Richard POV "Do you really think that's a good idea?" Dylan asks while he brings his beer to his lips. I shrug as I look at the Ice, and Fred gets hit by a hockey stick on the stomach. He falls back, and I frown, watching him stand up immediately and punch the guy in the stomach. The fight begins, we stand up as everyone else does the same, and we want to watch what is happening. This is brutal, and my baby brother loves the game.  "That's gotta hurt," I say, bringing my beer to my lips and watching Fred being sent to the penalty box. I whistle as the other guy flips Fred off. "He's going to end that guy," I say through greeted teeth, and Dylan nods while he claps at our brother, shouting some obscenities that make me laugh. Dylan shrugs, looking forward.  "Going back to our conversation, do you think to approach her without showing it's you?" Dylan says, and I shr

Layla POV I look around the room, but I can feel Richard's eyes on me. He takes one step closer, his body inches away from mine, inches away from touching me. My breathing is heavy. I am feeling like it's difficult to swallow. What can I say? The man has an incredible effect on me.  "Dance with me," Richard whispers in my ear. Every hair on my body stands, and I nod slightly. No one knows me here, and I bet he doesn't want his identity compromised, either. I know the rules of this party, and I know I am not allowed to say his name or mention anything about our lives.  He offers me his hand, and I take it just after I down my martini and place the empty glass on the counter of the bar. Richard guides me through the sea of bodies moving together in an incredible sexual rhythm.  Richard wraps his arms around my w

Layla POV As soon as I open my eyes, I close them again. The headache strikes, and I flinch. Argh, I pull the covers over my head and take a deep breath, keeping my eyes shut as I start to feel my head pounding. Great. Migraine, I bet my period is about to make an appearance. I suffer from severe migraines when I have my period.  I move my hand towards the side table, trying to get to my phone blindly. I can’t open my eyes in that light, and Jo is not home yet. I hate my life right now. I have been alone all weekend while she visits her parents. At least she has a great relationship with them, and it’s not like my mother and me.  I pull the phone into the bed and open it slightly, only one eye, and I dial the work phone. I can’t go to work like this. I can’t even get out of bed, let alone go to work. A female voice answers the phone. “Ashford Media,” she says, and

Layla POV "You have Dylan on the line," I say to Richard through the intercom that connects my phone to Richard's. I have the light of my computer screen on the dimmest setting possible, but in my head, he is getting worse. I haven't had time for lunch, which is not helping.  I open my purse, grab my medication, and look around for my water. Great. Forgot it at home. I rush to the small kitchen area where I have the coffee machine and grab a water bottle from the mini-fridge. I put the coffee machine on and walked back to my desk to answer another call.  "Mr. Ashford's office," I say before I hear a deep breath from the other side.  "Pass me to my husband," I hear, and I scrunch my nose.  "I am sorry, but Mr. Ashford is busy at the moment," I say, and I c

Layla POV “Layla, babe, I am sorry for waking you up,” I hear Jo say from the door. I open my eyes slightly, and she smiles as she walks into the room and kneels beside my bed. I look at her, frowning as I have lost track of time. She made me the most fantastic lunch, and then I went back to sleep, and I had no clue what time it was.  “There’s someone here to see you,” she whispers, and I sit up, feeling my head spin. I rub my face, and I see him when I look at the door. Richard, standing there with a bouquet of flowers, his hair messy, and his eyes locked on me.  “Hi,” I whisper, and he looks at Jo and then at me, not sure what to do.  “Hi,” he replies, and Jo stands up, walking to the door.  “I’ll leave you two alone,” she says before walking out and cl