The rest of the day is spent discussing the company and the changes we plan to implement in Atlanta. I'm grateful for the distraction; it helps calm my racing heart, which has been in overdrive since we arrived in the room.I can't stop wondering how I'm going to manage sharing a room with Josh. After our meeting and business discussions, I step outside. The sultry receptionist gives me a look as if I’ve stolen her man.With a flip of my hair, I raise my hand, showing off my engagement ring, and walk past her confidently.Our company has truly outdone itself by lodging us in this luxurious hotel. I decided to make the most of my time here by exploring the city when I'm not working. So, now I'm at the beach, getting familiar with the surroundings, so I'll know my way around next time I visit.Walking along the beach, the cool sand beneath my feet and the sound of waves crashing against the shore offer a welcome escape from the day's events. The scene is peaceful, a stark contrast to th
I try to ignore the heat radiating from Josh’s body, but it's impossible. Every slight shift, every breath he takes, feels magnified against my skin. I pull the blankets tightly around myself, hoping they’ll act as a barrier to the intense tension lingering in the room.Minutes stretch into what feels like hours, and sleep remains elusive. I toss and turn, my mind racing with thoughts of Josh and our earlier interactions. His teasing voice echoes in my ears, and the memory of his touch makes it difficult to focus on anything else.I’m so overwhelmed with desire that I don't know what to do. I lie there, listening to the rhythm of our breathing. Why isn’t he reaching for me? I sense, through the stillness in the room, that he’s holding back, fighting the urge to close the distance between us.I shift restlessly, the urge to turn toward Josh growing stronger. Every creak of the bed and every rustle of the blankets seems amplified in the quiet. I wonder if he feels the same pull if he’s
Josh’s POVI wake up early, staring down at Harper as she sleeps peacefully in my arms. She nestles closer, clinging to me like a lifeline. I smile, imagining the incredulous look on someone's face if they knew she had insisted on sleeping on the couch.My phone rings, jolting me from my thoughts. I carefully move Harper aside and discreetly answer the call."Hello," I say softly, keeping my eyes glued to Harper, watching her like a hawk to see if she stirs. I sigh in relief when I realize she is still deeply asleep."Hello, Josh. I have the DNA results," the voice on the other end says."Oh, good. Thank you so much. Can you please send them to my email?" I replied."Sure, I'll do that," the voice responds.The idea of appearing at Trisha's door has crossed my mind often. I need closure, to resolve things between us. I feel nothing for Trisha, but I want to be certain if the child she claims is mine truly is.As I hang up the phone, I glance back at Harper, still sleeping soundly. The
Harper's POVAll I want is to stay far away from him. I hate how he makes me crave his presence, yet I simultaneously want to distance myself. He's nothing but a hypocrite, claiming he loves me while hiding secrets I uncovered this morning.How could he keep such a significant secret from me, knowing it could either make or break our relationship? He insisted I go to the beach with him, but I'd rather keep my distance there than be near him."You know you'll have to talk to me about what's wrong eventually, right?" he says, staring at me with that infuriating smirk I desperately want to erase.The fury inside me finally erupts. I whirl around, my eyes blazing. "You know, I'd love it if you'd stay the hell away from me, you hypocrite," I snapped, and walked away immediately.I don't hear any movement behind me, but I'm sure he's stopped in his tracks, wondering about the reason for my outburst. I continue walking toward the beach, feeling the need to distance myself from him.As I stor
"You've ruined your chance of getting close to me," I say, feeling a cold shiver run through my body as his eyes roam over me."Ruin my chance? What do you mean? Are you sure?" he asks, his voice dripping with seduction. He reaches out, pulling me closer. His hand snakes around my waist, moving upward to cup one of my breasts, giving it a light squeeze. A moan escapes my lips, and I arch my back in response.My lips part instinctively, anticipating the taste of his mouth on mine. He brushes his fingers softly over my lips, his eyes locked onto mine. I'm a jumble of emotions, reeling in the ecstasy he’s igniting. Suddenly, he crashes his lips onto mine in a savage kiss, and I kiss him back forcefully, matching his wild passion.The intensity of the kiss overwhelms me, each touch and movement sending electric currents through my body. His hands explore my skin with a familiarity that both excites and frustrates me. As our kiss deepens, I find myself losing control, swept away by the she
I wake up feeling tired despite a full night's sleep. I wouldn’t say I slept well; my mind was in a jumble, consumed with thoughts of Josh and the possibility of him having a child.As I sit on the edge of the bed, I notice Josh stirring in his sleep. His hands reach out, searching for me even though his eyes remain closed. When he realizes I’m not there, he sits up in a panic, looking around. But before he can fully awaken, he bangs his head against the headboard."That's the aftermath of drinking too much, Josh," I say, from across the large bed. I hand him an Advil and a bottle of water. “Thank you,” he mutters, his eyes fixed on me. He takes Advil and water, I watch him as he swallows the pills and takes a sip of water. He seems to gather himself, his gaze never leaving me."Harper," he starts, his voice hoarse. "I know I owe you an explanation. Last night was... not my finest moment. I'm sorry, Harper. I know I should have told you," Josh says, regret evident in his voice as he
