Chapter Nine Grace hung up the phone after chatting with Brendan O’Sullivan, who was in Paris trying to help straighten out the mess Andre Boivin had created while balancing (or trying to balance) his wife and his mistress. “How’s it going over there?” Mac asked. “Better. It helps that Andre and his wife have decided to try to make the marriage work since his mistress broke things off with him.” “Oh? I wonder what happene...

I’m strong in words and weak in deeds. A single glance, I hit my knees. Your eyes, they pierce, burning deep. Dislodge the secrets I mean to keep. I fight the urge, and gently shake. A sultry voice, my breath you take.

Chapter Thirty-Seven Mac woke up alone. He glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly 9:00 a.m. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so late. He wondered why Grace hadn’t woken him when she got up. He got up and threw on a T-shirt and boxers as he hadn’t bothered to put anything on after fucking his sexy wife in their incredibly comfortable new bed last night. He thought he’d find her in the library, but when he...

Chapter Thirty-Three Grace sat curled up in her favorite chair in the library with a cup of tea and her laptop. Dominic’s flight wasn’t until later in the evening, so he and Mac were in the theatre room watching more Three Stooges and laughing like hyenas. Grace could only handle watching Moe poke Curly in the eyes so many times, so she’d opted out of the father/son bonding activity. When Bentley came into the room, Grace...

Chapter Twenty-Nine Mac felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. He hadn’t intended to blurt out the news to Dominic that they were father and son. He wished Dom would say something, anything, but his only response had been to request a drink. Grace’s stomach was in knots. She wished she could wave a magic wand and fast forward past this awkwardness. She was sure that Dominic would be thrilled that Mac was his son once...

Her long fingernail traces the grayscale handcuffs tattooed on my inner forearm. The word 'Free' is inked inside one ring with 'dom' inside the other.  "Baby, you're free with me," she whispers in my ear, making sure her lips connect with my sensitive skin. Click. Drip. Click. Drip. Endorphins fire as the cold steel pinches my skin. I try to jerk my wrists apart, testing the restraints, needing reassurance they are doing...

Chapter Thirteen Grace woke up refreshed and happy. She was curled up against the man she loved, the one who had induced her coma-like sleep by treating her body to mind-blowing sex. It was a welcome treat after spending a few days with his despicable family. She thought wistfully about her own parents. Would they be proud of her if they were still alive? Would they love Mac because she did? Would they love her despite al...

Chapter Fifty-Seven Although Mac’s head remained pain-free, Grace insisted that he keep his follow-up appointment with Dr. Herzog at Schön Clinic Munich Schwabing. His MRI scans showed no tumors, so a trapped nerve in his neck had likely caused the pain. “So, why does the pain come on stronger when he’s stressed?” Grace asked. “When people are stressed, they often clench their muscles subconsciously. That puts more pressu...

“Gag you? You’d fucking love that too much!” As I finish my sentence, I know I’ve pulled the trigger; your eyes flicker into life, and the mood behind them changes. So few words, but such an enthusiastic shift. Your thoughts are now visible in your demeanour. ‘Love it too much?’ I hear your mind qualm.  Your beautiful features and piercing eyes look into me with such intense inquisition, as you verbally probe me... “What...

Chapter Forty-Five Grace ate her meal in silence while Mac and Sal talked business, politics, and sports. Sal tried to engage her in the conversation at one point, but he gave up after her one-word answers made it clear she was in no mood to talk. Mac’s phone rang and, when he excused himself to go answer it, Sal looked at Grace and said, “I’m sorry if I said anything wrong.” “You didn’t,” she said, trying to keep her emo...