Fifteen minutes later, Reece finished preparing breakfast and she started eating. A sudden thought entered her mind and slipped out before she could stop it."It's Monday…”“Yes, it is,” he replied evenly.“I have a test at school today." She was so excited to recall something so mundane yet so crucial to her day-to-day routine that she grinned at Reece, who was sitting across the table from her. He blinked at her in surprise, a smile of his own making an appearance."Yes, you… did.""Did?" Amara didn't miss the past-tense usage of the word."I don't think you should go to school today. It's too much, too soon." He took a bite of his eggs."In fact, you might want to consider calling the school and taking the whole week off. I'm sure your teachers will be okay with your request," he added. She didn't think that would be a problem, either, but Amara was certain she'd go nuts without doing anything productive for a week, and she wanted,
The fragile, tentative bonds of their relationship could be torn to pieces when Amara eventually learned the truth. She'd already questioned their engagement in subtle ways, including the fact that she didn't have a ring on her finger. Resigned to cross that bridge when they reached it, Reece pushed the troubling thoughts from his mind, picked up the phone, and called her previous landlord. He wasn't surprised when he hung up minutes later with no new details about Amara's life in Reno. Most people were reluctant to give personal information over the phone, and this woman was no different. Reece actually appreciated the landlord's discretion, which protected Amara's privacy, even if it was to his disadvantage. Unfortunately, this meant he'd have to make a personal visit to Reno to investigate the various leads he had on Amara and her past. He spent the next few hours clearing his schedule for Wednesday, then booking a flight and mappin
Reece was so caught up in work that he didn't hear or see Amara enter his office until a small square packet dropped right on top of the paperwork he was reviewing. It took him a few seconds to recognize what had landed on his desk, but once the knowledge sank in, his stomach gave a sharp twist of dread. Reluctantly, he glanced up and found Amara standing on the other side of his desk, hands on her slender hips, her eyes blazing accusation, and her expression pinched with impatience."What happened to the bandage on your cheek?" Reece asked, trying to deflect the attention off of him."I don't give a damn about my cheek at the moment,” she replied, narrowing her gaze. “I'd rather you explain that." She pointed a finger at the prophylactic. Very calmly, Reece picked up the incriminating evidence and turned it over in his fingers, taking a long moment, trying to buy himself some extra time."Well, I have to say that it looks like a condom to me.""Don't be
She sucked in a swift breath, and a raw sound of pleasure rumbled from deep inside his chest as he watched her body envelop him, surrounding him in wet heat, and felt the exquisite squeeze of her inner muscles. The sheer bliss of finally being inside of her was so intense, so startling, he had to take a moment to savor the feeling because he knew it was only a matter of a few strokes before he'd come. His skin burned, his muscles ached, and his stomach constricted with the need to thrust. Holding back, Reece lifted his eyes to her face, finding her lips parted and her pupils dilated with heat and arousal. Wanting her on the edge, too, he pressed his thumb against the hard knot of nerves between her legs, just above where they were joined, teasing her with feather-light caresses that gradually deepened to long, rhythmic strokes. Her body trembled, and he could feel her fighting the orgasm building within her."Reece… move." He
The next few hours passed quickly, with Amara enjoying the new friendship with Claire and learning that they had a lot of common interests. And when Claire finally tried on her wedding gown and asked Amara's opinion, she'd replied honestly that she'd never seen a more beautiful bride. A melancholy look entered Claire's eyes as she explained how she'd grown up without a mother, and while her father was very dear to her, it was times like this that made being without a feminine influence in her life difficult. Amara understood Claire's feelings because she still felt the loss of both of her parents and suspected she always would. By the time they left the boutique midafternoon, their arms were ladened with shopping bags filled with bridal accessories and new outfits for both of them. The dress Amara had chosen had fit perfectly, and she'd splurged on matching shoes, tasteful earrings, and even new lingerie to replace her practical cotton underwear. She pa
Reece's day in Reno had been a long one, but very productive, and for that, he couldn't complain, despite the disturbing details of Amara's past he'd uncovered. The moment he came back to San Francisco, he'd decided to swing by the office and update Bryce on the information he'd discovered. Sitting in one of the chairs directly in front of Bryce's desk, Reece told him what he'd learned from Amara's ex-landlady, an older woman named Marie who'd seemed genuinely fond of Amara and concerned about her welfare. Once he'd shown proof of his identity as a P.I. and explained that Amara's life was possibly in jeopardy, the woman had offered him a wealth of valuable information that had been incredibly helpful. Now Reece passed on the details of their meeting to Bryce."While Amara was attending college at the University of Nevada, she started dating a guy called Don Anderson," he said, trying not to let the rage he'd experienced during the conversation with Marie
He gave his notes another glance. The details would be useful in his investigation, and with Amara, as well, when she finally regained her memory. What threw him the most were the three very different, distinct personalities he'd discovered of Amara over the past few days. He'd originally met a reserved woman at Frank's, one who worked and studied hard and didn't allow anyone to get too close. Now he understood why… Today, he learned about the vulnerable woman caught up in a mentally abusive relationship that had undoubtedly cut down her self-esteem and made her more wary with men. A woman who'd chosen a solitary lifestyle, all because she feared her past would eventually catch up to her. And now, at this very moment, waiting for him upstairs, was a woman with incredible internal strength who was coping with the loss of her memory and making the best of an uncertain situation. Amara now wore her emotions on her sleeve, openly
Obeying his request, Amara slid to the floor in front of Reece. She removed her gown, tossed it aside, and pushing his knees open, she moved in between. Slowly, deliberately, Amara eased the tab of his zipper down and over the thick shaft stretching tight the front of his jeans. Then, she grasped the waistband and pulled both his pants and briefs down his legs and off, leaving him just as naked as she was. Wetting her lips with her tongue as if he were a sensual feast she was about to devour, she encircled his hard length with her soft, slender fingers and squeezed his erect flesh. A drop of pre-come appeared, and Amara used her thumb to spread the silky bead of moisture over the broad tip and along the ridge of his shaft. His stomach muscles flexed, his member pulsed in response, and a lustful groan rumbled in his chest, encouraging her to continue. The sweetest, most seductive smile appeared on her lips."Now it's your turn to watch."