* * *

New Orleans

Ebony Verlaine stared at the plastic stick in her hand in dismay. God, no. She leaned her head against the cool tile of the bathroom and let a few tears escape, feeling utterly hopeless. Her whole world shifted at that moment as she saw everything she’d worked so hard for disappear.

Pregnant. Pregnant and alone at twenty-six. God dammit.

Outside the bathroom, she heard a voice and pulled herself together. She was at the Gabriella Renaud Foundation, the charitable organization which had been mentoring and supporting her over the last two years. Her best friend Juno Sasse, now her sister-in-law, had at first been her tutor, guiding her through singing lessons and songwriting, preparing her for a career in the music industry.

Since she was young, Ebony had loved singing and performing. It was a no-brainer that she would follow that love into a career, but while the executive she had met had praised her smoky, rich voice, and been even more enthusiastic to exploit her dark beauty, all of them had balked at releasing jazz and blues. She’d lost count of how many of them tried to steer her into a pop career – something she had no interest at all in.

As word spread and she was painted unfairly as a diva, the offers dried up. Despondent, she continued to sing in New Orleans’s jazz clubs until Livia Chatelaine approached her.

Herself a musician, Livia was the head of a charitable foundation which focused on giving opportunities to musicians outside the mainstream, along with those who couldn’t afford a place at a traditional college. To Ebony’s amazement and delight, Livia was crazy about jazz and a real kinship developed between the two women.

“We’re moving toward releasing our own recordings in partnership with Quartet,” Livia told her at that first meeting. “We’re keeping it small, keeping our roster tight and exclusive, and we won’t release anything until we’re sure you’re ready.”

Ebony laughed. “You realize you’re handing me my dream…for free? It’s incredible.”

“Don’t get too complacent,” Livia teased. We ask for full commitment. We’ll work your ass off if we think you’re worth it – and I do. Your voice is once-in-a-lifetime, Ebony. It would be a crime not to champion you.”

Ebony sipped her iced tea, her mind whirling. “Livia…you must have heard the rumors about me. That I’m a diva? That I’m never satisfied?”

Livia’s smile faded. “Let me put those rumors into perspective. They were put around by old white men who run recording companies that only deal in profit. They also like to tell women what to do, how to dress, what to eat…I don’t believe the rumors. You’re clearly a strong woman who follows your passion, and who is unwilling to compromise to make a quick buck. That, Ebony Verlaine, is why I reached out to you.”

Ebony remembered her mentor and friend’s words now as she dumped the pregnancy stick in the trash – carefully hidden. This wasn’t going to derail her life, she decided firmly. She could only be two weeks pregnant – she’d only been with one man in months – so she had plenty of time to think about her next steps. She washed her hands and splashed water on her face before making her way back to her small recording studio.

Juno was waiting for her, and to Ebony’s delight, Livia was there too. She hadn’t seen her friend for a few weeks – Livia had just given birth to her fourth child, a girl called Amita. It was an odd feeling, holding the gorgeous little girl, knowing she could one day have one of her own. “She’s so beautiful…and so tiny!”

Livia and Juno laughed. “They come like that,” Livia said, “although they don’t feel so tiny when they’re coming out.”

Both Ebony and Juno winced, and Livia grinned. “You wait and see.”

Ebony turned away, pretending to grab some work from her bag. “Hey, I finally finished that song we were working on.” She handed over the score to Juno, who rolled it out.

“This looks good…maybe a couple of tweaks, but we’ll run it through. Anyway, before we start work, there’s a reason Liv is here. We have a proposal for you.”

“What’s that?” Ebony asked, putting aside her worries about the future in favor of curiosity.

Juno grinned. “Romy called me last night. The organization she works for is having a huge fundraising event and they need someone to perform at it.”

“Juno called me, and we both agreed – it has to be you, Ebony. You are so ready for this. You’ve been working your ass off, now it’s time to get some more actual experience. It’s going to be a pretty big deal.” Livia looked as excited as Ebony felt.

“Really? God, that’s incredible.” Ebony had missed performing, but the next moment she was filled with anxiety as Livia told her the scope of the event.

“Although the facility is for people with few means, this event is high society – it’s a few thousand dollars a plate, all the money going to the facility, of course.”

Ebony felt her legs shaking and had to sit down. “So, I’ll need to perform a song?”

“A set, maybe seven to ten tracks. It’ll be in Seattle,” Juno added as an afterthought, “and it might mean spending Christmas in Seattle. Romy says she’d be happy to have you stay with her if you don’t want to be stuck in a hotel.”

Ebony smiled. “Back home to Seattle.”

Juno grinned. “Word. Obe and I will come up for the holidays so you won’t be alone, but we can’t actually be there for the performance, sadly.”

“Atlas Tigris is the chairman of the event. He told me that if the performance goes well, he might need you for more charity events and has offered to pay you twice the going rate. You can do this, Ebony, you could do it in your sleep, and working for the Tigri family comes with immense benefits. Their step-dad, Stanley Duggan, is a heavy hitter in the music industry, and he’s a sweetheart too.”

“You don’t have to sell me on this, I’m in. When is the gig?”

“December 20^th, for the fundraiser, but Atlas may need you for the New Year’s Eve party too. Think you can handle that?”

Ebony felt a wave of relief flood over her. Worrying about the pregnancy could wait until after this. “I can handle it.” she grinned at her friends. “I won’t let you down.”

Seattle

Atlas Tigri glanced at the clock. Almost ten p.m. Even when he had been in pharmaceuticals, he’d never worked this late, this often.

“It’s because you’re doing something you love,” his brother Mateo had once said to him mildly. “You’re going to go that extra mile.”

Mateo was right. Ever since Atlas had decided to set up this facility to take care of battered men and women who needed surgical and medical help, he’d been putting in twenty-hour days but never once felt exhausted.

The only time he felt lonely was when he spent time with his friends, Romy and Blue. Both surgeons, they were madly in love with the other. They welcomed him as part of their family, but as much as he adored them, their happiness made him realize how much he missed having someone in his life. Someone for just him.

His family was his life. His twin brother Mateo was the person he was closest to; he shared not just the same glorious handsome face, black curls and green eyes with Atlas, but a similar personality – although Mateo tended to be louder than Atlas. Mateo had a seven-year-old son, Fino, whose mother had dumped the newborn on Mateo and taken off, never to be heard from again. Mateo adored Fino, and his son worshipped his father.

Seeing them together made Atlas yearn for kids of his own, but the truth was, he didn’t have time to seek a partner out. At various fundraisers for the facility, he’d attracted the attention of some of Seattle’s socialites, but he just couldn’t create a spark that wasn’t there. He found them shallow and vapid.

“Hey, you. Still awake?”

Romy Sasse was at the door to his office now, her long hair pulled up into a messy ponytail, spots of fresh blood on her white coat. She flopped into a chair opposite him. Atlas studied her pale, drawn face.

“You okay?”

“Just had an emergency brought in. Women got cut up pretty badly by her ex. Asshole.” Romy’s jaw tightened. “She didn’t make it.”

“God, I’m sorry, Romy.” Atlas saw how exhausted his friend looked. Romy had given birth to twins only three months previously but had eschewed most of her maternity leave. Now Atlas wondered if she regretted leaving her job at Rainier Hope Hospital to come here. It wasn’t like she got paid to do this – not that Romy or her husband needed the money.

For the last nine months, she had worked tirelessly with Atlas to set up this center for abused partners, and for the most part, they knew they had done a great thing for Seattle. Days like today, though, and Romy looked downhearted. “You can’t save them all, Romy.” Atlas got up and poured her a cup of hot coffee. Romy took it gratefully.

“I know, boss.” She sighed, sipping her drink. “Look, let’s focus on something else. Harriet told me that everything is planned for the fundraiser?”

Atlas smiled. “It is indeed. Juno called me, told me her singer friend was all set.”

“Ebony? That’s great…honestly, Atlas, when you hear her sing…she’s incredible. Such a lovely person too.”

“Stanley told me she had impressed some recording people in L.A. but they didn’t pick up her option because she wouldn’t change her genre to pop?”

“That’s right.”

“Good for her, sticking to her guns. Shows integrity.”

Romy nodded. “You got that right.” She ran a hand over her face. “Good, so it’s all settled.” She glanced at the clock. “Do you mind if I take off? Clark’s in to cover, and my babies will already be asleep.”

“Of course, small fry.”

Romy grinned at him. “And you go home too, Atlas. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how late you’ve been working.”

“I haven’t got the impetus to go home as much as you,” he brushed away her concern but got to his feet anyway. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Mateo was still awake and eating a ridiculously overstuffed sandwich in their huge kitchen when Atlas walked in. He offered the other half to Atlas, who, suddenly starving, thanked him.

“How’s business?” Mateo asked, his mouth full. Atlas’s brother’s curls were even shaggier and in need of a cut than Atlas’s own. He wore a simple white cotton shirt, even in the middle of a Seattle winter. Mateo’s business, wine importing, took him all over the world, and he still retained a tan from a family holiday in Italy. The twin’s mother was Italian, and their elder sister, Clelia, lived in Sorrento with her husband and five children.

“How’s Fino?”

Mateo grinned. “He aced his test today. Molly says she’s never had a harder-working kid. Sometimes I wonder if I do the right thing, homeschooling him, but it’s the only way I can do my job and still see him every day. Do you think I’m selfish?”

Atlas got up to grab a beer from the refrigerator. “Not at all. Fino’s the most well balanced child I’ve ever met.” He grinned at his brother. “Just please, don’t go and screw Molly, like you did the last one.”

“Oops.” Mateo drained his beer and Atlas groaned.

“Really?”

Mateo sat forward, his smile fading. “Okay, I’ll come clean. I’m crazy about her, Atlas. I swear, nothing happened for a couple of months, but when we were in Italy…I don’t know. Something happened to us, a moment. We talked about it, what the implications were and decided we couldn’t do anything about it, for Fino’s sake.”

“So, what changed?”

Mateo sat back, regarding his brother with a steady gaze. “I fell in love with her.”

Atlas’ eyebrows shot up. Now there was a word Mateo didn’t use often, particularly not in conjunction with women. He wooed them swiftly and just as swiftly moved on.

“Yes, love,” Mateo repeated, undoubtedly noticing Atlas’ expression. “Not just because she’s gorgeous, Atlas – although let’s face it, she is – but when we talk, we really talk. No barriers. She doesn’t treat me like the rich boy playing at being a dad. She encourages me, she adores Fino, and she pushes him too, to the best of his abilities.”

His voice gravelly with emotion, Mateo smiled a little shyly. “We decided that we would take things slowly – Fino is the priority, after all. But, god, Atlas…I think about her all the time.”

“Calm down, bro,” Atlas laughed and punched his brother lightly on the shoulder. “It’s about time. Go for it. We all love Molly – even Clelia, which is a modern miracle.”

Both brothers laughed – their older sister was fiercely protective of them, to the point of being blunt and rude to people she thought were taking advantage of the twins’ good natures.

Mateo nodded, his eyes shining. “I think I would like to make it formal, Atlas. Bring it out into the open. We have to tell Fino first, of course, and it’s really his opinion that counts here. And yours, of course,” he added hurriedly.

Atlas grinned. “You have my blessing, bro, but what the hell do I know about love?”

Atlas lay awake until just after midnight. Mateo had been the one who had always slept around – his drop-dead gorgeous looks making sure that he could have any women he wanted – but when Fino had come along, Atlas had seen his brother grow up overnight, becoming a man. Now, he was clearly crazy about the lovely Molly. Yeah, you go for it, bro. If she’s the one, go for it. He was proud of his twin.

Atlas turned over, trying to find sleep. He wasn’t someone who dwelled on his single status, but lately, he’d been feeling it.

You’re a billionaire, you have the looks, the charm…why is love so hard to find? Atlas shook his head. Because I want a best friend as well as a lover, someone who gets me.

He sighed, turned over and tried to get some sleep.

Chapter Two

Ebony stepped off the plane and walked quickly through the airport. In the Arrivals hall, she saw Romy waiting for her and waved excitedly. Romy threw her arms around her. “Hey, girl. Thank you so much for doing this.”

“So good to see you, Romy.” Ebony hugged her back. She’d only met Romy a few times since Juno had married her brother, but she liked the petite brunette very much. “And I’m so flattered to be asked to perform for you.”

“You’re going to blow them away. Now, I do have to warn you, Zach and Rosa are screaming the place down at the moment. We’ve put you at the far end of the house, but we can always arrange a hotel suite for you.”

“I don’t want to be any trouble.”

Romy rolled her eyes and smiled. “Girl, I’ve been dying for some girl talk. Grace tries, but you know, she’s five.”

Ebony laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

Sitting around the Allende’s dinner table over homemade lasagna, surrounded by three gorgeous kids and her two friends, Ebony felt a pang of longing. This family was so happy, so loving, that Ebony wondered if she would ever find anything as good.

“Child, calm yourself. Jeez.” Romy wrestled with a very wriggly Zach.

Blue took his son from his wife and immediately Zach chilled out, smiling up at his father. Romy rolled her eyes. “I swear you’re the child whisperer, Blue.” She grinned at Ebony. “Are you excited about tomorrow?”

