Kissed by a stranger Marked forever

o trace. Just a pair of forgotten earrings on the edge of his penthouse sink... and a scent that haunted him like a ghost. Lavender. Fresh, soft, and maddening. It clung to his sheets. His ski

marrying for obligation." Albert raised a silver brow. "You're thirty-four, Zach. No scandals, no flings, not even a steady girlfriend. At this point, I'm starting to suspect you've been cloned without a heart." Zachary offered a tight smile. "My heart's too expensive to risk." Albert leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "I saw the look in your eyes the other morning. You came home like a man who'd been struck by lightning." Zachary froze, Of course he noticed. "She was different," Zachary said quietly. " "Who was she?" Albert asked. "I don't know, but someone she touched me and I didn't react"Zachary muttered, voice low. Albert blinked. "What do you mean, you don't know?" "Wait you mean a woman touched you, And she's still alive?" He asked wide eyed. "Yes a lady touched me, but..."Zachary growled, finally standing, "she disappeared." Albert studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Then find her." Zachary said nothing. "Use the resources we spent a lifetime building," the old man said. "I'm not asking for a fairytale, Zach. I'm asking you to stop pretending you're made of stone. If she made you feel something start there." Zachary turned his back to the window, jaw tight. "I'm not promising anything." "Just promise me this," Albert said, rising to his feet. "If your instincts pull you toward someone... don't ignore it this time. You've shut the world out for to