eneath the sheets, her body heavy and sore. The dull ache between her legs brought a hazy, disorienting sensation as she groggily blinked her

ys. Trails of passion dotted her neck, her chest, and the curves of her torso-evidence of what had transpired, even if her mind couldn't fully recall

her mind linger on what had happened. She didn't want to think about it, d

him, no trace he had ever been there at all. For a moment, she wondered if she had imagined

l, but something about it felt... off. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over it, as an unsettling chill

und her neck once more. It rested heavily against her skin, a familiar weigh

hone and checked the time-7:15 a.m. Her eyes widened in panic. "Shit!" she cursed aloud.

Her mind was too consumed by thoughts of missing her flight to care about how she looked. As she made her way past the bar, she

aid nothing, watching her dart out of

arms, desperately trying to flag down a taxi. "Come on, come on!" she mutt

e curb. Without a second thought, Emelia yanked open the door and jumped i

behind her, and before she could even settle in her seat, the car was alre

ody ached, her mind was a mess, and yet, all she could focus on was getting away. France was her escape. It had to b

-

the black car disappear into the chaos of the morning traffic. His arms were crossed over his chest, a

h a full inch shorter than the giant beside him-shifted nervo

asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Helping h

aid, his voice low and assured. His eyes gleamed with somethi

. Why are you helping her? You've been keeping tabs on her for months

"Ordinary?" He shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving t

is confusion deepening. "T

to a full grin, his eyes flashi

he bulky man, his eyes wide with disbelief. "

, his voice firm and filled with

rly popped out of his head

tion. His grin widened as he stood up straight, stretching his ar

e tried to process the revelation. "This is insane," he muttered

ed at him with a sm

from sight, the bulky man turned on his heel and walked ba

"let's see how far she gets before