Luca brought the bottle of wine back with us to his oceanfront villa.We sat out on a balcony that overlooked the water, watching the stars and listening to the waves as they crashed onto the shore while we drank.As I finished my second glass, I felt my courage grow, remembering then the wrapped box of lingerie Norah had stowed away in my suitcase.Should I? Maybe not. Maybe another time...But when, if not now? Why not now?"I'm going to the restroom," I told Luca, standing on my chair.He hummed as I walked back through the French doors that opened into the dark bedroom, the white curtains that framed them blowing loosely in the ocean breeze that passed over the threshold.I looked over my shoulder to make sure he wasn't watching as I opened my suitcase slowly and soundlessly to retrieve the box.Walking into the en suite, I closed the door behind me, flicking on the light.I changed out of the satin dress quickly, hooking the lacy, plum-colored bra together behind me and slipping

Luca and I left paradise after three days of being there.The time we had spent together, alone and uninterrupted, was well-needed. I felt much more connected with him, not just physically but also emotionally.I knew this because, when I looked at Luca, I felt a sense of home, of peace. The butterflies in my stomach that initially had made me nervous around him were gone, replaced by a feeling of security and warmth. My heart swelled in his presence instead of skipping a beat.During our time in Cancún, I had been able to forget the nightmarish situation that was waiting for me back in Montana, all anxiety and worry leaving me for those glorious seventy-two hours.I got onto the plane to head back in a great mood that slowly faded into a downcast one the closer we got to home, leaving the sunshine and feigned nescience behind. I could tell Luca felt the same way, but he hid it well behind a neutral expression.When we finally got off the plane, met by cloudy skies and drizzling rain

I closed my eyes, shaking my head in disappointment.I opened my eyes again when I heard her begin to laugh."What the hell is so funny?" I asked.Mady began to laugh harder."It's not funny," she said as she continued to laugh. "But this is just my luck. This would happen to me."I huffed in frustration, making her laugh harder.Mady and I remained on the couch for a few more hours, continuing to catch up.When Luca and Blaine walked back into the house, I was at the stovetop trying not to burn a meal for the second time that day."Whatcha making?" Luca asked, leaning over my shoulder to stare at the rice I was mixing into the turmeric and butter mixture."Dinner," I answered plainly.I couldn't bring myself to look at Blaine as I put a lid on the pan to let it steam and moved over to the chicken that was sautéing in the other pan.Luca ignored my moodiness and moved around me to approach Mady, who was sitting at the countertop."I'm Luca," he said, flashing a smile and extending a

I put a hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming as Bates shoved me behind a tree, facing away from the direction the sound came.We both held our breath for a few moments, listening for something, anything to indicate if the wolf was getting closer or moving farther away.Bates was so close to me I could feel his heart pounding against his ribcage, or maybe it was mine. I couldn't quite tell.After a few painstakingly slow moments passed, Bates pulled away from me slightly and peeked around the tree.I lowered my voice, speaking as softly and as quietly as I could."Is someone there?"I saw him hesitate to answer, like his eyes were still searching to make sure.I heard a twig snap a few feet away behind us and my whole body jolted in surprise. Closing my eyes tight, I began to pray whoever it was, whatever it was, friend or foe, would go away.Bates began to press me into the tree further, his large, muscular frame completely encompassing mine.Then, he did something I would

My paws bounded out in front of me.Haunches driving into the soil and propelling me forward, I was running quicker than I ever could on two feet.I had Bates's clothes in my mouth, holding them tight against the wind that blew in my face.Thankfully, the oversized clothing hadn't ripped the first time l'd shifted, but I wasn't taking any chances the second time.I bolted through the trees, following the metallic odor of blood that wafted through the pack land. I could only hope I wasn't following the smell of my own injuries.Hearing a deep growl, I skidded to a stop, coming up a portion of the densely wooded area where a large wolf stood in my path.The dark gray wolf stared me down, the fur on his neck standing at attention.I dropped the clothing from my mouth and snarled as a warning for him to move.He stood his ground, maintaining his gaze.Snapping my teeth, I took a few quick steps forward. But his stance remained solid, still blocking the path.A vision of Bates's bloody sku