Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

Remington's momentary stiffness didn't escape Lizetta's notice.

Lizetta chuckled lightly, "Let go, will you?"

But Remington held Lizetta tighter, nuzzling his face against her neck, his voice husky and plaintive.

"No! It's your scent, Liz. I can't be mistaken. You can't fool me."

If it weren't for the sight of the man's short, neatly trimmed hair, Lizetta might have mistaken him for someone else, perhaps a Joseph, not Remington.

She was infuriated yet somewhat helpless, disdainfully turning her head away.

"Mr. Taylor, you've been caught. Can you stop the bad acting already?"

He was clearly lucid, pretending to be the big bad wolf.

Remington, with his eyes closed, shook his head while hugging her, his head slowly sliding down to her chest.

"Liz, you're so fierce..."

His actions and words were like those of a child throwing a tantrum.

Lizetta had never seen him like this. For a moment, she was taken aback, forgetting to resist, her heart filling with a bittersweet sensation.

But he was indeed very hot, feeling to Lizetta like a burning coal against her.

"Did you even take any fever medicine?" she frowned.

burrowing closer within her embrace, his face flushed as

want to speak. Just holding her like

knows how many nights over these past two months he'd lain awake

he'd managed to fall asleep, only to wake up from a dream of holding her,

he had sneaked into her room, watching over her as

to meld into her being, but he was

dared to gently hold her hand, to stroke her hair, to massage her

recognized him and

a

talking to you!" Lizetta

then nestled closer within her embrace, murmuring, "Liz, brother

prickly

grazed her sensitive skin, stirring a mix of heat and

unfamiliar yet intimate ambiance easily evoked memories of their past

and annoyance, forcefully

you don't let go of me

seem to take her threats

Be careful, or

lose my senses from this fever,

I'll have to

for

life!"

his lips pale yet dry, making the