GREECE When I came to, the first thing I noticed was the softness beneath me. It wasn't the rough beach towel or the stiff club chair I'd last remembered. This was different - plush, luxurious, with sheets that felt like something my mother would put up in her room. My head throbbed, a persistent
"Don't remove that," he said quietly, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the entire room. "The drugs need to work their way out of your system and that IV is helping with it," He added softly. There was a hint of the gentleness I knew him for, but I wouldn't be easily deceived by
GREECE "I'm not going anywhere with you," I declared, surprising myself with the firmness in my voice. The IV still connected to my arm felt like a chain, a reminder of my vulnerability, but I refused to back down. I left the country just so I could be far away from my mother's scrutiny and her con
He walked out, slamming the door with such force that the entire room seemed to shake. The silence after Colson's left was deafening. I stood there, my heart still racing from our encounter, my body still tingling from his touch. The shower had helped clear my head somewhat, but the confusion remai
I huffed out in annoyance, taking a bit of my toast and glaring at the man. He had this all knowing expression on his face that I wished I could slap off it. He spoke like I was a child who couldn't own up to her actions. I hated it. For many reasons. “Yes,” After a long stretch of silence, I
But I'd seen enough. Fragments of information danced in my mind - the maps, the photographs, the way Elena moved like a trained operative, the gun Colson had been cleaning so methodically and of course, what I'd witnessed at the club. "You're running some sort of operation," I said, the pieces sud
AMELIA After breakfast Roman decided he had a much better way to spend our day off. “You can't be serious,” I rolled my eyes, still I found myself watching intently as he pulled his shirt over his shoulders, heat pooling in my belly as those sharp blue eyes met mine with a glint of mischief in th
AMELIA The moment Victoria's words hung in the air, time seemed to fracture. My heart raced, a thunderous rhythm that echoed in my ears, drowning out everything except the sudden roar of blood rushing through my veins. I stared at her, my mind struggling to process the accusation, my body frozen in
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