Can’t Win Me Back

The warm, early morning sun bathed Rose Island in golden light.

The fine, white sand on the beach shimmered with a dazzling radiance.

The bedroom Alyssa was in was as dark as night.

Heavy, luxurious velvet curtains blocked out the sunlight completely.

In such an atmosphere, someone exhausted from a night of struggle could easily sleep through the day.

But Jameson woke up early.

After a night of relentless nightmares, he was drenched in cold sweat, his face ashen.

The moment he opened his eyes, he reached out frantically, his hands trembling.

He exhaled in relief when he felt the warmth of Alyssa's body beside him.

Then, he sat up in bed.

The bed was a mess, not from lovemaking but from Alyssa's frenzied struggles the night before.

At the very last moment, Jameson forced himself to suppress his urge to dominate her.

watching Alyssa's delicate face as

pale lips curled into a relieved

lifted his hand and gently stroked the face he

was reluctant to pull

hold you so much..." Jameson softly sang one of his favorite love songs, his voice low and husky as he traced Alyssa's nose with the tip

emotions choking him made his voice crack, go off-key, and

couldn't hear him

he didn't sing to her now, he might never have the

morning, Lyse." Jameson leaned forward and planted a kiss on

was really tempted to address her as

Schmidt".

to say

that even if they had a wedding and shared the same bed, Alyssa would never actually be his—not

final moment, he refused to

and a helper entered

"Mr.

approached, she noticed the raw, hideous wound on

widened in shock, and she nearly dropped

"Mr.

to bandage it right away!"

his