AndrewSaxton called just as I stepped into the elevator.“Hello?” I answered.“Is that your car I see in the lot next to your office building?”I grimaced. “The valet is supposed to park it in an inconspicuous spot. I don’t want everyone knowing I’m in the office.”He barked with laughter. “Well, it’s far from that. I spotted it just driving by. So what’s happening? You said you were taking weeks off.”“I am.” The elevator door opened on the fourth floor, and a young man stepped inside. He gave me a curious look, probably wondering if it was really his boss in the elevator, before averting his gaze.“I stopped in to check on a few things,” I told Saxton.“And Raven?”“Doing great. Somewhat.”The elevator reached the main floor, and I exited into the lobby, heading straight for the front doors.“Wait.” Alarm entered Saxton’s voice. “She’s not—”“She’s fine, physically speaking.”“What’s going on?”I sighed, dodging foot traffic as I showed up at the valet. “A lot. Where are you?” I sc

LanieMy second visit with Raven swam through my head as I pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. The whole time I was at the hospital, I’d been worried Andrew would show up. Raven had assured me he was busy, but I still couldn’t shake the needling feeling on my skin.As much as I burned to see him, I wasn’t ready for it yet and didn’t know when I would be. I still didn’t know what to make of our conversation the day before. Forgiving and forgetting seemed like the best choice, the thing I desperately wanted to do.And yet I just couldn’t. Every time I thought of Andrew, I felt the sting of him shutting me out. How did I know he wouldn’t do that again the next time things became hairy?Finding a parking spot close to the French restaurant Erica and I had decided to eat at in lieu of our usual Thursday at-home cooking, I left the heat blasting and dropped my head back against the seat. With my eyes closed, all I saw was Andrew.How could this be? I couldn’t forgive him, and yet I wa

Andrew“She didn’t say anything about me?” I asked Raven one more time.“Oh my god,” she sighed. She was sitting on the edge of her hospital bed, stretching her good leg out. It was one of the simple exercises the nurses had given her to do each day so that her muscles could stay in working condition.Raven scowled. “Don’t stare at me while I do this. I already feel stupid enough.”“I’m not looking,” I answered, though I half-turned away.“She didn’t want to talk about you, Dad.”I cringed at the sadness in her voice and pressed my fist to my mouth. “I’m going to make this up to you both,” I promised.The bed creaked, and I looked over to see Raven getting back under her covers. “I can’t wait till I leave this place,” she sighed.“Did you hear what I said?”She gave me a plain, unreadable look. “You’re going to make this up to us both. Okay. How?” My heart started pounding. “You’ll see soon. Will you be okay here if I run over to Lanie’s?”Her eyes widened. She was already picking u

Lanie“I can’t believe this,” I said yet again, staring at the ring, switching my gaze to Andrew’s face, then repeating the cycle all over again. Him. My engagement ring. There was nothing else.My engagement ring.“It’s so beautiful,” I breathed.And it was. The diamond sparkled. It was a princess cut jewel, bigger than one I’d ever thought I’d be comfortable wearing, but having it on my finger made me want to never take it off.I loved how it caught the light, how the band was simple, taking nothing away from the diamond. I loved how it represented the love Andrew and I shared, was a testament to the things we’d been through, how it promised a future of happiness and combined strength.Andrew brought my right hand to his lips and gently kissed it. “Thank god you said yes.”Laughter burst from me. “This is what I was waiting for, Andrew. This.” Tears of relief and happiness made it impossible to go on.“I know.” Andrew pulled me back into his chest, cradling me in his strong arms. “Y

LanieOur lips collided as I rocked against him, each thrust bringing us closer together. I held onto his shoulders with all of my strength as his hands went everywhere. My hips. My back. My stomach. My breasts. My face. He didn’t miss a single part of my body, instead taking his time to stroke and cherish each section.My bliss doubled, and I burst with a cry. Wrapping his arms around me, Andrew flipped me over with one smooth movement. His weight pressed down against me, his delicious scent intoxicating. Our tongues danced together as he thrust deep into me.I could feel the intention with each move. He was claiming me. Making me his.“You’re mine forever,” Andrew huskily whispered against my lips.I smiled at knowing I’d been right on the nose.Seizing my mouth, he kissed me hungrily. I pressed my palms against his back, relishing the way the muscles bunched together as he moved.With a grunt, Andrew released deep into me. His thrusting stilled, but his kisses became even more fran