Crimson Desire (Hollow Hearts #2)

years

never eas

gave me

and my sister was far away. That left me-just a kid-alone with my little s

didn't even know

ht that crushed me every single day. Reality hit

allowing me whole. I hated the world for what it had taken from me.

back. My sister returned to us, and

il again. I couldn't let down the

I had to keep going. I had

ed I have to stand up for her. Not only for her but

re-law degree, and every moment of my life was

mistakes. No roo

as a distraction I had

s staring a

asing. I looked up from my laptop, pretending I

htly. "If he does, maybe it's just a

knows exactly who you are. You're probably the onl

dards," I replied, though

es

hours trying to finish a paper, but Luke Grant had made concentrating impossible

ss waves. His piercing brown eyes burned with an intensity that could make you forget to breath

He knew that he

yone

her excitement. "He's like a bad decision wrapped in

yes back to my screen. "His hair looks so

I like it. N

ad. "For someone who doesn't care,

reeping up my f

grinning. "It's okay to like hi

itted before I could stop my

huh? Sounds like you've bee

ply. She wa

o years. Wondering what it might feel like to step into h

with my nose in a book, planning a future that didn't allow for distractions. He was the he

ly, keeping my voice steady.

But if you're not going

aking my head

, I didn't want her...or anyone else...

fortune so big it made his life seem untouchable. Luke was the kind of man who made headlines before he even g

hose girls. At least,

g parties to study, and interning at firms where I had to prove, every single day, that I w

ause I am smart. I am bra

will let myself to be one of them. To be

al grinned, pressing

e heat pooling in my chest. It was reckless. Stupi

s have fun!" she said in a l

he courage to ask for anoth

en I s

u

like he'd just escaped a formal event. His dark hair was tousled, like someone had been running their

his eyes

he s

Did he

i, ri

eared before me, carrying the scent of ex

ius everyone's w

short-circuiting.

d like he found m

iss someone who walks into

sly, unsure if h

ly scream 'life of the

ing lower, more intimate. "Yo

art race like he saw somethin

o'll fall for a few compliment

ser, his gaze lo

ing to make you f

ice brushing against

ay, nearly breaking into a run. My heart raced as embarrass

den outside. The cool breeze provided some rel

trying to mask my uneas

nrelenting. "Why did you walk awa

ce wavered slightly. I took a step back, but h

spond, a third vo

just arrived at the family h

just appeared out of nowhere. His brows lifted

y hands dismissively. "Girlfriend?

arly enjoying the

he man, his voice nonchalant. "Tell

hide the knowing grin on

alvage my dignity, "I just wante

ls like to unwind," he interrupted, a t

aught. "Com

lax. Just for another drink. My place. No crowds, no noise.

kly, though my heart pounded

slow and deliberate, as he h

walk away. But then his hand hovered there, waiti