ing my name, Calla. Y

er the gala, Ca

he expecte

e lovers for the world's ravenous cameras. The kiss on their wedding day had been calcul

er door guarded like a vault. The security detail didn't even fl

s presenc

e marble floor ben

e sheets that smelled fai

beside her bed, s

Ten sharp.

L

e. No warmt

at the ha

recise.

ike th

hing about the way he wrote, even that conveyed dominance. Every inch of him was control

er bed-chosen, no doubt, by him. The high neckline offered modesty. The backless

Calla stepped in

as alrea

maculate as always. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing strong, veined forearms.

n't lo

he sai

e elevator pause

e excuses," he s

tegy. Her spine straightened as she lowered herself

ver the dress approvingly, lingering just a se

he dress. T

oll," she sa

his tone unreadable. "But y

ast ar

and strawberries. Black co

rolled bites. The only sound was the occasional clink of silver

st night," he said

rateful for th

uld be o

word

sed, cli

p tightened

r voice steel-edged. "To a m

and set it aside. His eyes, glaci

coolly. "To

tween them like

"You mean the one who

across Lucian's fac

like a storm ri

d, every m

ts deliberate. He gripped the back of her ch

lse po

re you

dn't

harshly, but with the kind of restraint that felt more pow

touch you to own

caught in

re so desperate

and d

be pun

dn't

lfe didn'

etly an iiron fist wrap

r, Calla's world

accessory, and pair of heels stripped from her walk-in closet

ollar high. Hem low. St

ter of her room, heart

lacing every syllable. "Y

ans

of the bedroom doo

the bed. A note

Disobedience

shook as s

. From rage.

nation, something colder stirred.

ar

play fair-but

retched like

barefoot on p

ot technically. But the re

. Staff too afraid to look her in the

old trim was

cry. She di

d the dress and pl

ge of the bed, back st

this would break her, he

red from sil

red glass. From nights spent survi

and to her heart. I

r now.

afraid of

o learn how to

e door finally

stood

d again. No apology in his eyes. No

e had time to

hin tilted just enou

nt ways I'd like to sla

aw ti

g ans

pped f

time-he t

ly. Not

ntima

ifted her chin again, just as before,

ion?" he asked, v

past her cheek, heat grazing s

leasure, Calla. O

was warm an

u learn to ask

epped

er tre

the door

dle of the room, breat

from

ealization that she didn

d him to