Since the brief meeting last time, my only impression of James Reid was his stern demeanor.

　　I knew I wasn't someone he would favor.

　　Lucas never needed to doubt his parentage. His good looks were nearly an exact inheritance of James's, down to the oppressive aura when they turned serious.

　　As James stepped inside, his piercing gaze swept over me from head to toe, effortlessly pulling out every thread of my insecurity.

　　"James," I greeted out ...