LOGINShe moaned—soft, needy—fingers tugging my hair. I moved lower, kissing across her collarbone, down to her breasts. The lace was so thin I could feel her nipples hardening through it. I took one into my mouth, sucking gently through the fabric. She arched, whimpering, nails digging into my shoulder
LUCIEN’S POV I lay back against the headboard, hands folded behind my head, eyes closed. The sheets were cool against my bare skin, the room quiet except for the soft rustle of Adele moving around. We’d just put Andrea to bed—story read, kisses given, little arms hugging us both tight before his e
ROSE’S POV My stomach was doing flips so hard I thought I might actually throw up right there on the red carpet leading into the grand ballroom. The Valkar Group annual dinner was always a big deal—black ties, sparkling gowns, crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than most people’s houses—b
LUCIEN’S POV The blanket was spread out under the big oak tree, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and dancing across Adele’s hair. She’d packed everything—sandwiches, fruit, little juice boxes for Andrea, even a tiny picnic basket with a checkered cloth. Her idea, of course. She sai
DAMIEN’S POV Rose’s lips were still on mine, soft and warm, tasting like the little mint she’d popped earlier. I couldn’t stop smiling against her mouth. The way she’d just tossed Scarlett out like yesterday’s trash? Pure gold. My girl was a force, and I was the luckiest bastard alive. I pulled
DAMIEN’S POV A week had passed since that nightmare in the forest bunker, and every single day felt like walking on thin ice. Rose was healing—physically, at least. But I knew the real damage was deeper. Nightmares still woke her up in the middle of the night, heart racing, body slick with swea
I shoved off the door, my body moving before my mind caught up. Anger surged through me now, hot and directionless. At myself, at the situation, at everything. But it needed an outlet, and before I could stop it, my feet were carrying me down the corridor, away from her room. Away from the one place
DAMIEN’S POV I felt her hand on my arm before I even saw her face. Scarlett. Of course it had to be Scarlett tonight—tall, blonde, red dress screaming for attention. Her fingers curled around my sleeve like she had any right to touch me. I pulled away fast, stepping back just enough to break t
ADELE’S POV His eyes never left mine as he stood from the bath, water streaming down his body in rivulets that caught the dim light of the bathroom. The cold had done its job—my skin no longer felt like it was on fire—but the heat inside me had only shifted, deeper, hotter, aching for something o
My chest tightened painfully. If Lucien didn’t want me… then I didn’t want him. The thought felt like both a lie and a truth wrapped together. My body betrayed me anyway. Heat curled low in my belly, warm and insistent. My nipples tightened painfully beneath the thin fabric of my nightgown,







