Owned by Night

reaks across the smooth expanse of Damien's bedroom. I stared at the ceili

e pillow beside me – the heat of his touch, the way his mouth had claimed every

the other side of th

che curling in my chest. It was easier this w

dress. It lay in a crumpled heap near the door. My shoes wer

against the hardwood floors. Every move felt too

rd to be here w

14 AM. I still had time to make it

could. I found my purse on the edge of the kitchen counter and glanced at

nter on the bar cart, the half-filled gl

nded myself, clutching the

belong in

he elevator, a low voic

thout sayin

pulse q

A towel hung loosely around his waist, low enough to leave little to the imagi

smile. "I didn't

ite believe me. He stepped closer, and I swore

His voice was softer now, but somet

utton, watching the floo

ight," I said, kee

ze darkened

between us felt too small, t

it," I whispered, more

rom my face, and I hated how my body responded –

ingered, tracing the edge of my jaw. "But I

ep back, slipping inside before I could

yes held mine, and I knew – I w

-

as

ightly damp from a rushed shower at home, Profess

o the back row, hopin

hispered, leaning toward

opening my laptop.

She nudged my arm playfu

sing to meet her gaze.

-hu

the screen, pretending to focus. "I

omething other than talki

y still hummed with the ghost of Damie

ssor Carter's voice called ou

ighten us on the intricacie

he weight of dozens of

ntracts depends largely on the presence of mutual assent, but New York law requ

gered for a moment, but he

breath, sinking

at you, acing law by day and s

udged her.

nd – the intensity of his eyes, the roughness of his hands, and t

ure how to

-

cold night air biting at my exposed skin. My coat wasn'

way entrance, already dr

va

name stopped me

cked into the pockets of his coat. His suit from earlier was gone, replaced b

everywhere?" I asked, pullin

o a slow smirk. "Ma

"Stalking isn't

ing the distance between us in two long strides. "I

entrance just beyond h

itation. "It's late. You s

ke care o

nuckles over the side of my cheek. "

used. I should'

him open the

d inside, I knew

y a l