He'd watched Daphne and Bryce struggle with the same fears and doubts not that long ago. He'd even helped them to recognize the weaknesses that had prevented them from grasping happiness together. What Reece hadn't admitted to himself was that he'd been afflicted with the same insecurities as a result of his shaky childhood. The scared little boy inside him who'd faced so much rejection and pain in the past had kept him from laying his soul on the line the morning Don had attacked Amara… That damned morning when she walked out of his life… As hard as it was for him to admit, he'd been scared of taking a personal gamble that would leave him emotionally vulnerable. Then and there, Reece should have been brave enough to tell Amara exactly how he felt about her, as Andy had suggested. With the return of her memory, Amara needed to understand that his feelings for her were real, and not a part of some pretense designed to protect her. Now th
As much as she longed to surrender to his tempting overture, her cautious nature couldn't help but wonder if he was here out of some warped sense of obligation. Or were Reece’s actions motivated by guilt? There was one way for Amara to find out. And if he gave her the answers she sought, she was all his in return."Reece… I want to know if… When you told me you loved me that last night we were together, did you mean it? Was that for real?" Amara held her breath as she waited for him to answer. His gaze softened, glowing with the same emotion she'd seen in his eyes that night they'd bared their hearts to each other."I never say anything I don't mean, precious. And I’m not going to start now. I meant every single word I’ve said to you. Every single one. How about you? Did you mean it?""Yes! I meant everything I’ve said, Reece!" Amara fiercely exclaimed. "I knew the depths of my feelings for you even if my mind was under the influence of amnesia."
“If I had to choose one guy in this place to get naked with, I’d pick Reece Harrow. Without a single shred of doubt… My goodness, he’s so damn sexy…” Tiffany fanned herself with a cocktail napkin and slanted Amara Rafferty an envious glance.“Unfortunately, there’s only one woman in this bar he’s interested in, and it certainly isn’t me, sweetie.” With a patient smile, Amara set down her serving tray at the end of the mahogany bar as Frank poured drinks for the waitresses to deliver to the Saturday evening thirsty customers. Her friend’s insinuation was as clear as the crystal hanging from the glass racks overhead. Reece Harrow wanted HER, and for the past nine months he’d made his interest in her blatantly obvious, despite how many times she’d turned down his advances. Unerringly, Amara’s gaze sought and found the man in question, a gorgeous male specimen with dark, tousled hair, hot, deep, dark chocolate eyes, and a lean, honed body made for s
Amara placed a plate of potato chips on a table between a couple on a date and shivered at the thought of Reece uncovering all her secrets, being a private investigator… And what about the erotic fantasies she harbored involving him? He’d either be very shocked or very pleased to discover her private thoughts with him in the starring role. Not that he’d ever find out how she truly felt about him. After nine months of looking over her shoulder, Amara was just starting to feel safe and secure with her life. The last thing she needed to do was allow sexual urges to lead her astray, despite how much Reece’s flirtatious behavior beckoned her to take a chance on him, to be a bit wild, reckless, and adventurous for a change. It couldn’t happen. She delivered tequila shots to a trio of guys in a corner booth, took more orders for drinks and appetizers, refilled bowls of peanuts, cleaned tables, and collected generous tips along the w
Moments ago, it had taken every ounce of willpower not to pull her against his aroused body and taste her parted lips. And judging by the desire he’d seen flash across her features, he knew Amara hadn’t been immune to their close proximity, either. Undoubtedly, Reece was highly attracted to her, but it was more than just her incredible body and their sizzling chemistry that drew him. So much more… While she was outwardly intelligent, gorgeous, and sweet, there was more to Amara Rafferty than met his trained eye. There was a certain vulnerability he’d glimpsed a time or two. She was a real sex bomb, but she was very private, very reserved. And there were emotional barriers she erected that gave him the impression she was hiding something deeper than feigned disinterest.“My game, dude!” Reece turned around and frowned at his friend Andy, who was grinning triumphantly.“What?”“The game’s over, Reece. And I won.” Andy leaned a h
For as many times as Reece had fantasized about this moment with Amara, he'd never once imagined he'd be kissing her during a moment of crisis such as this. Neither had he expected her to be the originator of the kiss. No, he'd always envisioned their first kiss as a slow, sensual, erotic exploration. Him coaxing her passion to the surface at a leisurely pace, and her gradually surrendering. This reckless embrace went beyond a sweet, lingering kiss and went straight for fast, deep, and blistering hot, as well as wild and consuming. Amara clung to him as if she wanted to crawl into his skin and be a part of him, plastering her soft, lush curves along the length of his body in a way his long-denied libido couldn't ignore. The fingers she'd thrust through his hair flexed for a better hold and Amara angled his mouth for greater pressure, sealing their lips so tightly he was certain he'd bruise her. She didn't seem to care… Desper
Reece paced restlessly in the hospital waiting room, surrounded by Bryce, his brother, Claire, his future sister-in-law, and Andy, a police detective, and his best friend. It had been three hours since Amara had been admitted, and other than a few vague updates that didn't satisfy Reece, they still didn't know her final prognosis. The wait was excruciating, and Reece was eternally grateful that he had the support of his friend and family to keep him company. Because, otherwise, this waiting would’ve been pure torture. Scrubbing a hand along his tense jaw, Reece exhaled in frustration. The last time he, Bryce, and Claire had been in a hospital had been five months ago when their sister, Daphne, had gone into labor. Back then, their presence in a medical facility had been a happy, joyful event as they'd welcomed an eight-pound, three-ounce baby girl Daphne and Sean had named Deidre Marie. But today, the mood was somber and grim as the fou
A soft, snoring sound pulled her from her disturbing thoughts. With a frown, Amara turned her head, glanced down, and found a man slumped forward in an armchair at the side of her bed, his dark head and brawny arms resting on the mattress near her hip. Another snuffling sound escaped him, and she smiled, recognizing that tousled dark hair and the strong, gorgeous profile as Reece's. It appeared he'd fallen asleep while watching over her, and the caring gesture warmed her deep inside. A brief recollection flashed inside her head, of Reece's lips on hers and a wild, deep kiss, unlike anything she'd ever indulged in. She knew Reece, and along with that certainty came the knowledge that he made her feel safe, secure, and desired. But she had no idea what was his role in her life. Was this man her boyfriend? Lover? Friend? Judging by the awareness and intimate longing swirling within her, Amara was guess