Novels by Eva Mon

“What issue do you need me to sort out?”I’m so embarrassed that I can’t find the words to answer him. He doesn’t seem to have caught on to the topic of our conversation.But please, Fate, give me a break!The breeze feels pleasant, and the sunlight reflecting off the back of this hunk takes my breath away.“What’s the matter, Blair?”I come back down to earth and hurry to tell him it was nothing, that Lina was just joking. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t press the issue. We stand in silence for a few seconds until the tension becomes palpable.My heart starts racing again.“Do you have any food allergies?”“Mmm… not that I know of.”“Is there anything you don’t like? Broccoli or something?”His tone is bored, and he turns back to his phone.“I like almost everything, except for… well, livers and stuff like that.”“Mm. Great. I’ll let my chef know about that.”“Leonard, we need to talk.”He finally looks up at me, waiting.“I know you feel guilty about what happened and you’re trying

The fresh air hits my face, filling my lungs.It feels so good to breathe such pure air and the view is wonderful. We walk down the first few flights of stairs toward a large deck with a huge pool and lounge chairs nearby.We sit in a couple of chairs with a table between us and a beach umbrella overhead. The entire property blends seamlessly into the landscape. It’s undoubtedly something unique.“Blair, I’m so sorry about what happened.”Lina breaks the pleasant silence and pulls me out of my thoughts.“Thank you, Lina.”I give her a reassuring smile.I can tell she genuinely feels bad about what happened to me.“You know, my brother has never brought anyone here.” She pauses. “I mean, no woman has ever set foot in here besides me.”She flashes a mischievous smile.I don’t understand where she’s going with this.“I find that hard to believe,” I say, laughing. “Your brother’s love life is splashed all over the magazine covers.”“Yeah, you’re right. He attracts women and was quite the

The three of us are sitting at the table, with Leonard in the middle.Lina is spreading butter on a piece of bread, while I stir my coffee and eat some cookies.“So… Blair, do you work with my brother?”The sudden break in the silence and the question make Leonard sigh in exasperation at his sister. She ignores him.“Not with your… your brother, but for him.”“And how long have you been working for him?”“Lina, I’m here.”“Shh! I’m talking to Blair!”Leonard grunts but keeps quiet.“I’ve been working for two years.”“Mmm… Tell us more about yourself, Blair! Do you live with your parents or…”“Lina, that’s too personal.”“No, never mind.”I answer before she can continue.“I live alone. My mother passed away, a

“Sorry. I wanted to explain that she wasn’t my wife, but my sister, but you didn’t even let me speak.”Leonard’s expression is stern.Lina, on the other hand, looks amused.“My dear brother, what are you doing? I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure.”She laughs loudly and turns toward him. Neither of us finds it funny. But he has the nerve to roll his eyes at her and tell her to leave.I stay where I am.Lina turns back to me.“Sorry.”She whispers it before leaving.Now we’re alone.Leonard maintains his stern, irritated expression.“I didn’t know your opinion of me was that I was a traitor and a pig.”I look down at my feet, suddenly embarrassed.I didn’t want him to have heard that.“And a liar…”I say quietly.He gives me a mocking smile.“Did you really think Lina was my wife?”He raises an eyebrow.I feel a pang of jealous

Leonard quickly backs away from me, positioning himself in front of me.His movements are too quick.His protective stance puts all my senses on high alert. Fear engulfs me, and I’m overcome by paralysis.The door swings open, and a woman walks in carrying several bags.Leonard tenses.And I realize he hasn’t canceled his plans.Shit.The woman is beautiful; long, wavy honey-colored hair, tall and slender, brown eyes and full lips, high cheekbones, manicured nails painted light pink. Nothing is out of place.This is exactly how I would imagine Aphrodite.“Lina!”Leonard’s surprised voice confirms that I really shouldn’t be here.Jealousy and insecurity are immediately replaced by fear and panic. And now, instead of being glued to the floor, I start backing away, trying to escape this embarrassing situation.“Leo! Oh! You… you have company.”Leo.There’s intimacy in the way she says it.Is she his girlfriend?The mystery woman has surprise written all over her perfect face. She stands

“Leonard, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t want to be a bother and…”I look down at my empty plate, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.“As you well know, I don’t have enough money to pay you back for everything you’ve… provided for me. It’s better if I go home and…”“Don’t even think about being alone for a single second without me.”Our eyes meet.My heart skips a beat.“No… it isn’t necessary to go this far. I…”“You were attacked by a disgusting son of a bitch who worked for me. In my building. In my office.” His nostrils flare, and his hands clench into fists. “He touched you. He touched you too much. And if it’s up to me, that was the last time he touched you.”My eyes burn.I don’t want to talk about it.I feel dirty.Too dirty.I can still feel those hands on me.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to suppress the memories.But then I feel a strong, warm hand covering mine. I shudder.“Blair, look at me.”I slowly open my eyes.“You’re safe here. Until everythi