The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 505 Dazzling As You " I'd rather the child look just as dazzling as you , " he murmured , lowering himself until his striking features filled her vision , inch by slow inch . " What's so dazzling about me ? " Quinn asked with a soft laugh . He kissed her , spellbound . " Quinn , you have always been my sun , when we were children , and even more now . Every year , you burn brighter . " His kisses carried a reverence beyond language , as if worshiping a life - saving light . She was indeed his sun , pulling him out of the night that had once devoured him .

How lucky he was to have met her . Luckier still to have fallen for her . Luckiest of all - she loved him back . Harlan surveyed the sprawling VIP lounge , its velvet couches crowded with strangers pairing off over diluted cocktails and forced laughter . Laura had practically dragged him here , insisting he attend this so - called inter - company mixer . He had declined once already , yet Laura had shamelessly ambushed him outside the office at quitting time . He knew exactly what she was thinking . Is she afraid I would keep pestering Quinn and complicate Quinn's life with Julius ?

The thought drew a short , amused breath from his throat . " Why are you smiling ? " Laura demanded . That smile alone sent a cluster of young women into spark - eyed awe . Of all the attendees , Harlan was clearly the centerpiece . Tailored in the newest designer suit , with a face edged in predatory beauty , he looked ready for a televised talent show . And that was before anyone learned his pedigree ; if they knew , they would be kneeling at the polished toes of his dress shoes . " So , Laura , do you truly want me paired off and out of the single pool that badly ?

" he asked , one brow arched . Laura let her shoulders rise in a small , helpless shrug , the dim bar - lights sliding over the satin sleeves of her emerald blouse . " Come on , Harlan . We've known each other for years . Quinn and Julius will be getting married any day now . As your friend , I can't keep watching you drown in a feeling that will never be returned . Think of tonight as a chance to clear your head , at least for a while . " " What ? She and Julius are ... getting married ? " Harlan's fingers spasmed around his wineglass . The stem trembled .

Half the crimson liquid sloshed over the rim and splattered across his knuckles before he seemed to notice . " Hey , wipe that off . " Laura thrust a fistful of napkins toward him , worry flashing through her eyes even as she tried to keep her tone light . The wine had already bled into the cuff of his bespoke jacket and dribbled down to the tailored hem . The ensemble had cost him several hundred thousand ; now dark blossoms of merlot spread like bruises in fine wool . Whether any cleaner could save the fabric was anyone's guess . But Harlan ignored the napkins .

He caught her wrist in a sudden , iron grip . " Quinn's really marrying Julius ? " " Yes . They'll be back in the country in a couple of days , planning to make it official . And ... " Laura hesitated , the words tasting like sand . " Quinn is pregnant , Harlan ." Color drained from Harlan's face . He swayed , as if the floor had tilted beneath him . " Harlan , she truly loves Julius . So- " " So you're terrified I'll ruin their happy ending , and that's why you're so eager to set me up with someone else ? " His glare slammed into her like a thrown blade . Laura's pulse skipped .

Under that stare , she felt , for one raw second , a primal jolt of fear . He hadn't been called Jexburgh's tyrant for nothing . " Not entirely , " she said , steadying her breath . " Unrequited love is agony . I know that pain . I'd rather see you move forward than bury your life in a dead - end feeling . " Harlan let out a short , bitter laugh . " And what would you know about it ? When have you ever loved someone you couldn't have ? " " Back when I dated your Uncle Weston , " Laura said evenly . " That was exactly what it felt like . " A flicker of surprise crossed Harlan's eyes .

" But you're the one who ended it . " " I did . " A wry curve tugged at her mouth . " Because I overheard him telling a friend I was just a pastime , something to kill boredom . If I couldn't have something real , why cling to scraps ? Letting go was cleaner . " Maybe it was the wine , or maybe the need to shake Harlan free of Quinn's shadow , but the confessions spilled from Laura more easily than they ever had before . Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion.

She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.