The divorced military queen awakens novel

510 Am I Old So she thinks I'm old ? Without warning , Weston dipped his head and claimed her mouth , the abruptness stealing the breath from her lungs . " Mmm ... You ... Let me go ... " Her protest dissolved when he deepened the kiss , a fierce declaration of possession . His body pressed closer , heat and strength sealing every frantic inch of space between them . One hand slid beneath her blouse , fingertips skating over bare skin in lazy , knowing strokes . He mapped the places he remembered that made her tremble , coaxing desire out of her with practiced certainty .

The air inside the car thickened , heavy with perfume , leather , and a gathering storm of need . No. This has to stop right now ! If we don't , we'll end up doing things in the back seat that I can't afford to want . We're only bound by a contract . I cannot fall for him again . I absolutely refuse to repeat my past mistakes . Smack ! The crack of her palm echoed off the tinted windows , snapping his head to the side . " Weston Windore , we're together by contract and nothing more . You have no right to touch me like that ! " Panting , Laura glared at him .

He turned his head back , staring at her . " Then who does ? The baby - faced model ? " " Yes . If I truly cared for him , he would have that right . I agreed to one year of contractual dating - nothing else . If you're craving a woman , find someone else . I'm not offering ," she snapped , wiping her mouth . She yanked the door handle , swung out into the night , and let the cold air slice between them like a drawn blade . This could not continue . Weston wore manners like a tailored suit , yet beneath the fabric beat the unyielding will of a man accustomed to command .

She had first accepted this absurd arrangement because he threatened her with a compromising video . Later , telling herself it was easier to enjoy the moment than fight it , she had drifted closer and closer to him . Never again , she vowed , would she tumble back into that trap . 1/3 Instead of resisting back then , she had decided to surrender and enjoy it , telling herself it was nothing more than a year - long arrangement with a lover who came free of charge .

Yet the situation had begun to spiral beyond her grip , creeping into her job , her friendships , and every corner of her carefully tended life . Most disturbing of all , he now watched her with an intensity that made her wonder whether the man truly liked her - perhaps even loved her- and whether their staged romance was about to become frighteningly real . How absurd . When they dated for real years ago , he had never managed a single genuine spark of feeling . So how could feelings suddenly bloom in a relationship that was fake from the start ?

Strip away the pretty words , and it was nothing but the possessiveness of someone accustomed to ruling from above . Falling out with Weston today might invite his retaliation , but she would not let herself drown any deeper . The illusion ends here . Quinn paused on the threshold of Fane Manor's living room . Three men lay draped around the coffee table , each heavy - lidded and glossy - eyed , breathing whisky fumes into the chandelier- lit air .

Julius sagged over the armrest , Everett slouched like a toppled statue on the couch , and Rowan sprawled somewhere between them , an empty glass dangling from his fingers . " Listen here , boy ... If you ever even think about hurting my Quinn , I'll finish you myself . I'm an old man , and time already stole everything worth fearing ." Everett continued forcing wine down Julius ' throat , threatening him . " I'll never ... hurt Quinn ... If it comes to that , Uncle Everett , you won't need to lift a hand . I'll take myself out first ...

" Julius slurred , words wobbling on a breath thick with liquor . Quinn had rarely seen Julius this far gone . The table before him looked like a battlefield - tall bottles of whisky , gin , and vodka standing like spent shells , every label boasting a proof that could fell a horse . " Is it true that ... first thing after you land back home , you and Julius are heading straight to city hall to register ? " Rowan rose on unsteady legs , a hiccup clipping the end of his question as he stumbled toward his sister . She met her brother's bleary gaze and gave a single , steady nod .

" I'm sorry ... I can't fly back with you , " Rowan murmured . Of the trio , he had drunk the least and was now the clearest voice in the room . 2/3 " Stay here and look after Lena . In a few months , Julius and I will return to Celosia so she can have the bone - marrow transplant ." Rowan patted his sister's shoulder with surprising gentleness . " Count on it . And when the two of you throw that banquet , I'm draining every last drop of your champagne . I missed your first wedding ; I won't miss this one .

" " My first marriage never had a wedding ," Quinn said , her voice calm , almost detached . " What ? " Rowan blinked , astonished . " How could there have been no ceremony at all ? " " Mom and Dad had just passed away , so we kept it simple and signed the papers . My ex- husband promised we'd hold a proper ceremony later , but promises mean nothing when you're not in someone's heart , " she said calmly , as if she were reciting someone else's story . Even after their finances improved and the mourning period ended , Trent never mentioned that missing wedding again .

If anything , he seemed relieved their relationship could remain hidden forever . " That ex of yours was truly worthless , " Rowan muttered , anger lending new clarity to his eyes . 3/3 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.