TAMING THE ICE KING

ne buzzed b

ssive bed that still felt too luxurious, to

omach

s 5:4

third ring. "Someo

oice was clipped, cold.

nked. "

ions. You have f

ne wen

the phone like i

she g

-

n't worn in years, and a scowl. Roman sat beside her, tailored to perfection even in charcoal slacks an

drink his coffee this

dn't

retched for ne

d, "If this is a

's

n wh

nt. Somewhere my fiancée would ha

els totally norm

ised. "You'll want to remember

ow. "I forgot how intense this whole

didn't

her more than

-

ed silently, revealing a sprawling estate nestled just outside the city. It wasn't flashy

breath

is...

ts'," Roman said

e here be

d inside and were greeted by an elderl

y, holding out a hand. "I'm

a fr

's time we made the engagement look

-

r and leather-bound books. The walls were lined with paintings-portraits

's pa

nstantly-same jaw, same ey

t like him,"

rs stiffened. H

ation. How had they met? What was the proposal

smiled at Roman. Laughed at the right

dn't

't squeeze

both with quiet inten

she didn't buy

lf to take a call. The moment he l

ask you to

linked.

Roman brings just anyone here? He hasn't let anyone ins

llowed. "

as built his entire empire on walls. But people forget... when y

between them l

l, Miss Blake. Men like Roman don't give af

-

Roman didn't ask

a didn't

eavier, tighter. She could feel his tens

de, she asked, "Why di

't answer

ause Eleanor needed to

t's what this is ab

at this was fr

ng me into your childhood ho

nched. "Everyth

voice rising. "Not wh

slowly. "And ho

onvince yourself you don

ilence

was the one

-

n't go to his usual w

near the window as rain streaked down the glass. Ama

there, staring

u o

Do you believe

ht off guard.

the qu

in changes people. Grief. Loss.

as if filing away her

crash. We were supposed to have dinner that

ped closer

verything I have. And not one

couch. "You don't have t

t her. "I'm punishing the part of me th

e wh

ed to her lips

he

e have a press co

-

mara stared at

wasn't the same one who

st playing a

ng-into secre

o h

d no idea