The billionaires pawn

's p

of mine," I mustered th

ules in the contract you signe

l let him know," I respon

now let

Julian's gaze on me, sharp and unwavering, as we drove through the city. I pretended

it like that," I finally sp

ding. "I don't do 'maybe's' or 'what if's,' Lexi

mach flip. How he said it-like a command, not a sugge

le my seatbelt. I followed him into the building, my heart racing, trying to ignore the unsettling

s was thick and heavy,

ctor Hale doesn't matter. What matters is you and me. An

ver through me. "I'm not your property, Julian,"

ew long strides, his presence overwhelming. "Oh, but you are. You might not

t escape. His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with a possessiveness that lef

is voice a dark promise. "From me?" "Need I remind you t

but my words failed me. There was som

lt through me. "You signed up for more than jus

oment. The heat between us crackled, and every instinct in me screamed to p

demanding as if he was marking me-claiming me in a way that had nothing to do with

his voice thick with d

.. I'

urgent like he was trying to devour me. I froze momentarily, but

ingers digging into his

ed me away. My breath was ragged, my chest rising and falling

like he was trying to figure

dangerous. "I'll make you beg, Lexi. You'll crave eve

s caught in my throat. He was right. I coul

I was strong enough to resist, my

like glass. Julian's jaw tightened, and he walked away to answer it,

voice came from the other room, low and sharp as he spoke into the phone. I couldn

bing need still pulsing through me. Julian ret

row," he said, his tone sud

" I blink

stant. Then, his lips curled into a small, almost

ach clenc

arily, then said q

s the last person I expected

to ask more questions. I pulled it out, and seeing

e. He's not the man you think he is.

rembled as I stared a