I'm Izzy, an ordinary girl working as a full-time nurse throughout the week. On the weekends, I go out clubbing with my colleagues. One night, I chose to leave the club early on my own. I was attacked as I passed by an ally, so I screamed for help. A stranger who I later learn is billionaire Luke DeVille, comes to my aid. He was stunning, and I owed him a lot, though I doubted I'd ever see him again. One night though, I got invited to his VIP suite at the club. All I wanted to do was thank him, yet one thing lead to another and I found myself naked in his arms. However, I hadn't felt bad about it. I had never slept with anyone better. So what was wrong? Intoxicated, I hadn't even considered wearing protection. Now, here I am two months later, expecting his child... And he's clueless.
Chapter 1 A Heart in Chains
Luke's POV
"This is the life!" As I swept my gaze across the dazzling blue ocean, I yelled in a sing-song voice. "Don't we really have it made?
"Yes, boss, you do."
I turned to face James, my friend and bouncer, who grinned broadly at me. I understood what that meant. He believed that I was the only one with the world at my feet. He didn't seem to understand that he had the entire world at his disposal by working for me. He was one of the best, and I gave what I had to guys who deserved it.
"James." He was big like a brick shit house and weighed at least 300 pounds, so it was difficult for me to throw my arm over his shoulder. "Look at this: we're on a yacht, enjoying drinks while sailing the ocean in the blazing sun, surrounded by as many women as your eye could possibly see. How many jobs would let you enjoy yourself this much?"
"Luke, you're right. I don't mean to seem ungrateful. It's simply..." His eyes dropped to the floor, and I took a step back to look at him. I needed to find out what was going on in that large, lovely mind of his. "You have it all: you're a handsome man with stunning green eyes and the height that any man would desire. Every woman is flinging herself at you."
"Mostly for my money." I shrugged wryly in an attempt to appear at least modest. "These broads wouldn't even look at me twice if I were skint."
"Oh, I seriously doubt it. No one pays attention to me because-well, take a look at me."
"Dude, that ass of yours is enormous. It's your lack of confidence." As I talked, I raised my arms in front of me. "All you have to do is know what to say!"
James fell silent. He was clearly taking it all in, so I swallowed back the beer I was holding and looked around at the group of beauties to give him some space to think. Although I didn't actually know any of them-I had a guy who would bring attractive women to my events when I needed company-I already knew that each and every one of them would be delighted to spend some time with me alone.
It was the authority that accompanied the DeVille name. Every single one of them was giving me a seductive look. I was well-known for my wealth and, if I was being completely honest with myself, my attractive appearance, so it was understandable.
They all wanted me, and it was up to me to take my pick of the lot.
"I suppose," James began to say once more, drawing my focus back to him, "I want more than just a hookup. I truly want to spend the rest of my life with someone." His dark brown eyes gleamed with curiosity as he fixed me with an intent gaze. "Do you never get that feeling? Do you never want a bit more?"
"You mean, like want a wife?" I sneered as if the concept were completely absurd, which is just how I felt about it. "You know me, come on. I'd rather not be bound to anyone. I'm only thirty-three. Why would I want to settle for just one when all these women are vying for my attention?"
"But... No, it's not important." James's gaze shifted away from me. It appeared he had something more to say, but I'd have to force it out of him first.
"No, go ahead and share your thoughts with me. You are aware of how much I respect your opinions. I hope you understand that you are my best pal."
Was being so close to one of my colleagues sad? But, did I really give a damn? James was an amazing guy, and that was all I cared about.
"Well, it seems to me that there is more to it than that. I believe there are other factors besides women that are preventing you from getting married."
I took a big breath and looked up at the clear sky, wanting a moment to gather my thoughts. It was fortunate that James was my buddy, but at times it was really difficult to maintain the cheerful, optimistic self-image when he could see right through to the depths of my soul. "Well, I guess you're right."
"I believed so. Has this something to do with Jason?"
Jason, ugh. My amazing brother. Alright, he did not deserve what happened to him, even though he occasionally acted a little crazy and didn't always behave the way I wanted him to. It kept messing me up to just think about it.
"Well, I suppose so. The fact that the murder is still unsolved really fucks me up. Despite sinking a whole lot of money into my own investigations, nothing has surfaced. As if it had happened yesterday instead of three years ago, I could plainly see the image of his icy, dead, battered, and bruised body when I briefly closed my eyes. I didn't think I would ever get over that.
"I apologize, boss. I have no doubt that you will eventually get your answers..."
Unintentionally, I interrupted, "And then there's losing my father, that still hurts. Even though it happened five years ago, I'm still really damaged by that unexpected heart attack."
I felt a little lighter on my chest, but I hadn't anticipated getting so deep on this beautiful day. It felt great and terrible all at once to talk about my problems. "I don't want to get married and then sentence a child to life in this broken world. It's simply not right or fair."
The air was dense with pregnant pause. I had nothing left to say, and James was at a loss for words too. I had to keep in mind that I was still alive even though everything had happened, and it was terrible. I occasionally lost myself in my thoughts to the point that I forgot all about that. Since they were not chanced to survive, it was my responsibility to live while I was here.
It was time to talk about something else.
Chapter 1 A Heart in Chains
30/01/2025
Chapter 2 The Art of the Chase
30/01/2025
Chapter 3 Work, Wine, and Worries
30/01/2025
Chapter 4 Missing Just a Spark
30/01/2025
Chapter 5 Drowning in the Past
30/01/2025
Chapter 6 Dressed for Distraction
30/01/2025
Chapter 7 A Prescription for Trouble
30/01/2025
Chapter 8 An Aching Heart
30/01/2025
Chapter 9 A Night to Remember-Or Forget
31/01/2025
Chapter 10 Lured into the Shadows
31/01/2025
Chapter 11 Detour into Danger
31/01/2025
Chapter 12 Bruised and Beautiful
31/01/2025
Chapter 13 A Debt of Gratitude
31/01/2025
Chapter 14 A Bat and a Bruised Ego
31/01/2025
Chapter 15 Tea, Gossip, and Second Chances
01/02/2025
Chapter 16 Desire Unleashed
01/02/2025
Chapter 17 Temptation in a Silver Dress
01/02/2025
Chapter 18 Fireworks
01/02/2025
Chapter 19 When Passion Takes Over
01/02/2025
Chapter 20 Heat of the Moment
01/02/2025
Chapter 21 No Spark, No Interest
06/02/2025
Chapter 22 Weight of Regret
06/02/2025
Chapter 23 Something Isn't Right
07/02/2025
Chapter 24 Three Minutes to Forever
07/02/2025
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