"Not for several months." There was guilt in his voice "He is losing weight. He's tired all the time. It's so unlike him." Her voice cracked as she forced herself to admit something she'd known for a while. "I don't think he has a long time left. I'm scared, I remember what happened to Carlos." The words were whispered. Victor frowned thoughtfully. "You think? Or do you know?"Her eyes met his, her lower lip trembling. "I know," she whispered, then stood up and walked to the window on wobbly knees. "He didn't say anything, but all I could say was. He kept talking about Carlos and our father, about how to take care of him." She held up a finger and rushed before tears spilled. He told himself she wouldn't do that! Not here, not in front of this man; not because of how he treated him, us.Her nerves tightened. "If there's anyone else I can ask," she said slowly. "You have to understand that I've looked at this from every angle." "Do you need help for your brother?" "No, yes." She

He straightened up, arms folded over his broad chest, noticing the way her eyes absorbed the gesture, falling and resting on his midsection before she reluctantly lifted them back to his face. "If I agree to this, you may not like my terms." "If" was better than what she had come here to expect. In the back of her mind, she was almost certain that his answer would be no, so it showed how hopeless Amelia was that she had even been through this."If" is the beginning of the negotiation. Her insides squeezed with a mixture of adrenaline and anxiety. "I want to hear that," she said tremblingly. He took two steps toward her, closing the distance, and knocking her nerves aside. Her heart stuttered in her chest, and despite the fact that she was no longer an inexperienced, sheltered traditional 25-year-old girl, there was a moment when she did feel like a 25-year-old.She held her breath when he came to her, his breath dangerously addictive, so she took a deep breath before she couldn't

Her smile is hollow and her stomach is in knots. "It's not that simple," she whispered, walking to the window and resting her overheated forehead against the thickened glass. Her throat was dry and her head hurt. "My family has lost so much. After Carlos, they were never the same again. I know I can't replace him.""What does that mean?" His tone was sharp and close. She didn't move. Sadness hung over her, as fresh as that day many years ago."I don't like them," she said softly. "My mom, dad, Lance, Carlos. They were all cut from the same fabric. I was the cuckoo in the nest, a mystery. They never got me. Marrying Dom was supposed to be—." Shaking her head, she didn't want to discuss her ex husband at that time, nor did she want to discuss the reasons for her too reckless engagement."I didn't mean to add to their grief, but I did. I made them suffer and I just wanted to give them this gift. I wanted to do something they would be proud of, just once in my life , before it was too lat

"Oh, go change. I'll wait here." The words couldn't have been more brief, and she cringed inwardly. Why on earth did he agree to this? He can find any number of women to bear him children. But it's not without its emotional complications, she reminded herself after a moment. Victor, like her, doesn't want a "real" marriage.So what about giving birth to one or more of his children? The thought stuck in her throat like gravel. All afternoon, she thought about his request, remembering how convinced she was that she wanted children. But her marriage to Dom kills her dream day after day, and Amy isn't sure she can revive it.She put the briefcase on a bar stool, reached for the champagne, took a sip, and put the glass back on the counter. He was back in no time, thankfully in a pair of khaki shorts and a gray T-shirt, so all she had to face was the alluring specter of his tanned legs, muscular calves, and perfectly covered black hair. So masculine, and—she moaned inside. It will be a di

The vows were recited in full, and then the priest uttered the platitudes out of nowhere, completely oblivious to Amy. "You can kiss the bride now." Startled, her eyes widen, and she flies to Victor's face, berating herself for not pre-empting it as she grapples with the turn of events. Of course, they have to kiss and seem to enjoy it.Aware that their guest was smiling and watching, not realizing that something was wrong, she raised a hand to Victor's chest, fingers splayed across his pectoral muscles as if to keep him at arm's length— Or maybe to bring him closer? No time to analyze her intentions. A second later his hands came up and grabbed her face, one on each side, big and strong, so her cheeks were completely covered, she was both trapped and held, neither word has a negative connotation for Amy.He tilted her face, glanced at her, mocked, asked, and finally warned, lowering his head. His breath brushed her mouth first, warm and intoxicating, so her lips parted involuntaril