Ebony nodded. “Excited and nervous. I hope Mr. Tigri approves of the set list.”

“I’m sure he will, especially when he hears your voice. And he’ll insist on you calling him Atlas, by the way.”

“That’s different,” Ebony remarked. “What’s he like?”

“Atlas? The sweetest. When we were at school together, he and Arti’s husband Dan were everybody’s school crush – along with Mateo. That’s Atlas’s identical twin, and when you see Atlas, you’ll know why that’s only a good thing.”

“Ahem,” coughed Blue.

“You’re still my number one,” snickered Romy, then groaned as Rosa spit up on her. “Oh, great timing, kiddo.”

“I’ll get the cloth, Mama.” Grace Allende, a shy, intelligent girl with a concerted crush on Ebony, darted off and came right back.

“I don’t know how you do it all, Romy,” Ebony said, watching her friend tidy herself up and wipe her younger daughter’s mouth.

“We are a well coiled machine,” Gracie said proudly, making the adults laugh.

“Oiled, not coiled, sweetie.” Romy said, kissing the top of Gracie’s head. “But she’s right. It just works. Sure, it’s exhausting with newborns, but worth every moment. And I have the two best helpers in the world.”

Blue grinned at Ebony. “What about you? Anyone on the horizon?”

Ebony shook her head. “Happily single. Concentrating on my career.”

“Good for you,” Blue said, but then stroked a hand down Romy’s hair, twisting a lock of it around his fingers. Ebony could have cried at the love in his eyes as he gazed at his wife. Oh, to have that, she thought.

She woke up early the next day and found the whole family in the kitchen. Romy grinned at her. “Atlas just called. He’s sending a car for you at ten a.m. and wondered if that was too early. I heard the shower running, so I told him that was okay – was I right to?”

“Definitely.” Ebony felt nervous all of a sudden.

“I must give you a key,” Romy said, grabbing her purse. “We’re heading out about nine to drop Gracie off at kindergarten.”

“I can count this much!” Gracie informed her, holding both hands out. “One, two, three …”

“Don’t get her started or we’ll never leave the house,” Romy warned, handing Ebony a key. “Help yourself to anything you need. You have my number – I’m sorry I can’t be there for your meeting with Atlas.”

“It’s no problem. Honestly, you’ve done enough.”

As the various members of the family were rounded up, Ebony sat quietly in the kitchen, sipping a cup of decaf in deference to the pregnancy she was trying not to think about. The sudden lack of chatter was peaceful, but at the same time, oddly lonely.

At ten a.m. sharp, a navy-blue Mercedes pulled up to the gates of the Allende home and Ebony buzzed him through. She went slowly down the front steps of the mansion, feeling oddly out of place. The driver got out of the car and Ebony drew in a sharp breath. If even the chauffeurs were this gorgeous…he was tall, had wild dark curls and merry green eyes and a smile that lit up his handsome face.

“Miss Verlaine?”

Ebony smiled at him. “That’s me. Nice to meet you.”

The driver opened the passenger door for her and Ebony was relieved. She would hate to sit in the back seat like some rich mukety-muck. The driver helped her in, and she thanked him.

As he sat in the driver’s seat, she breathed in the scent of his cologne: clean linen and fresh air. He grinned around at her. “I hear you’re from these parts.”

Ebony nodded, hearing an accent in his voice, but unable to place it. “Born and bred, although sadly, all my family is either gone or scattered. My brother lives in New Orleans.”

“I know – he’s married to Juno, Romy told me.”

Ebony was a little confused. He was very forward to be a driver. Maybe that’s how it worked in Atlas Tigri’s world—Romy had said he was a sweetheart—unless…

“I’m really sorry, I should have asked your name. Forgive my rudeness.”

The driver laughed, and something flipped in Ebony’s stomach. God, he was gorgeous…

“No problem. Atlas Tigri, at your service.”

Ebony felt her face burn. “God, I’m sorry, Mr. Tigri, I thought…Romy said you were sending a car, not picking me up yourself.”

Atlas grinned. “Atlas, please. I changed my mind, thought it would break the ice faster to come get you myself. I hope that’s okay.”

Oh, god, yes. Ebony smiled at him. “That explains the accent. Italian.”

“Yes, indeed. So, now that we’ve met officially, would you spend the day with me, Miss Verlaine? I thought I would show you the facility then take you to lunch. After that, we can go to the party venue and talk more about your performance.”

“Ebony, please, and that sounds perfect.”

On the way to the Haven facility, Ebony was impressed even more with Atlas Tigri – it became apparent very quickly that he wasn’t just a rich, pretty boy, but someone really passionate about helping victims of domestic abuse. “I wanted somewhere, a safe space for abuse victims to go and get the medical help they needed, but also the psychiatric help, the comfort, compassion,” he told her as they pulled up to the building. It was sleek and modern, but also had a warm atmosphere to it, which Atlas commented on as they walked up the steps, greeted by various employees with friendly nods.

“I want this placed to be somewhere they feel secure, well fed, warm. It needs to be somewhere they can regroup and plan the next steps in their lives. A kind of home, if you will.” He smiled at her ruefully. “It’s grown far beyond what I envisioned, and quickly, too. We now have lawyers on hand, as well as top surgeons, such as Romy. I’m also hoping, eventually, to be able to rehouse people, but at the moment, my accountants won’t let me fund that.”

There was a flash of real frustration in his green eyes and if Ebony had missed it, his next words made it clear it wasn’t imaginary. “It’s my money. I should be able to use it for any purpose,” he muttered, sounding distinctly less rich financier than frustrated philanthropist. “But that’s why I have financial counsel, to make sure there’s money available for many years.”

She nodded, walking inside the building as he held the door for her. “Long-term planning instead of a flash in the pan.”

“Precisely.” He stepped in and smiled at one of the residents as she walked by, a look of tension on her face that relaxed under Atlas’ warm smile. “We’re not struggling by any means, but this fundraiser will bring in vital money for supplies, food, medicine. If it goes well, we may make it a regular thing.”

Moved beyond words, Ebony looked around as they walked through the clean, freshly painted hallways, to some of the residential halls. The rooms, though dormitory style, were painted in warm colors, decorated with carefully curated artwork that made them feel simultaneously homey and stylish.

Ebony’s eyes glistened at the obvious care that had gone into the smallest detail. “It’s incredible, Atlas…wow.”

“We never have enough beds,” he told her soberly, “and it breaks my heart.”

Impulsively, she rested her hand on his forearm and looked up into his handsome face. “What you’ve done here—beside the physical appearance of things, all the programs you offer, the highly trained staff, the overall dedication to helping them help themselves—” she shook her head. “It’s incredible, Atlas. Far and beyond the expected or even the usually possible. But you can’t save everybody.”

Atlas laughed softly, lightly covering her hand with his own and sending a tendril of warmth straight into Ebony’s heart. “Romy tells me that all the time.” His smile faded. “We had an emergency brought in the other night, and Romy had to operate. The victim didn’t make it. That’s the hardest part of all of this.”

“But you’re making a difference,” she said intently, keeping her gaze locked with his. He was mesmerizing, this man; a mirror of sorts to this facility where the exterior was as handsome as everything inside. Ebony felt a surge of adrenaline, inspired by this man’s heart, by his vision. “It’s incredible, Atlas, it really is. Any way I can help, even if it is just by singing for you, I’d love to be a part of it. I know, from working with GRF, how a foundation can change a life. It changed mine when I met Livia Chatelaine. It changed forever, and I’m just a singer.”

“You’re not just a singer, Ebony. You bring pleasure to people with your natural gift.”

“You haven’t even heard me sing yet,” she flushed but felt the shift in atmosphere between them. Suddenly there was a tension, and she could feel his body heat. For a long moment, they gazed at each other, then Atlas smiled, his eyes soft.

“I can’t wait to hear you,” he said softly and touched a finger to her cheek. Her skin burned where he made contact, and her stomach was filled with butterflies. “I can’t wait.”

He took her for lunch to an independent burger joint, and she loved that he had no airs, enjoying the fast food as much as she did, chatting easily. She took her time to study him; the way he dressed, a dark blue sweater which brought out the color of his green eyes, blue jeans which highlighted his long, slim legs and – much to Ebony’ approval – a firm, tight bubble-butt. It was his eyes which really drew her, though. The color of them, so bright against the thick, long, black eyelashes which she wanted to brush her fingers across. They were so dark that they made him look as if he were wearing eyeliner. His face, boyish, with rounded cheeks, and his smile which made her weak.

Do not get a crush on him, she warned herself, then realized it was too late. To be fair, Atlas Tigri was flirty, funny, and held her gaze for a beat too long when they talked. She was used to being noticed by men, but this was somehow totally different.

Built like a pocket Venus, Ebony was all curves, her dark skin glowing with vitality, her face a callback to 1940’s glamour; something she played up by styling her hair in the style of Josephine Baker. When she performed, she would slip into skin-tight flapper dresses which highlighted her curves. But off-duty, she was pretty much a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.

Now, as she looked at this man in front of her, she felt her entire body ache for him. She wondered what he would be like in bed; if he unleashed all that wild Italian sexuality or was more reserved. She wondered how he would look naked, how his cock would feel inside of her…

Jesus, stop. She could feel herself getting wet and tried to distract herself by talking about her set list for the party. It was difficult when Atlas was looking at her like he wanted to fuck her right there, though.

Somehow she forced herself back into the conversation. “I have a mix of jazz standards and original pieces planned, but we can arrange them any way you want. If you’d prefer a set of songs that your guests would recognize, we can do that. Or, as another idea, I could do jazz versions of modern classics.”

“I love that idea,” Atlas nodded. “I can see you doing some jazz Pearl Jam.”

They both laughed, and Ebony nodded. “I never thought of them as classic, but if that’s your jam, so to speak, I can make it work.”

“I bet you could.”

There was a pause, a beat where they just smiled at each other. Ebony laughed softly. “How is it I feel I’ve known you for more than a few hours, Atlas?”

He smiled. “That crazy thing called chemistry.”

“That must be it.”

They gazed at each other for a long moment before Atlas leaned over and kissed the side of her mouth. “Mustard.”

Ebony snickered, her body tingling with anticipation. “Of course, thank you.”

Atlas cupped her face in his palm. “Can I tell you you're beautiful without sounding like a creep?”

“You just did,” she whispered and moaned softly as he pressed his lips to hers again. This time, the kiss went on and on until they were both breathless and trembling. Atlas drew away, taking her hands in his.

“I don’t want to take advantage,” he said in a low voice. “Nor do I want to behave unprofessionally or put you in a position where you feel uncomfortable. The party is in two days…”

He didn’t have to finish his sentence. As much as Ebony wanted him right here, right now, she agreed with him. They needed to press pause on whatever this was until after the fundraiser. She kissed him again. “I understand, and I agree, Atlas.” She grinned. “After all, isn’t anticipation sexy?”

He nuzzled his nose to hers. “It is. As sexy as you are, and that’s so goddamn sexy I could cry.”

They both laughed then. “Come on, Tigri, let’s go see this party venue.”

As they were walking out of the restaurant, Atlas stopped her. “We might be being grown-up and sensible about this, but I have to warn you. I’ll be stealing kisses whenever I can.”

Ebony laughed, feeling so at ease with this gorgeous man. She slipped her hand into his. “You can’t steal something that would be given willingly.”

He immediately pressed his lips to hers. God, he tasted so good, and the way his lips moved against hers sent vibrations through her entire body. She wanted to tell him to fuck her now and fuck her hard, but she kept her countenance – just. The thought of after the party, of being naked with him, of his cock plunging into her. She shivered. Atlas smiled at her. “Cold?”

“No. Just…anticipation.” Summoning her courage, she slid her hand down to his groin. God, he was huge and ramrod-hard.

His green eyes were now dark and hungry as he lifted her hand away and turned it palm-side up, kissing it heatedly. “Soon, baby.”

Her skin went up in flames at the touch of his lips and she immediately imagined them so many other places. “Soon.”

They made it across town somehow, their hands increasingly wandering over one another, their lips meeting frequently. Walking into one of Seattle’s most exclusive and expensive hotels, they were forced to stop until the elevator, at least, which they took full advantage of.

By the time they reached the penthouse, Ebony’s legs were like jello from his passionate, tender kisses. He held her hand with warm possession as they walked into the beautiful space and she immediately spotted the small but well-situated stage. Not much could have derailed her thoughts from Atlas at that point, but music had always held the upper hand in Ebony’s world and it reasserted itself just enough now that she managed to step away, assessing her performance space.

Walking back and forth, she mentally mapped where she would stand, where instruments might be, the distance between herself and the audience…“Will I meet the band beforehand?”

“Oh, yes, I’ve arranged for you to spend the day with them tomorrow if that’s okay. The hotel will bring you all food and refreshments all day, but Juno said you might need the day to arrange things with them.”

“That would be great, thank you. Just perfect—” Her eyes found the magnificent piano at last and she gasped. “Is that a Bösendorfer Imperial Grand?”

As she spoke, she was already walking over to run her fingers over the keys and knew as soon as she heard the depth of tone color that she hadn’t been mistaken. Swooning for an entirely different reason now, Ebony slid onto the seat and played a few bars.

