C H A P T E R  2 1  :  J A V I E R  S U M M E R S Javier stared blankly ahead. Even though his body was in his office, his mind traveled elsewhere, preferably in a small flat downtown where Ella was located at the moment. Even though he did not fully agree with what Damon and Tanner had suggested — mainly because he did not think he could leave her be especially when she seemed to be in need of his help, he felt that he should give it a try. Even if it pained him, even if it broke his heart to be apart from her. The look on her face showed how little she remembered him and he was afraid if he was giving her some space, she would forget him altogether. How would someone remember when there was no reminder at all? How would she remember him if he was not even around? Going to the office this afternoon had been difficult enough. He wished he could stay with her, at least until this evening when he

Since getting out of the shower, Ella had sniffed the cologne at the cabinet in the bathroom, hoping that would pique her memory. She knew the scent because it seemed popular with many men, but that was it. Nothing else crossed her mind. Then she rummaged through her chest of drawers for a pair of cotton gym shorts and a t-shirt when her hand froze as she touched a pair of man’s boxer shorts. It was a regular dark blue boxer with a black colored elastic band. And that got her thinking about the other side of being in a relationship with someone, especially at the engagement stage. Sex. The same panicky sensations from two days ago — when she had screamed at Javier upon knowing his status in her life— threatened to bubble out of her, but she clamped down on her jaw and forced it away. She could not lose it again. It was not her. She had to soothe her mind, breathe deeply, think rationally, and take it all one step at a time. Having a mental breakdown would not help her in any way.

C H A P T E R  2 5  :  P R E S E R V E R E N C E  I S  A L W A Y S  T H E  K E Y   J A V I E R  S U M M E R S Surprisingly enough, Javier roared with laughter. “Trust me, Miss Stanford. My money was definitely not a plus where you were concerned.” “I am glad you find this amusing.” Ella chewed on her lower lip for a moment as she thought of his words carefully. “To be honest with you, I have been trying to think of reasons why I dated you and even agreed in marrying you despite you being my boss, and I could not find any logical explanation. Then I searched you online and found out about your wealth and success. I knew my childhood has not been easy so the only reason I could come up with was that I was tired of living in modesty and wanted to live comfortably.” She quickly grabbed the glass of wine and nearly emptying its content as she waited anxiously on how he would react.

C H A P T E R  2 7  :  H E R  M E M O R Y  A N D  T H E  T H U N D E R S T O R M E L L A  S T A N F O R D “What?” Ella asked, doing her best to shake off the sensual haze that still held her in its grip. She tried to concentrate on breathing normally again which was not an easy task considering her body was feeling all tight and tingly and her mind seemed to have turned to jelly. A frown slashed across his face. “You had a smear on your face and now it is gone,” he repeated, his voice still sounded hoarse. Ella’s fingers went to her mouth, still warm and wet from his kiss, and she could feel the blush crawl up her cheeks. She felt really embarrassed that a part of her wanted to duck beneath the table and hide while another part of her wanted to climb on his lap and have him kiss her again. In the end she did neither and decided that both reactions were absurd. Javier was her fia

C H A P T E R  2 9  :  T H E  T H I N G  A B O U T  F R U S T R A T I O N  A N D  D E S I R E E L L A  S T A N F O R D  She whipped her gaze toward a scowling Javier and watched in frustration as he came to her side  in a matter of seconds. “I was looking for my crutches, but I could not find it.” An angry frown slashed his brow. “I told you to wait for me.” “I am not helpless, Javier, and I do not want to be treated like I am a baby. I think I can manage to walk to the bed, if you will lend me your arm for support.” “No way. I am carrying you.” “But—” “No buts,” he said firmly. Releasing a breath, he closed his eyes a second, and when he opened them again, his expression had softened. “Listen, I know you can do