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As if she were precious, he’d stood, scooped her up, and taken her to the bedroo but appreciation and caring in his touch Though their coupling had lacked the physical sensations involved in one of their scenes, it had been soelse they’d shared, and it was devastating to her e When BDSM was involved, she could surrender her body while keeping her heart shrouded

But a couple of hours before, he’d stripped that protection fro her emotions raw

Afterward, Rafe had removed the collar so she would be more comfortable She hadn’t been Rather, the absence of its inflexible weight bothered her When she ad was okay

He’d taken her to bed, then wrapped his arms around her until they both drifted off

Hours later, the touch had suffocated her, and she’d needed to escape

Warnolia drifted on the air, and cicadas buzzed in the nearby trees, yet Hope’s thoughts roiled

Out here, under the night sky, she could no longer hide from the truth

She was halfway in love with Rafe Sterling He’d been clear about his determination not to ever fall in love Which meant she was invested in their relationship in a way he wasn’t Experience had taught her that could be disastrous A ard part of her heart wanted to shout yes to hi, his proposal Her brain zinged arning bells Loving hi loved in return would destroy her

Afraid of waking Hope, Rafe snatched up his phone that was ju across the kitchen counter

He sighed when he saw Celeste’s name on the screen Rafe still expected his father to show up and do his duty

“Judge Anderson is willing to allow you to attend the planning ,” she said without preamble “Be in the Grand House at ten”

“Thanks” He durounds into the coffeemaker, then turned the machine on

She didn’t i off, so he waited

“The woman you asked us to look into? One Elizabeth Martin doesn’t exist”

The fuck? “What do you mean Lillibet doesn’t exist?”

“We accessed human resources files All on paper It would’ve been so ital”