Cleopatra Knight never expected to sleep with her handsome boss, Dante Damaso, during a trip to Tokyo. Their passionate nights lead to unexpected consequences, turning Cleo’s life upside down. Despite Dante’s jet-setting lifestyle and reluctance to settle down, he can’t forget Cleo. Living together, they both discover deeper feelings, and Cleo wonders if her heart’s desire is within reach.
“This is the code for the elevator, should you decide to go home later.” He took hold of her hand and held it palm up before dropping her car keys in it. “If you choose to leave, please let James know that you’re going. I’ve left him with explicit instructions to ensure you get home…
“Let me talk to him and try to get him over the worst of it,” Blue suggested. “I’ll keep you updated.” “Thank you.” “Cleo are you . . . do you . . .” Blue framed hesitantly. “Do you have feelings for him?” “No.” Cleo ignored her annoying internal voice, which had been silent for…
“Let me know if you need help; I will arrange movers.” “I can do it myself,” she protested, and he sighed loudly. “There you go again, being needlessly difficult. It is a sincere offer of help, dulzura.” She blinked at the endearment. She had Googled it after their return from Tokyo and discovered that it…
“She’s always been so irresponsible, and now with the . . .” He paused, even though Dante knew he’d been about to mention the pregnancy. Luc shook his head again before continuing. “Anyway, I just wanted to apologize about that. Her behavior was completely rash, as usual.” Something about the way Luc was denigrating Cleo…
“I don’t want to hear any more of your pathetic excuses, Damaso.” Luc refused to meet his eyes, which bothered Dante more than anything that had happened before. “You’re not the man I thought you were.” Cleo-upon arrival at Luc’s work-spotted Dante’s car immediately. She brought her car to a quick stop and jumped out…
“You can’t continue living in that apartment, Cleo. The stairs are dangerous, and the mold is a health hazard. And the walls are so damp you can’t tell me it doesn’t leak during the winter. It can’t be good for you or the baby.” “I’ll be moving in with Luc and Blue next month.” “I…
“What the hell?” Dante muttered beneath his breath, and Cleo smiled at the consternation she could hear in his voice. “Hi, girls,” Cleo greeted, and the two scantily clad women fell all over her, showering her with hugs and kisses. Coco, predictably, was the first one to notice Dante. “Oh, hi there. I’m Coco Sibiya.…
“Did you mean it?” he asked without preamble. “Yes, but there are a few caveats.” “Of course there are,” he said drily. “I won’t have my freedom curbed,” she said, ignoring his sarcasm. “How the hell would I curb your freedom?” He actually sounded offended. “I won’t shackle you to the kitchen sink or whatever…
“I wanted to use ‘annoying.’ Which is what you’re being right now. In addition to being frustrating and aggravating.” “And you’re being redundant.” “You’re really difficult to talk to sometimes,” he accused, his accent thickening with every word, and she shrugged a little shamefacedly. “I know,” she confessed. “It’s a defense mechanism.” “I don’t mean…
“Paranoid much?” she asked as she swept by him. The place was huge, lavish, and seriously expensive, with panoramic views of the mountain, the waterfront, the yacht basin, and the ocean through floor-to-ceiling glass panes. There was gray-and-white marble everywhere, ugly stark furniture, and gigantic potted plants that looked like they belonged in a greenhouse…