LOGIN"You're my mother's husband's son.""Which means nothing." He caught her face in his hands, tilting it up toward him. "What happened between us wasn't a mistake, Emma. It was the best thing that's ever happened to me.""I can't—""You can." He pressed his forehead to hers. "You have to understand—I've been obsessed with you for months. Every morning, I came to that bakery just to see you. I've wanted you longer than I've known your mother existed.""The family—""I don't care about the family." His voice was fierce. "All I care about is you. And I'm not going to let some technicality stand in my way."Ethan's lips were an inch from hers, the temptation overwhelming. Emma should push him away. She should leave the room and never look back.But the memory of last night was too powerful. The way he'd touched her. The way he'd worshiped every inch of her body.She was helpless against it."Ethan," she breathed. "Please—""Please what?""Please kiss me."He didn't need to be told twice.Hi
The family gathered at 7:00 PM sharp.Emma had spent the afternoon hiding in her room, desperately trying to compose herself. She'd changed into her nicest dress—a simple black number that hugged her curves—and fixed her hair.But she still felt like she was walking to her execution."Ready?" her mother asked, knocking on the door."Ready as I'll ever be."Emma followed her mother down the grand staircase, her heart pounding with every step.The dining room was even more impressive than the foyer. A long mahogany table dominated the space, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Candlelight flickered from an ornate centerpiece.And at the head of the table, watching her with an unreadable expression, was Ethan.Their eyes met, and Emma felt her breath leave her body.He looked different in a suit. Commanding. Authoritative. The gentle lover from last night seemed like a distant memory replaced by this cold, powerful stranger."Emma," Damian said warmly, pulling her from her trance. "Come si
Emma woke up alone.For a moment, she didn't know where she was. The room was unfamiliar, the sheets were soft and expensive, and the faint light filtering through the curtains was nothing like the harsh morning sun of her apartment.Then she remembered.Michael. The cheating. The motorcycle bar. Ethan. The most incredible night of her life.She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest, and looked around. There was a note on the nightstand, written on expensive stationary.Had to handle something at work. Stay as long as you want. I'll be back tonight.- EEmma smiled, hugging the note to her chest.For the first time in years, she felt... free. Light. Like the weight of her marriage had been lifted from her shoulders.She got up, wrapping a sheet around herself, and wandered over to the window. The view was incredible—the city sprawling out below her, glittering in the morning light.She was starting over.It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.Her phone—which Ethan must hav
The room above the bar was surprisingly elegant.Dark wood furniture, a massive bed, soft lighting. It smelled like him—cedar and musk and something distinctly masculine.Emma stood in the doorway, suddenly unsure."I don't know what to do," she admitted. "It's been... years. And I'm not...""Let me take the lead," Ethan said gently. "Just trust me. Can you do that?"Emma nodded.He stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. The touch was feather-light, almost reverent."You're so beautiful," he murmured. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this.""I can't imagine you've been thinking about me," Emma said, looking away. "Not with all the beautiful women who must throw themselves at you."Ethan turned her face back toward his. "I haven't thought about anyone else for months," he said seriously. "I've been obsessed with you. The way you move, the way you smile, the way you put passion into everything you do. You haunt me, Emma."His words stole her breath."I'm the on
The night air was cold, but Emma barely felt it.She walked aimlessly through the city, her tears mixing with the drizzle that had started to fall. She had no plan. No wallet. No phone. No place to go.All she had was the knowledge that the life she'd built for ten years had just collapsed around her.She stumbled into a bar—a dark, dingy place that smelled like motorcycles and sweat. The kind of place she'd never be caught dead in on a normal night.But nothing about tonight was normal.She found a stool at the counter and ordered whiskey. The bartender raised an eyebrow at her trembling hands but poured the drink without comment.Emma downed it in one gulp. Then another. Then another.The alcohol burned going down, but it numbed the pain. That was what mattered."You look like you could use a friend."The voice came from beside her. Emma turned, her vision slightly blurred, and froze.It was him. The customer from the bakery.But he looked different here. His expensive suit was gone
The bakery smelled like heaven.Butter and sugar and chocolate and vanilla—all the things Emma couldn't eat. All the things she spent her days creating for other people while her stomach growled and her head swam with hunger.She forced a smile as the morning rush began, serving lattes and cappuccinos to the steady stream of customers who'd discovered Savor Bakery. It was a small shop in a trendy neighborhood, filled with mismatched furniture and the warm glow of fairy lights.It was the only place Emma truly felt like herself."Coffee, black," said a voice that made her heart skip.Emma looked up, and there he was.The customer.Every bakery had one. The one who walked in and made everyone stop and stare. The one who was so beautiful, so magnetic, so intense that the air seemed to change when he entered the room.This man was tall, with dark hair that fell across his forehead and eyes so deep they seemed to see right through her. He wore expensive suits that probably cost more than E







