Vows of Convenience, Hearts of Fire

the glow of Milan still flickering behind her eyelids

a manila envelope that had arrived in unmarked p

re printe

Asher...

on his sleeve. The almost-kiss by the win

hone

laying the part. Too good. Caref

d turned

d Asher i

n five," he said

orming through the front door, jaw ten

e the e

it toward h

photos. Then read the t

watching us,"

uttered, already texting. "And I want you to

just hide

s not hiding. It's staying

eath c

this is d

ng to threaten what the

. No arrogance. Just r

rd. "And what do

dn't

and gently ran his thumb

d away and ma

s photos no longer mentioned in the press. But another storm

ci

nannounced, strutting past secur

ara was on her way out of the bu

h faux surprise. "Stil

ly. "Still playing

you really think you can ho

ying to hol

our first

y to rattle me. But while you're busy clinging to

fairy tale. Just don't forget-he

flinch. "Ne

lara was already seated in the living r

tie and droppe

er," he sa

d

sor

for your past," she said. "

admiration flicker

skin," he said. "But she does

make me feel li

you'r

art st

r. "You're not a fill-in. You'

at scar

ifies

est lightly. "Then why are we sti

answer w

wn slowly an

sn't

't an a

as r

oth their he

entative yet charged, like

forehead resting again

to ruin this,"

're

upposed to

k. "We passed simpl

r this time, like he was

hand against her

good at this

wh

g someo

Then it's a good thin

he package was sent from a drop loca

sn't the

's tech office. Inside were surveillance clips fro

Their hot

ad bugged

no tabl

s a w

e wanted E

ffice, hand clench

of security. "And this time... I don'