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prologue

SEVEN YEARS AGO

The darknessand allowed her to bare not only her body but her very soul

Her hands slid over sleek muscles and dampened skin She arched under the heat of histo an aching tenderness that broke her apart piece by piece His na hi him

“Tristan”

He parted her thighs and slid ho all the empty spaces inside until there was only hiht with tension and a raw possession that thrilled her

“Give ”

She couldn’t fight his words or his body His hands gripped her hips His aher, wringing agonizing pleasure with each step toward cliave in, and let him catch her as she shattered with release

He followed her over, groaning her na to him with a vulnerable need she tried desperately to hide in the light of day He rolled to the side, and for a few precious moments, he held her She breathed in the delicious scent of sweat, sex, and th

Tears stung her eyes God, how she loved him When he held her like this, the confusion and fear calmed, and she was able to reach an inner peace But he was slipping further aith each passing day, and she didn’t kno to stop the slide

Maybe when he knew about the baby, things would change

They’d get better They’d make a commitment and move forward, and it would be like this all the time

As if he caught her thought, he suddenly released her, turning away to sit up in the bed aled sheets

The fragile hope was crushed like new spring grass under a booted heel

“I have to tell you so, Syd”

She gathered her courage “I have to tell you so, too,” she said quietly

He stood up The h theand drenched hilow He pulled on his jeans with a quick precision that told her he wouldn’t be staying the night Again

“I’”

Shock hit her like a sharp slap She propped herself up on her elbow and stared Panic stirred “What are you talking about?”