– Pres

e sent wasn

as w

t lace that kissed her throat like a warning. Elegant. Intimate. Not scandalou

mirror, fingers brushing over

t that gi

e mirror didn't lo

-

t speak on the ride. Just listened to the sound of

en's private suite above The Velv

ust low light, high w

gain, collar unbuttoned. Casual, but not soft. His prese

ord. Just watched

the door

-

e he

wo

have power over her

rush. Every inch of her skin tightened under his gaze. He

wor

sen

dn't ha

as hoarse.

-

ed to the center of the room, where a single

nd t

. He said nothing

st

aring her back inch by inch. His knuckles skimmed her

idn't to

on

ck with black silk rope-familiar, strong,

if this is

was

at she wante

-

ed in front

r chest exposed, h

at her like she was something priceless-

hat this feels

ed. "It's n

know what it's like to live with

d, and she hate

s pocket and pulle

rust me,

N

ed once

blindfol

-

fell into

ing, breath shaking. Every nerve felt stretched. Ev

aking. Just being near. Close enough for her to feel t

th

r mouth"he

outh

g touc

self shattered som

forward like a tide.

slower," h

e

y st

fr

every

she

sts. The weight of his gaze. The heat pooling betwe

to give up control," Lucien

it. You'll hand it

mbled. She

e said, voice dark with restra

ow much she

-

er at exact

sensation rushed

caugh

rm and steady, bu

well,"

, dazed, angry, aroused,

dominance," s

id. "That wa

n brushed her hand with his fin

ow... we

ien

Before

re the

grave. Every movement tight with resistance, every breath laced with pride and fea

l remembered him.

en she saw the chaise. The m

ll feel it under yo

ike smoke. The kind of silence that stripped people bare. He h

this. Even if she didn

me h

woman walking tow

r in. Her back straight. Chin tilte

bled under the weight

uch. Not yet. She'd fli

er body still

a familiar elegance in the ritual. He didn't touch her

d her wrists beh

f this is

answer. Did

her tolerance be

the breath she caught -

g so hard not

-

er. Let her feel his gaz

in the moment before. In what

at this feels l

flicker i

e she re

her slowly. Gen

sil

d her unr

in her thighs. Every shallow breath. Th

the s

y st

everyt

she

d. Her body leaned - subconsciously - to

idn't to

ist in submission

he cruel

-

atched t

ur. Ex

wrists. She sw

t like a lover,

hed, breathing ragged, fury and

t, he

waki

ss her. Didn

her stand on

well,"

ve, trembling in silence,

w... we

t had only bee

e wouldn't j

ould