His hand smoothed its way down her collar-bone to the space between her breasts where her heart was beating steadily, and speeding up when he shifted them subtly and a leg came over hers, nudging them apart. The frisson of awareness, the hunger and need after a night of love-making scared her with its intensity. Today they were going back to Paris. Back to reality, back to the cruel, harsh world of media and photographers and reminders that all was not what it seemed.She turned her head and opened her eyes. Her pain was buried deep and hidden inside her. He pressed a kiss to her lips, long and lingering, and drew her up on top of him so that her breasts were crushed against his chest. His hands spanned her waist and moved her up and then down slightly, where she could feel the powerful thrust of his erection.She was already wet and ready for him. She slid her legs on either side of his hips and rocked back gently, coming up slightly, and sucked in a deep breath when she felt him thr

Cassia’s feet ached. She had visions of buckets of hot water and Epsom salts. She smiled and greeted the umpteenth person coming in through the heavily decorated damask-covered doors. The memorial for Pierre Baudat was a celebration of his life’s work. A-listers from all over the world were there. This was the biggest event she’d been given so far, and she’d been working night and day to get it organized. She hadn’t failed to notice how Calix’s bemusement over recent days had turned to irritation pretty quickly. No doubt, she thought bitterly, this wasn’t part of the game plan. A wife who worked."Well, tough," she told herself. and knew that she’d probably put in more hours than necessary. As far as avoidance tactics went, she was a master of the game. Extreme self-protection. Keep busy to avoid the pain of seeing Calix every day. She was sure it’d only be a matter of time now before she’d receive divorce papers, and then she could start to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Bec

With easy strength, he lifted her up, her legs automatically coming around his waist, and with her back resting against the door, with one smooth movement, he surged up and into her, piercing her moist silken flesh with his. She gripped his neck and stifled her gasp of pure pleasure against his heated skin and the corded muscles that spoke of his effort to control himself.Time and time again, he thrust himself into her heart, taking them both on a roller-coaster ride more intense than ever before. When he thrust upwards for the final time, Cassia’s whole body shook with the violence of her orgasm and shook still as he threw back his head and allowed himself to spill into her, his release unending. It took a long time for the room to right itself or for either of them to have the strength to extricate themselves. Calix lowered her gently back down, and Cassia’s legs couldn’t hold her up. They buckled, and she would have fallen if he hadn’t caught her and swung her into his arms. She b

Getting out of the four-wheel drive at the villa the next day and watching Thea come down the steps made a vivid sense of déjà vu wash over Cassia. She held onto the vehicle door to steady herself. She had felt nauseous again that morning but had managed to make it to the bathroom without Calix hearing her. She had to keep her secret. Had to. If he found out before the divorce, he’d insist she stay married to him. She knew him too well now.At least if they were already divorced, he couldn’t march her back up the aisle, and as for her uncle... She could feel the blood leave her face. She couldn’t think now about what she’d do if he threatened them again.Thea came and embraced Cassia, looking at her closely. Cassia felt a quiver of panic. Could Thea see her secret? But the moment was gone as Thea led them inside. This time there were no questions about bedrooms, and both their bags were left in his bedroom.That night, Cassia made a pact with herself as she lay in Calix’s arms. After

Cassia got up and walked up into the hall from the kitchen. Calix was coming down the stairs."I had been looking for you..."She nodded jerkily. "I think we need to talk."‘Yes.’ He was grim. ‘We do.’This is it. He’s going to tell me about the divorce, and I know I should tell him about the pregnancy now, but if I do...‘Cassia?’ He was looking at her intently.She faced him squarely and drew up reserves of strength from somewhere.‘Yes?’"Let’s sit down."He took her hand and led her over to the sofa, sitting down beside her. Putting a little distance between themOh, God, he’s going to be nice about it. This is so much worse...Cassia felt the bile rise and had to take deep breaths to will it down.‘Cassia. The doctor told me what he thinks happened last night—that it was some form of a panic attack.The abject and pitiful relief that washed over Cassia when he didn't bring up divorce right away made her want to burst out laughing.She nodded her head and focused on his face. His s