The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

If a man steps in front of a knife for a woman-puts his own body between her and danger—there's really only one reason. That woman is worth more to him than his own life.

That's how Rowan sees Anastasia. She matters more to him than anything, even if he never says it out loud.

Love like that doesn't just appear out of thin air.

Herman could feel jealousy burning in his chest, so he knocked back another long drink, trying to wash it away.

"So, what else is going on between them?" he asked, voice gruff.

Dailey thought for a second, turning it over. "Boss, honestly? Ana and Rowan barely even know each other. You don't have to worry. Ana would never betray you."noveldrama

But the truth was, the few times Anastasia and Rowan had crossed paths, nobody else had been around. Dailey and the rest didn't really know the whole story.

Herman stopped asking questions. He just raised his glass. "Let's drink."

Dailey drank with him. They kept going until the city streets grew quiet, empty except for the neon glow, and both of them were well past tipsy. Dailey could usually hold his liquor, but tonight, Herman was already out of it—not because of the alcohol, but because his mind was somewhere else entirely.

Honestly, if it were just a drinking contest, Dailey would never beat him.

Dailey was about to call a cab to take Herman to a hotel when a car he knew well rolled up and parked right in front of them. Anastasia stepped out, her face unreadable in the soft streetlight.

Propping up the nearly unconscious Herman, Dailey tried to explain. "Ana-hey, this wasn't his idea. He wanted to go home, but I dragged him out for a drink. He's been back a while, and I just got excited. I made him stay. We both overdid it."

Dailey was handling his liquor fine-Herman, not so much. But it wasn't really the booze knocking him flat; it was everything else.

Anastasia didn't argue, just nodded calmly. "Help him into the car."

She knew what was happening. He was avoiding her, maybe even scared to face

her. He'd come back from Willowbrook and hadn't bothered to come home. She wouldn't have even known he was back if Nelson hadn't slipped up and mentioned Dailey had taken his call.

Dailey settled Herman into the back seat and turned to her, still trying to cover for his boss. "Ana, really, don't be mad at him. It's all on me. Boss promised you he'd never get drunk out again-I made him break that promise. Just this once, okay?”

Anastasia's heart ached. Even people outside their marriage remembered Herman's promises to her-except, apparently, Herman himself.

She forced a thin smile. "Dailey, do I look unreasonable to you? Go home. I'll take care of him."

Dailey scratched his head, knowing better than to get involved in a husband and wife's business. He handed Herman over and left.

Anastasia didn't take Herman back to Salstrom Manor. She drove to Harmony Meadows instead, the little house that always smelled faintly of lemon and clean

laundry, where someone came by every week to keep it spotless.

She helped Herman inside and into the bedroom, washed his face with warm water, wiped his hands, took off his coat and shoes, and tucked him under the covers. She didn't turn on the overhead light, afraid it would wake him, letting the soft light from the hallway spill in just enough to see.

When she finished, she sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching him sleep.

She remembered when they first met. He used to come home late, night after night, reeking of alcohol, barely awake. Now it felt like everything had circled back to how it all began.

Her nose stung with the urge to cry, but she held it in. She couldn't let herself break down, not now.

She made sure the blanket was snug around him and stood to leave, but suddenly, a hand caught hers. In one quick move, he pulled her into his arms.

Anastasia's heart skipped. In the dimness, her startled gaze met his dark, searching eyes.

Before she could react, Herman rolled over, pulling her beneath him, his lips finding hers in a wild, desperate kiss.

His mouth traced a path from her lips down her neck, then to her collarbone, sending tingles racing through her body.

The room felt thick with whiskey and something sweeter-desire, maybe. The temperature climbed, slow and hot.

Moonlight streamed in from the window, lighting her face, making her look almost unreal-so beautiful, it hurt to look at her. He couldn't help himself. He wanted her, all of her, all over again.

Anastasia's eyes shimmered with tears. His familiar scent wrapped around her, bringing back memories of tangled sheets and whispered promises. The longing she'd tried to bury came rushing back. Hechand found his belt buckle, and the rest of the world faded away.