A writers' conference in California
When Nadia Marlowe attends the annual writers’ conference in California, all she has in mind is a break from the regular activities back home, an autograph from her favourite author, and the desire to connect with writers from around the world.
That is, until the air conditioner in her hotel room starts spitting hot air, and a technician is sent in to fix it.
Suddenly, the conference no longer matters. The goals she arrived with disappear into thin air, replaced by an undeniable awareness of the extremely handsome technician standing across from her.
One thing leads to another, and a simple repair session turns into an intense encounter that leaves Nadia shaken to her core.
Disgusted with herself for crossing a line she never thought she would—married, with children—Nadia leaves California after the conference determined to bury the experience and pretend it never happened.
But fate has a sense of humour, and Nadia Marlowe becomes its favourite recipient.
Her husband’s longtime friend arrives for a business discussion, and to her horror, that friend turns out to be Fabian, the same technician she had mouth watering sex with back in California.
Lost for words, Nadia struggles to survive his stay in her home.
But fate isn’t finished yet.
Fabian’s visit stretches longer than planned. To make matters worse, he is trapped in an on-and-off relationship, and also has a daughter. He knows the damage he’s causing. He knows that after everything Nadia’s husband has done for him, betraying him this way is unforgivable.
Yet the pull toward Nadia is something he cannot control.
What began as a single reckless moment spirals into a dangerous affair, one filled with desire, guilt, and secrets, threatening to destroy marriages, friendships, and the perfect life Nadia has built.
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Chapter: Chapter Thirty: The uninvited guestFABIAN'S POV I waited on the stairs as I listened to Nadia's friend compliment my good looks. The compliment made me feel good, but I was waiting for something else. I was waiting for Nadia's reply. I wanted to hear what she had to say about me. When she finally spoke, I felt my hands curl up in anger. Was this how she had felt about me in her home all this while? That I was a nuisance? That it was all sunshine and rainbows until her best friend was the one accommodating me?What did that even mean?Shaking my head, I made my way up the stairs, then changed my mind midway. If Nadia was sick of me being in her home, then why not make it worse altogether? What did I have to lose?I slipped into the kitchen as if I had never left, somewhat pleased to see the shock on Nadia's face as soon as she noticed me in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, Bobbi, is it?”Her best friend nodded, eyes twinkling. She had similar hair to Nadia, and looking closely, I could see why they were friends.
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-19
Chapter: Chapter Twenty-nine: Domestic interferenceNADIA'S POV “Will you be home for lunch?”Marlowe nodded as he slipped his feet into the shoes he had picked for the day. He was the only man I knew who had seemed to have a shoe for each outfit. He had a whole rack filled with them. “And your friend?”He drank the remainder of his coffee hurriedly before replying. “Spoke to him this morning. He'll like to take the day off, and I understand him. Get him some breakfast, will you?”I leaned towards him when our lips met in farewell, hoping to feel something that wasn't always there in his kisses.Becoming good at kissing wasn't possible overnight because the kiss still remained bland, even though the effort behind it was infused with love. “See you at lunch?”“Yes, drive safe.”I waited till the door closed behind him before wiping my lips consciously. Was it that I had never known he was a terrible kisser before marrying him or Fabian Davenport had awoken a part of me that hadn't existed prior to my marriage?Guilt lodged its way
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-19
Chapter: Chapter Twenty-eight: Good intentions, bad timingNADIA'S POV The moment my husband and Fabian came through the door, I knew something was wrong. I had never seen Fabian look so downcast. He carefully avoided any form of interaction with me as he made his way up the stairs. “What was that all about?”I raised an eyebrow in Marlowe's direction, who was chugging milk directly from the bottle thirstily. “He’s had a terrible day, honey. That includes me.”“What do you mean?” I asked, the food I was putting together for dinner forgotten. “None of the investors we visited were willing to take up his idea. They all loved it, but they all complained about the risk because it's a new company.”I glanced at the oven warily, before turning my attention back to a fatigued Marlowe. “You're an investor, aren't you?”“This…this is huge, Nadia,” he gestured with his hands. “I can't be the sole investor. I need two or three other companies alongside me in order to spread the risk. But sadly, no one's willing to take that chance.”Guilt crept it
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-19
Chapter: Chapter Twenty-seven: Innovation without investorsFABIAN'S POV What had gone wrong?A few minutes ago, he had just admitted to liking me. How did that change in a few minutes?“What's wrong, Zed? We talked about this, didn't we?”“You mentioned it in passing, Marlowe. And you never said anything about this being his first rodeo.” Zed Cooper glanced at me disappointedly. “What does it matter?”“What does it matter? I'm going to be investing my time and money into this, Marlowe. It's too much of a risk. There's nothing to fall back on…”“I assure you that this will work, sir.” I added in a shaky voice as I watched my dreams starting to shred into pieces before me. “Oh, but you don't know that, Fabian, do you?” When I didn't answer, he ate the last of his chocolate, then wiped his hands on the napkin on the table. “Come on, Zed, at least listen to what he has to say.”Zed Cooper shook his head firmly. “I'm sorry if it looks as if we've just wasted each other's time, but it's good we clarified things early. It prevents mistakes in
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-19
Chapter: Chapter Twenty-six: Cold breakfastNADIA'S POV Fabian Davenport ate my food like it was the best thing he had ever tasted. From the first time I had watched him at the dining table, I was aware of the fact that he had a huge appetite, but today, he seemed to eat more than usual. As he tore part of the baked chicken in his plate apart, I wondered if his hunger was caused by the swimming, or the flight from California down to Connecticut. I settled for the latter. “This…this is so good, Nadia. Thank you.” Fabian spoke through his munching, a hand on the glass of water beside his plate. I nodded, not bringing myself to look at his eyes. “Come on, Nancy, eat something.”My daughter was the exact opposite of Fabian. Her appetite was not the best, and being sick didn't help matters either. “Try the salad.”She ate slowly, giving me a stare that said she was only eating because I had told her to. “I'm sorry your dad couldn't make it to dinner, Nancy, he's missing a lot.”Nancy chuckled, and I found myself picking at
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-19
Chapter: Chapter Twenty-five: I need you to be the enemyNADIA'S POV Fabian Davenport ate my food like it was the best thing he had ever tasted. From the first time I had watched him at the dining table, I was aware of the fact that he had a huge appetite, but today, he seemed to eat more than usual. As he tore part of the baked chicken in his plate apart, I wondered if his hunger was caused by the swimming, or the flight from California down to Connecticut. I settled for the latter. “This…this is so good, Nadia. Thank you.” Fabian spoke through his munching, a hand on the glass of water beside his plate. I nodded, not bringing myself to look at his eyes. “Come on, Nancy, eat something.”My daughter was the exact opposite of Fabian. Her appetite was not the best, and being sick didn't help matters either. “Try the salad.”She ate slowly, giving me a stare that said she was only eating because I had told her to. “I'm sorry your dad couldn't make it to dinner, Nancy, he's missing a lot.”Nancy chuckled, and I found myself picking at
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-19
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