“My accountants had fits,” he whispered into her ear. “But after Romy told me about your magnificent voice—and when I heard it for myself—there was no way I could stand for anything less.”

She sank into a slow melody, losing herself in the magic, as always, until he trailed his lips across her shoulder.

“Romy and Blue have asked me to come to dinner tomorrow night.”

Ebony moaned slightly, the collision of music and man—this man—making her dizzy with need.

“If you do that, I’m not going to be able to control myself.”

Atlas tipped her chin up and kissed her softly. “Come to dinner?”

“Oh God.” She closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again and reaching up to cover his hand with her own. “I want you, Atlas Tigri, but we made a deal. Unless you want me to leave you with blue balls,” she added with a mischievous grin.

Atlas groaned and rested his forehead against hers. “Woman, you just wait until the party is over. I’m going to rent a room in this place, and take you there. And believe me, you won’t be able to walk straight the next day.”

The marble floor suddenly looked like the most inviting mattress ever, but Ebony managed to get up and avoid the thought of being tumbled onto it. “I think we’d better go mingle with other people before we break our rule.”

Atlas stood but pulled her to him. “One last thing.”

Ebony smiled up at him, feeling his erect cock pressing against her belly. “And what’s that?”

He bent his head and kissed her thoroughly. “When I get you into bed, I’m going to fuck you so hard, woman, that you’ll see stars.”

She shivered. “You’d better keep that promise, Atlas Tigri.”

Her body felt as if it had been electrified, but later, back at Romy’s house, she had a stark reminder that her body was no longer just her own. Lying in bed, reading, and trying not to think about Atlas Tigri, a wave of nausea hit her just as she switched off her lamp, and she staggered to the little en-suite bathroom and threw up. She groaned, leaning her head against the cold tile. The nausea kept coming for the next two hours and eventually, Ebony heard the door to her bedroom creak open and Romy’s soft voice calling her.

“In here,” Ebony croaked, her throat sore from vomiting. Romy, her sweet face creased with worry, came in and crouched next to her.

“Sweetie, are you sick?”

Ebony tried to smile as Romy swept a hand onto her forehead. The coolness of Romy’s fingers felt nice against her hot skin. “Must have eaten something at lunchtime that didn’t agree with me.”

“Hmm. I don’t think you’re feverish, but you feel hot. Can I get you some Pepto?”

Ebony didn’t know if Pepto was good for pregnant women, so she shook her head. “Honestly, I think it’s just a bad oyster.”

“You had oysters?”

“No.” Ebony suddenly laughed. “But I’m okay, really. My stomach’s settling down now.”

Romy helped Ebony back to bed, but Ebony could see she was worried. “Honestly, Romy, I’m fine.”

Romy hesitated. “I’ll be just down the hallway if you need me.”

“Thanks, honey. I’m sorry to wake you.”

“No problem, I was awake for the twins anyway. I won’t miss the midnight feeds, I can tell you. Night, sweetheart.”

“Night, Romy.”

As her friend slipped away, leaving Ebony alone once more, she wondered if she should confide in Romy about her pregnancy. She hadn’t told anyone yet, and it was eating away at her. Today. Atlas had been a wonderful distraction, and she couldn’t wait to see him again – and certainly, the thought of a night with him was making her excited. But she couldn’t ignore what was happening to her for much longer.

No, I don’t want to think about this, she thought resolutely. Not tonight. Give me these next few days and then I promise, we’ll figure it out. Ebony realized she already thought of her child as a person, as them both as a team, and sighed. It would make it so much harder for her to decide what to do about the baby.

She turned onto her side and closed her eyes, and dreamed of Atlas Tigri, smiling at her as if he loved her, and holding their child.

Chapter Three

Fino Tigri looked between his father and his uncle. Mateo shrugged at his son. “I think he heard you, Cucciolo, but I’m not sure. Atlas?”

Atlas blinked and broke his reverie. “I’m sorry, I was thinking of…nevermind.”

“What could you have been thinking about, I wonder…” Mateo smirked knowingly. “Fino was asking you a question.”

Atlas turned to his nephew who was spooning cereal into his mouth at a rapid speed. “Sorry, Fino. I missed what you said.”

Fino grinned at his uncle. “I just asked if you were looking forward to seeing Papi and Vita. Bella texted me to tell me to tell me she’s going to take me horse-riding.”

“Sure, I am.” Atlas exchanged a loaded glance with Mateo, whose expression was no longer mischievous.

‘Papi’ was the twin’s step-father, Stanley, and Fino adored both him and Stanley’s step-daughter, Bella. Stanley’s wife, Vita, was an entirely different prospect, unfortunately. She was the very definition of a gold digger, having married Stanley mere weeks after the death of her first husband. Stan, mild-mannered and kind, had himself been reeling from the death of the twin’s mother from cancer, and both Atlas and Mateo had been shocked at his quick wedding.

He’d apologized to them on the day of his wedding. “I need a distraction,” he said, shrugging hopelessly, “because it just hurts too damn much.”

The twins had accepted his new wife, mostly because of her daughter, Bella; a shy, awkward teenager, who suffered at the hands of her mother’s ambitions for her. Vita was constantly bugging Stanley to sign Bella to his record label despite her tone-deaf voice and utter lack of desire to be in the music industry. Atlas and Mateo had taken her under their wing, shielding her from the constant belittling of her mother and she, in turn, adored them and Fino.

Stanley’s own biological son was another tricky situation. Cormac Duggan was a billionaire in his own right, working on Wall Street, and he had little time for the two beautiful Italian twins, thinking of them as pretty playboys and nothing more. Atlas had tried to reach out to him for Stan’s sake, but Mateo had told his twin not to bother.

“He’s a jerk, At. Don’t waste your time.”

Atlas knew there had almost been a fight once between Mateo and Cormac, but Mateo would never tell him the details. “It was nothing, brother.”

So, when Cormac announced he would be spending Christmas with them, Mateo had rolled his eyes but said nothing. To his credit, the one person Cormac was devoted to was Fino, who adored the older man. Mateo didn’t understand it, but shrugged it off.

Atlas heard a female voice and then Molly, Fino’s tutor, and Mateo’s love, her sweet face breaking out into a smile, came into the kitchen. A tall, willowy blonde, Molly had been a godsend for Fino, who had struggled to connect with any of the other tutors Mateo had tried. Molly had changed all of that, and now, as Atlas watched his brother stand to greet her with a hug (no kissing in front of Fino yet, clearly), he could see the love in his brother’s eyes and immediately thought of Ebony Verlaine.

Christ, she was so sexy, it killed him. Not only that, but she was bright, and funny and kind, and everything he had been looking for. He told himself to calm down, step back, but if he was honest with himself, it was taking all his strength not to call her right now and say ‘Hang the fundraiser, let’s spend the day in bed.’

Atlas smiled at Molly, dragging his thoughts away from Ebony’s magnificent body. “You’ll be spending Christmas with us, I hope.”

Molly smiled shyly, and Mateo nodded. “I already asked her.” Mateo turned back to Molly, who was gazing at him with utter adoration. “You’re part of this family now, Mols.” He drew his finger down her cheek gently.

They were so sweet Atlas felt like he was intruding. With a smile, he stood up. “Well, I’d better get to work. Molly, we’d love to have you for the holidays – and I hope Mateo is bringing you to the fundraiser tomorrow?”

Molly nodded shyly, and Mateo grinned. “You bet your a…butt I am.” Atlas laughed as Fino giggled at his dad’s near cussing.

“See you later, kids.”

On the drive into the city, he noticed snow was beginning to fall and smiled. Fino would love a white Christmas. When he and Mateo were younger, they would always have winters in Italy, where the weather was much warmer, so even at thirty-five, Atlas loved the prospect of a picture-perfect Christmas. Last winter, he had spent some time in the Olympic Mountains, where he had run into his old friend Romy.

What a life-changing meeting that was, he thought now. And how far they had come. He loved working with his old friend and was eternally grateful that she had given up a surgeon’s salary to come help him build the Haven. She was so much more than just his Chief of Surgery. She was family, and part of Haven’s very heart. He was looking forward to dinner tonight, with Romy, Blue, and Ebony.

His mind drifted back to the beautiful young singer. She could only be twenty-four, a decade younger than himself. Was the age-gap going to be a barrier? He didn’t think so. Their shared sense of humor, at least on yesterday’s evidence, defied any generational misgivings.

He couldn’t wait to see her again.

At Haven, however, his attention was taken up entirely as a young woman, beaten and stabbed by her abusive husband, was rushed into the operating theater where Romy desperately tried to save her life.

“Mr. Tigri?”

Atlas wasn’t an angry man by any stretch, but the interruption in the middle of life or death surgery—not that he was helping, standing helplessly by watching, praying – disturbed him. Checking his temper, he turned to the security guard questioningly.

“I’m very sorry,” Noah Valdez said hastily. “But we have a…situation. It’s unnerving some of the residents and the police have been delayed.”

“Go,” Romy said tersely, not looking up from the table, and Atlas didn’t dare distract her by arguing.

Still in the scrubs he’d donned to observe, he strode outside and found a man in his late twenties, railing at the security guards, his face distorted with fury as he screamed to be let inside.

“My wife is in there, and I want to see her!” he shouted as he spotted Atlas. “Now, motherfucker.”

“I don’t think so.” The anger he so rarely felt now moved through Atlas like ice as he contemplated the piece of shit who had put Romy’s patient on the operating table. “In fact, since I’ve called the police, I think it very likely you’re about to be arrested for her attempted murder. You stabbed your wife seventeen times. And you expect us to let you in? You’re lucky I don’t put you in the ground, motherfucker.”

He knew he shouldn’t be saying this stuff to the man, that he should let the police deal with him, but it was rare the abuser turned up at Haven. Was the man an idiot?

The assailant narrowed his eyes at her. “I did no such thing…I found her like that.”

Atlas’s eyes swept over the man’s hands. “And those cuts and bruises on your own hands?” He grabbed the man’s arm as the man reached into his pocket.

The man screamed in pain as Atlas squeezed hard. He would have been more than happy to crack the bastard’s ulna clean in two, to leave him writhing on the floor wailing, but fortunately the Haven security guards intervened and hauled the husband away. As they pulled backwards and he let go with extreme reluctance, a bloody knife skittered to the floor from beneath the guy’s hoodie. In the distance, sirens began approaching.

“You’re about to be arrested for attempted murder,” Atlas growled at the man, his fists balled up tightly. “Don’t make it worse for yourself.”

Romy appeared by Atlas’s side, wearing bloodied scrubs. “Make that murder,” she said in a dead voice. “Kiersten didn’t make it.”

Kiersten’s killer smirked and before he could help himself, Atlas landed a powerful punch to the side of the man’s head, knocking him backwards and onto the concrete. He lunged forward, intent on breaking the guy’s arm, face, whatever he could reach, even as Romy shouted for him to stop.

“Atlas! This isn’t helping!” She dragged him away with all the strength in her small body as the man cussed them out.

“Fuck! Fuck you, and fuck that bitch. I’ll kill all of you, all of you. You, pretty doc, want me to gut you like I did her? My fucking pleasure…”

So much for being the usual soul of calm. Atlas erupted in a white fury and it took three huge police officers to eventually manhandle him away. Romy bore him off while the police arrested the killer and a few minutes later, while Atlas was still spitting nails, a detective came to interview them both.

“He could press charges of assault, Mr. Tigri, but as he had just threatened your life, I can’t see them sticking.”

“He didn’t just threaten me, he threatened Doctor Sasse. He threatened to do to her what he did to his now deceased wife.” Atlas’s protective instincts had always been hardwired, but the notion that anyone would lay a finger on Romy in anything other than kindness made him livid. “He’s a sick fuck.”

“No doubt, but we have to follow due process. We’ll need access to the body, and to your premises while we investigate.”

“Of course, whatever you need,” Romy told him. Her hand was on Atlas’s back, rubbing him, comforting him. Atlas drew a deep breath in as the detective left them alone. He marshalled his temper at last, embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, Romy. Such behavior is acceptable from no one. I just saw red. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She nodded, letting his arm go at last. “Just upset at losing another one. But, that’s what I signed up for. We knew this kind of thing was a possibility.”

Atlas shook his head, grief for the dead young woman leaving him as numb as he’d been furious. Always even keeled, unaccustomed to such mood swings, he found himself suddenly exhausted. “Blue’s going to kill me for putting you in danger.”

“You didn’t do anything,” Romy replied. “I chose this job. I knew the dangers. Besides, our fortress home is just that. You know how Blue is about our family’s security.”

“I think we should go ahead and escalate our protection at Haven.”

“Well, let’s see what the police think. In the meantime, let me fix your hand up.”

Romy didn’t know whether to tell Blue about the incident later, and when he came home in a good mood because of a successful surgery, she decided against it. Also, she didn’t want to scare Ebony. When she got home, she knocked at Ebony’s door. “Eb? Honey, how are you feeling today?”

Ebony opened the door, smiling. “I’m good. Must have just been a bad burger or something. Look, can I help you with dinner? I feel bad just sitting around.”

“Actually, that would be wonderful if you don’t mind. I want to get the kids fed and in bed by the time Atlas gets here.”

