Spotlight
Alexander Koch lives a life most men would kill for. As the sole heir to his family’s enormous wealth, he enjoys the finer things in life despite the crippling pain that increases with every passing day. Until he meets the one he's intended for. The one whose slightest touch makes the pain vanish. But after a chance meeting at the first Gathering of their kind, the girl runs from him in terror. Now he’s willing to spend every last cent to find her.
Jessalyn Vogt escaped her father’s controlling ways and has settled into a simple life, caring for her horses and brewing coffee for her customers. Until Alexander Koch tracks her down. She wants nothing to do with his arrogance, his money, or the undeniable attraction drawing her to him. But she knows she is the only one who can relieve him of the horrible pain racking his body. The Cotiere has been reunited, but that was the easy part. Greed and old traditions threaten to tear it apart again. Trust has been compromised and hidden agendas are destroying the fragile truce between parents and children. It’s in the hands of the new counsel to keep it together, even if it means some must be willing to lose everything. |
Excerpt
Alexander was staring out her picture window, and caught her gaze in the reflection. "Feel better?"
"Yes." While she was showering, he had changed into a pair of slim fit jeans and tucked in a button down shirt left open at the throat. The gap revealed a dusting of red chest hair on the exposed skin, and a pair of sunglasses hung from the breast pocket. "You changed."
He turned, took a sip of coffee, and shrugged. "I keep a spare set of clothes in the car. Late nights at the office got me in the habit." Alexander's sharp eyes studied her face as he crossed the room.
"I suppose I owe you an apology for last night." She slid a palm over her forehead trying to regain her composure. His close proximity jangled her nerves in the best possible ways. "The wine was probably a bad idea after the fall."
"Apparently." His chest rumbled in amusement, and the sound sent goosebumps up her arms. His eyes twinkled, and she wished she could lose herself in them. The deepening of the green in his gaze told her he felt it too. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine. You didn't have to stay. I've had worse falls than that." She managed.
His scent sharpened, and the tang of orange wrapped around her as he stepped closer. The dull ache of his pain throbbed against her chest until he gently gripped her chin and tipped her face further toward his. Her skin tingled where he touched her, and his thumb grazed her chin.
"I'm sure you have. But not since you became my responsibility," he said.
"Your what?" Jessi twisted away, wanting to snatch the mug from his hand and dump the contents down his designer shirt.
He was unfazed. "You are my Empfangerin. Therefore, my responsibility." His scent sharpened painfully, and she hesitated. "No matter what you have been led to believe, I have no desire to control you. I only intend to take care of what I'm entrusted with." His tone softened, and he brushed his fingers down her cheek. "I couldn't not stay, Jessi. Why does that upset you so much? It's my honor to take care of you. That's the way we're made."
Jessi's breath escaped in a rush, and she pinched her eyes closed against Alexander's intensity. Everything in her wanted to believe him. Try, Jessi. You know he's right.
"Alright." She opened her eyes, but refused to back down completely. "That may be truth, but can you please find a less Neanderthal way to express it?"
His expression widened, and he leaned back with a hearty laugh. His dancing eyes met hers again. "I suppose I deserved that."
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