Abby The snow crunches under my boots as we make our way up the back steps of the police headquarters. Despite Karl’s solid presence at my back, I can’t help but feel a shiver run down my spine. My hands tremble ever so slightly in their gloves—whether it’s simply from cold or my jittery nerves, I

Abby The thumping bass pulses through my body as Karl and I sway together on the crowded dance floor. His hands span my waist, guiding my hips to move in time with his to the rhythmic music. I revel in the solid warmth of his torso pressed to my back, his breath fanning over the sensitive spot b

Abby Karl and I finally step into my apartment after a long night, the door clicking shut behind us. I slide my heels off with a sigh of relief as Karl loosens his tie, tossing it aside. An easy silence hangs between us for a few minutes; we’re both lost in our own thoughts after the chance enco

Abby I push through the swinging doors into the already bustling kitchen of Adam’s restaurant, the rich and familiar scents enveloping me like a warm hug. My staff look up with a mixture of surprise and excitement to see me striding in so early. “Abby!” Daisy spots me first, her face lighting up

Oblivious to my internal crisis, Karl continues scanning the article details. “You said that he told you he’s been watching you since the cook-off,” he says. “Royalty is weird like that. If they want something, then it becomes… the entire world to them.” There’s a suggestive note to Karl’s rumblin