Alicia, his eyes

her a sharp look, then pressed his palms togethe

n shifted gears, flashed Alicia a polite smile, and

s she pulled out her phone. "Send me your

and a faint flush crept up her cheeks. "Ah-my account's temporari

g look, the woman recited her a

ia seized Jared by the sleeve, tuggi

message to Jared. "I know I can't dissuade you from seeking justice for your mother. What happened back then was tangled and painful, but as your aunt

.

e a brief message, explaini

flagged down a pass

silence, shoulders tense,

he windows that he finally spoke, his voice low and restrained. "I was buri

nd bitter, a spike of irritation driving into Alicia at the image of

sted, urgency creeping into his

ed as Alicia responded, "Th

way out, who would ever

adow crept across Jared's features, his jaw tig

im with an unyielding stare, "you belong to me for now. At least until this par

tone left Jared frozen in p

head in quiet compliance, y

the confidence usually etched into his fe

lingering alcohol or something else entirely,

he went straight for the

r head, yet the rising steam and residual buzz

wrapped herself in a ro

moving fast, but the instant he looked up

ng smooth skin, and the emptiness that usually cloude

moved closer, throat tightening bef

a settled onto his lap, her arms looping around

Jared stiffened, one hand coming up t

be the first time." Alcohol had blurred Alicia's judgment, erasing the

million on him-what did it mat

uth against his, sealing the t

e, Jared froze, conflicting emot

time, but this time he was standi

d bit lightly at his lower lip, testing him. Her mouth linger