“Daisy, please don’t ask me to shift,” Diana begged. “I must help Mark get through the ritual. He is in agony.”As much as Diana was hurting, her thoughts were for Mark. It reminded me that not just my happiness was at stake.“Mark, you must believe me. Completing the ritual will end our pain,” she pleaded. “I’ll always treasure my bond with you. Please don’t spoil the memories I will have of us with violence. There will be another for you someday.”The priestess realized the danger. “Step back now, and continue to pray with me while I sever the bond,” she ordered Victor.After he returned to Alex’s side, she turned to me. “Daisy, do you wish this bond to be forever broken?”“Yes, I do,” I said.“William, do you wish to be free of this bond also?” the priestess asked.“Yes!” exploded from his mouth. His upturned features and bulging throat told me he was still struggling with Mark and his own pain. His efforts were impressive.The priestess took a sharp ritual blade from the leather p
Victor’s POVI saw Daisy follow William out of the dining room, but I was more curious than jealous. A different vibe came from both of them as we ate breakfast, which assured me the bond was broken.Plus, my bond with Daisy had strengthened as soon as the priestess cut the ceremonial cord. I was more attuned to her than ever before. I could feel she was nearby with William, and they were talking like good friends.“I’m glad the others left us alone,” Alex said. “There are things I need to discuss with you.”Alex had the footmen pour us another cup of coffee before asking for privacy.“Yes, sir,” they said and left the coffee urn within our reach and left the room.Taking a sip of the fragrant hot beverage, I waited to hear what Alex had to say.“I still plan on handing you the association's leadership soon,” Alex began.I tried to hide my surprise. I wasn’t expecting Alex to give up the leadership position now that he was getting well. Was there something going on with his health tha
Ever since the priestess broke my bond with William, my connection with Victor has become more intense. I can sense his moods without being in the same room, and I constantly crave his kisses and his touch on my skin.When he kissed me just moments ago, the sensations coursing through my body felt amazing. I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted him to show me what it was my body desperately desired.Eager to be alone with him, I rushed upstairs to pack for our trip.Going straight to my dresser, I began pulling out what I thought I would need. Jennifer had the rest of the day off, but I was sure I could manage to pack without her.“Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and nightgowns; what else should I pack?” I asked the empty room as I tossed the items I mentioned in my bed.“Swimming suits and a nice dress or two,” Diana said. “You’re going to the beach, and Victor will probably take you out to eat.”“You’re right,” I said and tossed two swimsuits onto the pile. Then I went to my closet and chose
Victor’s kisses drove me mad as his hand ran up and down my side. It moved closer to my left breast with each slow stroke.Shivering with anticipation when his fingers brushed over the side of my breast, I wanted to guide his hand to its target. But I didn’t dare.Again, even more slowly, Victor’s hand moved closer to my breast. I held my breath, desperately wanting him to touch it.My breath came out in a hiss of ecstasy when his palm finally kneaded the soft flesh. After opening my mouth wider, he began to suck on my tongue while his fingers rolled my nipple between them.Pleasure swirled through me, and I moaned, “Oh, yes.”Through our bond, I knew he was feeling the same as me. It made me want more from him, yet I didn’t know how to get it.He pulled me tightly against him and groaned. “It’s not quite time for more yet, my love,” he whispered. “Anticipation will make it even better.”That’s when I felt his hardness against my belly again, and I pulled back. Was that big, thick pil
Victor carried me into the master bedroom and placed me on the bed.I shivered with nervousness and anticipation while watching his magnificent male body as he lit the gas fireplace, got some from his suitcase, and turned down the lights before lying on his side next to me.My heart was pounding at the intense light in his eyes.“I love you, Daisy,” he said and ran a finger over my cheek.I took his hand and kissed it. “And I love you.”He put a hand on my stomach. “Tell me if you get scared or want me to stop, okay?”“I will,” I said. My nervousness was ramping up, and I wished he would kiss me.He read my mind. He leaned over, and his lips met mine. They were warm and firm, and they tasted like the salt air. They made me tingle again in all the right places, making my desire for him more potent than fear.I sighed with pleasure when he began a gentle exploration of my body, starting with my belly and breasts. He caressed and gently squeezed the soft globes until my nipples stood ere
I loved Victor even more for the proper marriage proposal, but my emotions were being overloaded.Images of my future flashed through my mind. I wanted to go to a good university and have a career helping people. Wilson Inc. also needed me to oversee the new business model.I had many goals that were important to me. Yet, I still wanted to be Victor’s wife and mate. I couldn’t be without him ever again.He sat back in his haunches, his face a mask of concern and confusion. “Daisy? Say something, sweetheart.”I burst into tears. “I …I love you too,” I sobbed. “So much. But I don’t want to get married yet.”“I wasn’t planning on dragging you down the aisle tomorrow,” Victor teased. “But I wanted you to know how I feel about you.”He stood and pulled me into his arms. “I need you to know I’m in this relationship forever.”“Don’t let the other playboys hear you,” I said with a watery giggle. “They’ll kick you out of the Playboy Union.”He tossed his head back and laughed. “My playboy days
“I’ll tell you what happened,” Mr. Gray said. “But you mustn’t say anything to Amy yet.”“I won’t,” I promised.I heard Mr. Gray groan. I could tell his memories were painful. But he began telling his story.“During the first years of our marriage, my wife worked for a family of wealthy Alphas. There was a widowed Luna, her son and daughter-in-law, a grandson, and two granddaughters who lived in the family’s ancestral mansion.”“Who were they?” I asked.“The Archers,” he replied.“I wonder if I’ve met them,” I said.“Probably, all you Alphas seem to know each other,” he replied.“Anyhow,” he continued. “My Brenna was a maid there for over three years when she went to work early one morning and found a newborn baby girl in a canvas tote bag on the backdoor stoop.”“Somebody left a baby in a tote bag?” I repeated. “How could someone do that?”“There was a note addressed to the grandson, Andrew Archer III, pinned to the baby’s blanket,” Mr. Gray said. “Young Andrew, or Andy, had a reputa
“Where is it? Where’s the dinghy?” Victor asked Captain Burns while keeping me shielded from the fire with his body.“Here, in this compartment.” Captain Burns opened a hidden storage compartment and struggled to pull out what looked like two duffel bags.He placed them on the deck, and Victor helped pull the uninflated lifeboats from the bags.While they did that, I stuffed our bottles of flavored water and the snacks into my mini backpack. I was terrified, but doing something helped calm me a little.What happened? How did the boat catch on fire and spread so quickly?“Take this one to the platform off the stern and pull the cord to inflate it,” Captain Burns instructed. “They are two-person dinghies. You and the girl get in that one. I’ll be right behind you in the other.”I hesitated, afraid to step through the wall of thick black smoke to follow Victor.“Hurry and get off the boat with your boyfriend, miss!” Captain Burns shouted over the now roaring sound of the blaze. “I just f