She said nothing when Ebony’s face flamed scarlet, too tired to ask questions just yet. As they both worked in the kitchen, Ebony smiled at Romy. “I thought all billionaires had staff.”

Romy laughed wearily. “Oh, Blue has staff, but we don’t like to have people around us permanently, especially during family time. Obviously, we have our nanny, who is wonderful, and essential if I want to work, but both Blue and I love to cook. So, no fancy schmancy chefs for us. Speaking of fancy, I hope Atlas treated you well yesterday.”

“He’s a great guy,” Ebony said. “So much fun and I’m really looking forward to the fundraiser.”

“Not your typical billionaire, is he?” Romy noted, still shocked at Atlas’ anger earlier. It was a side of him she’d never known existed.

“Not at all. He brought me to Haven, and I have to say, the work you both do there…so inspiring.”

“Thank you. So, you got along great?”

Ebony nodded, and this time Romy hid a smile at the two pink spots high on her friend’s cheeks. While it hadn’t been her intention to play matchmaker, if Atlas and Ebony got along, she would love to see her two friends happy. Ebony could only benefit from having such a devoted partner, and Atlas had long needed a good woman by his side. She knew what Blue would say. He would roll his eyes and tell her that she couldn’t make everyone in the world love each other.

If only I could, she thought now, and her mind flew back to the horrific incident earlier. Another woman lost to her partner’s violent jealousy. Romy’s own experience with her murderous ex was never far from the surface, still after almost six years. Dacre Mortimer had vowed to kill her, had killed several women in order to get to her. She had to remind herself every day that Dacre was dead and couldn’t hurt her anymore. Ironically, it hadn’t even been Dacre who had almost killed her in the end. It had been Blue’s stepbrother Gaius, insanely jealous of his brother, who had shot Romy in an attempt to make his half-brother suffer.

“I’m still here.” That’s what she told herself every morning, and she murmured it to herself now as the door opened and Grace came in, yelling happily, to greet her and Ebony.

Blue came home from the hospital early, as he had promised, and as the nanny fed Grace, he and Romy sneaked off to their room to ‘get changed for dinner.’ Of course, the second the door was closed – and locked – they were the parents of a five-year-old, after all – Blue’s fingers were at the zipper of Romy’s dress. Romy enjoyed his lips against her skin as he kissed her then, and as she freed his cock from his pants, she smiled up at him before falling to her knees and taking him in her mouth. She sucked and teased him until his cock was quivering and rock-hard, then Blue lifted her and lay her on the bed, hitching her legs around his waist and stroking his cock into her ready and swollen cunt.

Romy moaned with pleasure as they made love, Blue kissing her passionately, leaving her breathless. She would never get tired of this, never get tired of his glorious body, the way he loved her. The way he looked at her when he was inside her…

“I love you so much,” she whispered to him, and Blue nuzzled her nose with his.

“You are the reason I breathe in and out every day,” he said simply. “You are my world, Romulus.”

She started to giggle, and Blue grinned, watching her breasts jiggling with obvious appreciation. Then she was coming and gasping his name, arching her back up, pressing her breasts and belly against his body. Blue groaned, his cum shooting deep into her belly. Collapsing together, they kissed as they caught their breath. Blue stroked the hair back from his wife’s face.

“You know, when the kids are a little older, we should try and get away, just the two of us. Even for a weekend.”

Romy nodded. “I would love that. Mom and Stuart would kill to have the kids.”

“For two whole days?” Blue grinned as Romy laughed.

“Let’s be honest; Gracie would actually be the one in charge.”

“Our little adult,” Blue said fondly. He studied his wife. “Are you okay?”

Romy nodded. “Yes, of course. Why’d you ask?”

Blue traced a little line between her eyes. “Haven’t seen this for a while. Not for a few years.”

“I was frowning?”

“Well, not right now, but when I came home, there was a moment. I might have imagined it.”

Tell him. Romy swallowed hard and shook her head. Blue still hadn’t forgiven himself for her near-death years ago, though he had been in no way to blame and had actually saved her life. Why resurrected old nightmares? “I do have a small headache, so it was probably that.”

“Can I get you some aspirin?”

“I’m fine, honey, it’ll go when we have dinner. Speaking of which, we’d better get ready.”

They showered together, taking way too long, kissing and caressing each other then got dressed slowly. Romy shimmied into a lilac tea-dress that she knew Blue loved her in and left her long dark hair down, pulled over one shoulder. Light make-up and she was ready. She turned to see Blue watching her.

“Come here.”

She went to him, and he kissed her. “I love you, Dr. Sasse.”

Romy gazed up at her husband and wondered how she had been so lucky as to have found him. “I love you, Doc. Let’s go and have fun with our friends.”

Chapter Four

Ebony, wearing a dark red dress, her short, dark hair combed into a bob, and a long gold chain around her neck, was both nervous and excited about seeing Atlas again. She wondered if she’d somehow managed to imagine the sizzling chemistry between them, but then he walked in the door and the heat crackled immediately once again.

His green eyes met hers, warm with desire that he reined in as he simply leaned in and kissed her cheek. That small gesture alone left Ebony trembling with need.

She breathed in the scent of his expensive cologne, woody and spicy, and felt her pulse quicken. “Tomorrow night,” she whispered.

Atlas brushed his fingers over her jaw, leaving no doubt that if there hadn’t been an audience a few feet away he would have been kissing her thoroughly. “Tomorrow.”

At dinner, which was a fun, laid-back affair, Ebony sat with her friends and felt happier than she had in a long time. Atlas was sitting next to her and not hiding the chemistry between them as if they had known each other for years, and she was grateful to him for that.

“Listen,” he was saying to Romy and Blue now. “Christmas. Are you going to the cabin?”

Blue shook his head. “No, Arti and Dan are taking Grey up this year, and we didn’t want to intrude. So, it’ll probably be a quiet one at home.”

“In that case, I’d like to invite you all to come celebrate with us at the house. We have a houseful already – Stan’s there, and I believe the Angel of Death is showing his face as well.”

Ebony raised an eyebrow curiously and mouthed Death? to Romy, who shook her head.

“Well, you make it sound unmissable,” said Blue dryly. “I assume you’re speaking about the always delightful Cormac?”

“The very one.” Atlas grinned. “Mateo’s delighted as you might guess. But Vida is less annoying at Christmas, I’ll admit, and I know Fino, Mateo, and Stan would love for you to be there.”

“Done and done,” Romy said as Blue nodded.

Atlas looked at Ebony. “Yes?”

“Me what?”

“You, Christmas, us …” he gestured at everyone at the table. “Together.”

As elated as she was surprised, Ebony nodded slowly. “Of course. If I’m not imposing—”

“You’re part of our extended family now,” Atlas cut in, and the way he was looking at her, there was no way Romy and Blue didn’t notice, but Ebony didn’t care. “I’d love to, but I think Juno and Obe are coming from New Orleans.”

“Then they are invited too.” Beneath the table, his fingers grazed her knee. “Please come.”

Ebony couldn’t look away from Atlas’s gaze. “Then I’d love too.”

After dinner, Ebony noticed Romy and Blue excused themselves, a little pointedly, to take care of the dishes and left Ebony and Atlas alone in the living room. Atlas sat next to her, his arm along the back of the couch. Ebony had to resist the urge to snuggle with him.

Atlas glanced out of the room and risked leaning in to kiss her. “I thought about you all day,” he said softly, “and all night too.”

She traced her fingertip around his mouth. “Me too…when I wasn’t busy working with your band. What a great bunch of guys.”

“They are. Mike called me just before I left for here, telling me he’s never heard such a wonderful voice. Tomorrow night is going to be so special, Ebony…in more than one way.”

Ebony shivered in anticipation. Risking another kiss, she shimmied closer to him, and Atlas slid a hand up her thigh, his fingers coming perilously close to her hot sex. Ebony couldn’t help but grab his hand and pressed it between her legs.

“I want you so badly,” she whispered into his ear and heard his low rumble of laughter.

“If we don’t stop, I’m going to fuck you right here, right now, and that’s just not good dinner party etiquette.” But he kissed her back passionately, moaning when she squeezed his ramrod cock through his pants.

“Don’t make any plans for the day after tomorrow,” he said, “because we’re spending all day in bed and I’m going to kiss every inch of your heavenly skin, Ebony Verlaine. You have crept into my brain and the things I want to do to you…most of them are barely legal.” He said all this with a wicked grin on his face and Ebony felt herself getting wetter and wetter.

She leaned in. “The anticipation is killing me.”

“Me too.”

Romy and Blue made a lot of noise out in the hall to make it obvious they were about to join them, and when they came in, Ebony saw they were both grinning from ear to ear. Atlas didn’t move his arm, or make any effort to hide his desire for her, and Ebony smiled at him.

In the middle of the night the sickness returned, but this time, she tried to be as quiet as possible. Ebony threw up then rinsed her mouth out and sat on the cool tile, placing a hand on her belly. Was morning sickness supposed to hit this soon? Ebony drew in some deep lungfuls of air. How had she been so stupid that night, which was still only two weeks ago? A hot night out on the town with her friend Kate had turned into something else entirely.

Ebony could barely believe she’d done the things she had that night. Kate, always the more adventurous one, had dared her to go to that sex club. At first, Ebony had resisted, but then later on, after way too many drinks, she’d agreed. “Just to see what it’s all about.”

Kate nodded, grinning. But of course, what it was about was sex, and she’d found herself in a room, bound and being fucked by a man whose face was obscured by a rubber mask. He had a great, hard body, a little too ripped for her taste, but she liked his back tattoo, a red phoenix. He didn’t speak at all. He’d used a condom, so it was just unlucky that she’d gotten pregnant, but her shame at what she had done had overwhelmed her the next day.

Kate came to see her the next day, deeply apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ebony. I was just trying to get you to loosen up. I didn’t know that would happen.”

“It’s okay,” Ebony said, “I was fully consenting, it’s just…”

“I know. But I also know you’re not into that scene and I should’ve stopped you.”

“Who’s to say I would have listened?” Ebony reassured her friend. “It’s okay, you know, it’s life, it’s an experience, it’s not like I’m some virgin. I just generally like to be in control of when I’m going to sleep with someone.”

“I know, and I feel wretched.”

Ebony had hugged Kate, who genuinely seemed ashamed. “Dude, look, sex is great, and I’m sure there are people who dig that whole scene. It’s just not for me.”

She’d told herself that it was fine over and over, that sex clubs definitely had their place in the world, but she couldn’t help feeling a little dirty, a little sordid. She hadn’t even seen the guy’s face, and now she was carrying his child. God.

But the thing was…it was something she tried not to admit to herself, but a small part of her was excited to be a mother. Lots of women have children young, she thought to herself, but it’s just the timing sucks. If I hadn’t met Atlas…

But she had met Atlas, and she was so excited about where this could go. So excited that she refused to think about the complications pregnancy would add to an as-yet nonexistent relationship. Why worry before anything had actually happened?

Dragging herself up from the floor, she glanced at her phone. Just after 4 a.m. in Seattle, and she wondered if her brother, in New Orleans, would be awake. She went back to bed and texted Obe.

You up?

Hey, sis.

She called him immediately. “Hey Bubba, sorry to bother you so early.”

“No sweat. What are you doing up so early?”

“Just … stuff on my mind,” she deflected. “How’s our old hunting ground?”

“Stuff like your performance, I’m guessing. The hunting grounds are beautiful, but cold. You with Juno?”

“Yeah, she’s still asleep. I was about to go to the gym but I’d rather talk to you. Miss you, kiddo.”

Ebony smiled down the phone. “Miss you too. Listen, the guy who’s working with Romy is a sweetheart, and he’s invited us to spend Christmas with him and his extended family. So, it’s something to think about, thought I’d mention it. Juno knows him…Atlas Tigri.”

“Yeah, she’s mentioned him. That’s cool. I’ll talk to Juno about it, but I’m sure we can make it work if that’s what you want to do.”

“It is.” Ebony wondered if she should share the growing attraction between her and Atlas with her brother, but decided against it.

“So. Nervous about your performance at the fundraiser?” Obe asked again.

“A little,” she admitted, letting him keep thinking that was what was keeping her awake even though she didn’t know the meaning of stage fright. Never had. “I don’t want to let Atlas and Romy down.”

“Not possible,” her brother gave a short laugh, “you’ll kill it, sis.”

Ebony thanked him and ended the call. She lay in bed, her mind whirling with how much, in such short of time, her life was changing. She had no idea what was coming next, but she knew one thing for certain: This time tomorrow she would be in bed with the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on…and she couldn’t wait.

Chapter Five

It was a habit of hers to always check out a venue early on the day of the performance, just to get the vibe. A place felt so different the day of something than on any other day.

Ebony walked into the party venue and stopped. Talk about a different vibe. “Wow.” Though elegant as ever, the large room had been transformed into a white and silver Christmas wonderland, with thousands of tiny, twinkling white lights. Ebony looked around the room as the staff set dinner tables and prepared the room.

The money Atlas had put into this – his own money, Romy had told her – was a little unsettling. The man was rich – very rich, and it freaked her out a little.

On the stage, there was a curtain of crystals hanging like rain behind where she would sing. Ebony suddenly felt overwhelmed, an unfamiliar feeling she didn’t enjoy in the slightest.

