TRAPPED IN HIS VOWS

s is

lt from the ashes of his family's downfall. It should have been enough. The wealth. The po

is moment. He had spent years ensuring his company overshadowed theirs, stripping away their influence piece by piece. But busine

y to his f

Lanca

n their otherwise impenetrable armor. Unlike her ruthless parents, she was untouched by

he door pulled him

his voice smooth but

e. "Everything is in place," Nathan said, handing him a file. "The engagement

aph of Aria. Sapphire-blue eyes, golden-blonde hair cascading over

felt sor

mo

d back in his chair. "Good. The Lancasters took e

Ar

e his great

ing on her son. Ethan didn't have to look up to know she had that familiar, knowing

ling window to glance out at the city. "You've been brooding aga

her visit. Margaret Sinclair wasn't a woman who le

the folder on his desk. "So, is this the part where you

s hands together. "I'm goi

erself on the edge of his desk, picking up the folder without waiting for permission. S

t chuckle. "She's beautiful. Sweet-looking

answer. He di

nd folded her arms. "Do you

ears-stirred something in his chest. But he sho

oice was fir

for something beyond the cold determination in hi

nce your mind is set." She patted his cheek lightly, her touch brief but lin

sure, Ethan." Her voice was quieter now, almost

gaze, his ja

t me,

lashing across the screen making

do you want, Camille?" His voic

"You always sound so tense. I thought I'd do something nice for you

air, pinching the bridge of

know you can't stay away forever. You love a

You think you know me, Camille," he said, his t

w as he listened in. When Ethan ended the call with a sharp, "I

mused, shaking his head. "Ever considered writing a b

rather write How to Get a Therap

"Now where's t

and immediately di

formal voice answered. "J

ed. "Jonathan, I assume you've heard the latest ne

reful but edged with tension. "I don't d

. I have a proposal-one that might just be the

use, longe

sharply. "Fine. Come to th

as sharp as he

me

work it finally got c

that filled the hollow silence of Ethan Sinclair's world. The storm

ng a hand through his long blonde hair. His phone buzzed in his

e phone

aze landing on the woman s

owing smirk. She moved like silk, rising to her feet with feline grace. Her fingers traced the e

, pressing a teasing kiss along h

r bare skin beneath his fingertips. His phone was still in his grip, but she was undeterred,

edged with amusemen

lower, playing with the buttons of his dress shirt

chuckle-dark,

ed her flush against him. A soft gasp left her lip

d her like this-rough, domi

the sensitive shell of her ear. His w

an get the

dazed expression shifting i

en eyes indifferent as he pulled away. He adjusted the cuffs of h

again, her voice so

n't even look at her a

ntment. "You'll come back to me," she hissed, y

the ghost of amuseme

eaction, a flicker of some

, she stormed out, the

ling slowly. His room was empty

strac

dim glow of the bedside lamp, his broad chest rising and falling in slow, measured breaths. His thick, firm ass was barely hidden

d to come. I

ng in his veins. His body was tense, restless, aching for somethin

cts-past meaningless names, past women who would eage

of them f

ore he typed out a sh

ld ni

e he could secon

It wasn't like him to reach out for... what? Comfort? Company? He exhale

d, the silenc

is phon

, I can think of better

s knew how to play the game-always ready to crawl back

hing about it

le, he tossed t

th unspent desire, but he ignored it. He neede

g him crave something cold. He strode into the living room, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, an

Geograp

r shifts. The brutal, p

their prey. He knew the feeling-knew the hunger, the patience, t

ne buzz

er me

other offer to ch

en look at i

the images on the screen lulling him into a restle