XanderI walked out of the airport, and the California sun immediately warmed my skin. I didn’t think I would ever be back, but here I was. Charlie’s words had hit home. I needed to do something to fix the mess I created. I called earlier to have a car waiting for me at the airport. Charlie didn’t know I was coming. I wanted to surprise him like he’d surprised me.I was dropped off at the massive building where he worked. Thankfully, security recognized me and let me in. Charlie was not on the floor, but he was in his office, which worked out great for me. I knocked once before letting myself in.“Excuse me,” he said with irritation before he looked up and saw me. He wore a shocked look on his face. “Holy shit.” “I’ll take that as a good holy shit.”“You’re back!”I held up a hand. “No. I’m here to see you.”“Oh. I’m afraid to ask why. Do I dare ask you to sit?”“I’m going to anyway,” I quipped.I sat down and looked around this office. It was small, dark, and filled with books cover

EvieI told myself to guard my heart. That rational side of me was easily shushed and sent to a corner whenever he touched me. My body longed for his touch. I craved his kisses. I was addicted to the man in the worst way.I could hear my inner dialogue as if I were a third party listening in. I bargained with myself. One night of passion with him and then I would stay away from him. Just one more night. I just needed him one more time to take the edge off.“You are so beautiful,” he whispered as his lips grazed my earlobe. “I dream about you every night. I think about touching you all the time. Sometimes, I think I smell you while I’m in bed, only to wake up and find myself alone.”His words sent shivers up and down my spine. My entire body erupted into gooseflesh. “I think about you all the time.”He ran his hands down my sides, stroking me through my clothes. He didn’t appear to be in any real hurry to strip me. I was feeling just the opposite. I felt as if I would erupt into flames

XanderIt was like deja vu waking up with Evie in my arms. It reminded me of the hotel room in Oregon. I remembered how I felt in that moment. It was good. Holding her in my arms was damn near as good as making love to her. I knew I wanted it again and again. When we were in bed together, I could forget about everything else.I wanted the moment to last forever. Why did it have to end? I told myself we could pull the blankets up to our chins and cocoon ourselves for days. I sighed, knowing she would never agree to that. There was no putting a social butterfly back in a cocoon. She loved her job and her people. I would be selfish to take her away from the world.Just then, I didn’t give a fuck about the world. I wanted her all to myself.“You are awake before me again,” she said in a sleepy voice.“I am an early riser,” I said and wrapped her tighter in my arms. “I think I’m cursed. My father cursed us. If I sleep past eight, I feel as if I have broken the law.”She groaned and snuggle

EvieI checked the time, mentally noting that everything was right on schedule. I walked to the bar being set up under Nelle’s direction. The woman did not mess around when it came to setting up her workstation. There was a wrong way and there was Nelle’s way. There was no in between. It was why she was so damn good at her job.“Hey, drill sergeant,” I said.She turned to me, putting a hand on her hip and giving me that look that said she was going to murder someone. “I’m missing a case of liquor.”“Uh oh. Is that on my end or your end?”“Mine. Not mine but mine.”I nodded with understanding. One of her minions had failed her. “Do I need to do anything?”“Nope. I’ve got it handled.”“I knew you would.”“Walk with me,” she said in a way that made it clear it wasn’t a request.“What’s up?” I asked.“I just wanted to make sure you are okay. I didn’t hear from you last night and I got a little worried.”“Xander showed up at my door.”Her eyes bulged. “No way!”“Yep.”“Oh my god! I’m so ha

XanderI got up and immediately knew I didn’t want to be in the house. Last night had been awful. No matter how hard I tried, I tossed and turned. I couldn’t bring myself to forget. I thought about taking Evie up on her offer, but I knew I had to test myself. Was there a chance I could come home? Not now. Not after my long, sleepless night.I promised her I would tell her I was leaving and that was what I was going to do. I didn’t want to wake her and found myself trying to kill time while I waited until it was an appropriate time. When nine o’clock rolled around, I felt I’d waited as long as I could. I was confident she would be up by now.“Good morning,” I greeted when she answered.“Hi,” she said, her voice filled with hesitation.“I didn’t leave,” I told her right away.“When you weren’t here when I got home, I assumed you decided to go. You didn’t answer my texts.”“I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized. “I fell asleep early, and by the time I saw your message, it was late and I didn’