All Chapters of The Heir's Contract Wife: Rescued from a Wedding Cruise: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"What… are you doing?"On the rumpled sheets, her fiancé lay over another woman, their bare bodies pressed together.His arms braced on either side of the pillow as he kissed her. The woman's arms were wrapped around his naked back.At Serena Whitmore's voice, Adrian Mercer went still.But he didn't pull away. He merely turned his head toward her, slowly, and frowned."Why did you come in?"That came before any apology.The woman slid her arms around Adrian's neck, her fingers slipping into his hair without a moment's hesitation.Chloe Bennett looked at Serena over his shoulder.She didn't seem surprised. Once she realized who stood in the doorway, a smile actually spread across her lips.Still looking at Serena, Chloe pressed another kiss to Adrian's cheek.Then she gave his shoulder a light push. As he raised himself, she slowly got out of bed.Chloe wasn't wearing a thing.She made no attempt to cover herself as she walked toward the bedroom doorway.She was tall and slender, with

"Because of the Whitmore Hotel?"Daniel's words wouldn't leave Serena's ears.Even after leaving the observation lounge, she didn't return to Adrian and the others.The Whitmore Hotel.Even now, the first image the name brought to mind was her father's back.As a child, Serena had thought of the hotel as one enormous playground.She had hidden behind the lobby pillars and jumped out to surprise him.Once, she'd joined the staff preparing a banquet room and been scolded for tugging at the edge of a white tablecloth.On days off from school, she did her homework in his office behind the front desk."Daddy, aren't we going home yet?""Some of our guests will only ever be here today."Her father had smiled as he said it.She hadn't understood what he meant then.She'd only thought that he loved his hotel.Now she understood.For her father, the Whitmore Hotel had been more than a business.That was why Serena couldn't let it go, either."Ms. Whitmore. I've been looking for you."Serena tu

For years after the fire, Serena had suffered the same nightmare.Smoke. Heat that made it impossible to breathe. Adrian on the other side of the flames.Only in the last few years had the dream finally begun to come less often.Until last night.In the dream, the flames suddenly vanished.Instead, the ground gave way beneath her, and she fell into the cold sea.Adrian was beyond the surface.She reached for him.But her hand couldn't reach his.She gasped.Serena jerked awake.Her breathing was ragged.Sweat beaded on her forehead and neck.It took a while before she understood it had been a dream.The nightmare she thought she'd escaped had returned in another form.Morning light spilled through a gap in the curtains.A little later, she recognized her room on the ship.Her right wrist hurt.The red finger marks from yesterday were still there.She reached beside the bed.For the small bag.Then the doorbell rang."Ms. Whitmore, a delivery for you."A member of the ship's staff hand

It was past ten when Serena woke.She picked up her phone.Eight that evening.Her call with Alexander Ashford.She checked the appointment, then got out of bed.For a late brunch, she headed to the restaurant beside the pool deck.Beyond the white umbrellas, the sea stretched endlessly.Adrian and the others were already at a table."You went to the show alone last night, didn't you?"Chloe asked."Yes.""Weren't you lonely?""I enjoyed it much more than I expected."Daniel laughed."Wow. Suddenly you're loving the solo vacation.""I'm not on a solo vacation.""Trying to get back at Adrian?"Serena raised her head."Does going to a show by myself have to be about getting back at someone?"Daniel's smile stopped."No, that's not what I…""Good."As if nothing had happened, Serena returned to the menu."You've seemed a little different since yesterday, Serena."Chloe's eyes moved to her neck.She wasn't wearing a high neckline today, either.A little of the scarring showed."Have I?""

Serena didn't answer."Serena.""It's business.""What business?""The Whitmore Hotel."Adrian's expression changed."What did you tell Ashford?""I don't owe you an explanation.""Yes, you do."He took a step closer."You took the Whitmores' affairs to an outsider without asking?""What's wrong with me seeking advice about my own hotel?""Serena…"Chloe caught up with them."Ashford? You mean Alexander Ashford?"Serena said nothing.Chloe's eyes flickered."Serena… I'm starting to worry about you.""Why?""Well, after you fell into the sea, you were so hurt by what happened with Adrian."Chloe lowered her gaze hesitantly."If you suddenly turn to a man like Mr. Ashford at a time like this… people might get the wrong idea."She sounded as though she had Serena's best interests at heart."I'd hate for anyone to think you were getting close to another man just to spite Adrian."Serena looked at her."I don't need you to decide whom I can consult about the Whitmore Hotel."Chloe started