Josh's POV“Make love to me,” Harper says, and the words hit me like a shock. I jerk back, instinctively putting distance between us.“What the hell is wrong with you, Josh?” she snaps, her gaze darting around for something to cover herself. Confusion and hurt flood her eyes, and it tears me apart.If only she knew how desperately I wanted to make love to her. She haunts my thoughts and dreams, a constant presence that leaves me restless. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve woken up drenched in sweat, yearning for her. The desire is almost unbearable.It takes every ounce of self-control not to confront Greg and demand he stay away from my fiancée. Yesterday at the beach, I saw them laughing together, her grumpy state from before now seemingly forgotten. It tears me apart to watch her enjoy herself with him while she gives me the cold shoulder. I know she needs space, and I’m trying to respect that, but the sight of them together is nearly unbearable.But how do I protect her from
Harper's POVI say the words before I realize what I've said. I don't regret it because it reveals that he's hiding something from me, something he doesn't want me to know. How can I remember anything when my mind has completely shut down when it comes to Josh?As I step out of the room, I cover my mouth, stifling a cry that threatens to escape. I can’t let anyone see me like this. With that thought, I hurry down the hallway to the reception desk. I need to sort out what I should have done earlier—get a room since he hadn’t booked one for me.Reaching the desk, I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. The receptionist looks up with a polite smile.“Hi, good morning,” I say, glancing at her name tag. “Lisa.”“Good morning, ma'am. How may I assist you?” she responds brightly.“I need a room for the night,” I tell her.She nods. “Okay, just give me a moment,” she says, checking her computer for an available room.“Here you go,” she says, handing me a key card. “It’s on the first f
Josh’s POVI shut the door behind me, and the sound rang in my ears like a blow. I’m left standing in the hallway, my heart feels heavy with Harper’s words. I can barely breathe, the air thick with the realization that I’ve lost her—truly lost her this time. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. How did it get to this point? How did I let everything spiral so far out of control? All I wanted was to protect her, to make things right, but all I’ve done is push her further away. My mind races back to every moment, every decision that led us here. The anger, the jealousy, the lies. All of it is crashing down on me now. And Nolan… Damn it, Nolan. The thought of him with Harper, the betrayal—it makes my blood boil. But I can’t even blame him entirely. I’m as much at fault as he is.I’ve been a fool. I let my pride and fear dictate my actions, and now, I’m paying the price. I thought I could control everything, but I was wrong. I couldn’t c
Josh’s POV Greg's face pops into the room, and my blood boils instantly. What the hell does he want now? My anger surges, as I seethe, “Can you fucking leave? I’m having time with my fiancée.”Greg opens his mouth to protest, but one look at the fury in my eyes makes him hesitate. He glances at Harper, then back at me, before finally taking a step back, and retreating into the hallway.I can feel Harper’s eyes on me, questioning, unsure of what to make of the situation. The unease between us deepens, and I can feel that something is about to break, something that might be beyond repair.I turned to Harper, my eyes searching hers, desperate to find some sense of hope.“I feel something strong for you, Harper. Please, let's start all over again, I promise to be the man of your dreams, the man who wakes up every morning just to see your face.”Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel the mucus in my nose threatening to spill over. This level of vulnerability was something I had n
I hurried to the doctor as the door opened, my heart racing with hope. “How is she?” I asked, desperate for good news.Amelia and Axel stood close behind me, their expressions tense as they awaited the doctor’s update.The doctor took a deep breath before speaking. “She is stable for now. We’ve run some tests and carried out x-rays on her brain, considering her condition and the memory loss. It seems like she’s beginning to recall bits and pieces. It’s a positive sign, but we need to be cautious. Memory recovery can be unpredictable, and it’s crucial to provide her with a supportive environment.”I nod, taking in the information. “So, there’s hope she might regain more of her memories?”“Yes,” the doctor confirms. “There’s potential for her to remember more as she recovers. The process can be slow, and we’ll monitor her progress closely.”I held my breath, waiting for more information.“The tests show no severe damage,” the doctor continued. “Her brain activity is normal, and there ar
