Ruthless Ties

hat she had impulsively done crashed on her like a tidal wave. Her shaking hand reached for the

ad she

is was honest-to-goodness lust-a thing that engendered in her a sort of fear. It wasn't the passion that kept her

d to a marble-clad lobby save for the concierge, who stood at the desk, polishing the

hest. A deep breath drawn settled a heart racing along. Before her was laid a maze of neon light and sound as the city unrolled.

No names.

be an escape, a momentary lapse to bury the anguish Victor had

tch tingled. She reached inside and arched a brow as h

eved and urgent. "Where are you? I'v

avy, tired sigh. "

u didn't do anythi

ng gaze of the mysterious man fla

d. "Elara! W

sound convincing. "I jus

onfront Victor, not dis

Elara said with a shrug

t sigh. "I get it. He hurt you, and seeing him again wou

a's chest seized up

e you do

ra had nothing

talk about it. I'll make coffee, and yo

dia was always one to break down he

hts swim once more back to the man in the black mask: his touch, his voice all blurred and over, ou

ows hang

nt of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the comforting hum of the city w

ydia noted, sliding into

ark liquid mirroring the turmoil in

rched. "You me

lara wh

between them. Lydia's eyes widened as reali

ace burning with shame. "

forward with a delighte

nto a thin line. "I do

gasped. "

" Elara defended, though the wo

Lydia's eyes shon

ous. He made me f

"That doesn't

red, "I cannot believe I let m

offered. "Sometimes, a little bit of

Elara's mind, her skin hot beneath his caressing hands, timber low in

hing," she said firmly.

le night," Lydia

couldn't suppress a small

-

g the city, Adam Davis stood by a floor-to-ceiling w

e over and over in his mind. Her. The woman who had storm

r name, but he co

ce cut into

ant, Lucas, who was holdi

's anniversary g

narrowed. "E

ne caught your eye," Lucas

hardened.

essed his amusement. "Your ne

an with the fierce eyes and trembling lips. She

ow, he would f

e, she would