Chapter 3

After I'd bathed and changed at the old house, I happened to catch Grant and Miles talking in the corridor.

Grant's face was black, and he practically growled his question.

"Miles, you're supposed to have all that self-control. Why did I just see you react to Nora?"

Miles undid one cuff with his free hand, silent for a moment before he answered.

"Grant, I'm a man. I'm flesh and blood. I've shared a bed with Nora for two years, and I smell her perfume every single day. You know how strong that is. Of course I react to her."

Grant's breathing went ragged with disbelief. "But Nora is my wife, and she's been cold as a stone these two years, so how could you possibly... Miles, you're going to promise me. No matter how much Nora throws herself at you, you do not sleep with her. She's my wife!"

Miles's expression turned cutting. "Nora is mine now. Or have you forgotten?"

Grant said nothing.

Miles gave a mocking laugh. "You're in love with Daphne, aren't you? So just divorce Nora and be done with it."

Grant's voice climbed. "No! Nora and I grew up together. I still feel something for her. And if I let her go, Grandfather will never forgive me. Besides, I chased Daphne for years, and she wants me too, and I'm not giving that up either..."

Miles made a low, contemptuous sound.

I didn't listen to any more of it. I turned and walked away.

Grant, you won't give up the woman you love, and you won't give up the wife your grandfather chose for you either.

What makes you think every good thing in the world belongs to you?

...

When dinner was over, Grant drove me home.

As we got close, I saw Miles waiting at the door.

Grant handed me over to Miles and left.

Once inside, I went straight to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, I called out, "Honey, I slipped and fell. I think I hurt my shoulder. Can you come in and put something on it?"

The bathroom door opened almost at once.

Steam curled everywhere.

I'd wrapped my towel deliberately loose, my hair half dry, water still beading at my collarbone.

Miles looked for two seconds, then whipped his eyes away and pretended to busy himself squeezing out the ointment.

I faked a slip, let out a small cry, and fell against his chest.

The towel, never properly tied, slid down to my feet.

Two bodies, hot and tangled together.

Miles moved to get away on instinct, and I caught him right away.

"You're not going anywhere. Didn't you promise me a full-body massage?"

Miles drew in a deep breath, trying to calm his hammering heart, but the scent of my skin slipped into his lungs without warning.

He went rigid where he stood, not noticing that his eyes had gone dark, the rims turning red. He tried to push me off. "Nora, you..."

I kissed him.

Miles meant to refuse, but whatever he'd kept locked down for so long finally broke through like a dam, and then we were kissing.

I got bold and went for his belt, my hands slow and suggestive. "Honey, we've been married a long time. I want a baby."

Miles's eyes flickered with light. "All right. Whatever you want."

I locked my legs around his waist and steered him toward the bedroom.

But just then, the phone rang.

Miles freed one hand and killed the call.

"You're not going to answer it?"

I never got an answer, because Miles caught my lips with his.

From that afternoon deep into the night, Miles was like a starving man at his first real meal, and he never tired.

But I went completely boneless.

Somewhere in the haze, I heard Miles talking to someone, his voice pitched very low.

"I know."

"I won't touch her."

"You don't believe me?"

"I don't need to swear to anything. I don't lie."

After he hung up, Miles pulled me back against him and said softly, "Nora, why is he the only one you love?"

I wanted to tell him that from now on, I didn't love Grant at all.

But sleep came too fast. I never got the chance to say it before I went under.