legs were curled beneath me, heavy and trembling under thick velvet sheets. My head throbbed with a dull, rhythmic pulse that

et was gone, sleeves rolled to the elbows, but he still looked every inch the predator I remembered-co

I?" I managed, vo

if the words meant anything com

was safe," I snappe

y. Curiously. "Somewhe

flicker of something in his expression. Guilt, maybe

he said. "I didn't h

as cool stone beneath my bare feet. I didn't remember losing my shoes

owly. "You broke into Layla's apartme

," he replied,

man who fired me for daring to have a spine and then se

shed. "You c

your ego that fra

e room fell silent. I crossed my arms, needing some kind

me?" I asked, trying

eed you to listen." I didn't answer. So he continued. "You are not here because I'm angry. You're here becaus

rown a second head. "What a

as yours. The company. The board. The public face - they're ju

in it. "Let me guess. You're a sec

e," h

held my gaze.

oat. It was sharp, and inc

metaphorically. Not romant

ne. I never knew the almighty Da

y. "And whether you want to believe it or

ry. "No," I whi

my mate,

ke an animal? Like I was some prize he'd sniffed out and claimed? I sh

ietly. "But you're

e heat in his voice did something to my chest. How t

d. It wasn't a ple

he said.

y n

bond has awakened, oth

ned. "

packs. Factions. Rivalries. If they

. I don't even know what you're talking about"

he said softly. "Your ener

since that boardroom. A pull. Some kind of heat beneath my skin. A te

u kidnapped me. You drugged me. Whatever expl

serve more. And I will earn it. Your stubbo

m, leaving the door open behind him... I didn't run. I just stood there, trying to decide

t was as if I had finally found something I had been searching f

n I do... but not personally. I didn't know what he