“Miss Verlaine?”

She turned to see a young woman smiling at her. “That’s me, hello.”

“Hi there, I’m Felicity. Mr. Tigri suggested you might drop by early.”

Ebony looked at her in surprise. “He did, did he?” The way he seemed to know her so well when they’d barely just met could have been unnerving, but she found it somehow only amplified how hot the man was.

“He asked whether you’d like any changes made. Any at all, and I’ll make them happen.”

Ebony didn’t even need to look around. The place was easily the nicest venue she’d ever been in. “No. It all looks fantastic. Just make sure the jazz drummer has a screen, please.” She elaborated at Felicity’s confused look. “The plastic cage you see around them sometimes. Helps avoid drowning out quieter instruments, and my voice. It’s not standard use in jazz, but at rehearsal this morning the drummer requested one.”

Felicity made a note on her phone. “I’ll take care of it,” she promised. “Mr. Tigri also said you might want a new outfit for tonight. Because it’s special, he asked me to tell you specifically.”

For one second Ebony found herself offended at the suggestion that she didn’t have the right outfit for this upscale joint, and then Atlas’ ‘because it’s special’ hit home and she realized he was flirting with her. Through his unwitting assistant, no less.

“I love dress shopping,” Felicity confided with a shy smile. “Especially with no budget. I’d be happy to help you pick out something. Mr. Tigri told me to take the day to help and to warn you to spare no expense.”

Ebony smiled. “He said that, did he? Well, all right, then. Take me to your favorite place, Felicity.”

Standing in the exclusive boutique a short while later, Ebony’s eyes widened at the designer clothes. “This is too much.”

Felicity laughed. “Not at all. Now, what’s your aesthetic?”

Ebony hesitated then said. “I’m a retro girl. I love anything from the Twenties, Thirties or Forties.”

Felicity nodded. “Then we’re in the right place. Carmen is one of Seattle’s up and coming designers, and she loves anything retro. This is going to be amazing…”

Over the next hour, they talked with the designer herself, who brought out several pieces that Ebony almost swooned over. Eventually, she chose a form-fitting gold dress which skimmed her curves and looked sensational against her dark skin. Felicity then took her to a beauty salon where they worked on her hair, shaping it into pin curls around her face. Ebony had to admit – she didn’t recognize the stunning woman in the mirror.

“Now,” Felicity said, “Underwear?”

Ebony flushed. “Um…”

Felicity grinned impishly. “Top to toe was what Mr. Tigri suggested, but only if you wanted it. He’s not trying to Eliza Doolittle you – his words.”

New, sexy underwear was definitely appealing, but Ebony felt awkward. “On one condition…I’m allowed to pay for my own underwear.”

“Entirely up to you.”

They went to a small boutique, and Ebony picked up some sultry, dark red underwear that cost way too much for something that just might end up shredded in three seconds. But God, she hoped it did end up in pieces on the floor. It’d be worth the expense. Every cent of it.

“Good choice.” Felicity approved, then smiled. “Okay, lunch?”

Ebony enjoyed Felicity’s company at lunch, getting to know the young woman. “How long have you worked for Atlas?”

“Five years,” Felicity said, her mouth full of sandwich, “he recruited me as an intern – a paid intern at that – and after his long-time secretary left, I became his assistant. I think he likes me because I’m not star struck by him. I tell him the truth.”

Ebony smiled. “I get that about him. He’s a good guy.”

“He really is.” Felicity studied Ebony. “He told me you come from Seattle originally?”

Ebony nodded. “Born and bred. I moved away from Seattle when my brother moved to New Orleans. Serendipitously, it turned out, because the Foundation who mentored me and my career is based there.”

Felicity nodded. “My girlfriend’s brother is involved with them too. Ben Faldo.”

“I know Ben, he’s a wonderful musician and a sweet guy.”

Felicity beamed. “He is, thank you.”

Ebony decided she liked Felicity very much and after Felicity dropped her back at the venue, she gave her cell phone number to her. “In case you want to go for drinks sometime.”

Felicity grinned. “Would love to. Knock them dead tonight.”

“You’re not coming?”

“Sadly, not this time, I have a family thing, but I have no doubt you’ll rock it.”

Ebony hung her performance dress up behind the door of her dressing room and, covering her hair with a cap carefully, stepped into the shower. She wasn’t sure if all dressing rooms had showers, but it sure was convenient. She scrubbed off, shaved, massaged moisturizer oil into every part of her body, then slipped her new underwear on. The oil had a gold shimmer to it which made her dark skin glow, and the dark red underwear was the perfect color for her. She slipped her day dress back on, not wanting to get her performance dress rumpled – it was a couple of hours until she was on.

Happily, she began to warm up her voice, even though the performance was way too far away for it to make a difference yet. In the middle of a scale, there was a knock on the door.

Opening it, her heart began to beat faster. Atlas grinned at her. “Hey, gorgeous.”

She couldn’t help herself; she grabbed his tie and pulled him into the room, pressing her body against his as he bent his head to kiss her. She tangled her fingers in his dark curls, savoring every moment of the kiss, his lips firm and gentle, but with a fierce passion.

Breaking away finally, gasping for air, Ebony laughed. “God, Atlas Tigri…what you do to me.”

“What I’m going to do to you later tonight,” he said, sliding his arms around her waist, “will put even a kiss like that in the shade.”

Ebony moaned in anticipation. “Am I in a dream? I think I must be.”

Atlas laughed, his green eyes shining. “Then I’m in it with you, beautiful. Now, tell me, did Felicity spoil you like I asked her to?”

It was Ebony’s turn to laugh. “Yes, she did. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, except for the whole hooker thing.”

“Just as long as you weren’t offended. I tried to have her explain, without giving it away.”

“I got the message,” she promised as he kissed her again, then swept a lock of her hair over her ear. “Are you nervous?”

Ebony shook her head. “No. Not about anything, Atlas.”

He groaned. “I’ve never wanted a party to be over so badly. I’m just going to be the worst host.”

Ebony smiled. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

Atlas grinned. “Hey, you hungry? I have pizza coming.”

“You read my mind.”

Somehow they kept their hands to themselves as they ate, and Ebony figured they both qualified for some kind of sainthood by the end of the hour when Atlas kissed her cheek and left her alone to get ready. “Get dressed.” He leaned in and whispered into her ear, “So I can undress you later.”

Leaving her utterly on fire, he departed.

Pulling herself together after he’d all but melted her bones, Ebony slipped into her couture dress and went through a full vocal warmup as she prepared to be called by the floor manager. As she approached the stage, she heard the chatter of the guests and peeked out at the crowd. Scores of beautifully and expensively dressed people, none of whom she recognized, were milling around, glasses of champagne in hand, talking and laughing with each other.

She saw Atlas, breathtaking in his Armani suit and bow-tie, step up to the microphone. Ebony felt another curl of desire in her stomach as she listened to his low, sensual voice thanking the guests for coming. He talked with such passion about Haven and what his ambitions for it were that Ebony was almost moved to tears.

She realized Atlas was coming to the end of his speech and was about to announce her. Her skin tingled as she registered the fondness in his voice as he talked about her, and when he announced her, she walked onto the stage to warm applause. Atlas kissed her cheek, winking at her. “Go get ‘em, kiddo.”

Adrenaline pumped through Ebony’s system as she greeted the crowd and introduced her band, and then, as the music swelled, she began to sing.

Atlas stood to the side of the stage, unable to take his eyes off of Ebony. Her voice, low, tremulous and sensual, sent shivers down his spine. The way the gold dress clung to her body was driving him crazy, and when she glanced over at him and smiled as she sang, his heart thudded against his chest.

Atlas had questioned himself over the last two days whether he was doing the right thing, getting involved with Ebony. Not because of who she was, but because of who he was. Was he taking advantage? He would hate to think so, but Ebony was very young. His gut was telling him that she was special though and for now, he would go along with that. He had dreamed of her creamy dark skin and deep brown eyes since the moment he met her, and when he kissed her, he’d never been so sure about anything.

Last night, he’d told Mateo how he felt about her, and Mateo, ever the romantic, had been delighted. “Brother, as long as neither of you gets hurt, what’s the harm? Live, Atlas. You’ve been surrounded by sycophants and gold-diggers all your life. If your instinct is telling you this girl is different, go with it. Leap.”

Now, Atlas closed his eyes for a moment, immersing himself in the sound of her voice. It wrapped him as smoothly and softly as he imagined her body would later. Ebony made even much-performed standards sound fresh and original, her smooth voice with that touch of gravel entrancing the gathered party-goers. After every song, they applauded her loudly, some even whooping their approval, and Atlas could see the confidence in Ebony’s eyes growing. Her sweet smile, the friendly, easy way she chatted with the audience between songs…she was a star, that much was obvious. Atlas made a mental note to talk to Stanley – his step-father, with all his contacts, could help Ebony immeasurably, and she deserved every opportunity.

He felt someone touch his arm and found Romy, beautiful in a midnight blue column gown, smiling beside him. “Girl did good, huh?”

“Unbelievably good,” Atlas agreed, still half wrapped in Ebony and her song. “How’re you doing?”

“Very good. Blue’s grabbing us some drinks. Listen, I wanted to thank you for not spilling about the guy at Haven yesterday. I don’t want Blue worried about me every second – he does that enough, anyway.”

Atlas’s smile faded. “The detective called. Dude was bailed. Keep your security team close.”

Romy didn’t look worried. “We will, don’t worry. I can’t believe they bailed that motherfucker. He killed her.”

“Apparently his family is well connected.”

Romy looked angry. “God. Preppy entitled assholes. Dacre was the same.”

Atlas squeezed her head. “Dacre’s dead.”

“I know.” Romy sighed. “But there’s always another one and another…”

“Which is why we do what we do.” He put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. Ebony was about to start another song, and Romy smiled again.

“God, I love this song.”

It was a cover of Etta James’ At Last, always a crowd pleaser, and the audience began to sing along with Ebony, who grinned and encouraged them. She had them in the palm of her hand, that was obvious, and Atlas felt a surge of affection. In a life and career where he saw so much pain, so much of the worst of people, it was a salve to the soul to see someone connecting with others so much. He felt Romy grinning at him and looked down at her.

“You’re smitten,” she said, nudging him with her shoulder and he laughed.

“I admit, I am,” he said honestly.

Romy smiled and gave him an affectionate sideways hug. “I’m happy for you, Atlas. I adore Ebony, and you both deserve happiness. She feels the same way, believe me.”

“I hope so. It’s the very beginnings of something, Romy. I hope it becomes more but at the moment…”

“I know, I know. Just enjoy it. God, her voice is like velvet, isn’t it?”

Atlas was spellbound – as was the audience – as Ebony finished up her set and he, like them, applauded her long and hard. He got up onto the stage as she shyly took her bow. “Ladies and gentleman, it’s a cliché, but tonight, I think, a star was born. Miss Ebony Verlaine, everybody.”

Ebony chuckled, her face red as Atlas kissed her cheek. “You were sensational, baby. Utterly sensational.”

Chapter Six

At the dinner after the show, Atlas had seated her next to him, with Romy and Blue at their table too. “I thought you might want some friends around.”

Ebony smiled at him gratefully. “I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity,” she said to him and Romy. “If there’s any more I can do to help, please, just ask. I’d be happy to.”

“I think you’ll be fighting the offers off now,” Blue said, with a wink. “In fact, if I’m not mistaken, Roman Ford is here somewhere.”

“Of Quartet?” Ebony almost squeaked. Quartet was one of the biggest record companies in the world – but they were very, very picky about who they had on their roster. To be a Quartet Artist was to have a cache in the business like no other.

“That’s him…I can introduce you if you’d like.” Atlas nodded to a table where Ebony saw Roman laughing with a beautiful blonde woman who looked familiar. Ebony recognized her as Kym Clayton, the guitarist in The 9^th and Pine, a Seattle rock band she and Obe loved and had been to see play live many times.

Ebony swallowed nervously. She’d just spent hours working out her voice, but her throat was suddenly dry as sand. “Maybe another time, I don’t want to use this night to shill for myself.”

Atlas and Blue laughed, and Romy squeezed Ebony’s hand. “Darling, the second you opened your mouth up there, that was your introduction, believe me.”

Romy wasn’t wrong. After a luscious dessert of champagne sorbet with strawberries, Roman Ford came over to their table and shook her hand. It was all Ebony could not to stutter when he complimented her. “That voice is astonishing, Ebony.” And when he casually added, “Call me. I’d like you to meet my partners,” if Atlas hadn’t been discreetly propping her up with a hand on her back, she might have sagged at the knees.

He handed Ebony a business card, then stayed to chat with them for a time. Ebony sat, listening to her friends talking and laughing, feeling Atlas’s fingers stroking up and down her bare back, Quartet’s business card in her purse and surrounded by friends. A small twinge of something fluttered in her belly – a new life in more ways than one. Is this all really happening?

As the guests started to drift away toward the end of the night, Atlas and Ebony said goodbye to their friends and hand-in-hand rode the elevator to the penthouse suite. They gazed at each, no words needed, and when they walked into the suite, Atlas took her in his arms and kissed her.

