ehind her, she rests her back against it. She pulls her knees to her chest and looks around the dark room, wondering where s

curious if the rumors about men like him are true. Goosebumps spread out on her s

ad a good life. She would’ve been attending school to get her nursing degree. Melina has a deep love for helping people and wanted

She sniffs and wipes her cheeks. She wants to fix

met Thomas, a sad smil

ear

one. I don't want to do this again," M

in love with her so they can con them out of their money. Melinda

s one, we’ll have all the money we need," James says, caressing her face. His

omi

e says, kissin

she looks at the handsome man. James is stunning, too, with his blond hair and blue eyes, but this man puts him to shame. The smile on her face drops at the though

f the richest men in Italy and the US,"

you that the p

s' eyes roam Melina's body. She moves

nk I’m that

is growing bulge. She slowly pulls it away, hoping he doesn'

TV. Their living room is lovely with gray couches facing their smart TV that hangs on

nt. She wants to get away from him before he changes his mind and demands sex. Their bedroom is beautiful with gray painted walls and vintage art hanging above th

*

es everything goes as James wants so she suffers no consequences. She smacks her lips together and checks

’s wearing a black tux as she wears a sparkling champagne nude tulle gown with shiny

urprisingly he’s nowhere to be found. It's been an hour now since they arrived at the party, yet Thomas was nowhere to be found.

oing?" he asks,

e." She resists the urge to pull her hand ou

e back here." James releases he

form by tomorrow. On her way to the sitting area,

into Claire here since she moved to LA from Chicago after they graduated high school

e you

g well; ho

waist. Her body becomes ridge as she recognizes his touch. Jame

? Why the fuck are you here talking to Cla

us? James and I have som

ater." Claire walks a

n that Claire stopped her but

from the party. She wiggles to get her hand free but fails

the ballroom entrance. She struggles harder t

too. It’s Thomas. His piercing blue eyes are more beautiful in real life. His long, full eyelashes fan his face when he blinks. His nose is long and pointed. He has a well

nd in front of Thomas. She turns to ask James why

his voice deep and husky. He

sts off her dress and ha

ls a spark as their skin touches. She pulls her arm back but Thomas pul

It's just a small scrape." Meli

hurts. Admit it, I’m right,

uess

eyes with him, and she can tell he feels it too. He stares deep into her eyes. He only

mas walks them

e you tak

our elbow

h.

la?" Thomas asks, press

." They step into the

mas Costanzo. Nice to meet yo

meet yo

't lie, though, she’s happy he hasn't. His hands are warm, and his touch is calming. Melina smiles for the first time