Page 34 (1/2)

PART 1

lucas

CHAPTER 1

Her laughter was the first thing that caught his attention Vibrant and shining So effervescent and full of unfettered joy that it arrested hi just moments earlier

He turned, seeking the source of the captivating ht he’d heard it before When he was er

A lifetio

Ren

The memory of her still had the power to make him ache

SoIf only he had it to do all over again

He hadn’t thought about her in a while now Not because she’d slipped fro of the beautiful, shy eighteen-year-old girl who’d meant the world to him when he was in his early twenties

It still hurt hi her to mind years later She reminded him of mistakes he’dhe’d ever wanted or intended

He scanned the interior of the restaurant, his eyes sharp as he took in each table But he couldn’t find the source of the burst of laughter, nor did he hear it again

“Is so the matter?” Damon Roche asked

Cole turned back to his friend and dinner colance in Serena Roche’s direction

“No, nothing I just thought I heard… I was reminded of someone I once knew ”

Dalass of wine His touch never strayed far fronant wife If Daly possessive of Serena—he was even more so now that she was round with his child

The two shared a nontraditional relationship Serena was submissive to Damon’s dominance in and out of the bedrooerously so Spending time with the couple he called friends made him face his past mistakes Made him realize that if he’d only been more careful anda relationship like Da he had

But he’d hurt her in his inorance

He’d met many women in the years since Wo to submit to him on a permanent basis, but none had captured his heart like Ren The one woman he couldn’t have

Until recently he hadn’t done more than touch or prepare women who frequented The House, the exclusive club devoted to sexual largesse, owned by Damon Roche Cole was a frequent visitor Damon trusted him Only Cole had been trusted with Serena, Damon’s beloved wife, and even then his role was just preparation

Only with Angelina had he allowed himself to become more intimate, to actually have sex and open hio quiet at his touch and coelina had reed to Micah, another of Cole’s friends, one he shared with Damon

All of the woed to other e with them, because he knew they were no threat to his heart and soul

“Is the food to your liking, Serena mine?” Damon asked

Serena smiled “It’s divine I only wish I could eatfor all it’s worth I can’t eat ry The result is I eat all day!”

Daently to her lips “You need to eat You’ve not been sleeping well lately Our child is wearing you out The calories will give you y ”

“Or just make me fat and lazy,” Serena muttered

“Are you still set on not knowing the sex?” Cole asked, trying to hter had opened the door to his past that he tried to keep shut at all times

A wistful light entered Serena’s eyes She was a beautiful wo blue eyes and shiny black hair He’d been drawn to her as well even though there had never been a question of her belonging to Da about her that had reminded him of his childhood sweetheart, and he often found himself unable to look away from Serena And wish that he hadn’t messed up so badly with Ren, that they could have been older Cole could have been wiser Could have guided her as Dauided Serena Maybe Ren would still be with him now His Beautiful, submissive, his treasure

“There are days when I really want to know,” she said She glanced over at Damon and sh he wants to know very badly whether we’re having a son or a daughter He really wants a girl I don’t care and maybe that’s why I want to be surprised ”

“Another girl in the fold would be entertaining,” Cole said “I iine Dairl ”

Serena rolled her eyes “Oh God, don’t you know it?”

“She’s threatening to make me wear one of those damn baby carriers that Micah parades around in,” Daoddamn mind ever since Nia was born ”

Cole snickered “I’ to remind you of this conversation when your own child is born You’re overprotective of Serena as it is I can’t iine you’ll be any less so of the baby Especially if you have a daughter ”

“Maybe, but that doesn’tto wear her twenty-four seven,” Damon said darkly

Serena just grinned and stroked her fingers over Dareed with her private assessment

Distant laughter sounded again, sending a cascade of chill bumps up his neck This ti in on the source

Finally, he saw her

All his breath left hi ahich hy he hadn’t been able to find her the first time He could just see the hint of her profile S his touch A cascade of black hair tu so low that he lost track of it

She was petite He could tell from here that she was a small woman, probably not much more than five feet Her features were delicate As she turned, he caught a glimpse of the slim column of her neck, but then she reached up and pulled her hair over one shoulder, baring the expanse of her back

Her dress was backless and he froze as his gaze lighted on the tattoo trailing down her spine

He couldn’t breathe His fingers curled and uncurled as he stared, riveted to the sight Alht shoulder, just over the blade Would it still be there? Had the years been kind and diminished the reminder of his inexperience?

He couldn’t tell from this distance Or maybe he didn’t want it to be there A scar Evidence of the care he hadn’t taken with a woman who trusted him with her heart and body

Ren

What was she doing here? It was her The tattoo was unmistakable Delicate and fe vine from the small of her back to her nape He’d traced it ue

Before he could get to his feet, thewith Ren stood and extended his hand to her She took it and gracefully rose from her seat The nal that he considered her his

But when Ren turned where he could see her fully, Cole saw the wide silver band encircling her neck It was a fist to his gut and he could only stare, so stunned that he couldn?