“You were amazing, the party was a success…but, god, I’m glad it’s over…”

Ebony gave a moan as he buried his face in her neck, his lips against her throat, his fingers gently pulling the straps of her dress down her shoulders. The gold fabric slithered down her body to the floor and it was Atlas’ turn to moan at the sight of her curves. “Even more beautiful than I dreamed.”

Ebony’s trembling fingers pulled at his tie, then unbuttoned his shirt. She pressed her lips to his chest, his hard pecs with a smattering of black hair, trailing her fingertips down his flat stomach, feeling it contracted with desire under her touch. As she unzipped his pants, Atlas stroked her stomach. She gazed up at him as she freed his huge, diamond-hard cock from his underwear, and stroked it against her bare belly.

Atlas muttered something in Italian and cupped her face as he kissed her passionately. His hand slipped between her legs, caressing her through her panties, then gently sliding them down her legs. With an expert twist, he unclasped her bra, letting her full, ripe breasts fall into his hands. Stroking a rhythm over them with his thumbs, Atlas kissed her again, then swept her into his arms and into the bedroom.

On the bed, he covered her body with his, kissing her, then moving down to take her nipples into his mouth one by one. Ebony tangled her fingers in his dark hair as he moved down her body, rimming her deep navel with his tongue, then, making her gasp, his mouth found her sex.

Teasing, biting, tasting her, he expertly brought her to a mellow orgasm, flooding her sex with desire. “I want to taste you too.”

Smiling, she pushed him onto his back, as she took his cock into her mouth. He really was so big that she couldn’t take him all, and so with her hand, she fisted the root of him as her mouth worked, her tongue running up and down the silky skin, feeling the hardness underneath.

“God, Ebony…”

She knew he was close, but she didn’t pull away until he shot his cum onto her tongue, shuddering and groaning her name. She swallowed him down, salty sweetness on her tongue, then moved up to straddle him as he recovered.

Atlas stroked her belly, cupped her breasts. “Your body is heaven,” he said breathlessly and laughed as she bent to kiss him, pressing her breasts and belly to his.

He flipped her onto her back. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, Ebony, all night long.”

Ebony smiled. “Tell me more,” she purred as he sat back and grabbed a condom, rolling it onto his stiffening cock. “You’re so big, baby.”

“And you’re going to take it all, my darling.” He slipped his hands between her legs. “You’re so wet, sweetheart.”

“I’ve been wet all day, thinking about this moment,” Ebony whispered. “Thinking about you, how you’ll feel inside me…oh…god…”

Atlas slid into her slowly, filling her silky cunt with his rock-hard cock. For a moment he paused as they gazed at each other, savoring the moment, then a frenzied need took over them both, and they were fucking hard and fast, tearing at each other, Ebony’s nails digging into the skin of his back and his buttocks as she urged him on, gasping and panting.

Atlas slammed his hips against hers, forcing her legs wider until her hips burned, but Ebony loved the pain of it. She wanted him, wanting all of him, the feeling of his cock driving deeper and harder inside her was ecstasy. Her head swam with delirious desire as Atlas pinned her hands to the bed, reaming her harder until she cried out, her orgasm hitting, making stars explode in her vision. She felt Atlas’ cock throb hard inside her, and he groaned her name as he too reached his peak. They collapsed together, breathing hard.

“Stay inside me for a while,” she said, and Atlas grinned.

“I’d stay inside you forever if I could, beautiful.” His mouth was gentle on her lips now, tender, loving. Ebony swept damp black curls away from his forehead.

“God, you’re one gorgeous man,” she said, chuckling. She still couldn’t believe he wanted her, but she adored the soft look of love in his eyes. “I hope I didn’t disappoint you.”

Atlas laughed aloud, rolling his eyes. “Baby, disappointed is not even in my vocabulary tonight. Call it overwhelmed, call it blown away…even better than what I’ve been thinking about solidly for the last forty-eight hours. Man…I love the way your body fits perfectly next to mine…do you get that?”

Ebony wiggled, reveling in the fact his cock, still semi-hard, was still buried deep in her cunt. “Fuck me again,” she said, nipping his bottom lip with her teeth. “Make me scream.”

Atlas grinned. “Your wish is my command…”

He excused himself for a moment to get rid of the used condom, then returned quickly to her arms. He hooked her knees over his shoulders then sat up. “Is this uncomfortable?”

Ebony shook her head. Atlas retrieved a new condom, and as he buried his face in her sex, Ebony rolled the condom down his long, thick shaft, feeling the steely muscle inside quiver at her touch. She cupped his balls in her hands, tickling them, teasing them until Atlas groaned, his voice resonating against her clit, then he was inside her again.

This time was even more intense. Their gazes at each other never faltered as they fucked, Ebony bucking up against him, Atlas’s hands rough on her skin. They came again and again, fucking on the floor, against the walls, and even up against the wall-to-ceiling glass window, Atlas taking Ebony from behind as her breasts and belly pressed against the cool glass.

Even in the shower, as dawn approached, they couldn’t get enough of each other, Atlas parting her pert, rounded buttocks and easing into her ass as Ebony urged him on. They explored every inch of each other with their eyes, their hands, their mouths. For the few times they were recovering, they talk and laughed and joked, and Ebony felt something shift in her soul. She had never had this kind of connection, this chemistry with anyone before.

Atlas stroked her face as dawn broke outside the window. “I cleared my schedule for today. Are you free?”

“I am.” She wiggled closer to him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Would you like to come to my home, meet my brother and nephew?”

Ebony smiled. “I would love to.” She loved the hopeful look in Atlas’s eyes – he really wanted her to be part of his family, didn’t he? The feeling touched her on a totally different level than he had for hours just now, but no less deeply.

“First, though, being an old man…”

“At thirty-four…”

Atlas laughed. “But, as jazzed as I am, how about we try and get some sleep? I want to hold you in my arms and rest.”

Ebony tucked her head into his shoulder. “I’m always up for a nap.”

Atlas chuckled, pressing his lips to her forehead. “I knew we had a lot in common.”

“Sweet dreams, Atlas.”

“Sweet dreams, baby.”

* * *

Chapter Seven

Felicity knocked on Romy’s office door. “Romy? Detective Halsey is here to see you.”

“Thanks, Felicity.” Romy got up as the detective entered and shook his hand. “I’d say it was good to see you, but I can the see the expression on your face.”

She motioned for him to sit and the detective thanked her. “Yes, unfortunately, I come bearing bad news. Carson Franks was released from jail this morning, on a three-million-dollar bail. Apparently, that’s short change for his family.”

“Ugh.” Romy sighed. Another rich fuck getting away with murder.

“Quite. Franks had to relinquish his passport, but…”

“But with his kind of money, getting counterfeits will be no problem.”

Det. John Halsey looked at her. “Dr. Sasse…I read about your ex-husband, so I know you have experience with these kinds of things.”

“Sadly, I do. The reason I became involved in Haven was because of that situation. The victim, Kiersten Merchant, was sadly typical of our residents here. At the moment it seems particularly bad, the deaths, the ones we can’t save.” Romy sighed, rubbing her face. “I’m sorry, Detective, did you have something else?”

He nodded. “Dr. Sasse, we have reason to believe that Franks meant what he said. I came to make sure you and Mr. Tigri are taking the security issue seriously.”

Romy nodded. “We are. We’ve more than doubled our security presence here, and at our homes. He won’t get near our facility, I assure you.”

“I’ll be checking in with you, keeping you updated about the situation.” He glanced at the big picture window in Romy’s ground floor office, and Romy read his mind.

“It’s bulletproof,” she said, “but if you think we ought to take extra precautions.”

John Halsey nodded. “It’s just…I’ve dealt with obsessives before. Carson Franks blames this facility, Mr. Tigri, and you, for Kiersten’s death. It’s just the way a psychopath’s mind works. Never mind that he stabbed her seventeen times. It’s always someone else’s fault.”

Old memories worked their way through Romy and she pushed them aside firmly. Dacre had long been out of her life and she wouldn’t give him one more second of fear.

At home, later, after the kids were in bed, Romy and Blue shared a soak in the tub. Romy lay back against Blue’s hard chest as he trailed his fingers up and down her stomach, and cupped her breasts. She giggled as he pretended to bite her shoulder.

“How was your day, beautiful?”

Romy hesitated before she answered, unaccustomed to hiding anything from her husband. Her desire to protect him won out though. “Oh, same old, same old. No new intake, which is always a blessing, so I had time to catch up with paperwork.”

“Boring.”

She laughed. “Ever the surgeon. Any big cases?”

“Actually yes. We have a domino surgery soon.”

“Woah.” A domino surgery was a rare and risky procedure, involving multiple donor-recipients receiving organs in a simultaneous procedure. “Is this your first one?”

Blue kissed her temple. “It is…you want in?”

“Hell, yes I do…if we can make it work.”

“Getting you privileges at the hospital is no problem, obviously.”

Romy looked around at him. “Perks of getting busy with the boss.”

Blue laughed. “Obviously.”

Romy turned around, straddling him. Blue immediately reached for her breasts, and she grinned, then sighed happily as he took a nipple into his mouth. She reached down to stroke his cock, feeling it swell and harden under her touch. Blue lifted her up and impaled her on his shaft. “God, your cunt is so silky,” he said, kissing her mouth, crushing his lips against hers as she began to ride him, rolling her hips towards his. His fingers bit into the skin of her hips as she took him in deeper and deeper. “Romy, Romy, Romy…”

The whisper of her name made her whole body tingle, and she increased her pace, looking down to watch his cock slide in and out of her. “A beautiful sight, eh?” Blue whispered, “I love watching us fuck.”

“God, yes…” Romy was close, and when Blue started to stroke her clit, she shivered and gave a little cry as she came, then smiled as she felt him pump thick, creamy cum deep into her belly. “I love you so much, Blue Allende.”

“And I love you,” he said, kissing her passionately. As she caught her breath, Blue was gazing up at her with such love in his gorgeous green eyes that her eyes filled with tears.

“Hey, hey, hey…” he said in concern, pulling her in for a kiss. “Perché piangi, bella? Why are you crying?”

She smiled as the tears dropped down her cheeks. “They’re happy tears…I swear…I’ve never been so happy as I am right now. Our beautiful family…and you. Blue, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out, baby. I couldn’t live without you.”

Romy pressed her lips to his again. “Let’s get out of this tub and go to bed, baby. I want to fuck you all night long.”

As they dried themselves, Romy massaged moisturizer into her body. As she stroked the cream into the skin on her belly, she traced the faint scar of the bullet wound she had sustained all those years ago. She’d been lucky; the bullet hadn’t hit any major organs and arteries, and their daughter, at the time only a tiny, tiny embryo, had also survived.

Blue came up behind her and swept her into his arms making her giggle, and carried her off to their bed. As he covered her body with his, she gazed up at him and knew she had everything she had ever wanted right here, right now. No one could touch them.

Very soon, she would discover, in the worst way, that she was wrong.

Chapter Eight

A boy, not older than seven or eight, skidded to a halt in front of Ebony and gaped at her. He had the same shaggy black hair and bright green eyes as Atlas and Ebony smiled at him. “You must be Fino.”

A moment’s hesitation and then the boy smiled, the same wide, friendly, devastating smile as his uncle, and presumably his father. A moment later, Ebony saw his father, Mateo, as he came down the steps of the Tigri mansion to greet them.

“Hey, At, hey, Ebony, great to meet you.”

Ebony thought he was going to kiss her cheek; instead, Mateo picked her up and twirled her around, making her shriek with laughter. Atlas chuckled, shaking his head. “He likes to surprise people.”

“Ebony isn’t people, she’s family,” his brother corrected, setting Ebony back on her feet and grinning down at her. “You said it yourself.”

“Did you?” Ebony looked at Atlas and smiled, touched all over again even though he’d said as much at the dinner table.

“That’s the last time I tell you a secret,” Atlas teased his brother, while wrestling with his nephew.

“I’ve never seen him so enchanted,” Mateo went on, smirking.

Ebony flushed as Atlas sighed. “Dude.”

Mateo grinned, unrepentant. “Sorry, bro. Fino, come give Ebony a hug.”

Ebony was about to say he didn’t need to when Fino threw himself at her. She hugged the young boy, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the warmth of the Tigri’s greeting, but she soon realized it was par for the course for the Tigri twins. Their house, while as palatial as she would have expected, was also a place of love and laughter. Mateo introduced her to the sweet Molly, who clearly adored both Mateo and his son, and enjoyed a jokey relationship with Atlas. Their chef, Annalise, prepared a delicious buffet for their lunch, and afterward, Atlas took Ebony on a tour of the grounds.

It was bitingly cold, but Ebony hunkered down in her thick wool coat, and Atlas offered her his arm. The grounds looked like a Winter Wonderland – a hoar frost was clinging to the vegetation, the trees, and the fences around the property.

“You grew up here?”

Atlas nodded. “Most of the year. We spent a lot of time in Italy, too, Padua, where we were born.” He smiled down at her. “Maybe I can take you there sometime.”

Ebony grinned. “One thing at a time, Atlas, I’m still processing that someone like you could want someone like me.”

Atlas frowned. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I mean, look at this.” She gestured around the grounds, and to the house. “I’m just a kid from St. Anne’s. Obe and I went to regular high school, we brown-bagged our lunches, we worked three jobs through college to pay for it. I’m…ordinary, and you are…a god.”

