tonight? For a split second, Rylee's

eping in separate rooms, and a night at the Bradle

ld have filled her

ses, no repeat of anythi

left all my skincare at the villa. S

ed. "We can have someone bring it ove

excuse collapsing

ooked genuinely hesitant, almost delicate in her d

make him stay here tonight, all to orches

sion twisted a little deeper.

, "If you're too busy to think about children, maybe yo

k with the weig

thering across his face. "I'll f

way Maggie smiled, pleased with t

ng her breath tight and her pulse unsteady. Despa

d floor. Alec shut the bedroom door with a sharp click and s

rce and at the same time use my grandmother to trap me here?

eight of every past misunders

torted, "Alec, why the hell

sharp with icy contempt, "Because you n

as the memory of that hidden photo

fragile, bitter

e just cleared up the misunderstanding-that she had n

lec had never carved out even the s

to release every lingering illu

s a backward glance, Alec

throom to shower, letting the warm

trail of steam drifting behind her, Alec was already

mpossibly composed-an effortless v

alog beautiful features, and Alec-annoyingly-fit every criterion. For a split s

ked toward her, slicin

her long hair, pretending to smooth out t

ence before a servant step

the table, their murky surface releasing a bitt

ard politely. "Maggie asked me to make sure yo

ead sliding down her spine. The

corching warmth ripped through Alec, leavin

oss Rylee's che

slipped out, and the soft click of the door

, Rylee spoke up first. "I'll take the sofa ton

and stretched onto her to

nd the soft hem of her nightdress edged higher, r

night blindsided him-her warm legs locked around

ed through

n i

that tonic? The effect had hit

and strode to the counter, fi

e quilt in her arms, she caugh

thing, and made her way towa

readable stare, waiting to see just how lo