Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

"Ariana, don't put so much pressure on yourself. You're an amazing mother.

"By the way, the hospital called. We can take Tabitha to pick up her report tomorrow, and she can start her treatment immediately.

"I think that the hospital environment might feel stifling for her, so I arranged for the therapy team to come to our home instead."

I looked up at him, my voice choked with emotion. "Thank you. You've thought of everything."

Nicholas sighed and sat beside me. "She's my daughter too. What are you thanking me for?" He put an arm around my shoulder, his warm palm gently rubbing in silent comfort.

...

The next morning, when I opened my eyes, I was startled to find myself staring at Nicholas' face.

I blinked and opened my eyes again, only to see the same scene the stubble on his face was so clear I could almost count the individual hairs.

upright in bed, pulling the blanket off him and exposing his well-defined chest, which

down to check my own clothes. Seeing everything

We were just talking, but at some point, I must have fallen asleep. Suddenly, a large hand slid around my waist. Nicholas' voice, low and husky with a teasing lilt,

that

back onto the bed. In one swift motion, he flipped over and pinned me beneath him. His long eyelashes, like soft, feathery fans, caught the sunlight and glimmered above

budge. Instead, he leaned down,

which came first. I heard him murmur, "If

spoke, his hand moved toward

on his

many unresolved issues between us-Claudia, Nelson, Tabitha, Cory-each of them should take precedence over anything between me and Nicholas. If

would spiral

against mine, grinning as he

I turned away, feeling