Till money do us apart

like he'd been holding back until this very moment. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her against him as if he couldn't bear even an inch

on Westwood-one of the most powerful men in New York, a billionaire with the kind of reputation that made the strongest of opponents back d

groaned low in his throat, the sound sending a shiver down her spine as his lips moved from her mouth to the sensitive skin of her neck

perate. It was the first time he'd said her name

hispered, even as her fingers tangl

rushing against her ear. "But

a way she hadn't wanted anyone in years. It was maddening, irrational, but it was real. Instead of answering,

tracing the curve of her hip, sliding up her thigh as the slit in her dress fell open. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, feeling th

d her throat, his teeth grazing her s

emanded, his voice a roug

her head tilting back,

lla shivered, her nails digging into his shoulders as he pushed the dress up her thigh, exposing the delicate lace of

he muttered, his lips moving again

ne," she managed to sa

nerable there, something she hadn't expected to see. For a moment, they were just two people, stri

he'd burned him. The sudden loss of his heat was a shock, and she stared at

. Her body was still humming with the memory of his touc

looked almost... tortured, like he was at war with himself. "We ca

heels clicking against the polished floor as she straightened her dr

ou don't understand, Bella. This isn't just about

let him retreat. "What aren't you telling me, Damon? Beca

expression hardened, the mask of the ruthless billionaire slipping back

er flaring. She wasn't used to being dismisse

shoulders were tense, his hands clenched into fists at

elf up to him, let herself be vulnerable for just a moment, and now he was pushing her

even though her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. She reac

ai

second, she didn't move, didn't even turn around. She just stood there, every ner

him, his face was unguarded. Vulnerable. "I'm not saying this

There was a raw, aching honesty in his eyes that she'd never seen before, and it made h

ing me away?" she aske

e in his hands, his thumb brushing away the tear she hadn't realized had slipped down her

re she could say anything, he kissed her again-this tim

ing look, he pulled away a

red. "Before I

s time,