s hiding from their daddies?" Georgia asked with a half

e. "Because secrets taste sweeter w

nclosed in a halo of wild lavender, jasmine vines, and weeping cherry blossoms, the brunch table glowed with pastel

asses, poured Georgia a second mimosa. "Consider this an

ftly, warmth blooming in her chest. For the first time in weeks, her body didn't fee

ble, squeezing her hand. "You

aring heels that could ki

te. "Darling, you say tha

ad paused three women breathing in freedom, exhaling shadows. The plates clinked with fresh croissan

orked. F

rgia spok

know. There's something in him that's unrave

le

uck wrong in a symphony. Vivienne's ex

nne said, her voice sharp. "He's not who h

"You don't know

honey. I know him better than you think. I'

ly, reaching for a straw

clock you can fix? No. Weston does

and sharp. "You're wrong. The

ink love will bring it out? That he'll cha

ot a mo

always come with claws. Sometimes, they come in tai

looked away, throat tight. Her mimos

n a good brunch. Georgia, we're not att

you look at him, what do you f

den, into the blooms that l

dn't a

Vivienne stood, heels crunching softly on the gravel path.

pened the door to he

scent Weston's cologne, cedar and smoked amber was too

tu

Dressed in black slacks and a half-unbuttoned shirt, Weston looked sculpt

e br

d. "How long hav

to watch the

him, controlled.

nk I wouldn'

ke a whip. She flinc

n't a s

spering in gardens like some goddamn

ren't your enemies.

me when I'm not there.

plotting. This isn't che

e tension in the

he said, voice low. "You're

stripped

't believe I care about

yo

itated

d, pain flashin

ted. And now..." He shook his h

"Then ask me. Don't accu

eal anymore. When you touch me is it guilt? I

once run to in storms. The man wh

"Sometimes... i

ngling with hers. "Tell me you lo

e. Not because it wasn't true but because

d into something raw. T

rred into

m, the skyline pale with dawn. Her phone buzzed with

tlefield. She had no access to funds beyond what Weston per

Trapped, Pampered, yes.

rtled her. Housekeeping

ne was there. Only a cre

n

n

ut the door, fingers trem

single p

around a woman. The other hand

aught. Her fingers

. The sapphi

o

in the pho

image, her skin crawling. The woman's face was blurred

cent? Was

idn't

ng inside h

had sent the photo.

the world

would be the