Page 57

"Can I be in charge of the pumpkins?" Rosalie asks. She's nearly bouncing on her heels. Her eyes shine bright with excitement. "You can get the rest of the decorations, Miss Turner."

I glance over at Mr. Sinclair, who gives a slight nod to the bodyguards. The guards escort the kids to the pumpkin patch located at the far end of the store.

"I'm glad she's forgiven me for calling her by her old nickname," I say.

"She's not mad at you. She's mad at the world," he says.

We walk through the aisles together, just him and I. The second we're alone together, something electric sizzles to life between us, tugging at me like an invisible cord.

"I know that feeling," I whisper, stopping to inspect some life-size skeletons. "I was about her age when I lost my mother too. It bothered me so much how unaffected the rest of the world remained. Everything had changed for me, but everything was still the same."

"I'm sorry," he says.

"It was a long time ago," I say. "I'm lucky that my grandmother took me under her wing. She made sure that I knew I wasn't alone in the world."

Tears prick the backs of my eyes. They always do whenever I think about my grandmother being on her own at the hospital. She puts on a brave face for my sake, but I know she's still in a lot of pain.

I feel heat at the back of my neck.

Klaus Sinclair is watching me.

"What about you?" I ask. "Were you close to your mother?"

I feel a shift in his energy.

When I turn to look at him, I see he's glaring at me like I'm a creature sent from hell just to torment him.

"I'll be with the kids," he says. "Get whatever you need and meet us out front."

"Oh, okay."

I watch him retreat. His broad back, his dark hair, the powerful aura he exudes. A shiver travels down my spine as I remember the way his hands felt on my body.

They were so heavy on me.

I never felt so grounded before. It felt like I had my feet fully planted on the ground for the first time in my life.

But I can't get ahead of myself.

Even in an alternate universe, there's no way I can ever be with someone like Klaus Sinclair.

14

EMMA

It’s Friday evening.

My stomach twists with nerves. It’s not an unfamiliar feeling. Whenever I have to do something outside my comfort zone, I overthink every little detail until I drive myself crazy.

Tonight is my first night at the gentlemen’s club.

“Can you read me another story, Miss Turner?” James asks.

I check the time on my new phone. True to his word, Mr. Sinclair got me a brand new phone. I’ve never owned anything this expensive before.

“I have to leave now, but I’ll read you an extra story on Sunday night,” I say.

“Do you really have to go?” James asks softly.