“Well, saying I know you is both true and not quite—Professor Wilson mentions you all the time. And of course, Alice does too. She keeps saying you’re kind and breathtakingly beautiful.”Mason Alvarez spoke with an easy smile.“Really?”Heidi glanced at Joseph.“Something like that.”Joseph scratched his head, forced to back up Mason Alvarez’s story. He couldn’t remember ever mentioning Heidi to her. This woman—smooth as silk, at home in every room. Still, she was his woman, and that was no bad thing.“Of course,” Mason went on. “Heidi, you called me Professor Alvarez—no need for that. Call me ‘senior’ instead.”“I’m a graduate of Nova University, after all. ‘Senior’ suits me better.”She came over, gently took Heidi’s hand, and spoke with warmth.“Is that really okay?”Heidi was a little surprised.She hadn’t expected Alice to treat her so kindly after learning about her and Joseph. And from the look of it, Mason and Joseph shared more than a simple collegial bond.She’d noticed the

“You little brat—you’re trying to buy me off, aren’t you? Fine, bring her something. But don’t make him go to any trouble. If it’s a hassle, forget it. If you’re with your brother-in-law, I’m less worried. Just don’t get carried away.”Hearing Heidi’s sweet talk, Fiona’s irritation fizzled. Her sister could be sharp-tongued and rebellious, but she’d always treated Fiona well—and the feeling was mutual. After all, she only had the one sister.“Got it, got it. Don’t worry,” Heidi chirped, then hung up.“Brother-in-law, my sister will message you in a minute. Just tell her I’m here,” Heidi said as she returned to her seat.“Alright,” Joseph replied—and right then his Facebook buzzed. As expected, Fiona had written.“Professor Wilson, Heidi says she’s with you. She’s not lying, is she? She went out in the afternoon and it’s already eleven. If she’s not with you, I’ll worry.”“She’s with me,” Joseph typed back. He turned on the camera and snapped a quick shot of Heidi mid-bite, looking ado

“Alright, alright—I was wrong! I misspoke,” Heidi said in a rush. “I’m going to get some water. So thirsty!”Catching Fiona’s murderous look, she bolted from the couch toward the kitchen. Fiona could only sigh. Sisters.“This barbecue is excellent. Professor Wilson’s cooking tastes even better than before,” Fiona said as she ate, her meaning layered.“Doesn’t it? It’s so good I feel like I’ll never be full. Oh, and guess what—my brother-in-law got a one-million-dollar award from the university. Impressive, right?” Heidi said, animated.“That remarkable?” Fiona arched a brow. “Then again, his professional skill is the real deal. He’s been at Nova University not even half a year and he’s already done so much for them. I heard most of this year’s top-scoring students chose Nova—and many of them went for Professor Wilson specifically.”“No kidding. He’s insanely competent,” Heidi said. “But sis, what do you think he did before? He’s so young and already that capable—he can’t have been a n

Feeling Joseph take the lead, Mason Alvarez wrapped her arms tight around his neck, pulling him closer, needing to breathe him in, to savor the raw presence of the man she’d chosen.Her words had moved him more than he could say. In that instant, he vowed to cherish her—to love her with a fierce devotion that would be the deepest, strongest gift he could give.His ardor kindled an answering flame in Mason. She explored him with reckless hunger, meeting his passion with her own.It was destined to be a sleepless night. At last, spent and sated, she fell asleep in Joseph’s arms, adrift in his warmth.She slept deeply, a faint, blissful smile lingering at the corner of her lips.The next morning, when Joseph got up, he didn’t wake Mason. She clearly needed the rest.Alice, who’d been drunk the night before, was already up. Today she wore thin cotton shorts and a fitted shirt—simple, clean lines that somehow made her even more alluring.The outfit framed every curve to devastating effect.

“Because she’s right. When Uncle Robinson and Uncle Zhang are together, it’s either fishing or cards.”Leah spoke with solemn conviction.“Fine.”“But Dad probably just wants Joseph to look him over.”Alice ventured a guess.“Didn’t I tell you? The medicine my brother-in-law prescribed is delicious. He gave it to Dad. Smelled amazing—tasted even better.”Leah nodded earnestly.“You didn’t sneak any, did you?”Alice eyed her, suspicious.“Of course not. I like good food, but I’m not reckless enough to eat random medicine.”Leah’s tone was all reason.“Really? That’s not what Mom told me.”Alice gave her a pointed look.“She’s lying. She’s always picking on me. Sometimes I wonder if she’s even my real mom.”Leah declared, dead serious.“Ahem!”Alice nearly choked. “If she’s not your real mom, who is?”Leah’s face split into a grin. “Kidding! Don’t be so serious, sis.”She immediately switched to flattery mode.“Say that to her face and see what happens,” Alice said, amused.“I’m not stu