Read Touch (Sovereign Book 1) for Free Online Page A

to place what looked like a business card on the side table. Then he was gone, disappearing from sight and leaving me in need of a cold shower and counting down the hours until I could see—and touch—him again.
     

 
     
     
    “You’re looking so good, Alyssa,” my mum cooed in my ear as she hugged me.
    “You too, Mom.” I tightened my arms around her as I realized just how much I had missed her. “We should see each other more often,” I said, pulling away but still holding on to her arms.
    “You’re right, we should.” She smiled brightly at me, her eyes still wet from her happy tears. “You know you’re always welcome.”
    “I know, Mom. But with everything going on with the company right now, I can’t get away.”
    “I’m very proud of you, sweetheart. Your . . . father would be too,” she added, her voice cracking at the mere mention of my father.
    After arriving at Sovereign’s Signature restaurant, I was escorted straight to Gavin and Mom’s table where she proceeded to scream in surprise.
    It was after the appetizers, before the main meals, when Gavin made his move.
    Without an inkling of what was about to happen, my mother went stock still when “My Girl” started playing over the speakers. Gavin lowered himself down onto one knee and reached one hand into his pocket, pulling out a black velvet box from his pocket. He grabbed hold of my mom’s hand and held out the most beautiful princess cut diamond ring I had ever seen—and the biggest—between them.
    “Rosalie, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met, and it would be an honor to call you my wife. Forever and always. Will you marry me?”
    That was my cue to start crying, and never had I been more thankful for the handkerchief I had stashed in my purse.
    Mom just sat there as her eyes switched between Gavin and the ring.
    “Mom, you need to put the man out of his misery,” I said quietly from beside her.
    “Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes!” she cried, before launching herself into his arms, the two of them hugging and kissing on their knees in one of Las Vegas’s most acclaimed restaurants. It was a moment I knew I’d never forget.
    Once they had recovered and returned to their seats, the restaurant manager delivered a bottle of Champagne to our table and then toasted with us to celebrate Gavin and Mom’s engagement.
    Halfway through our main meal, Gavin’s phone rang, and he politely excused himself, walking out of the restaurant and out of sight.
    “So tell me,” Mom started, “have you been dating anyone?”
    “I haven’t had time to date,” I explained. “But I did meet a man on the flight. I went to dinner with him last night in fact.”
    “Oh, now I know there has to be a story there. Tell me all about him.”
    “His name is Barrett Matthews, and he’s here on business.”
    “And where does he live?” she asked in an almost singsong voice, her tone brimming with excitement. She was probably already planning our double wedding in her mind.
    “He’s based in Seattle.”
    “Oh, how nice . Where did he take you for dinner?”
    “Yes,” I said slowly, “last night on the Sovereign’s rooftop.”
    “Oh my lord, how on earth did he manage that?”
    “Apparently, he knows people,” I said with a laugh.
    “Is he handsome?”
    “You have no idea, Mom. He’s smart and thoughtful, but with an air of mystery and intrigue. Every time I’ve seen him, I’ve been left wanting more,” I said. When Mom stifled a giggle, I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment when I realized what I’d implied. With a shrug, I conceded, “Well, that too.”
    “Amen to that,” Mom said, raising her glass in the air and clinking it against mine when I mimicked the gesture.
    I stood up, taking my purse and phone with me. “I’m just going to go to the restroom,” I said, excusing myself. Mom nodded at me, and following the signs, I made my way to the back of the restaurant.
    Opening my messages on my phone while I walked, I