“Jesus, will you go tell your sister to hurry up? We’re going to be late.” Haldir checked his cuff link with his arm turned over as Teddy admired his hair in the mirror.“Yeah, I’m on it.” His handmade leather shoes slid across the marble floor as he passed through the villa, and the waves crashed against the rocky cliffs outside the windows while the Mediterranean breeze swept through the home.His knuckles bounced off the doorway he leaned against as he knocked on it. “We’re waiting on you.”While she slid her hands down her waist, Tessa turned to the side and took in the splendor of her own loveliness in the full-length mirror. “Yes, I’m aware, but something that looks this amazing is worth waiting a few extra minutes on, don’t you think?”The makeshift family was in hiding for ten years, and now that the danger was over, they appeared in public under their proper names witho

“Hello, Rohi.”In the last ten years, Tessa often wondered if she remembered everything right, but he had changed little since she last saw him. His curly black hair was shorter, and he had a short black beard, but his dark brown eyes still had a hint of amber in the right light. The dark tawny skin she remembered was paler now, but Rafik spent most of his time in a cold, damp basement these days.While he inched closer to her across the dusty old floor, Rafik’s chest pounded with the renewed spark of their bond. Seeing her was like a surge of fire running through his veins that made him breathless, and he placed his hand on his chest to catch some of her magic. He sensed her fury and grief as her eyes burned through him. “I’m sorry, Tessa.”When her eyes locked with his, the room heated with her rage while the Firestarter in her gained momentum. He knew it should terrify him, but he only stared in wonder at his rare creature.

“Please, come in.” Standing aside with his hand pressed against the heavy iron door, Rafik tilted his head inside. The soft scent of strawberries followed behind Tessa and made him miss the days spent on his grandfather’s farm.“Thank you.” She clasped her hands behind her back and glanced around the long vast basement lined in shelves full of glass bottles and books and scrolls. “I’m sorry I’m late.”Working her way slowly around the room as she examined the vials and papers, she inhaled through her nose, and a smile rose on her lips. The scent of old books would always take her back to the days of sitting on her father’s lap in his study while he read stories to her before bed.“You’re not late. I am at your service.” While she inspected her new surroundings, he stood by the door with his arms crossed as his eyes traveled all over her. The curly hairs that fell from her loose bun fra

Sleep Walk’s lyrics never sounded so lovely to Tessa as the words spilled from her red, glossy lips while she changed into her nightgown.Rafik was kind enough to allow her to leave early for the day, affording her time to visit the salon before her guest arrived this evening. It wasn’t so much for the prostitute’s benefit as it was for Tessa’s.She had a particular routine for her date nights. There were few things in her life she had control of, but the way she chose to love herself was one she wasn’t willing to skimp on.No matter who was between her legs, in her mind, it was always Rafik, and even in her imagination, she wanted to look pretty for him.She wore the same black nighty and used the same lotion every time she imagined her first night with him. The spicy scented cream on her skin warmed with her body heat as she rubbed it in, and the subtle notes of cinnamon and cloves filled the room.The knock came on

“After you, Rohi. You must be freezing.” In the elevator, Rafik wrapped Tessa in his arms to warm her from the chill of the rainy London night.“Is that better?” As his soft lips grazed her forehead, Tessa closed her eyes and nodded.“Thank you.” Her breasts rose and fell against his abdomen as she sunk into his embrace and pulled on his shirt to bring herself closer.Even all grown up now, they both missed the sweet innocence of the night they met and wanted to recreate that magic one more time. Without a word, they breathed in anticipation against each other until the doors opened again.Walking with their little fingers interlocked, she swung his arm as she walked carelessly and grinned to herself, drunk on his presence.Taking the keys from her, Rafik opened the door, then closed it behind him once they were inside. She took off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door before turning back to him.T