The CEO's Reluctant Bride

Marcus's words settl

anted thi

g sinking deeper, coiling aro

r into this arrangement if Marcus

r father...ruthless as ever...fel

g didn't

is chair, his gaze unre

hes the board, calculating her every mo

at her. Like she was a piece

asked, forcing her voice to stay steady

ile. It was the kind of smirk people w

ame neither of them had agreed to

ame like a weapon, slow and deliberate. "You and I are both victims

twisted at t

e kind of pawn in

arched lazily.

de her feel like the gr

er hands trembling despite he

m, smooth, unaffected by her outburst.

t. The worst part wasn't his cold

orner, and Marcus Ryder had been t

believe he was ju

l prey to anyone's plans.

manded, needing, desperate...to peel

hard as obsidian. "That'

in her cheeks. Rage scorched through

rn! I have a ri

er like a blade. "You h

ing the sharp breath

ike she was standing at the edge of a cliff, wind howling a

across the room. His movements were precise, controlled, t

se our names are now linked, you're entitled to answers. To control." He took a st

? Are you planning to lock me away somewhere until it's convenient

through his eyes...amusement

eir appeal,"

o fists at her sides

his mouth lifting without

ke a slap. She refused to let

led heavily

hum of New York traffic far bel

adjusting the cuff of his tailore

ger than she felt, slicing through the charged

so slightly. His dark gaze scanne

out warnin

, the next he was in front of her. His fingers closed around her w

thundered as he leaned in, close enough that s

ice was low, almost soft.

hung heavy b

rself to meet his eyes, refusing to give

just slightly before he released her without warning,

mis

. She wanted to scream, to demand more, to thro

t no matter how hard she pushed today,

t

spun on her heel and walked toward the elevator, h

t, chin high, but in

e allowed herself one last

she'd left him, hands in hi

nt, so quick she almost t

mething behi

omething almos

ike that,

er had dragged her into, Marcus Ryder ha

and why does he regret