Chase raised his brow. "So, tell him that you are working."Is he out of his freaking mind? I can't just tell that to my five-year-old son!But do I have a choice?No.She sighed, "I can't. I've been putting him off all week." She just couldn’t do it to him again. "I’d really like to finish on time tonight." When Chase just frowned, she pushed a touch further. "Look, I don’t usually say no, but surely there’s someone else you can ask? How about that Korean singer? Or the Victoria's Secret model you've been involved with these past few days?"Which was a stupid thing to say. There were plenty of women Chase could ask, and there was one reason and one reason only that he was asking her! "I was hoping for an early night," Chase sighed. "At least with you, it would be just dinner!" Which was a rather strange compliment, but it brought a reluctant smile to her face. "I’ll ask Eva—where is she, by the way?""No, don't..." Amaya was flustered, for Eva had sneaked off to date her boyfriend. T
Amaya gave the driver the address and sat back in her seat, her tension mounting as the car neared her place. The small street was bustling with activity, but it was far from inviting. The narrow alley was littered with garbage, and the stench of decay hung heavily in the air. Small, ugly, and rusty apartments lined both sides of the street, their crumbling facades adding to the gloomy atmosphere."It’s nice here. It's quite, um, overcrowded here." Chase glanced out of the window. "So, is this where you raised your son?"She rolled her eyes.The apartments, once bright and welcoming, had lost their charm over the years and were now covered in layers of grime and neglect. Their faded paint peeled off, revealing the scars of time. Broken windows were patched up with cardboard and tape, barely keeping out the cold wind and rain."Yes, this is all I can afford for now. I'm planning to change apartments soon."Amidst the chaos, rats scurried along the sidewalks, seeking refuge in the piles
Unexpectedly, Amaya found herself enjoying the hotel’s dinner dance.It wasn’t an exceptionally lavish function they attended—that was the type of thing that had gotten the company into a mess in the first place—but it was a genuine, feel-good party, and Chase was the man everyone wanted to greet. His prowess had salvaged a sinking ship and, in the process, saved hundreds of jobs.And Chase was a very nice date.He turned off his phone the moment they arrived, and he remembered to introduce her to enough people so that when he was circulating, she didn’t feel like a complete spare part. He even swapped his chocolate and nougat mousse with her when she landed with the lemon torte, and when the dancing started, he didn’t ditch her just because she was a work date, even though on many occasions he could have. In fact, apart from one duty dance with the CEO’s wife and a long conversation with some potential investors, Chase never appeared off duty."Thank you…" He held her loosely in his
One month later, Amaya’s rented Toyota swerved on the dusty, potholed driveway of the Johnson farm, and Amanda bit back a curse. "What the f*ck is wrong with him?" Cursing her way into the massive farmland of his boss, she grumbled to herself. "In this Godforsaken town? Seriously? What the hell is he doing here anyway?"Her average driving skills had little to do with the state of the road or the unwelcome memories of their shared goodnight kisses in his office a week before going to Los Angeles assailing her and everything to do with the naked man bent over a thresher.Semi-naked, technically, as her gaze riveted on the tantalising expanse of her broad back, glistening.Shit!The muscles shifted, bunched, and slid as he straightened and thrust his hands into his back pockets of ripped, faded denim, and as her greedy gaze strayed to his buttocks, she suddenly wished she hadn’t stayed away so long.A few months in JC Johnson had been a sane choice, a safe choice considering what she’d
"Here we go again," she grumbled to herself.His teasing smile slammed into her, the familiarity of it making her gasp.Was he playing? No, maybe a little, but he was in mourning.Play….Play….She didn’t play anymore. Her playing days had stopped when she hightailed it out of Tyler and Mary’s wedding and never looked back.Work helped her forget everything. Her son’s well-being only mattered.Work proved how far she’d come.Work gave her the hard-fought independence she’d clawed her way to the top for—an independence that guaranteed she’d never have to look back.Biting back a pithy retort, she ducked into the car and grabbed the Manila folder from the passenger seat."What you do in your spare time isn’t my concern, Mr. Johnson. I’m here because it's my job.""Whatever this job of yours is about—""Seriously? I'm here to make you sign this. Nothin fancy…"He fixed her with a probing stare—a potent stare that sent a ripple of unease through her.She almost banged her head on the door
"Why the hell would I..."To Chase’s delight, Amaya blushed, her gaze lingering on his chest for a few too many seconds.Oh, this just got better and better, he thought to himself. "Come on, Miss Patterson, it's not like you have another choice. My farm house is the most modern dwelling here in the town.""That won’t be necessary—""There is an inn there, but surely you’ll hate the bed bugs there. My extra rooms have all the amenities of a hotel."Amaya sighed, "Of course, it’s super modern; what did I expect?" Yes, she never expected mundane things with her boss; of course, he'd make his stay like a five-star one. But could she stay? After the kiss? Could she stay in a house with him alone?"Mocking becomes your hobby, I see. I like that." Chase leaned closer, her awareness of him evident in the widening of her pupils, the tip of her tongue darting out to moisten her bottom lip, and his gut clenching with how badly he still wanted her.Maybe he should tell her the truth now and be do
"So let's talk about signing the papers," Amaya said. Memories slammed into her: snuggling in the crook of his arm under their sheets, lying on top of him along her fake dark wig, nuzzling his neck as they made love... She gulped a lungful of air—or several—to ease her breathlessness.Chase's scent was so evocative and rich in memories that she struggled to remember what he’d just asked her.Casting a curious glance her way, he sat opposite her, his knees in close proximity to hers, and she surreptitiously sidled back to avoid accidental contact."Come on, Amaya. We can talk about that later, but for now, enjoy the wine."That was all she needed. As if she hadn’t made enough of a fool of herself already."So what do you think of my little farm house?" Chase asked her with a little tease in his voice, to which Amaya knew so much; he was trying to get on her nerves again."Little? Seriously?""Well, considering that it had three bedrooms, I consider it little by my standard."She manage
"What?" Amaya’s eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?""Do I look like I know how to joke around?" Chase smirked. With their lips so close, so tantalisingly close, and the ever-present heat shimmering between them like an invisible thread binding them despite their time apart, it took a few seconds for his words to penetrate.What the hell is wrong with him? How could she play her like this?When they did, she jerked back, shock rendering her speechless.Her mouth opened and closed as her mind spun with confusion. She could’ve sworn he’d just proposed."Miss Patterson, you heard me."He straightened, and while half of her wanted to clobber him for the ludicrous statement he’d just made, the other half irrationally missed his proximity.He perched on the desk, towering over her."Marry me. That’s my condition.""Are you out of your mind?"She leaped to her feet and stood toe-to-toe with him. "What sort of stupid condition is that? Like I’d ever marry you, like I’d agree to—"The idea didn
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