Atlas chuckled, but his eyes were serious. “Ebony, you are anything but ordinary. And what does all this mean except we got lucky to be born wealthy? Yes, both Mateo and I have made our own fortunes, but we had doors opened for us to help us achieve that. Believe me, I am the last person you should consider a god, whatever that means. I have plenty of demons.”

Ebony wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Sexy.”

Atlas laughed, but his eyes were serious. “We don’t know each other yet, Ebony, but I won’t hide anything from you. I want to know everything about you, and there’s nothing about me, or my life, or my past I want to hide from you. Ask me anything.”

Ebony chuckled, pushing aside the fact that she was very definitely hiding something from him. “Um, okay. When did your parents pass?”

“Our dad when we were kids, Mom a few years ago.”

She nodded. “And your step-dad remarried?”

“On a whim, we think, but Stan practically brought us up, so we support him no matter what.”

“And he has a son who looks like death.”

Atlas half-smiled, but there was a serious edge to the curl of his lips. “It’s not that I don’t like Cormac, rather that we have nothing in common with him. The man has no sense of humor, and he’s a shark. He’s engaged to the heiress of a very, very wealthy New York family, because,” and he continued in a deadpanned voice, “inheriting Stanley’s billions won’t be enough.”

Ebony snickered. “Must be hard for him.”

“Right? Corman will always take the easy way to quick money – as long as it’s legal. I give him that, he’s a straight shooter. He doesn’t hide his ambition.” Atlas pulled her abruptly into a warm hug. “Ebs, he’s coming for Christmas, and I wanted to warn you about him. He has very little tact, and he’ll grill you endlessly. I’ll protect you, but he has a habit of being tenacious when he wants to know something.”

She read easily between the lines. “You’re saying he’ll immediately assume I’m a gold-digger?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Ebony shrugged. “Atlas, I wouldn’t care if you were poor and lived under a bridge. Your money is of no interest to me.”

Atlas stopped and tilted her chin up so he could kiss her. “I know that, Ebony.” He pressed his lips to hers, his tongue massaged hers gently. “God, you’re beautiful.”

Ebony’s mouth curved up in a smile. “I’m glad you think so.”

Atlas chuckled, then grabbing her hand, moved away from the house. “Come with me.”

He led her further into the grounds to an area shaded from the house, and Ebony gasped as she realized they were in a maze. “Wow. It’s like Harry Potter.”

Atlas laughed. “Fino thinks so too. But what I have in mind right now is way more R-rated than even JK Rowling’s adult books.”

“Adult what? She wrote books post-Harry? I think I’m brokenhearted,” Ebony joked breathlessly as he took her in his arms and kissed her, as his hands slid down the length of her body.

“Good idea to wear a skirt, baby.”

“In this cold?” she teased. “I knew you had skills.”

His hands slid her panties down her legs and over her boots as she unzipped his fly. Atlas produced a condom from his back pocket, and Ebony laughed. “So, this was a plan?”

“Oh, god, yes…Ebony in the snow…man, I’ve dreamed about this.”

She freed his cock from his underwear, and he cussed little at the cold, making her giggle furiously. Nevertheless, he was inside her in a flash, supporting her, as they fucked against the maze’s thick hedge. It wasn’t an entirely successful pairing; Atlas wobbled as their pace quickened and they tumbled to the snow, both laughing furiously. “Damn,” Atlas said, shaking his head, “In my head, that was so erotic.”

Ebony had tears of laughter in her eyes as he helped her to her feet. “Worth a shot,” she said as she helped him tidy up. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

“Yeah, you will,” he leered at her comically, and she giggled.

“You are so silly for a billionaire businessman. Aren’t you all supposed to be arrogant and aloof?”

Atlas shrugged. “That sounds like way too much effort. Mateo can do that to a certain extent, but he’s a better actor than I am.”

“You’re the softy of the two of you?”

Atlas considered as he took her hand. “In different ways. Mateo is quicker to anger, whereas I’m the one who will take a lot until I blow, then it’s like Armageddon.”

Ebony studied. “I can’t imagine that.”

“I lost my temper at work the other day,” he admitted. “A man showed up, one responsible for his wife’s death on Romy’s operating table. If she hadn’t been there to restrain me …”

She kissed him softly. “There are places and times when exploding is understandable.”

“I’m so glad you agree.” He grinned at her and rolled his hips, playful once more as he tumbled her back into the snow and kissed her over and over, their laughter ringing through the vast property.

The rest of the day passed quickly, playing with Fino, who Ebony was madly in love with, and joking around with the Tigri twins. As she and Atlas left for the city, Mateo hugged her.

“So, we’ll see you in two days for Christmas?”

Ebony nodded, kissing his cheek. “You will, thank you, Mateo. Thanks for making me feel so welcome.”

“My pleasure, honey.” He winked at his brother. “I always said my brother had good taste. You’ll meet my Molly then, too. I know you will get along.”

Fino also clung to her and Ebony felt something shift inside her. Was this what having a child would feel like? This joy, this wonder of the new? “Come back soon,” Fino ordered, and Ebony grinned at him.

“How can I resist such a request? Bye, Fino, next time I see you, you’ll have to teach me how to play chess.”

Mateo coughed something that sounded suspiciously like ‘geeks’ and Fino grinned at his dad.

In the car, Atlas looked over at Ebony. She was smiling to herself. “Did you like my family, baby?”

She nodded. “Very much, Atlas. Mateo and Fino have such a wonderful relationship.”

“They do. No one was more surprised than me when Mateo stepped up to be a father. He astonished me. He was always the playboy of the two of us, reckless, and sometimes irresponsible, but when Fino came along, it was almost instantaneous, the change in my brother. He’s incredible.”

Atlas smiled at Ebony but was surprised to see tears in her eyes. “Hey, hey, hey…”

Ebony half-chuckled. “It’s okay, it’s just so moving. And Fino is such a wonderful little kid.”

“He is.” Atlas touched her cheek. “How about you? Do you want kids?”

Her faint hesitation surprised him, given how well she’d gotten along with Fino. “In time. And I want a guarantee he or she will be exactly like Fino.” Ebony colored. “I mean…I’m not presuming…oh god, I really stuck my foot in my mouth.”

Atlas grinned at her. “No, you didn’t. I already know I would love to have kids with you. Does that scare you?”

Ebony gave a strange half-laugh, which almost sounded like a sob. “A little.”

“No expectations,” Atlas said lightly, trying to ease the sudden awkwardness, “Just a fact.”

Ebony was quiet for the rest of the journey and Atlas wondered if he’d scared her off. “Look,” he said, as they rode the elevator to his apartment. “All I meant was…”

“It’s okay,” Ebony interrupted him, her hand on his face. “I know what you meant, and I feel the same. But we’re in the very early days of whatever this is.”

Atlas smiled ruefully. “You’re discovering one of my many faults – I get overexcited, and overreach. I’m just happy we met.”

Ebony smiled at him. “Me too, Atlas.”

They sat up talking until late, cuddled together on the couch until Atlas swept her into his arms and carried her to bed.

Their lovemaking was tender and slow-burning this time, Atlas’s thick, long cock thrusting in measured strokes as they kissed and caressed each other. Atlas admired Ebony’s luscious body as she writhed beneath him, the dampness on her skin making it glow, the way her full breasts, her softly curved belly undulated with their movements. Atlas loved the feeling of being buried deep inside her velvety cunt. Her vaginal muscles contracted around his shaft, milking him, caressing him until he was shooting cum deep into her belly.

“God, you’re amazing,” he gasped, shuddering and groaning as he came, admiring the way her back arched up as she came, her thighs clamped around his waist. They fit together so perfectly.

They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, but in the early hours Atlas woke suddenly. Finding the bed empty beside him, he sat up, listening. From the bathroom, he could hear violent wretching and immediately swung his legs out of bed in concern. “Ebs?”

Receiving no response, he got up and went to the bathroom door, knocking gently. “Ebony? Are you okay?”

The wretching began. “I’m coming in.”

“No, it’s…” But her words were cut off by more vomiting. Atlas pushed open the door, glad it hadn’t been locked, and crouched next to her as she hovered over the toilet. Reaching for a washcloth and wetting it with cold water, he gently wiped her face the next time she came up for air.

“Are you okay?” he asked with deep concern at her pallid, gray, sweating countenance.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry, Atlas. I just woke up and felt nauseous.”

“Why are you apologizing?” He smoothed her damp hair back, lingering on her flushed skin.

“This,” Ebony indicated herself, “is the opposite of sexy.”

Atlas rolled his eyes. “God forbid you should be human. Do you want me to call a doctor?”

Ebony shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll wait it out – hopefully it’s nothing more than a twenty-four-hour thing.”

Atlas frowned. “I hope so, baby. Look, let’s get you back to bed, I think I have some Pepto somewhere.”

Later, back in bed, Ebony pretended to fall asleep, and then when she heard Atlas’s breathing settle into a steady rhythm, she opened her eyes. You can’t put this off any longer, she thought, not if you want a future with this man. You’re pregnant, and it isn’t going to magically go away. See a doctor. See someone. Make a decision.

The thought of abortion made her feel wretched, even though she supported the right to choose; at the same time, how could she tell this wonderful man she was pregnant with another man’s child? What would he think of her if he knew the circumstances of the conception? Would he think she was a whore?

God, you stupid, stupid woman, she berated herself and felt her eyes fill with tears. No. I will not wallow in self-pity. In the morning, I’ll call Romy and ask for her help, her advice.

Decision made, she snuggled back into Atlas’s warm embrace and finally fell asleep.

Chapter Nine

Romy pulled off her latex gloves and patted Ebony’s shoulder. “Yup, about two to three weeks, I would say. You can get dressed now, honey.”

While Ebony tidied herself up, Romy sat down. Ebony had called her this morning and asked to come see her somewhere private. Romy had invited her to her home, and now, Ebony smiled at her gratefully.

“Thank you for doing this, Romy. I wouldn’t ask, but I’m conflicted.”

“I should say.” Romy gave her a warm smile. “Look, it must be a confusing time, what with this thing with Atlas, and I can totally see why you’re hesitant to tell him. That being said, Atlas is far from the oblivious billionaire. He knows stuff happens which isn’t convenient, or perhaps the way society states things should happen. It’s life.”

“So, you think I should tell him?”

“It’s not my decision, but I always think honesty is the best way to go. Do you want the baby, Ebony? That’s the big question.”

Ebony sighed and sipped the decaffeinated tea Romy placed in front of her. “That’s just it. I don’t know. My head is saying no, but the thought of getting rid of it…I just don’t know. And I have no way of contacting the father, I didn’t even see his face.”

She felt her face burn red and looked away from Romy, who leaned over to pat her hand. “You know what? Blue and I have been to one of those clubs before, just for the adventure of it. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Unless you accidentally get knocked up.”

“Which reminds me, there are other considerations. We’ll need to do some blood tests.”

Ebony closed her eyes. “I didn’t even think about STDs or worse.”

“I’m sure you’re fine, but we need to make sure.”

“God.”

Romy got up and came to hug her. “Sweetheart, listen. It’s under control. You and Atlas are using protection, right?”

Ebony nodded. “Definitely.”

“So, stop worrying. Take each step as you go, but I would talk to Atlas at least. Get things out in the open.”

Ebony smiled gratefully at the other woman. “You’re so great, Romy. All of you Sasse women, I adore you all.”

“You’re our family, Ebs,” Romy said with a shrug, “it’s what we do. We look out for each other.”

Ebony was still thinking about what Romy said two days later as she and Atlas drove to the mansion to celebrate Christmas with everybody. Ebony was a little nervous – Juno and Obe had called to stay they wouldn’t be able to make it to Seattle after all, and so Ebony felt one of her anchors was missing. Romy will be there, it’s okay, she told herself. They were the first to arrive, and Fino immediately bore Ebony off to see his presents. She was sitting on the floor with him, playing a game when she heard a girl’s voice called him. “Fino?”

“Bella!” Fino got up and scooted out of the room, re-emerging a few moments later with a young woman, a little younger than Ebony, long red hair and a shy smile. “Ebony, this is Bella.”

Ebony clambered to her feet and shook the girl’s hand. Bella smiled at her. “Atlas has sung your praises,” she said, her voice soft, “especially about your singing.”

Ebony laughed. “He’s biased. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“You too.” They both heard a more strident voice outside, followed by a mellower male chuckling, a low melodic sound, and two other people entered the room. The man, in his sixties, had a warm smile and big soulful brown eyes behind spectacles. His brown beard and hair were speckled with white. He introduced himself to Ebony. “Stanley Duggan, my dear, and this is my wife, Vida.”

Vida Duggan was exactly how Atlas had described her – a faded beauty queen type, with dark ruby hair and sharp silver eyes which darted around the room and up and down Ebony, appraising her.

“Hello, dear,” she said, “We’ve heard a lot about you. Perhaps you’ll be able to help Bella with her singing.”

Bella rolled her eyes. “Mom.”

Ebony smiled at Bella. “I’d be happy to help in any way I can.”

“See, Bella? Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Hello, Fino, dear.”

