"Are you sure?" "Yes. I'm fine. Honestly." "I'm glad to hear from one of us," he said, giving her an apathetic smile. "I was scared when I saw you were hurt." He scoured a hand through his hair. "Keep doing that, and you're reaching to drag it out." He frowned at her comment. "I guess it's a reflex. I was stressed. It wouldn't astonish me to discover every hair on my head has turned white," he told her, another half-smile curling his mouth. "No," said Rafaella. His hair was dark brown as chocolate and tended to curl only at the edges. He looked and sounded so familiar. So why couldn't she remember who he was or how he fit into her life? "God. I was so frightened I was reaching to lose you," he said, his voice crude. All traces of humor disappeared. He pressed his eyes closed for a minute. "I thought… I was so afraid…." "Don't," she said, carried away by the sadness in his voice, in his eyes. Reaching out, she grabbed his clenched fists. "I'm fine." He stiffened for a moment in
How much should he tell her? She wouldn't recall that they split up if she didn't consider him and their marriage. That was the turmoil running in his head. She hesitated at his reply and cast her mind back. "I…I can't remember it now." Rafaella felt more lightheaded than she had all day when their eyes met and locked. This man stirred in her this breathtaking, toe-curling impact, the kind of response that overflowed her center with need and cleared out her shuddering like a half-set jam which she felt frightening. He deliberately slid his palm down his dark crimson silk tie as he unzipped his suit coat. His fingers were long and inclined as he contemplated the whole thing while he studied her profile. "What can you remember then?" He casually asked. Her look returned to his addressing expression, and she inspected the sterile but comfortable private room. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice fragile. She rubbed at the spot between her brows again. "Things are a bit fuzzy. And I…I se
Alexus took a deep breath, shook his head, and sped up his steps toward the villa's entrance. He saw his guest talking on a mobile phone and walking around the living room. "Oh, he just came in. Let's talk later..." Alexus heard what the woman said. He hadn't even figured out who Sandy was talking to when she immediately cut off the conversation and greeted him with a wide smile. "I've been waiting for you. Well, not that long. I just got here five minutes ago." Alexus moved his face away from his visitor as she wrapped her arm around his neck and prepared to kiss him. "I don't think you should do that, Sandy," he said gently. "And I'm not in the state of mind to talk to you now. You should at least call-" "Daddy," said the two children in unison. He was surprised when two children ran towards him. Lucy removed Sandy's hand, which was gripping Alexus' arm. Sandy exclaimed, "Hey." She appeared irritated by the twins' unannounced approach. "He's our daddy," Lucy said while hold
He gently commanded, "Don't talk like that," as his palm caressed the contour of her cheek. "I have to ensure your security, Rafa." As he dropped his gaze on her breasts, concealed by the unsightly medical gown, need surged within him. He recalled how those breasts fit perfectly into the palms of his hands, how they felt in his mouth, and how her breath quivered as he ran his tongue over the tips. "What would happen if my memory failed to return?" She asked with concern. He slammed the door on the seductive visions, making him long and desperately passionate with Rafaella by jerking his attention back to her face. "Yes, it will be back, Rafa." t may not be as soon as we wanted, but eventually, you will get it back. Everything is just temporary." "If it doesn't, what then? The doctor said it may not..." "Believe me. The doctor told you that is based on some patients having the same case. But you're going to regain your memory." When it happened, he hoped he wouldn't lose her once
"Detective Smith, I want you to put the person who hurt my wife in jail," Alexus ordered. "Yes, Mr. Latimer, we agree. Unfortunately, we don't have much to work on because of your wife's amnesia issue." Alexus said, "You have an eyewitness and a sketch of the man's appearance." "We are following up on both of those leads. However, even if we find a suspect and can make an arrest, we will need your wife to identify him as the victim's attacker." As the total weight of her predicament struck her once more, Rafaella murmured aloud, "Which I can't do unless my memory returns." "I am sorry, ma'am." Her memory might return tomorrow, next month, or even a year from now, according to the neurologist Alexus had brought in. Or it might not return at all. The knot in her stomach that was always there twisted a little tighter at the notion of being unable to recall the details of her life and who she was. "You must allow yourself some time. It's only been a few days," Alexus reassured her,
But how did she tell the man she was married to that it wasn’t just the detective’s kidnapping theory that had the nerves knotting in her stomach? It was the prospect of going home with a husband who was, for all intents and purposes, a stranger to her. Alexus acknowledged that he was treading a fine line as he steered the Bugatti down the street and toward his house alone because he had left Timothy to watch after Rafaella. And now that he was bringing Rafaella home, the thin line he had been walking since he decided to keep their separation from Rafaella a secret appeared to get even lighter. He gave Libby instructions to arrange her possessions in his bedroom, the items Timothy had picked up from the hotel where they had checked in, and the majority of her clothing and necessities out of the house she had lived in, which he had repurchased from the man who was responsible for all the unfortunate events in the Jones family that led to her father's suicide. It appeared that she had
"Was this where I reside?"Alexus quickly brought his focus back to Rafaella. She regarded the house with wide eyes as though seeing it for the first time. He quickly reminded himself that she had witnessed it for the first time by giving himself a mental kick.She probably didn't remember the house if she didn't remember him.Alexus told her, "This is where we reside," feeling a twinge of guilt at the half-truth."It's adorable."He informed her, "That's what you said the first time I brought you here." That much was true. She didn't even tell him her impression of the house before her accident, but he saw enough appreciation in her eyes when he brought her to talk about their separation. "The gardens are so beautiful," he heard her say as if she was in a dreamy world.From the wheelchair where she was seated, she looked around the vastness of the place. And she closed her eyes when she felt the cool breeze on her cheeks. She felt her mood lighten.Alexus was silent, with his eyes st
"What might be critical?" Rafaella questioned hastily. She was eyeing Alexus. "Rafa, let's do it for the good of everyone. If somebody tries to break in, we have people around to deal with them." "Are you saying there's a risk to us?" "No, although it's best to use caution," said Alexus. Rafaella was ready to speak when Mrs. Wood returned, giving Alexus a bottle of water and a pill. "Rafa, do you need anything?" "No, I'm okay. I appreciate you asking." She responded, grinning at the senior lady. Her worries eventually vanished when she realized they were all referring to her by her given name, which was shortened for them. Most of all, she sensed Alexus's gratitude for her health. Timothy continued, "Same with us," before facing Alexus. Just tell me when you're prepared." "Yes, bring them to my study. I'll be right back with you." He turned to face her after rising. "You can rest in our room after I bring you there. You appear exhausted." He smiled and extended his h