The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Once Pattie and her dad finished talking, she agreed to have a birthday party- and Herman promised not to stick his nose into her friendships.

But when Herman got back to the bedroom, he still looked troubled.

Anastasia had just gotten the little ones to sleep. When she saw him come in, she slipped out onto the balcony for a smoke, then peeked back inside, curious. "What's wrong? Did Pattie say no about the party?"

"No, that's not it." Herman took a drag and quickly put out his cigarette, not wanting the smoke to drift her way.

"Then why the gloomy look?" Anastasia reached up, gently smoothing the frown from his brow. "Something bothering you?"

He smiled, catching her hand and holding it in his.

Whether he remembered the past or not, loving her had become second nature. He wrapped her arms around his waist. “I talked to Pattie. She's okay with the party, but on one condition: I have to invite the Wisman family."

Anastasia blinked. "Who's the Wisman family?"

"They're the folks who dropped off the painting for Pattie this afternoon-Jonah Wisman's family. Their son, Zach, helped Pattie out today. I think it's the first time she's really experienced friendship. But now I'm worried-what if Zach ends up stealing our daughter's heart?"

Anastasia grinned, finally catching on. "You're jumping the gun, babe. She's only eight! You're already thinking about her future love life? If Zach helps Pattie break out of her shell and make more friends, that's a good thing. Childhood buddies can be the best, you know. Besides, what's this Wisman family like?"

"Nelson told me I used to work with Jonah-he's a decent guy. Inviting their family to Pattie's party seems like a good way to reconnect. And if Elysian Technologies wants to expand here, I should get to know them first."

You can't just barge into someone else's turf and expect everything to go your way.

The Wisman family practically ran this town. Herman knew he needed to tread carefully.

"Business stuff is all yours," Anastasia said, cuddling into his arms. "Right now, I just feel so lucky."

Herman grinned. "Just wait. You're about to feel even luckier."

He leaned down and kissed her, hard and deep, hands gripping her waist like he never wanted to let go.

And that's when Anastasia realized—he wasn't talking about happiness in the usual way.

He was getting bolder with every day.noveldrama

The moonlight spilled across their room, silver and soft, as if the world had wrapped them in a gauzy veil.

Every inch of Anastasia felt like it was soaking in honey-sweet, heady, and warm. She found herself

thinking that if life could always be

like this, she wouldn't get

one bit.

As for Herman, he had the crazy thought that if he died right here in her arms, he'd die happy.

Moonlight, skin, and the irresistible pull between them.

He lifted her leg over his hip...

What is

giving your all, and wanting nothing more than to share every beautiful

3t's risking everything

t together. Contents

Time slipped by, but neither of them seemed to tire.

Who knows how long it was before Anastasia lay draped over the edge of the bed, taking a long, shaky` breath, her voice husky. "That felt amazing."

He leaned over her, breath hot against her ear. "Ana, did you like that?"

She nodded quickly. "Loved it."

She knew if she said no, he'd just keep going to prove a point.

That was the first time he called her "Ana."

After that, every time they were close, he'd call her that. It was his special name

for her just his.

Herman gave her waist a playful squeeze. "Giving up that easily?"

Anastasia laughed. "Hey, I know when to admit defeat!"