Hope When I regained my consciousness, the first thing i heard was a furious voice rapidly yelling at someone. As my eyes opened and my gaze flickered around my surroundings, i realized i was on an exam table in what appeared to be a clinic. Damian’s back was to me, and he was interrogating the doctor standing in front of him. “Damian,” I murmured weakly. He spun around immediately and hurried over to where i lay. “Are you all right?” His hands swept over my body even as his eyes bored intensely into mine . “Are you in pain?” I tried to smile, but i felt shaky. The doctor moved in front of Damian and held a cup towards me. “Drink this, Hope. Your blood sugar is too low, but I think some juice will set you to rights.” Damian took the juice then curled an arm underneath my neck to help me sit up. He held the cup to my lips as i cautiously sipped at the sweet liquid. “When was the last time you ate, Miss Hope?” The doctor pinned me with an inquiring stare, and i felt my cheeks w

Hope. Warm lips kissed a line from my shoulder down to my arm. I stirred and opened my eyes to see Damian’s dark head move sensuously down my body. “That is a very nice way to wake up,” i murmured. His head came up, and i met the liquid gold of his eyes. “How are you feeling, my love?” I rolled onto my back and lifted my hand to thread it through his short hair. “Much better. I’m full and had a nap. What more could a woman want?” Damian just looked at me smiling. I yawned then covered my mouth with my hand as my jaw nearly cracked with the effort. “You are still tired,” he said reproachfully. “I feel much better though. Truly, Damian. Let’s get up.” He straddled my body, putting one knee on either side of my hips. He looked down at me, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. “You are so eager to wake up. Why is this?” I blushed and smacked his chest with my fist. He leaned down and tugged my lips into a kiss. He nipped at the fullness of my bottom lip until it was swollen

Damian. Ice trickled down my spine at Rosie's words “That is enough,” i said tersely. “But… ” She tried to go on but I cut her off. “I said enough Rosie.” “As you wish. I will call you if anything changes.” she said. I hung up the phone and yanked my gaze back to the beach, but Hope was gone. Could Rosie be right? Could Hope be faking her amnesia? The thought had crossed his mind when we were still in New York and Hope was freshbfrom the hospital. My instincts said no, but then I had already been so wrongbabout her in every way. If someone had told me six months ago that she was capable of betraying me as she had, i would have cut them down to size. Anger and confusion took turns battering my head. I rubbed a weary hand across my face and closed my eyes. It didn’t really matter what i thought at this point. She was pregnant with my child and that took precedence above all else. I could overlook a lot for my son. A sound at the door made me look up. Hope stood just inside my

Hope. Our days slowly began to settle into a routine much as our nights did. Once he was assured of my health, Damian made love to me every night, possessing me with passion that left me breathless. But in the mornings, he was always gone before i woke up. I had made it a habit to seek him out, bothered by the fact that he left our bed so early. More often than not, I will find him in the library, either on the phone, on his computer or poring over contracts and faxes. He would look up when I entered, and for a brief moment, I would see fire flare in his eyes before his expression became more controlled, and after murmuring a polite good morning, he would return to his work. And i was summarily dismissed. So i spent most mornings alone or in the company of Alba and Dr. Karounis who seemed quite content to spend their time together. At lunch, Damian would make his appearance as if he hadn’t just spent hours sequestered in work. To his credit, he devoted the afternoons to me. I had c

Damian. I rose at dawn the next morning. I hadn’t slept since Hope had woken up with her nightmare. After I had soothed her, and she had fallen into a more peaceful rest, i lay awake, staring at the ceiling as i realized the impossibility of our situation. Careful not to wake her, i showered and dressed. After checking to make sure she hadn’t been disturbed, i went quietly down the stairs. I bypassed my office, though it was my custom to begin the day with business matters. This morning something drove me to the beach where Hope so often visited. The air was chilly blowing off the water, but i took no notice as I stood watching the waves break and slide into shore. Hope’s past, our past, threatened her in sleep. Her memories waged war at her most unguarded moments, and what would i do when it all came back? The terrible conflict that ate at me was wearing me down. I should be angry, and at times i was. But it was also easy to forget. Here on the island, safeguarded from the rest of