Determined Heart

When bored socialite, Lucas Stone, asked Budding Biologist Annie Morales to be his ‘pretend’ fiancée, her immediate thought was ‘No Way.' Lucas Stone was as far from what she considered husband material as she could dream of. Growing up in the same town, they were worlds apart. Annie grew on the poorer side of the city – Lucas was born into a lifestyle of wealth. Annie would never forget Lucas’ cruelty while at school, so why would she do this favor for him?
Besides, she had a dream to pursue – being part of an expedition to the Amazon Jungle. The problem was, she wasn’t the only Biologist who wanted to be on that list – and she’d been trying for years. Added to the problem was her alcoholic brother who she felt responsible for following the death of their parents. Annie never recovered her father being charged for a crime he didn’t commit and vowed to gain his innocence.
Lucas Stone offered her the reality of realizing that dream. Pretend to be his fiancée for three weeks, and he would ensure she got a place on the next expedition.
Lucas Stone had problems of his own, one of them being framed for the murder of the ‘other man’ his fiancée was seeing. The crime of passion they said, but nothing could be further from the truth. Lucas Stone felt love for nothing and no one – except Annie Morales. Annie filled a void in him he didn’t know existed until she returned to his hometown. Each time she left, he felt it keenly.
Lucas Stone never forgot Annie, and when she returned once more to their hometown, he was determined nothing was going to stand in his way of keeping her where she belonged – with him. Annie’s head was not turned by wealth – she didn’t even know his profession. He was aware that money would not induce her to stay – but her trip the Amazon was a different story.
Annie believed in Lucas innocence when individuals in the town didn’t – including his fiancée, who eventually dumped him. Suddenly, she realized her opportunity to do what she couldn’t for her father – prove Lucas innocence. The problem was, Lucas did not want her stepping foot in any of his problems and forcefully told her so. But when his situation became so dire, she took matters into her hands and gained him his freedom – at the cost of her personal safety.
Rather than allow Lucas to discover how he won his freedom, Annie preferred to allow him to think she had paid her dues and was collecting her payment – the Amazon. What Annie could honestly not bear was Lucas pity and his changing feelings towards her. She believed Lucas would leave. All her life, people had left when tough times hit – and this would be no exception. She could not rely on Lucas. She was on her own again, trying to keep her brother afloat. Instead, she was recuperating in a hospital bed.
Lucas, unable to bear her betrayal, allowed their parting to occur. Life continued for Lucas, but he was unable to forget Annie. She was unfinished business, and Lucas always finished his business. Annie could not just walk out of his life – no one did that. Lucas was not all he appeared, and if he was nothing but ruthless. Once his emotions had calmed down, things did not fit into place, and as usual, he set about trying to solve it.
Once Lucas tracked Annie down, rather than feel grateful, he was furious at her actions and took over straight away. Annie was bewildered, for rather than run, Lucas remained at her side, keeping her afloat when all she wanted to do was drift away. She leaned on him heavily, trusting in him while she recuperated. Lucas gave her hope, and then anger when her old self-reasserted itself. Lucas had never felt that implicit trust which was thrust upon him, and the expectation he would not betray that trust.
Annie recuperated and wished to continue with her dream of the Amazon. Can Lucas let her go, knowing full well how he felt? Or will his instinct to conquer take over and ruin whatever hope he has with Annie?