Chapter 1
January, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
A MONTH BEFORE
Diamonds glittered in the sky and trees soared all around Liam’s vacation home. Dressed in a thermal, with a new camel blazer, the cold had begun to creep into Raven’s soul as she sat on the patio. A sea of stars sprayed across the dark of night. She placed the non-alcoholic wine to her lips. At that exact second, warmth blossomed from her hair follicles down to her frosted toes. Liam.
The moment he stepped out onto the patio, she sensed her childhood best friend. Raven turned in her seat and offered him a smile, to which he nodded. He had a glass of whiskey at his side. His denim jeans hugged lightly at his package; her eyes zipped upward, but he saw it. The desire that enveloped her stronger than the chill. The fire in his hazel eyes sparked just as hot as the glowing stone hearth before her.
“Your move,” Liam’s words still twined in her ear from earlier that day, and Raven felt like a total idiot. Yes, she had to have been dumb to consent to this after-Christmas-vacation even if they were celebrating their daughter’s sixth birthday. Royael was a New Year’s baby, after all. But this place … This home away from home of his exuded romance from the powdering of snow falling before them, to the hearth that was aglow, and one sole cashmere blanket wrapped around her legs, which had his name written all over it.
Damn, it is my move. Our happiness as one depends on me. “C’mere.” Raven smiled, biting her lip. As he sat down beside her, the spiced leather of his cologne further warmed her to the core. Raven tried to remind herself that they were just friends while wrapping them both into the blanket.
They’d been in Switzerland for almost three weeks. Though the attraction was so thick the sweet scent of sex surrounded them, they did not cross that line. But Liam was so patient and kind, and Raven’s mind was full of torment and chaos. Once we return to ‘life’, I have to figure out what to do about the Christmas gift. I won’t fuck up what we’re working on. My secrets must be safe from the man I love—forever. Raven decided it was a wise chose not to become intimate with Liam until her misdeeds were dead and gone. As if he felt her subconsciously moving away, Liam’s strong arms wrapped around her even tighter.
She smiled. “I thought it was still my move?”
“Trust me, Re, you hold the entire deck of cards,” he said, minty condensation puffing out from those kissable lips.
Raven elbowed him softly. If she didn’t look off into the darkness, she didn’t have to think about the mysterious gift she’d gotten for Christmas. Someone in this world hated her guts, hated her enough that it would mask even all of the shit Liam’s family did to keep them apart.
“Talk to me,” he ordered.
You are the reason my heart continues to beat, so I will never tell you my plight. Raven masked her shame by straddling Liam on the wicker chair. For a split second, his chiseled features where still soft with concern. Lying to him didn’t need to be the foundation for their burgeoning relationship. So Raven pressed her pelvis down onto his swelling cock. Through the premium denim, Raven’s womanhood begged for the thick length of him. I should just let him bang my brains out and stay here too. Fuck him until he’s blinded to the type of woman I truly am—
“What if we move here, Liam?” The words were out before Raven had a moment to consider them.
Those lips which knew every inch of her body curved just slightly. “It’s a beautiful place, Re, but you’re always complaining about being cold,” he said, taking the opportunity to hold her even tighter. His biceps bulged around her, comforting, saving, and if she were the devil he knew, she’d tell him the truth.
“Hmmm,” Raven continued to gyrate on his lap. Her legs locked tightly around him, she assured, “Long as these arms stay wrapped around me, I can make it. Besides, this is no colder than the Ice Queen.”
He gave her waist a little squeeze. “Damn, you know the first time you called my mother the Ice Queen, it hurt my feelings.”
“Yeah, well …” Raven added, “Elise and I are good now, so …” If that demon stays in her lane, I won’t have to murder her too. That, truly, was a lie. But a lie she made before their pact at Christmas. Besides, people like Elise and his grandfather, Pierre Delacroix, never changed. So there was no shame in the lie.
