What are we? I'd almost asked when I looked into those beautiful blue eyes and found they were filled with so many intense emotions that I couldn't breathe. “I don't want to lose you,” The vulnerability in his admission made my chest tight. “Me too," I whispered, barely audible over the music. S
Victoria's perfectly manicured nails dug into my cheek, not enough to break skin, but enough to make her threat clear. I refused to flinch, even as my heart hammered against my ribs. The cold stone of the railing pressed against my back, a stark reminder that I was cornered. "You're nothing but a g
What were the chances that he would even spare me a thought now that Bertha was there…did he truly mean all those words? "No, I... could we just get a drink instead?" Vincent hesitated. "Are you sure? What happened here-" "Please," I cut him off. "I just... I need a minute. There's a bar just o
AMELIA The world swayed as Roman guided me through the dark hallways of the building as we made our way outside, his grip on my waist firm but gentle. The alcohol in my system made everything feel distant and hazy, like I was watching the scene unfold through frosted glass. My thoughts kept circlin
"Nothing?" I straightened in my seat, anger cutting through the alcohol haze. "You could barely keep your eyes off her or even hear a word I said! You haven't even bothered to look at me…to really look at me, Roman!” I snarled back at him with equal ferocity. I was sure I had scratch marks on my fac
Roman's expression darkened as his eyes landed on my cheek, finally seeing what I assumed would be red nail marks. "She put her hands on you?" I nodded, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "She said... she said such horrible things about my mother, about me. About us. And you were inside with Bertha, a
GREECE I watched as the waves rose and crashed repeatedly against each other and sometimes soak the sand by the shore. I was quiet. I hadn't spoken to anyone or even myself in hours. It gave a strange sensation, like I'd forgotten the sound of my own voice. Like I'd always been here, sitting on th
GREECE The club was noisy, that was the first thing that registered. The music was so loud I could feel each bass drum in my feet and head like a throbbing headache. Still, I managed to maintain my composure as I weaved through the crowd of gyrating bodies and drunk adults, going deeper into the cl
SIX MONTHS LATER The annual Wellington Anniversary gala was in full swing, and we'd decided to host it in our home rather than the hotel it was in late year. The ballroom of our estate glittering with lights that illuminated the beauty of the hall’s interior, reflecting against the marble floors
Wolves. They were fucking wolves yet Roman acted like they simply dogs he'd raised. And in turn, they acted the same towards him. “Why wolves though?” I raised a questioning brow as I caressed Sage's soft fur and Juniper whining a few seconds after that. Roman shrugged, “Why not?” He replied w
"You should hate me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "After what I did, you should hate me." "I know," he agreed, the ghost of a smile touching his lips. "It would be so much easier if I did." A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. Roman reached out, hesitated, then gently brushed i
"What happened?" he asked, his voice gentler than I deserved. I laughed bitterly. "Nothing dramatic. No great tragedy or betrayal. Just... emptiness. Day after day of emptiness. Making decisions that affect hundreds of people, never letting anyone close enough to see that I'm terrified of making th
I woke to unfamiliar shadows dancing across an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, panic seized me as I forgot where I was. Until it came rushing back and I found myself sinking deeper into the mattress Roman's bed was sinfully comfortable, the sheets soft against my skin. I stretched, my muscles p
The rain continued to lash against the windows, filling the silence between us. Outside, lightning flashed, illuminating Roman's face and his even darker expression. I wasn't getting through to him. And I didn't blame him. "Two years ago, you made it very clear that you didn't need me," he said
Roman chuckled, the rich sound sending heated shivers down my abdomen. His eyes crinkled at the corners, making him look more like the man I remembered. "So did you," he replied, nodding toward my pixie cut. I reached up self-consciously to touch the ends of my damp hair. "Maybe it should be called
Roman suddenly cleared his throat and dragged his gaze away. He ran a hand through his short blonde hair, sending droplets flying. "I'll get you something dry," he said, his voice rougher than before. He disappeared down a hallway without waiting for my response. Left alone, I took the opportunity
AMELIA My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Words, which had never failed me before, suddenly evaporated from my mind like morning dew under a harsh sun. I stood there, gun still stupidly hanging from my fingers, staring at the stranger-not-stranger before me. Roman Wellington. But not my Roman