LOGINSophia’s POVSomething warm and soft presses against my lips, stirring me awake. “Mm…” I let out a sound, shutting my mouth as I turn my head to the other side. A weight drops on my thighs, and my head is gently turned back. Warmth envelops me.My lips are pressed again, and coaxed open, softly being kissed. The sleep slowly drains out of me. My entire body turns, my awareness heightens.Alexander.“Good morning, my love.” He murmurs against my lips, scooping me into his embrace. His strong leg claws my legs as I’m pulled closer until there’s barely any space left between us. He’s so warm.“Happy tenth-day anniversary to us.”A smile curves my lips. I slide my arms around his neck and let him kiss the sleep out completely. He turns on his back, lifting me onto his chest. I’m squashed against him. With our mouths still joined together, his thighs lock above me; his arms squeeze me.“Happy tenth-day anniversary, my Alexander,” I mutter, still smiling as I turn my face, giving him my ri
Sophia’s POVSluggishly, I pull the sheet and help myself up from the bed to sit. Tears leak out of my eyes. My elbows keep the pink fabric pressed over my chest; my palms rest on my eyes as I cry quietly. My mind recalls the frame on his nightstand and what was written behind it: ‘To the woman who has kept me alive and going…’“Soph?” My husband calls softly behind me. And my heart shreds further to pieces—for him, for myself, for what our future might hold. It’s hard to grasp my thoughts; they’re chaotic and heartbreaking. Picturing all he’s gone through is nearly impossible. Why would any father do that to their child? Why am I the one having to fix him? I’m the most fragile person I know. I don’t trust myself to handle all the weight he’s carrying; I fear I might break under the weight, and it will crush what we have. But I can’t live without him. I’ll choose all his pain over never having to see him again or be with him.After what feels like ages, his fingers brush my back on
Sophia’s POV“I got you a cup of flat white coffee from your favorite coffee place. But it’s probably cold now…” My husband mutters, his face downcast. The smile in his eyes has disappeared. It worries me.“Are you upset? Because of Jake?” I ask and sniffle.He shakes his head. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”“I won’t talk about him.”Alexander rolls to his right, grabs the tissue box, and places it between us.“Thank you,” I say, slowly pulling out a string while keeping my eyes on him. He won’t look me in the eyes. I wipe my nose, toss the tissue behind me and hope it enters a bin, put the box away, then prop myself up on my right elbow. “Are you okay?”He still won’t look at me.I shift close. “Will you be fine if I allow you to suck my nipples?”His eyes fly up, meeting mine.I snort a laugh.“I will feel better… but that’s not what’s on my mind–”“My boobs are not on your mind?” I gasp, faking my shock.He stops and blinks.“Why are my boobs not on your mind? Why are yo
Sophia’s POV“No, no, no, no, no,” I murmur, rolling away with my eyes closed as my husband pesters me for a third round. Saying I’m drained is soft-pedaling how I feel right now.“Come here,” he chuckles, easily catching me with a hand, and rolling me back toward him until my body touches his. He slips his other hand beneath me to wrap my waist. I’m electrocuted with pleasure for a second, warmed by his heat, and tempted by how solid he still is as he traps me with his strong thighs and calves. My hands grip his arms by instinct.And he puts his face in mine, whispering, “You said you didn’t want gentle… You can’t leave now after doing this to me.”Shivering, I sniffle, yet manage an excuse, “Alexander, you know I don’t feel well.”“You have to deal with the consequences of your words, dear wife…” he kisses my nose. “I want you inside me. Right now.” And does an awful imitation of my voice.My cheeks flame, pushing my lips into a smile.“I want you to be inside me… Right now.” He do
Sophia’s POVWhen he withdraws the handkerchief, I lift my lids and press my lips together, feeling sorry for putting him through this. Who falls sick on their honeymoon? Me.Alexander sits up. My eyes follow his movement. I form fists, sluggishly turning on the bed as I strain to get up.“You want to sit?” he asks.“Yeah.”“Okay, just hold on.”“Can you pass my glasses, please?”He moves, the bed pressing under his weight. Then, he places something beside me. “That’s the tissue box.”“Thank you.” I quickly drag out a long string of tissue paper, pluck them out, and use them to clean the mucus on my hands and nose.So much mess. So annoying. Alexander returns, takes the rumpled tissues from my grip to dispose of, then comes close. He slides his hand under my head, then carefully puts my glasses on my face. I see his precious face finally. So clearly. So beautiful. But strain is written all over his face, especially his dark eyes; they don’t sparkle like they used to, as if he hasn’
Sophia’s POVI’ve barely arranged myself when Alexander gets to my bed. He sets some things aside quickly—I hear the rustling of plastic bags—and climbs onto the platform, dropping onto my bed with his knees.My lips part as I breathe through my mouth. I try to rise, but I’m too torpid; he beats me to it, crawls closer, and leans over, stopping me while my elbows hold up my weight. My chest swells when he brings his face only a breath from mine. His heat cocoons me instantly. I catch a faint whiff of his scent; my stuffy nose blocks everything else out.“Hi, my love,” he mutters in my face, his breath warm and needed.I blink. Everything blurs, but my feelings are clear; my heart is fluttering.He wraps his hand behind me, helping me sit up. My body weighs heavier than usual, and I just want to sink back into bed.“How are you?”I open my mouth, but a hoarse sound comes out, so I clear my throat.“Sorry.”“You came back?” I manage a murmur.“Should I not have?” His voice is gentle and
Sophia’s POVHe breaks our kiss, hands going still on my thighs. I lock gaze with him, seeing how dark and dilated his pupils have turned. He’s panting just as I am, looking unusually unsettled. His face is frozen—an expression of shock I don’t miss. My body trembles, but I shake my head weakly, l
Sophia’s POV“It’s a guest bedroom,” he says, rolling the strap of my purse around his knuckles. I stare at my purse, mouth dry and open. I don’t know if it’s shock from learning that I’m spending the night in his bedroom or from having my purse snatched from me. My phone, my money, my passport—all
Sophia’s POV“Your daughter’s run away?” Alexander utters as if it’s news to him. He takes the phone off his ear, taps the screen, and switches to loudspeaker.“Sophia’s never acted out like this,” my dad’s frantic voice echoes. “She’s just… she’s a little sensitive…” My heart shatters.“The news m
Sophia’s POV“Y-your bride?” I stammer.His eyes glint with something unreadable, like an almost predatory amusement. It’s all the answer I need.The man I’m to marry is Alexander Thorne? This lethally beautiful, seducing billionaire, who’s spent the past months haunting my quietest thoughts?An eng







