Se connecterAnna walked past the heavy-duty double gates at the entrance to the driveway without stopping. By now, she was familiar enough to the castles security personnel that they no longer needed to screen her or call the house before letting her through.The brown moving box she carried was heavier than it looked—packed with three of her medical textbooks, a stack of annotated research papers, a couple of folders containing work documents she wanted nearby, three notebooks, extra scrubs, framed photographs, and a small box of things she couldn't quite bring herself to leave behind.They were the last things she felt she needed for her stay at Elena's home. She'd stayed back after bringing the cohabitation up at dinner the other day, and Julian—after his initial hesistation—had agreed. Over the past three days, Elena, Leah and Gideon—bless their souls—had helped her move some of her things from her apartment.After work today, she'd gone to her apartment to make sure she hadn't forgotten anyt
"Jason proposed a cohabitation because of the pregnancy, which I agreed to. But I told him it would need to happen here.""Girl, you told him? When?"Elena's voice was softer, tinged with confusion. "Here?""Yes." Anna's hands tightened around Elena's. "In your home, Lena. Is-is that okay?"Anna held her breath as Elena blinked up at her. Leah sat just as still beside her, watching them. Elena's gaze shifted to the kitchen once again."Uh, that's okay... I guess. Once I've spoken to Juls about it."Anna released the breath she'd been holding, a tiny smile lifting her lips. "You're sure?"Elena nodded absentmindedly. "There's so much room. I don't think Julian would mind either. But... Why can't you stay at Jason's though?" She asked, frowning. "He has a secluded villa and a couple of penthouse suites around the city."That was exactly the problem—secluded. It would be just her and him. And maybe a handful of staff members. It didn't help that the memory of the last time she'd been the
Jason Knight Backs New Energy-Tech Start-Up, Hayes Predictive Grid.Anna slowly walked up the cobblestone pathway, too lost in thought to appreciate its serenity. Apparently, he had acquired some Swiss technology company on his trip to Zürich, and now.... Hayes tiny start-up, as the media had called it? She vividly remembered the look on Jason's face when he'd glanced around the hall of their class reunion and declared:No one here is innocent.And now, the same Jason was putting money, credibility, and his name behind Travis?He was magnanimous enough to put aside his grudges for business but not enough to protect what they'd shared?Anna finally snapped out of her head when her foot caught on the first step of the stone stairs. She stumbled, righting herself before she could hit the steps.You should be more careful, Vegas. You're pregnant.Anna scowled at the stairs like they had personally offended her. "You're pregnant. My child. My baby. That arrogant, infuriating man."She walk
Jason eased the Porsche to a stop beneath the covered executive entrance, slamming on the brakes harder than necessary. He hadn't even fully stopped before the scene outside registered.There were journalists behind the security barriers. Financial correspondents. Local TV crews. Microphones. Reporters calling his name and photographers firing off shots.The sight of them deepened the scowl on his face. Before he'd even killed the engine, one of the valet attendants was already approaching, two security officers behind him. They created a buffer between the car and the press.“Morning, Mr. Knight."Jason tossed the keys to the valet, not bothering with his usual response. “Garage.”“Yes, sir.” The attendant slipped behind the wheel as Jason stepped out.A security officer immediately positioned himself between Jason and the press while the other held the line. Ethan walked out from the lobby then, a frown etched onto his face."There's a tiny problem, boss," Ethan said the moment he g
Why was everyone staring at her?It all felt like a chilling repeat of the past few weeks. Reporting to work and feeling like a specimen on a slide, held in place by stage clips and prodded from all angles. Except there was something different this time.The lights weren't as harsh."The lady of the hour," Abigail beamed the second she got to the station. Anna's brows pulled tighter."What's going on, Abby?"Abigail leaned in, her voice lowering. "Does Knight Innovations have an internship program? Because sign me up.""What?""Anna! You're here."Anna turned toward the voice to find Sierra, charts in hand."What's going on, Sierra?"Sierra leaned in and whispered. "Your brother-in-law is here."Anna froze. But, Sierra wasn't done."I think he's in the director's office. Apparently, people have been suspicious of your relationship since he insisted on being treated by you.”"Our relationship?" Anna managed to choke out.Sierra nodded. "The rumor going around is that he's here to deman
Anna blinked, then pulled her lip between her teeth, realizing what she'd let out in the vulnerability of the moment.“Nothing. I didn't mention he said anything?”Leah didn't look fazed. “Anna.”“He really didn't—”“Don't ‘he didn't’ me, girl. Your ass just stood there and told me you're afraid he wants the baby and not you. So imma ask again." Leah's voice hardened, “What did Jason Knight say to you?”"He wants access to the baby."Leah scoffed like that was the most outrageous thing she'd ever heard. "There ain't even no baby yet. What—he wants to sing lullabies while rubbing your stomach?"Before Anna could stop herself, a mental image formed in her head—her, with a baby bump, lying on the swing seat on the second balcony of Jason's Villa, her legs on his lap as he rubbed her stomach and sang a lullaby. Leah snapped her fingers in front of her and Anna jerked back, blinking back into focus.She sighed the moment she saw the look on Leah's face. "It doesn't matter what he wants any
Anna had woken up hours later near the door, curled into herself, cold and shivering. The sun was beginning its descent through the window of her sitting room, painting the sky with its orange hued light. The skin around her eyes and cheeks felt tight, dry and scratchy.Usually, she would sit by
Anna's lips parted instinctively, brushing against the edge of Jason's touch. His lips brushed against his own finger still pressed to her mouth, a deliberate act of control. The contact was maddening. Her breath trembled against his finger, warm and pleading, their exhales mingling, close but n
Anna couldn't see a thing. It was pitch black even with her eyes open. She tried to focus on placing one foot carefully before the other, not on the warm, steady hands guiding her or the heat at her back. Jason had led her to the living room after cooking—turned on the television, handed her a bo
Anna knocked lightly before pushing Olivia’s door open.“Hi, Helen,” she greeted, moving toward the kitchen. “You’re late for your usual check-in,” Helen said, not looking up from her crossword.“Work,” Anna replied quickly, setting the casserole dish on the island. Work and a six-foot problem in







