w them. Sophie watched the city lights blur into streaks of gold and white, trying to steady her breathing. The kiss
ring straight ahead. The silence between them was thi
penthouse-no lobby, no hallway. J
ture in charcoal and cream, abstract art that probably cost more than most people's homes. A grand piano sat untouched in
ly li
the back of a leather chair, and loosened anothe
asked with
er voice came out st
a glass with ice and sparkling water for her. When he handed
etting the cold calm t
watching her over the rim of his
yed th
dropped to her mouth for a second,
ed. "It was fo
s i
wn harder than inten
wh
ow what I'm thin
them in two slow steps. Not crowding her-not yet-but cl
eling, Sophia," he said quietl
his is a job. A perfo
ht now?" His voice was low, rough. "
'm here because y
urs.' Not 'ta
hed again-dang
im, and brushed a loose strand of hair behin
mured. "And I will. No qu
lena had given her. Blackmail. Revenge
leaned in-jus
thumb stroking the sensitive skin there
ed the l
this time no cameras, n
aist, pulling her flush against him. She gasped into his mouth, fingers curling into his shirt. He tasted like whiskey and
against the bar island. The edge pressed into her lower back. His hands slid
ir, his forehead rested aga
of the contract
oice wrecked. "Thi
nd he call the car back. She should remem
fting her onto the marble countertop in one smooth motion. The cold surface shocked her skin
hot-teeth grazing her collarbone. She
xand
name on her lips. Pulled ba
t was untucked, hair mussed. They
er swollen bottom
er," she
is eyes-need, possession,
g up her thighs under the dress, bunching the silk. Her breat
on the counter beside
y cras
k, chest heavi
e. "It's Elen
eck in. Protective best friend mode activated th
zzed again-t
or it with sh
ou got home. It's been an hour. If I don't
shakily. "I h
pace, though his hands stayed on her
ine. At his place. Safe.
THING. And if he hurt
the phone
r, expression unread
you,"
ed between them. "Of
trying to reclaim some composure. "We can't..
harp, controlled
at. No press
e was holding himse
ward the hallway she assumed led t
down the hall. Fully stocked. Or..." He paused. "M
doorway. "I need
the left. Bathroom's en suite. I'll
ated. "Th
t," he said quietl
nd her, leaned against i
ingling. Body aching in plac
onfusion, one terrifying t
lready in
was the secret that coul
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