Liam seemed to want to bring up the apology. The apology that his mother never gave. Perhaps, Raven had lied and said Elise apologized for all her own misdeeds because somewhere deep down inside, the women were truly and utterly the same. No, not the same—Elise had no morals, didn’t care to. Raven had begged and begged God to forgive her of the sins she’d committed.
“Are we in limbo, Re?” Liam’s tone was smoother than the wine she’d just drunk. He rubbed her flat abdomen softly, “Shit, I fucking love you, Raven. You and Prince.”
“Prince? What if we’re having another pretty prin-cess,” Raven asked, smile masking the fear she held for their unborn child. If someone hated her, then their six-week-old baby’s life wasn’t safe, either. Her lips almost quivered at that. She reached down and planted another kiss on his lips.
“We’re having a boy,” Liam assured, “but I could get you pregnant every day of the week …”
“Hmmm, every day of the week?” She chuckled, kissing a trail down the angular strength of his jawline. Then those enticing, whiskey-tasting lips claimed her attention once more. Her teeth scoured over his bottom lip. His dick thumped against her thigh.
“Fuck,” he groaned as Raven once again twirled her lips, allowing her pussy to roll over the front of his jeans.
Totally helpless, she couldn’t complain when he started unbuttoning her thermal then Liam’s fingers trickled against the small of her back.
“Fr-freezing!” Raven gasped.
“Uh-huh.” He pushed her hands away as she tried to pry his from around her waist. “I haven’t had this much action in so long. You’re a big girl, Raven, no bowing out.”
She nibbled Liam’s lip as his other hand snaked up and pulled the back of her hair so he could suck on her neck. Silky moans ran away from her pink, swollen lips that hungered for more. Tempted to fulfill her every desire, Liam yanked at the button on her jeans. Paranoia made her hands claim his.
“Not out here.”
“I’m on fire, I can’t wait …” He held her hand as she started to get up. His fingers clasping her tinier ones, Liam argued, “Re, this is why we can’t live here. If I can’t fuck you as I please, where I please, then we can-not-live-here,” he said, attempting to keep her still, but her soft little hand slipped through his.
With a naughty grin, she beckoned him to the door. Then, her phone vibrated in her pants. Shit! Raven had forgotten she’d stepped outside for solitude that evening. The gifter had texted her about calling at that exact moment. The motherfucker wanted to keep her on pins and needles.
“Um, it’s my mom,” she said quickly. Besides this fucking psycho stalker, I would never lie to you. Moving away from the door, she added, “Just give me a minute. We’ve been playing phone tag all week long.”
Raven sighed as he reclaimed his seat. Should’ve told him to go get ready, but he’s already ready! Pulling the phone out of her pocket, she meandered toward the end of the extensive patio and pressed the TALK button. “Hello?”
“I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re not taking the gift seriously.” The androgynous caller was an automated annoyance in her ear. “Have you decided to adhere to the stipulations presented?”
“I’m thinking about it,” she retorted. Her mind soared in time back to the gift. A mere letter, a single slip of paper held captive her darkest sin.
“Very well, though it would behoove you to consider my offer.”
“It’s not an offer!” She gripped a handful of snow from the wood railing. Had the cutter she’d spoken with before a session with her psychologist, Dr. Stanton, been correct? Her teeth grit to the icy prickling. It’s no substitute. Liam is the only antidote.
“Perhaps the impeccable wrapping has you assuming this is a motherfucking game.” The scalp-sharp words dug into Raven’s soul as she glared into the dark forestland. “Nonetheless, you will soon realize that I have indeed been gracious regarding my requests. For now, enjoy your very last vacation.”
The call disconnected. She shoved the phone back into her jean pocket. A trickle of water ran through her fingers. She grabbed another piece and felt the euphoric sting then placed it down and turned around.
Her eyes barely met his as she walked back over. “I’m going to bed.”
“Why?”
“I’m knocked up and tired.” Yawn fake, she gave it her best—inwardly praying for a smidgen of Charlene’s acting genes. She walked into the cabin, leaving Liam to his thoughts.