She sighed again when he left the room. “I guess he’s decent looking, for a man,” Sasha said. “It’s kind of hard for me to see it, though, since he’s like a brother. That’s why I make life as difficult for him as I can. It’s my kid sisterly duty. Marina gets it, don’t you?” “Great,” Jada said. “B...
When the most important person in your life lets you down then it’s comforting to be alongside the people who never let you down. It’s probably a bit selfish, because those people are also the people who least want to see you hurting so much, but they don’t mind. Zoe sat c...
She also mastered the other gifts Kent had left sitting on her back porch every evening.Her favorites were the long-range listening device and the shiny new pair of night vision glasses. It had gotten so she could hardly wait for nightfall to head out with her new equipment.It was difficult to fo...
The stew tasted good, though it wasn’t something she was used to eating. She nibbled on the biscuit she was given, but even that didn’t soothe her jangled nerves. What am I doing here? What have I gotten myself into? Her father must be worried sick....
I want to go to her, sit her down and fold her into my arms, letting her fall asleep on my chest as I brush those worry lines off of her forehead. Instead, I clumsily wield a spatula. "I'm really good at eggs, and not much else," I tell her. "So I hope you don't mind giving me a second chance t...
A married billionaire, at that. “Well,” she said, looking at the chosen dress in her bedroom mirror. “This is it.” While nothing overly expensive, it was the finest dress she owned since Jessie had a feeling that John Har...
Jessie's eyelids were growing heavy and, bit by bit, her brain was shutting down. After coming straight home from a hectic double shift at the diner, she had stayed up late working on an assignment that was due the next day. The diner had been extremely busy, and she'd spent the majority of the d...
“Oh my God, did you see this?” Jada didn’t look up from her phone. “Yes.” “You did not see it. It’s mind-blowing.” “I know.” Jada sipped her coffee and squinted at the small type on her news app. She reminded herself to make an appointment with her eye doctor. “Look! Just look.” Hmm, Jada thought...
Sanniyah is studying her surroundings like she has everything already figured out, her chin lifted to show off the graceful swoop of her neck. In the waning light of sunset, I first assumed her perfect skin was a smooth shade of caramel, but as I move closer, I can see the different colors unde...
The buildings of University City gave over to the tightly packed rowhomes of West Philadelphia. Crossing through Upper Darby, we suddenly emerged into the entirely different world of the Main Line. The longer we drove, the more Liam's mood lightened. "Just let me see what she wants and then w...
It was their fourth date in the two weeks since she had discovered her pregnancy, and he had made his insane suggestion they get married. She still couldn’t help snorting aloud every time she remembered that. Getting married for the sake of a baby in this day and age? To a...
Megan almost missed her boarding call, she’d been so engrossed in her thoughts as she went over the few plans she’d made for her week-long island getaway. She’d forgotten she was on a first class ticket for the first time, so she was expecting to be called later, not amo...
I knew she was in the room because I’d seen her shoes and bag. But I suspected the lanky local was in there with her, so I just crept out silently after having a lousy cup of coffee from the in-room maker.As I headed out for my morning float in the ocean, the sun felt good on my skin. I’ve never ...
You may now kiss the bride.” The silver-haired justice of the peace, a friend of Andrew’s, beamed as Andrew and I proceeded to do just as he said. Our lips barely touched before applause broke out. With Andrew’s hand around my waist, we turned around to face the small grou...
“He left with those exact words—you’ll pay for it!” Raina said her voice shaky. Kelly’s stricken face did not console Raina. “I’m getting fired aren’t I? What will I do? It’s my word against his—and he has the money to pay for the best lawyers in the world. How will I pay ...
Queen Catriona sat in a high-backed chair, watching the King pace, and becoming increasingly frustrated with his fidgeting. “Alexander, would you please sit down? You're going to wear a hole in the floor, and all of this pacing isn't going to make the plane land any faster...
It took him a moment to register his surroundings, and waking up in a strange place might have sent him into panic before, but he had dreamed of the woman a few feet away from him all night, and the dream was still somewhat fresh. He was actually disappointed he hadn’t awa...
After graduating from college Mia still wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do with her life. Bored with her day job as an Administrative Assistant for a non-profit, she started writing stories on the side and sharing them with her friends. They gave her the push she needed to share them with yo...
After graduating from college Mia still wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do with her life. Bored with her day job as an Administrative Assistant for a non-profit, she started writing stories on the side and sharing them with her friends. They gave her the push she needed to share them with yo...
I didn’t move at first, simply basking in her body warmth, and memories of the previous night’s pleasure. Unfortunately, I had wondered fleetingly at first if she was just making a move over the money, but her passion had been clear and sincere from the start. The ferocity with which she chased...
“TWO records?” “That’s right,” Ophelia answered. “But Grandma got a little flustered by the woman’s complaints and—” “I wasn’t flustered,” Mrs. Nell interrupted, shooting a severe look at her granddaughter. “It got stuck in the printer.” “It doesn’t matter,” Ophelia said. “The woman only got the ...
I try to mop it up before he wakes and notices, but when I look up, I see his blue eyes smiling down at me.“Morning,” he says, “Tidying up?”“Turns out, I’m a drooler. Sorry.” I climb out of bed and pull on a robe as Maeve’s cries become louder.“No need to apologize, I take it as a compliment to h...
Elly nearly dropped the plate she was holding, but Ian rescued her by grabbing it out of her hand in the nick of time. Having already served Jada, Elly snatched up her tray and rushed from the room. Agatha’s face turned so red Jada feared the older woman might pop a vessel in her sinewy neck. “Th...
My sister's beautiful face was right before mine, and strangely — surreally — Billy's face appeared beside hers. "Anita, Anita. Are you okay?" His accent was as thick and rich as I remembered, and I smiled broadly, trying to pull myself to my feet. My ankle throbbed and didn't seem to want to ho...
She cursed and dropped the phone. Why the hell had she tried to send a text message while driving? Even with the stop-and-go traffic, it had been a stupid thing to do. As she looked at the car she had crashed into, the magnitude of her stupidity hit her. The twisted metal ...
he said, holding it up as proudly as if he’d stomped on the grapes himself.I had no idea what he was talking about and just gave my head a shake, smiling in spite of myself.“Sauternes, the kind of wine that goes in that glass that broke this morning.” His crooked grin assured me that he wasn’t tr...
“You better get up. The taxi will be here in thirty minutes.” Lissa hurried upstairs to shower and dress in her travel clothes, and noted that everything except the babies was packed and ready to go. And once again, there was no sign that the guest bed had been slept in. L...
Instead, she focused on building a future with Connor, supporting his dream of entering the designing side of racing, and supporting Kevin as he transitioned to his own life and own path under the guidance of the helpful staff at the Henderson Center. And she received supp...
Nadia had to fight back a smile at the two women exchanging conspiratorial winks and satisfied grins. Bless their matchmaking hearts. After their breakfast, Sawyer took her into the city. Nadia had been to San Francisco a time or two, but she had never played tourist befor...
And while I do have that mysterious file about you, I still don’t know much about you,” Julien began, pointing to me as we walked. I could already feel myself freezing up at the thought of trying to relive my past. It’s not like I had a super traumatic childhood or anything, but there are a lot...
She’d been drowsy when he’d removed and changed her bandage, but otherwise had seemed to be unaware that she’d had any kind of fit at all. After confirming multiple times that she was feeling okay, he’d given her some kind of sedative and lured her back to bed. “You need p...