Knowing he'd tormented her enough, Reece pulled her panties down her long legs and off, tossed them to the floor, and slid his palms back up the insides of her slender thighs until his thumbs finally grazed the outer folds of her feminine flesh. He looked his fill of her, so plump and pink and glistening. And so uninhibited he knew she'd allow him anything at all. It was a heady, dizzying thought. Reece raised his gaze to her face, taking in her flushed cheeks and those unwavering green eyes waiting for him to make her feel alive, and cherished, and desired. It was a simple task from his perspective, and he separated the slick folds of her sex with his fingers and stroked her slowly, seductively. A deep, throaty, on-the-edge moan escaped Amara, and her body undulated for a more explicit touch. Done toying with her, Reece settled himself between her spread thighs, slid his hands beneath her hips, and pressed an intimate, open-mouthed ki

Fifteen minutes later, Reece finished preparing breakfast and she started eating. A sudden thought entered her mind and slipped out before she could stop it."It's Monday…”“Yes, it is,” he replied evenly.“I have a test at school today." She was so excited to recall something so mundane yet so crucial to her day-to-day routine that she grinned at Reece, who was sitting across the table from her. He blinked at her in surprise, a smile of his own making an appearance."Yes, you… did.""Did?" Amara didn't miss the past-tense usage of the word."I don't think you should go to school today. It's too much, too soon." He took a bite of his eggs."In fact, you might want to consider calling the school and taking the whole week off. I'm sure your teachers will be okay with your request," he added. She didn't think that would be a problem, either, but Amara was certain she'd go nuts without doing anything productive for a week, and she wanted,

Reece was so caught up in work that he didn't hear or see Amara enter his office until a small square packet dropped right on top of the paperwork he was reviewing. It took him a few seconds to recognize what had landed on his desk, but once the knowledge sank in, his stomach gave a sharp twist of dread. Reluctantly, he glanced up and found Amara standing on the other side of his desk, hands on her slender hips, her eyes blazing accusation, and her expression pinched with impatience."What happened to the bandage on your cheek?" Reece asked, trying to deflect the attention off of him."I don't give a damn about my cheek at the moment,” she replied, narrowing her gaze. “I'd rather you explain that." She pointed a finger at the prophylactic. Very calmly, Reece picked up the incriminating evidence and turned it over in his fingers, taking a long moment, trying to buy himself some extra time."Well, I have to say that it looks like a condom to me.""Don't be

The next few hours passed quickly, with Amara enjoying the new friendship with Claire and learning that they had a lot of common interests. And when Claire finally tried on her wedding gown and asked Amara's opinion, she'd replied honestly that she'd never seen a more beautiful bride. A melancholy look entered Claire's eyes as she explained how she'd grown up without a mother, and while her father was very dear to her, it was times like this that made being without a feminine influence in her life difficult. Amara understood Claire's feelings because she still felt the loss of both of her parents and suspected she always would. By the time they left the boutique midafternoon, their arms were ladened with shopping bags filled with bridal accessories and new outfits for both of them. The dress Amara had chosen had fit perfectly, and she'd splurged on matching shoes, tasteful earrings, and even new lingerie to replace her practical cotton underwear. She pa

He gave his notes another glance. The details would be useful in his investigation, and with Amara, as well, when she finally regained her memory. What threw him the most were the three very different, distinct personalities he'd discovered of Amara over the past few days. He'd originally met a reserved woman at Frank's, one who worked and studied hard and didn't allow anyone to get too close. Now he understood why… Today, he learned about the vulnerable woman caught up in a mentally abusive relationship that had undoubtedly cut down her self-esteem and made her more wary with men. A woman who'd chosen a solitary lifestyle, all because she feared her past would eventually catch up to her. And now, at this very moment, waiting for him upstairs, was a woman with incredible internal strength who was coping with the loss of her memory and making the best of an uncertain situation. Amara now wore her emotions on her sleeve, openly