A One-Night Stand with consequences

topher looked up from his newspaper. He looked at his mot

gnored his attempt to deflect. "Don't mess with me,

he stammered, grabbing his coffee. "I'm

," interrupted his mother, in a sh

nd coughing. "What are you talking about, mo

. "Don't you know?" she asked, her voice drip

head, complet

children who were watching him. Two cherubim faces,

Christopher stammere

d by a look of stern disapproval. "The children of a ce

a Clarke. This name resonated in the recesses of his memory, a

ysical blow. "You have to marry her," she sa

his voice rising. "Marry her?

you know Cora, my friend? The one who

er nodded

eo conference, the baby started crying, and the young woman apologized and went to pick him up. It was then that Cora noticed th

Christopher. "And then?" he a

her voice hardening, "I h

his bones. He had underestimated his m

shoulders. He could not ignore it. He could not pretend that it did not exist. They

aid, his voice firm, though a tre

akness. But Christopher met her gaze, his expression resolute. He wouldn't let h

thoughts were anything but calm. Amanda's face haunted him, her laughter, her smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about th

ationships. His life was a whirlwind of business meetings, flights, and fleeting connections, and he loved it that way. It wa

ty that made it impossible to look away. Christopher had been intrigued, then captivate

g real, something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in years. It scared him. When they met in his room, he ha

lt for them. He had told himself that he was doing Amanda a favor by rejected her. But the look in

s revelation had taken his mind away. He had spent years convincing himself that his choices did not leave scars, that the walls he had buil

try. She had every reason to keep him at a distance. But he couldn't leave, not

years ago. He was ready to fight for a place in their lives,

future. For the first time in years, Christopher Kole wanted something he couldn't buy, charm or