Shadows beneath the vow

's

sound. "I'm home, Nathan!" With a voice tinged with fatigue, I called. I was met wit

o a prestigious university very ser

e stack, each package a harsh reminder of how close we were to drowning, made my stomach turn. Even without Nathan's tuition, my sa

voice. His face was marked with worry, and his

Sliding the money under a m

ut. He took a step toward me

st him in the direction of the refrigerato

d remarked, "You're a

. "I'm all right, Nathan. Please don't wor

id. Perhaps I ought to take

tone to be so sharp. Nathan, you're att

ncern shining in his eyes.

led weakly at him and return

st while I stirred the spaghetti. For the sake of bo

work. I lacked the enthusiasm and time for a high-profile event. M

she said, settli

, "Sophia, I don't

e a gorgeous black number that will fit you like a g

d, "I need

ife, you will let loose. Daring m

at the Blackwell Enterprises charity dinner. With the air heavy with wealth a

murmured, "Smile."

said as I pulled at th

ceed." After giving a wink,

I sensed someone standing next to me while I waited for the bartender. I

?" he said in a

y cheeks flushe

is lips. "You simply don't seem to be

raised an eyebr

zing. He held out h

." He held me tightly, and I fe

has led you t

e, I acknowl

yes met mine as he leaned in closer. "But

eat. If only for a brief instant, his mesmerizing prese

was drawn in like a riptide by Griffin's irresistible presence.

body had different thoughts than my intellect, which advised me to halt and consider this. M

he inquired in a qu

a tremulous but

a tornado of emotion. I let go of everything that was pre

through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I blinked as I attempted to reconstr

gathered my garments as quietly as I could. When I got to

g farewell?" I was halted

ound his waist as I turned around. His hair was ruffled and his ey

, I stumbled, "I didn'

for breakfast," yet there was an intensity

door and murmured

a while, he nodded. "Al

to the bone. I gave a brief nod and walk

late for work by the time I got to the street. I secretl

my breath when I got to the o

sly and remarked, "You loo

er the office before she could ask for more information. When I looked up, I sa

ible. But, the little smirk on his lips as o

Blackwell was more t

loyer