track, the metal scraping against the tiles with a harsh shriek. Then he swept her off the gro
nd his neck. The small puppy, still clu
et animal. His brow furrowed in disgust, but h
tor, bypassing any staff who might see them. The elevat
seats a stark contrast to her soaked, shivering body. He cranked th
n discomfort. He pulled a thick cashmere blanket from a compartment
haking so hard her teeth chattered. The puppy
the door shut. The enclosed space was suddenly fi
en. "You dare hang up on me again?" His voice was shaking with a terrifying, barely leashed fury. "Your life belongs
Tears welled in her eyes. "You were bu
replaced by a ghastly, pale shock. He remembered the call. He remembered Eugenia's manufa
heaving. A pained, choked
en only by the hum of the heater and the distant, m
is face. The cold, ruthless mask was gone
ling, ice-cold hand and
. His expression was a tangled mess of
y a whisper, "that you were more worri
the puppy into a crushing embrace. The force of it knocked the air from her lungs, but she d
breath hot and ragged against her cold skin. Sh
er face against his damp shirt,
ad out and licked Chandler's hand
suit jacket and tossed it aside. He pulled at his tie, then undid
r heart doing a slow, p
ge, his jaw set. Finally, he let out a long, slow breath and
ice rough. But his hand came up to gently rub h
iny, genuine smile touching her
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