"Amaya, um, I’m staying for a few days here." Chase walked into the bedroom, where Amaya lay on the bed, staring upwards. He could feel her pain and sense her confusion, and he could see the purple marks his fingers had left on her tender skin. He flinched inside but let nothing of his horror show on his face or in his voice. "You and Tommy should pack." Chase’s head inclined towards the wardrobe. "I’ll arrange the transport to my mansion, and I want you to cancel my diary for a week—I will stay on for a while. When you’re back, report to Justin. I already called him, and don't worry about the wedding; it's all handled, including the contract." And he reeled off his orders, spoke of nothing but work, and even managed to look her straight in the eyes as he did so.Amaya sighed. "Does it mean business as usual?" Amaya got his point—oh, she got the point, alright!"Yes. I'll take care of everything about our wedding. Just fit the wedding dress. And don't give me that tone! That was what

"How could I ever forget that?" she said with a tight, forced smile."You look as though you’ve swallowed a lime," Chase grinned."Fine, let's talk in the living room, or if you want something to drink, there’s an opened bottle of wine in the fridge, or you can make yourself tea or coffee. It’s your mansion kitchen. I’m sure you’ll be able to find what you need."With that, she swung round and headed to her bedroom, fuming at the way he had invaded her privacy, fuming at the way he saw fit to say exactly what happened to be on his mind, fuming at her evening, which she had neatly planned and which would now be spent in a state of edge-of-the-seat nervous tension.She went to her bedroom and gazed at her mutinous reflection in the mirror. Her colour was up. Her hair was not in the neat little bun he was accustomed to seeing. The ponytail was coming undone, and wisps of long brown hair trailed around her face. It was completely bare of make-up...She peered at the freckles, which had al

The next day, hating the surge of lust that made Amaya’s knees shake, she managed a mute nod while sending a silent prayer heavenward for strength. She had a feeling she’d need it to resist what the reformed bad boy had in mind for later.Amaya’s hand shook as she waved the mascara wand over her lashes, and she blinked several times, grateful she’d chosen the waterproof kind.She’d already been near tears twice, first when she’d opened the door to a gorgeous bouquet of frangipanis and then when she’d carefully hung her wedding dress encased in plastic on the back of the door.Chase had sent the flowers. His note had been brief.For my beautiful brideChase, xWhile the flowers were breathtaking, that one little x had her clutching them and burying her nose in their heady fragrance, her eyes filling to the brim.She wanted his kisses; she wanted him, and no matter how many times she told herself this wedding was a necessity to be free of her past, she knew when she walked up the aisle

To Amaya’s credit, she didn’t look away or take a step back.If he wanted to play, then she could play as well. She thought to herself. Knowing full well that either way, she wanted this to happen, and God knows, she was hoping for something from him too."Oh hell, Chase. You’re wrong. Nothing has gone to plan since Greece. I wondered what your plan was, because frankly, you made my head dizzy with all the unexpected, unplanned things you often do. This is not like you."The flicker of pain in her eyes hit him hard, and he dropped his hands. He gave her space, and she took it, putting enough distance between them for him to feel the loss.He sighed. "Tell me, Amaya, you don’t want to consummate this marriage as much as I do."There, he threw it out, knowing the firebrand she used to be would never back down from a challenge.However, the forlorn bride in a fancy dress staring wistfully out of the window was a far cry from the feisty girl he’d known, and the thought that he’d made her

"Just so you know—if you’re planning on avoiding being seduced, you’ll definitely need more than a robe. Maybe an entire wardrobe." Chase’s voice sounded strained.Amaya could see the bad boy inside was only barely contained. Just the thought of what might happen when he broke out added further to her inner trembling. In a voice that sounded higher than her own, she said, "Well, I wanted to talk about that—""Yes?"His response was so fast it interrupted her mid-sentence, and Amaya gaped at him like an idiot for a moment, her train of thought derailed."You were saying something about seducing me?"His wide grin broke the tension as she remembered how much she liked this man, and she grinned back.She rolled her eyes. "You wish. We have a deal. No touching, no—whatever—this is, after all, business. Just business.""You have no idea how much I miss you," Chase added with a small smirk.His intense tone caused her belly to drop in a frightening free fall as liquid heat pooled in places