Fino gave Vida a cheesy, insincere smile which nearly made Ebony burst into giggles. Instead, she suppressed a smile, catching Stanley’s eye. He too looked amused, and Ebony felt they had shared a private joke. Stanley clearly had the measure of his wife and knew what she was like. It made Ebony warm to him, though she didn’t understand why such a kind man would have married such an obvious harpy.

Atlas returned with a tray of drinks for them all, followed by a slightly-irritated-looking Mateo, and a tall, dark-haired man with a stony face, clearly The Angel of Death.

Swallowing a burst of laughter at the nickname, Ebony heard him saying something about Harvard to Mateo, and Mateo, his green eyes flashing, sighed in annoyance. “He’s seven, Cormac. I think we have plenty of time to think about college.”

“I’m just saying, it’s never too young to start preparing him for the rigors of the university experience.”

“I don’t even know if he’ll want to go to college, Cormac. Fino will find his own path.”

Cormac opened his mouth to say more, but Atlas interrupted, probably hoping to head off a full-blown argument. “Cormac, this is my Ebony. Ebony, Cormac Duggan.”

Hearing herself referred to as his sent a bolt of delighted heat through her. It had never occurred to her to want to be claimed, but it turned out she loved it.

“Pleased to meet you.” Ebony stepped forward with her hand outstretched. Cormac Duggan looked at her but made no attempt to take her hand, and after a beat, Ebony dropped her own, flushing red and glancing at Atlas, confused.

Cormac shook himself. “I’m sorry, yes, hello. You’re the singer?” He offered his hand now and took hers, holding it for a beat too long. Ebony drew her hand away, gently, not wanting to slight him.

“I’m a singer, yes.”

“More than just a singer, Cormac.” It was Atlas’ turn to sound irritated now. “A once-in-a-lifetime singer. Stanley…I have your next superstar here…if you can fight off Quartet, that is. Ebony, Roman Ford called me yesterday, wondering why you haven’t called him.” Atlas grinned. “I took the blame, said I’d been hogging your attention and time, rather selfishly.”

“Dear one,” Stanley put his hand on Ebony’s arm, “if Quartet offers you a contract, take it without hesitation. If not, then I’d be happy to help. Otherwise, the truth is, I’m retiring. I’ve done my time, and now I just want to enjoy my life.”

Vida looked at her husband sharply. “What about Bella’s career?”

Mateo mumbled, “God, not this again,” under his breath and hooked his arm around Bella’s shoulders. “Bells, what do you say we go check on the food? And by the way, everyone…Merry Christmas.”

The atmosphere in the room changed in an instant as they all remembered why they were all there. As more guests arrived, Romy, Blue, and their kids included, the house filled with laughter and chatter, and when they all sat down to a magnificent dinner, Ebony felt more relaxed. Atlas was sitting next to her, Blue on her other side.

Atlas leaned in to kiss her cheek. “I think Cormac has a little crush on you. It’s quite funny.”

Ebony glanced over at the man and flushed when she saw him staring at her. She honestly didn’t find it amusing. There was something about him that was weirdly unnerving. Next to him, his fiancé, Lydia Van Pelt, was chatting to Vida, and Ebony heard them trying to one-up each other talking about designer clothes that had been gifted to them. Mateo, on Vida’s left, caught Ebony’s glance and rolled his eyes. She grinned at him.

“So, where do you hail from, Ebony?” Cormac’s booming voice cut across all of the conversation at the table, making everyone else fall silent. Ebony blushed a deep scarlet.

“From here, actually,” she said, “I’m a Seattle girl, but I’ve been living in New Orleans for a few years. My brother is a dance teacher down there.”

“So, you came back for Atlas?”

Ebony shot a look at her lover who had gone very still. “I came back to perform at the fundraiser for Haven,” she said slowly, then firmly, “I stayed for Atlas.”

Atlas touched her cheek. “I’m very glad you did, baby.”

“Fortuitous.” Cormac said with a smirk, his meaning clear. Ebony, instead of feeling hurt, fixed him with a glare.

Oh, I do not like you, Ebony thought, and gave him the same insincere smile as he gave her. Mateo winked at her and mouthed ‘Ignore him.’ Atlas squeezed her hand, and she saw Romy shoot daggers at Cormac. I am amongst friends, she thought, her body relaxing. She looked at Atlas. “Darling…later, I need to talk to you about something. Something important that I should have told you before.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” Atlas looked curious but not worried. “Are you okay?”

Ebony smiled, suddenly at peace. “Totally and completely.”

After lunch, Molly arrived, having had lunch with her own family, and Ebony could immediately see the love between her and Mateo. She and Ebony got along immediately, chatting easily as the twins took them all on a walk through the snowy grounds as evening began to fall, and thousands of white twinkle lights suddenly turned on, making the walk even more magical.

Mateo and Molly strolled ahead, arm-in-arm, but Atlas stopped Ebony and kissed her, tender and loving. “Thank you for spending Christmas with me, my darling.”

“Thank you for inviting me.” She stroked his dark curls, gazing up at him. Had it really only been a few days?

“What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

Ebony drew in a deep breath. “Atlas…a week or so before I came to Seattle, I had a one-night stand. It was…a mistake, but it happened. A few days ago, I discovered…” God, could she really say the words? Her stomach clenched painfully. “I’m pregnant.”

There it was, out in the open. Atlas stopped. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Look, I haven’t decided what I’m going to do. But I didn’t want us to go any further without you knowing. It wouldn’t be fair.”

Atlas’s expression was unreadable, and Ebony studied him, her heart pounding. “I’ve just ruined this, haven’t I?”

Atlas shook his head. “No, no, no, I’m just a little…taken aback.” He gave a short laugh. “Okay, well…” He trailed off, obviously deep in thought and Ebony waited. He was still holding her hand; a good sign, she thought, hopefully.

Atlas took a deep breath in. “Well, let’s be logical about this. Have you told the father?”

“No.” Ebony shook her head. “Atlas, I honestly…I’m ashamed to say, I have no idea who he is. When I met him…it was in a specialist club, shall we say?”

For a moment Atlas looked confused, then “Ah.”

Fear touched her then, and an edge of desperation. “Atlas, I swear, I’m not a whore.”

Atlas looked astonished. “Ebs, I never in a million years would think that, and you should never think of yourself like that. You think I’ve never been to a sex club before?”

Relief washed over her powerfully. “There’s no chance you were in one in New Orleans two weeks ago, is there?” Ebony tried to joke, but Atlas grinned.

“No, but right now, I wish I had been, truly.” He put his arms around her. “So, first thing is we figure out whether you want to keep the child. Then we go from there. Ebony, I want to see where we go from here, whether we can make it work. If you want the baby, I’ll be there for you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.” Ebony shook her head. “It’s too much. We’ve only known each other a week.”

His gaze, locked on hers, never faltered. “I know,” his voice was soft, “and already, I’m lost, Ebony. I’m lost.”

Her eyes filled with tears at the love in his voice. “I feel the same way,” she whispered, and then his lips were crushing against hers, kissing as her hot tears dropped down her cheeks.

Atlas placed a hand on her belly so protectively that she teared up again. “Let’s see where this goes,” he said. “Let’s see if we can do this.”

Ebony closed her eyes, her mind whirling. Was he really offering to be the father of her child? Even if it wasn’t his own? She felt discombobulated by the conversation as if it had run away from her and nothing had really gotten resolved, at least not responsibly.

For now, though, she would take his kiss, his promise, and enjoy the rest of Christmas.

In bed that night they made love, quietly as the rest of the house slept. Ebony smiled up at him as Atlas moved in measured thrusts inside her, and knew she was falling in love with him. How could she not? He was everything, he was perfect. Wasn’t he?

I don’t know, she thought, but for right now, he is perfect for me. Can we be happy? She played out different scenarios in her mind and still didn’t find an answer. As he slept in her arms, though, she knew she would try, and there was something else.

She didn’t know when exactly she’d made the decision, but she knew it was the right one, regardless of anything.

She was keeping the baby.

Chapter Ten

In the morning she awoke to raised voices and shouting from downstairs. The bed beside her was empty, and she grabbed her robe and went downstairs.

“You fucker,” one of the twins was shouting. “You have no sense of family, of loyalty.”

“Mateo,” Cormac’s booming voice echoed around the house, “Who do you think you are to lecture me on my sex life? You, of all people. You and Atlas, neither of you are angels when it comes to women. I mean, all of a sudden, you’re both coupled up and faithful? Come on.”

“Says the man who is engaged for position and money and nothing else. Does Lydia know that’s why you proposed?”

“Why don’t you ask her? You seemed to have a pretty good idea of what she wants.”

“It was six years ago, and we parted on good terms.” Mateo was almost growling. “I just don’t want to see her hurt.”

“Or maybe there’s unfinished business between you.”

“I’m in love with Molly.” Mateo sounded dangerous now and Ebony shivered at the ice in his voice.

“Oh yeah, the teacher. You and your brother have really aimed at the heights with your women. A teacher and a whore singer.”

“You fuck!” Ebony heard furniture crashing and realized Mateo had gone for Cormac. “You don’t get to call Ebony a whore, and you don’t disparage Molly, you asshole!”

Feeling like she needed to do something before someone got hurt, she hurried into the breakfast room to find the two men struggling with each other on the floor. “Stop!”

Both men froze, and Ebony heard footsteps behind her. “What the fuck is going on?”

Atlas stepped around Ebony, touching her cheek, then hauled his brother off Cormac, who got up smirking.

Mateo was still enraged. “Get that bastard out of my sight, Atlas, before I lose it completely. Please.”

Cormac held up his hands. “I’ll go, don’t worry. Another minute in this house playing this family charade would make me sick.”

As he left the room, he stopped in front of Ebony, who recoiled, as he ran his eyes up and down her body in such a way as to make her feel naked, and violated. Cormac smirked at her obvious discomfort and left the room.

Mateo ran a hand through his dark curls. “I’m sorry, Ebony, Atlas. I’m sorry I lost it.”

“He was trying to goad you all day yesterday,” Atlas said, his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“And I let him get to me. Fuck.” Mateo looked at Ebony. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Don’t let what he said affect you. We all know it’s untrue.”

Ebony smiled at him. “Thanks for defending me, Mateo.”

“Anytime, gorgeous.” Mateo looked at his brother. “Cormac is poison. He’ll ruin Lydia’s life if we let him.”

“It’s not our battle, Mateo. Lydia is quite aware of what Cormac is like.”

Atlas and Ebony drove back to his apartment in the city that night. “Sadly, I will have work tomorrow. What will you do?”

“Juno and Obe are traveling up so I’ll probably hook up with them.” Ebony told him, stroking a dark curl behind his ear.

“In time for the New Year’s parties.”

“Indeed.”

“Cormac’s not invited.”

“Good.”

Atlas looked over at her. “He’s a treat, huh?”

“Oh, yeah,” Ebony said dryly, “a real chocolate-covered treat. Gross.”

Atlas laughed. “He’s considered quite the catch.”

Ebony stuck her tongue out. “Ugh. Where? The mental asylum? The Home for Arrogant Douchebags?”

“You have his measure.” His smile faded. “Though I do wish Mateo wouldn’t engage him. Cormac has a way of getting to my brother, so much so, that Mateo loses his shit. Cormac hates that Mateo slept with Lydia first, even though it was six years ago. I think he’s marrying her not just for her money, but to spite Mateo. And now he’s annoyed that Mateo doesn’t care if Cormac sleeps with Lydia because he’s in love with Molly.”

“The Love Lives of the Rich and the Famous,” Ebony sighed dramatically as Atlas laughed.

“Seriously, though, Cormac hates Mateo, and sometimes, just sometimes, it scares me.”

Ebony shook her head. “Cormac is a typical coward if you ask me. All bluster. How he’s related to Stanley is beyond me.”

“Right? You liked Stanley, huh?”

“Adored him, and Bella too. Vida…yeah could live without her.”

Atlas smiled over at her. “I adore you, Miss Verlaine.”

“Right back at ya, stud.” She squeezed his cock through his pants. “Oh, someone’s packing.”

They joked and laughed all the way back to his apartment, but once inside, they were stripping each other before they even reached the bedroom.

As they made love, Ebony noticed he was even more careful with her, and realized it was because of the baby. It made her heart warm to him…what kind of man would take so much care over a child that wasn’t his?

“I’m so crazy about you,” she told him, “so, so crazy.”

Atlas grinned. “I meant what I said, Ebony, it’s you and me now, right?

She nodded. “Me and you, whatever happens.”

And they made love long into the night.

Across town, another couple was making love, kissing and talking. Blue stroked his hands down his wife’s body. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow, baby?”

The next day was when their domino surgery was scheduled and Romy and Blue, ever the surgeons, were excited. “I have someone to cover me at Haven for twenty-four hours, so I’m all yours.”

She’d read over the patient details again and again until she knew everything by heart. Blue smiled at her now. “I have to say, I cannot wait to be back in an operating theatre with you.”

Romy smiled up at him, stroking his face. “Me too…I miss that.”

“We make an incredible team. I sometimes consider quitting Rainier Hope and coming to work at Haven, just so I can work with you all the time.”

“Ha, don’t you dare,” Romy laughed, “You are the best Chief of Surgery that Seattle has ever seen.”