جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 200

~HUNTER'S POV~The Gulfstream's engines hummed beneath my feet, but all I could hear was Vincent's endless comment on everything from the flight attendant's smile to my alleged sexual frustration."Six hours," he said, checking his Rolex for the third time in ten minutes. "That's how long you've been separated from Celine. Your left eye is twitching."I didn't dignify that with a response, focusing instead on the contract spread across my lap. Numbers blurred together as my mind wandered to Celine, probably laughing with Caroline somewhere over the Pacific. I should have insisted we travel together, bachelorette party traditions be damned."Seriously though," Vincent continued, obviously immune to my silence, "how are you handling the celibacy? Because your jaw's been clenched since takeoff, I'm starting to worry about your molars.""Don't you have anything better to do than psychoanalyze my sex life?""Not really. It's fascinating research."I looked up from the contract. "Research

~HUNTER'S POV~ "Truth or dare!" Caroline announced with the readiness of someone who'd had exactly three glasses too many of champagne. "Before we hit the Strip, let's play a little game." Every instinct I had inherited from three generations of Reid men screamed danger. Nothing good ever came from party games involving alcohol, attractive people, and unresolved sexual pressure. "Caroline," I warned, but she was already arranging people in a circle like we were teenagers at a sleepover. "Come on, cousin. Live a little." She gestured dramatically at the assembled group. "It'll be fun!" Fun. Right. With Mia positioned directly across from us like a sniper in a bell tower, Jessica practically vibrating with nasty glee, and Clancey shooting glances at Celine every thirty seconds, this promised to be anything but fun. Vincent settled into the circle with conspicuous delight. "Now this should be interesting." "That's what I'm afraid of," I muttered, pulling Celine onto my lap befo

~MIA'S POV~Perfection.I sat in the circle watching Hunter Reid's world burn down around him, and it was more beautiful than I'd dared to imagine.When Jessica had suggested the truth or dare game, I knew it was my moment. Not the quiet manipulation I'd been planning, not the careful seduction over months—this was my chance to demolish everything in one stunning explosion.And it had worked beyond my wildest dreams."Mia Blackwood. She's exactly the kind of woman I was raised to be with."The words were still echoing in the suite, still rippling through the stunned silence like stones thrown into still water. Hunter had just publicly declared me his ideal woman while simultaneously destroying his relationship with the maid.I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.Celine stood at the bar like a broken doll, her spine straight but her hands shaking as she gripped her champagne glass. The silver dress that had made her look radiant when she'd arrived now seemed to

~CELINE'S POV~The bass thrummed through my body like a second heartbeat, drowning out the echo of Hunter's voice that kept trying to surface in my mind."Mia Blackwood. She's exactly the kind of woman I was raised to be with."I spun away from my current dance partner—a tourist from Ohio who smelled like expensive cologne and desperation…and immediately found another. A businessman in his forties with kind eyes and gentle hands who whispered compliments about my dress, my smile, my laugh.I giggled at whatever he said, the sound bright and hollow even to my own ears.The silver sequins on my dress caught the strobing lights, making me feel like a disco ball—all surface shine, reflecting everyone else's energy back at them while staying empty inside."You're absolutely stunning," the businessman murmured in my ear as we swayed to the pounding beat. "Your boyfriend is the luckiest man alive."My smile cracked slightly. "I don't have a boyfriend."It wasn't technically a lie. After ton

~CELINE POV~The hotel lobby was quieter than usual when we stepped inside, Caesar yawning against Hunter’s shoulder, his little fist rubbing sleep from his eyes. The childcare center attendant smiled as she brought his tiny backpack over.“Big night?” she teased, her eyes flicking to my hand. The diamond caught the lobby lights and winked back at her.Hunter’s arm tightened around me, as if even acknowledging the ring might tempt fate.By the time we returned to the suite, Caesar had perked up a little, his natural curiosity winning against his drowsiness. He tugged at my hand as we stepped through the door.“Where did you go? Why are you dressed like that?” His big blue eyes darted between us.I crouched to his level, brushing his curls back. “We went somewhere special, sweetheart. Daddy and I… we got married tonight.”For a moment he just stared, his mouth forming a perfect ‘O.’ Then he squealed so loud I thought the chandelier above us might shatter.“You’re my Mommy Reid now? F