His Woman

k came like a

in her white robe, fingers gripping the banis

felt

een decided before anyone could object. The second the door opened, his presence spi

e staircase as he stepped into her fat

nd eyes-God, those eyes. Grey and stormy. Like they'd seen too much and burn

ling. Good. N

with her, and for a secon

t heat. Chall

se neither of th

sound of his polished shoes echoed through the ma

len

unded like a promise and

low. Velvet li

p measured, her chin high, back straight-even t

uc

Enough to unsettle. Enough to

ust as th

row. "And what exa

don't sc

coolly, "on what you're

e that stretched too long. Then a

m going to

distance like a dare. "Just don't m

amused. "Who said I

rst time, her

oretti wasn't

s the

suddenly remembering he existed. "Why don't we s

ay. Luca didn't take his eyes

erything I need to

. "Good. Then we won't w

u could never

f it was a compli

new the house better than its owner. She followed, reluctantly, her ba

on a collision course. The silence bet

hing true," he

inked.

g real. A

olding her arms across

cked to her

u?" she

p. Not more t

slightly.

Con

en them like a weapon pl

his jaw, no flicker of insecurity. He was all stillne

tly. "And you, Valencia

t flinch.

n't waver. "

e'd just made it clear-this wasn't going to be simple. This marriage wasn't going to be a leash. It was go

oing me a favor," she s

" he r

dry laugh. "Yo

said, "I'

in his tone. Just p

g to go through with it?" sh

u w

sound

a

ink I'm weak?"

wly, "because I t

nd. It wasn't a threat. It wasn't flatter

again from the co

you," she snapped, no

that. "You're sh

had

ly. "Good. Then we'l

falling like snow aroun

watching her like a puzzle he i

eave the room, she fel

hate

errified h

mall part of