was intoxicating, yet a part of her hesitated. "What are we doing, Soren?" she asked, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze. His eyes

re was an edge to his voice, a hint of desperation that she couldn't ignore. She had always been dr

oded her mind, and she couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "I don't want to rush into anything that you

't help how I feel right now," he said, still gripping her

n for affection from Soren, but she wondered if she was ready to explore those feelings.

s against Josie's soft, delicate ones. This time, Josie didn't try to

her down on the bed and lay on top of her. They continued the

ing Josie. "I want to taste every part of you

or that, even though the kiss ignited a fire within her. "This is all wrong," she said, r

nts at the breakfast table. Only his driver knew about his con

bowing his head. "Get her to come down quickly for bre

reakfast?" Soren questioned Josie sharply

ety. She felt on edge, worried that Soren might recall what had h

sing from the table. As he made no mention of the previous night, Josie's anxiety

office that evening. She needed to discu

when he heard a knock on

plied, her voice ba

Soren said, still f

" Josie said as she entered, fee

n't have a lot of time," Soren stat

ie pushed through her nerves. She cou

if my father is alright," she said, her ton

lady," Soren replied, his words circling

t week?" she pressed, her

on evident in his voice. "You cannot go to see hi

e shift in Soren's demeanor. The air in the study fel

he widening gap between them. "I need to see him," she st

ng. "I fulfilled my promise of taking care of your father, and w

operate," Soren replied, his t

dn't be easy, but she was resolute in her d

pressed, unwilling to back

him about her sick father. "You said you'd take care of hi

k door, freezing them both in place. "Who could that be, and what