Dear Sweetheart novel

She continued to back away from him until her calves hit the couch, causing her to lose her balance and fall.

James loomed over her on the couch, and Kristie’s body stiffened in response. She stammered, “Get back. Don’t come near me…”

In response, he tucked her loose hair behind her ear and brought his lips closer to her face.

“You’re taking advantage of me again.” Kristie pressed her palms on his chest to keep him away. Her eyes reddened with tears as she pleaded between sobs, “Don’t force me to do this. I have a boyfriend. I don’t want to cheat on him.”

Her words drew a chuckle from James, who teased, “Don’t worry your pretty head about it. You won’t be a cheater as long as he doesn’t know about this. I can keep a secret.”

“You’re too much!”

The rest of Kristie’s protests were swallowed by James’ passionate kisses.

She breathed in his familiar scent and eventually gave in to pleasure.

Kristie hooked her legs around his waist to bring herself closer to him.

The couch proved too squeezy for both of them, and James stopped himself from taking things too far. Instead, he carried Kristie to the bedroom.

Kristie looked at him through half-lidded eyes. She simply could not tear her gaze away from his perfect abs as he took off his clothes. Her hands moved toward his torso, unbidden.

The feel of his rock-hard muscles drew an amazed gasp from Kristie. “I didn’t know you hid such a hot body under those clothes!”

James leaned over her and whispered in her ear, “It’s all yours.”

His flirtatious words brought a furious blush to Kristie’s face.

She buried her head in his chest and reveled in the warmth of his body. Still, once she closed her eyes, traumatic memories of her helpless shrieks suddenly filled her mind. Her body began shuddering uncontrollably.

“No, no…” She curled into herself and flailed around, screaming, “Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!”

took two scratches to his

coaxed tenderly, “Kristie, open your eyes.

her eyes closed and sobbed. She struggled against his hold and wailed, “Don’t

comfort her and attempt to distract

cupped her face and kissed her

air, he let go and intertwined his fingers with hers. At

confusion and

Don’t be scared.” James kissed her cheek and said, “I’ve always been

light returned to

was still shaking as she

stroked

Curtis had rushed

the airport, against which a tall, equally familiar

squinted in concentration before approaching the vehicle. “Why

spoke, Jefferson pushed himself away from the Maybach and

and muttered, “Hmm, it doesn’t seem as if

before arching a brow at Curtis, deadpanning, “What? Do you need me to open the door for

smiled and opened the

the engine and drove away from the airport. He commented, “Bet you didn’t enjoy life in Jadeborough if you’re looking like this now. Have you settled all your

Wednesday, but someone held me back, so I had to fix that before coming back. It cost

convince. I can’t even get him to talk to me. I’d consider eight

to figure out a way to get Mr. Nicholson out of the picture.” Curtis’ gaze darkened as he

that’s because Old Mr. Xavier

Naturally, he won’t be on Mr. Nicholson’s side. I have no idea when Theodore will

We need another plan. Getting someone

immediately and closed his eyes, deep

before Curtis piped up, “I have someone who could

me to do things in the background. If you were involved, everyone would point

only nod in agreement. He

too much trouble for