Josh's POV Seeing Harper with Greg ignites a surge of fury in me. It’s like déjà vu of what happened between Harper and Adams. The sight of her arm linked with Greg’s is unbearable.I almost stormed over to them, ready to yank her away from Greg, but Axel grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I had intentionally cut our Atlanta trip short after overhearing Greg's plans to take Harper to a club. Harper, I trust, but I don’t trust Greg at all. He’s involved in shady dealings with women. There are rumors about him drugging them and then using his father’s wealth to cover it up, making it look like the women were at fault. I can’t let Harper become another victim.As I struggle to control my anger, I watch helplessly as Greg, with Harper in his arms, heads for the ground floor. The panic in Axel’s voice only adds to my frustration. I know Harper’s health is the priority right now, but the sight of her with Greg makes it hard to think clearly.Axel’s firm grip on my arm is the only thing keep
After a warm bath, I collapse into bed, finally feeling the exhaustion. The weekend is a welcome break, and I spend it relaxing and doing nothing in particular.Amelia visits and excitedly talks about her relationship with Axel. I'm happy for her; it seems like she’s finally found love.But as Monday approaches, I dread seeing Josh. His silence over the weekend has only made me more anxious, reminding me of how he acted before our trip to Atlanta. No matter how much I try to think about something else, his face keeps popping into my mind, along with the unsettling dream I had about him.I can’t seem to shake these thoughts, and it’s clear that Josh still has a big impact on my life, even when he’s not around.Monday arrives, and I drag myself out of bed, feeling the weight of the day ahead. I get dressed quickly and head to the kitchen for a brief breakfast, trying to brace myself for what's to come.At work, I bury myself in tasks, especially preparing the report on everything that h
I find a space and settle in, pulling out my headphones and plugging them in. As the music starts, it helps calm my racing heart a bit.I wonder if things will be awkward between Josh and me now. His new behavior is confusing, especially when my whole body is still craving his touch.Relaxing back into my seat, I glance at him frequently, but he never turns to look at me. It feels like this is going to be a hell of a ride.I try to focus on the music, letting the rhythm fill the silence between us, but it’s hard to ignore the tension. My eyes keep drifting back to Josh, hoping for any sign that he might look my way. But he stays engrossed in his tablet, completely detached.I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look away and focus on the window. The clouds outside blur as we ascend, and I try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. This is going to be a long, torturous ride, I think to myself, trying to shake off the ache in my chest.I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I
I open the door and find Mia standing there. I sigh in relief when I see it’s her. “Oh, you made it,” I say, still breathless.“Are you okay?” she asks as I step aside to let her in.“I’m fine, Mai. I just woke up,” I reply.“Girl, you didn’t tell me you just woke up! You look all flustered like someone was giving it to you from behind,” she teases."Oh my God," I groan, collapsing onto the bed, realizing I've got another Amelia in Mai.She gives me a skeptical look. “Harper, don’t tell me you just had a sex dream.”I sit up quickly, eyes wide. “Is it that obvious?” I ask.“Oh my goodness, Harper, don’t tell me my theory is right!” she exclaims.My cheeks burn at Mai’s words, her knowing grin only making it worse. I try to laugh it off, but the sound comes out strangled. How did she guess so easily? I haven’t even processed the dream myself, yet here she is, already connecting the dots.I drop my gaze, fiddling with the edge of my robe. The images from the dream flash behind my eyes v
Harper's POV I nod and say, "Hi Greg. Yes, I know him. He is my..." I trail off, unsure of what to call Josh.I can feel Josh's eyes on me, waiting to hear how I’ll address him. We're not engaged anymore; I need time to process the emotional rollercoaster he’s putting me through. "Yes, he’s my boss," I finally say.I glance at Josh and notice he's visibly angry, his frustration almost palpable.I make my way back to my room, feeling drained after the exhausting five-hour meeting. I drop my bag on the table and quickly change out of my work clothes, wanting nothing to disturb my sleep. It's a relief that I’ve checked out of Josh’s room.In just my panties and bra, I collapse onto the bed. As I settle in, Josh’s presence lingers in my mind, but fatigue overtakes me, and soon I drift off to sleep.I hear a knock on my door and groan loudly. Hastily, I throw on a bathrobe, tie it firmly, and make my way to the door. Unlocking it, I grasp the doorknob and open it. “Josh,” I whisper his n
“Oh, don’t worry, Axel. When we meet in Seattle, I’ll fill you in,” I say, laughing. I know he’s eager to hear what I’m talking about.“Don’t you dare, Josh? Why would you say something like that and then leave me hanging?” he responds in his tone, a mix of playful and frustrated.I laugh loudly, feeling a rare moment of relief. It’s a welcome distraction from everything I’m dealing with regarding Harper.“Okay, okay,” I say between laughs. “I know you can’t wait.”“Spill it, man. What’s the news?” Axel presses.“Trisha’s son isn’t mine,” I say, watching as he falls silent. “Say something, man,” I urge, wondering if he knows something I don’t.“That’s a relief, Josh. I’m happy for you, man,” Axel finally responds.“That’s all you’ve got?” I ask, knowing Axel usually has more to say.He gives a nervous laugh. “What do you want me to say? It’s a relief, isn’t it?”“But there’s something about that child’s appearance,” I continue. “He looks like someone I know but I can’t place it. His e