: Beneath

ra'

d permanence - paper, ink, a

a single, inescapable knot. The clerk's voice droned in the background as he verified

r fingers trembled - not from nerves. But from fury. From the hu

he felt him - the heat, the arrogance, the

ecise, impossibly composed. His suit hugged his body like a second skin, an

stamped certificate, Leonardo leaned in, his

ame like it bu

oo bad you didn't ask bef

s slow. Dark

-

. But the air inside the car crackled w

penthouse, the silence had

ted staircase, the oversized art, the calculated opulence. But it was him - standing

he loosened his tie, voice casu

is marriage is a transa

berate. Predatory. His gaze raked

tion, Amira. Even want.

ature gives you a

the spice of his cologne. "But the way your body reac

dangerous. Desire. Need. That sick, traitorous ache he'd

rushing her skin with the barest pr

di

whispered, eyes burning into

hen her body was already leaning into his warmth, her p

her arm, then down the bare curve of her back. His m

said. "If you as

at the back of her dress,

knees we

ou," she

ou wan

he couldn't outrun. The

ng through layers of silk. His hands framed her hips as his mouth found

he breathed, voice ragged.

st beneath the swell of her breast. "So are you," he gro

gently until her head tipped back against his shoulder. His other hand stroke

began, but it ca

ressing his palm over her heat.

gut. She wanted to slap him. She

eneath the lace to graze bare skin. Her hips jerked i

n she s

hoved him backward, breath heaving,

y you bought,

ched at his sides as he stared at her -

control back into his voice. "Fine," he

her standing in the middle of the foyer with he

n't cool. It simmered. Like

st happened tonig

nly the