailed.He sighed. “Stayed,” he responded. “Talked. Listened. I don’t know... something.”“I didn’t want to overanalyze things,” she said. “I still don’t.”“When we were in bed together, after we made love, I asked you to marry me,” he reminded her.“Again. So, have you considered it?”She sat back in her seat, her eyes bright but glaring at him. “Seriously, this is what you wanted to talk about? And how?” She laughed brittlely. “You really suck at proposing, Justin.”“I was only trying to—”“I know what you’re trying to do,” she said hotly. “You’re trying to solve an equation or fi
She headed to her room and called her sister, explaining that Bobby had shown up—leaving out any mention of Justin.“And is he everything you hoped for?” Tess asked.“Yes,” she replied. “He’s very nice. And he seems to like me.”“Of course he likes you,” Tess assured her. “You’re amazing. Have a good time, and stay safe. Text me when you get back to your room.”She dressed in jeans, a bright red shirt, and boots, and she met Bobby in the foyer at exactly six o’clock. They walked the half-block to the pizza place and quickly got a booth. They ordered pizza with extra pineapple and were just about to tuck in their first slices when she saw Justin walk into the restaurant, holding Cassie in his arms while Jayden walked by his side.Her heart rolled over at the sight of them, and a deep-rooted longing made every part of her ache. Her eyes burned, and she blinked, pushing back the tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. It was never meant to be this hard.“Everything okay?”Bobby’s
In all his life, Justin has never felt more emotionally out of control. Even when Jayne and his mother had died, he’d been able to focus, to put all his energy into raising the kids, to his job, and to help Igor and Leah work through their grief. But this was different.This was pain on a whole new level. It was something for the love of God so different he couldn't fathom.Seeing her at the pizza with the fireman had broken him up inside. She was on a date.Enjoying herself. Talking, laughing. Sharing her life with another man.He called Allena Friday morning, longing to hear her voice and talk, but it went to her voicemail. He texted, and she didn’t respond. It galvanised him into action, and on Friday afternoon he went back to the O’SullIgor hotel, only to discover she’d checked out. Gone. Run off with her fireman.Man, I’m an idiot.Pain set in, lodging in his chest like a knife. And jealousy—the unrelenting kind that made his gut churn and his heart ache behind his ribs.He hurt
Tess and Mitchael suddenly appeared at the door. “Ah—how about you guys take this conversation into the living room, and Michael and I will watch the kids, okay?” Tess suggestedand quickly gathered the children together. “Go on, off you go.”Allena was gone in a second, and he followed without thinking. When they reached the living room, she stopped by the fireplace and swivelled, facing him with her hands on her hips.“You thought I’d left town with Bobby?” she askedDiscomfiture crept up his neck. “He did have his arms around you the last time we were together.”“He was saying hello,” she defended. “That’s all.”“You said you liked him,” he reminded her. “And you told me to leave so you could be alone with him, remember?”“I was mad at you for your dumb marriage proposal,” she said, huffling. “I’m still mad at you,” she mumbled, flapping her hands. “But that doesn’t mean I would run off with a man I only just met in person for the first time.”“I didn’t know what to think,” he offer
Allena grabbed a stiff brush and began grooming Star with long, methodical strokes.Grooming her horse always relaxed her, and she needed to relax big time. If only her brainwould comply and stop thinking about Justin and his thoughtless, hurtful, meaningless, and impossibly inappropriate declaration of love. It was a low act. And if she had any sense, she would forget all about it.Justin didn’t love her. He couldn’t possibly. Once she was done grooming, she went to grab the hay net, deciding she wasn’t in the mood to go riding. The net was empty, as was the drum that usually contained a hay bale. She looked up to the hay loft and sighed, thinking she probably could get one of the ranch hands to throw down a bale. Instead, she left Star tied up in his stall and climbed the wide ladder to the loft. The scent of sweet hay shot up her nose, and she sneezed a couple of times, then grabbed one of the bales by the twine and tossed it down.“Do you need some help?”She looked down and spot
One month Later “You know,” Leah said as she fluffed the ivory tulle around the skirt of Allena’s gown, “this really is the most stunning dress.” Allena glanced at her reflection in the long mirror, taking in the beauty of the long ivory satin gown. With its off-the-shoulder style and princess-line bodice, it was incredibly flattering. She smiled, looking at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “I know. I feel stunning wearing it.” Tess came around to face her, holding a hairpin encrusted with tiny pearls. “Mom asked if you wanted to wear this—she wore it when she married your dad. That was the day we became sisters.” Allena’s eyes filled with moisture, and Leah grabbed a linen handkerchief she had tucked in her purse. “No tears,” she chided gently. “Or I’ll have to redo your makeup.” Allena blinked and took a steady breath. “I can’t help it. I’m so happy, and it’s all a little overwhelming.” It had, in fact, been something of a whirlwind since she’d accepted Justin’s proposal. They’d
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