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I pressed my fingers against my forehead. “It’ll break his heart, Hope. I mean I love Maxsim, but I just need to walk away.” Just for a little while.

“Well, you both need to talk. Don’t wait. I get you’re going to skip doing so until after the party, but you need to be fair to both of you.”

“I know that.” I heard noise behind me and turned.

There he stood in the doorway, dressed in a suit yet without a tie. He appeared as handsome as always, holding court inside his own house. My heart did a series of flutters just seeing him.

“I need to go,” I told her.

“Just relax and try and remember this party is for one special little girl. Don’t forget her present.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Even though I ended the call, he didn’t move any closer. I could tell by his expression there was a good chance he’d overheard my conversation. “Are we ready?”

“We are. You look… beautiful.”

“Thank you. Some mystery man purchased me a new dress. To go with my fabulous necklace.” I fingered the jewels while my nerves kicked in. There was no doubt he knew what was coming. I could tell by his expression.

“I’m going to hunt him down.”

“I bet you would.”

Even the tone of his voice was entirely different. Was he angry with me?

He finally moved closer, taking his time doing so. We’d been on edge since returning, mostly my fault, although I’d had a sense he was searching for whoever he’d seen on the beach.

“What did you tell our sweet girl?” I walked toward him and when we were close, I slid my hand down his jacket.

“That she couldn’t take Shadow with her where we’re going.”

“Oh, no. How did that go over?”

“As you might imagine.” He took my fingers into his hand, pulling them toward his lips. “I need to say something to you.”

“Don’t. Not now. I know we need to talk, but let’s make tonight special. For all of us.”

His eyes were a total reflection of his soul and on this beautiful late February afternoon, he wasn’t very happy. “This can’t wait, Isabel. I just want you to know that I’ve fallen in love with you.”

I hadn’t expected him to say the words, certainly not now. Perhaps never. “You love me?”

“With all my heart. I understand you’re concerned and angry with me. I don’t blame you. You’re right. We need to talk and I need to relax more. I can only promise I’ll try, but I want you to know about my life, my work. Everything. Then you can decide what you want to do.”

He was opening his heart more than I’d thought possible. I rose onto my toes, pressing my lips against his.

And of course he dragged me closer, holding me as if fearful once we parted, I would vanish. I had no intention of doing so.

The kiss was sweet at first, a quiet moment shared between two people who were insanely in lust and perhaps even in love. Would it be enough to walk us through the danger and fear? I wasn’t certain and the lack of knowing killed me inside.

Maxsim swept his tongue inside, taking his time to explore my mouth. His lips were amazing, his touch everything a girl could ever dream of.

“Papa. Can you do that later?”

When I pulled away, I bit my lower lip and Maxsim and I looked at each other. He had delight in his eyes.

“I don’t know, baby girl. I do have the hots for Isabel.”

“Everyone knows that. What are we doing for my birthday?”