It had been such a beautiful, perfect night... The Christmas lights adorning the facades of the buildings in Vail, Colorado, shone brightly on the snow like stars that had fallen from the sky to light the way.

Yes, the night had been perfect, and Raphael even more so. But it always was.

Bailey couldn't believe it was real. Even after eight months, she couldn't believe it because it was like a fairy tale, and she'd never believed in happy endings.

And then I had met Raphael.

I only saw him every two months when he went to Colorado on business, and he never stayed more than a weekend.

She'd been measured all her life and very cautious when it came to men, but with Raphael... she'd lost all caution. She'd given herself to him without a thought of protecting herself, without a thought of anything other than how much she wanted him.

She was a different woman with him, a woman in love.

Everything was hectic when she was there, and tonight was no exception. After dinner, they strolled through the city before returning to the hotel, where Raphael had consumed her with his passion.

But tonight he seemed different, more intense. He wasn't going to complain, though. Bailey stretched out on the sheets, curling his toes. He was still

recovering, he thought as he lay on his side, facing the bathroom. The door was closed, but a sliver of light was visible underneath.

Bailey sighed heavily, waiting for him to go back to bed.
Waiting impatiently because that night was different and special.

She loved him so much it hurt. She never imagined she could feel that way about someone else, or that anyone could feel that way about her.

And I wanted more. I wanted it all.

The bathroom door opened and her heart leapt. It was ridiculous how giddy she felt around him... then again, she'd never been that intimate with another man.

In her job as a waitress, she received offers from men all the time, but they didn't affect her. She had become disenchanted with men when she left home at sixteen. She had seen too much screaming, too much heartache.

That's why she'd wanted to make her own life, to forge her own future. She'd reached twenty-one as a virgin because she was determined to wait for the right man, until she was ready.

And then I had met Raphael.

Her friends couldn't believe he existed. She'd stopped talking about him because every time she mentioned him, she was met with eye rolls and jokes like, "Raphael? Bailey, are you dating a Ninja Turtle?"

She hadn't introduced them because Raphael was always very busy when he went to Colorado. Besides, she wanted him all to herself. Yes, she was dazed and upset because of him. And she had a feeling it would always be that way.

–Bailey, shouldn't you be getting dressed?

She frowned. She hadn't expected him to say that because they used to spend the night together whenever he went to Vail.

"I thought... well," Bailey ran a hand over her bare curves. "I'm still not entirely satisfied."

"I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. I thought I told you."

He was very serious, and that seriousness gripped her throat and filled her heart with fear, although she couldn't say why.

"No, you didn't tell me," Bailey tried to smile because there was no point in getting angry when they only had a few minutes together. "Do you have to go back to Europe?"

"Yes," he replied as he pulled on his pants, concealing his fabulous body. The reverse striptease act excited her, even though it had a more depressing ending than the alternative.

She watched the flex of his muscles with every movement, the long,...