MiaI felt betrayed and disappointed as I turned to look at him, my eyes full of tears and my cheeks flushed. I felt cold and empty.James kissed me gently as if to soothe the turmoil that abruptly spiked within me. It was as if he understood the craving of my body, desperate for him. I knew he was pleased I was this way. Vulnerable. Submissive. Piteous. Craving. Desiring him. I knew he was playing the dominating, controlling master once again, preferring to give me small doses of loving, of pleasure whenever it amused him.Sick. Bastard. That was James Maxwell all right, and I loved him so dearly. Why, oh why had I fallen in love with a man such as Mr. James Maxwell, a controlling and dominating billionaire elite who ruled Las Vegas’ dark underground business world?Standing there with my back to the window, I gazed up at him, my eyes expressing a mixture of confusion, pleading, disappointment, and accusation at the same time. He chuckled. My breathing was still heavy and laborious a

MiaIt was nearly five that evening by the time I had finally said goodbye to Savanah. That had been the second time I’d had a proper coffee date with her, and I had to admit both times had been wonderful. Not only that, but being able to spend time with her along with Andy had helped ease my loneliness for the past four days while James had been so busy with his work.During our seemingly very short teatime, we gossiped about men in general. Especially James and William, of course. It was fun, and we couldn’t help but giggle like schoolgirls. By the sound of things, Savanah seemed smitten with William. Her eyes glowed, and her cheeks blushed pink every time she mentioned his name. I wondered if I looked like her when I thought or talked about James.Then we chitchatted about random subjects such as fashion, beauty, movies, and of course books, which to my surprise were some of Savanah’s favorite topics. I was glad she was an avid reader and loved books of all sorts, especially myster

MiaI felt warm, cozy, and at ease, as if I were floating in the ocean on a pleasant summer day. It was just like that one time when Mom, Dad, Andy, and I had gone on a weeklong holiday. Dad had managed to save up enough money to afford one, and Andy and I had been so elated we couldn’t sleep a wink the night before we were due to depart. Indeed, it had been a wonderful vacation, with our small family spending every waking moment together. The beach had been beautiful and the sea warm and inviting. So much so that I’d spent most of my time floating in the water.Yes, it had been the one and only best vacation I’d ever had… That was until the drive back when the accident happened. When a large truck carrying goods drove straight into us on Interstate 93 on our way back to Mystic Spring.Instantly memories came rushing back, flooding my mind with so much terror I couldn’t escape, like always. I was left there alone and afraid, facing the wrath of my past full on.It was so clear, as if

MiaI sat on the bed, staring into space, my mind on James as I heard the shower going. The amazing sex and the words I’d said to him were still playing in my head. Why, oh why had I said it? Then I remembered once again I had to tell James about returning to Mystic Spring, returning to my job.“I’ll tell him when he’s out,” I said, nodding, my stomach lurching with dread. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but it had to be done. I couldn’t put it off anymore. My annual leave would end soon, and my bastard of a boss would be livid if I didn’t return to work the day I was due back. Besides, there was also the fact that I needed to distance myself from James. I’d decided to clear my head.Being close to him, I had come to realize, confused me, both emotionally and mentally—for example, what just happened in the bathroom. Was it truly love I had for James, or was it simply an infatuation, as Andy had put it? I had no idea, and I knew it’d get worse the more time I spent with James and the m

JamesUpon opening the bathroom door here at the hotel suite, the instant he’d seen Mia in the bath, her face pale as if she were having a nightmare, his stomach lurched with dread. She was going through it again, her unpleasant past, her demons.Fuck, how he wanted her to confide in him, to share her past with him. He knew, however, he couldn’t force her into that, not until she was ready.Mia’s voice drew his attention back to the present. She said, “I’m sorry too. I’m… I’m sorry I called you all those mean things. I mean…you know…that you’re a control freak…that you’re…”He chuckled, amused at her assumption of his character. “I am?” he asked.She blushed and stammered, “Well, yes, of course. The way you made me say and do things…and stuff…” She licked her lips, her eyes downcast. “But…but it’s quite nice being controlled by you too, you know.”James felt his breath catch at the back of his throat. What was this feeling? It was warm and cozy, like Mia herself had captured his heart