His Stand-in Bride

thud, and the world outside blu

uds like jeweled blades. Billboards flashed, taxis honked, and laughter spi

his knee. He didn't look at me, not once. His profile was sharp in the passing glow of the

at. The lace scratched at my skin, each snag a remi

n thought better of it. The partition r

d. My lungs stra

was low, controlled, but ea

and unreadable. "Did your father send you to

My fingers twisted in

pered, my throat tighteni

nd said vows to me. You let the priest call you my wife." His gaze darkened, trailing down

s eyes lingered burned even more. I wanted to sna

sharper than I expected. "I never wanted

in the dim light. "Then what is it you do want, Annie?" His tone mocked m

breathe. He remembered. He kn

streaks. "That night had nothing to do with this," I whispered

humorless. "Everythin

sky. His building-his fortress. The doorman straightened at the

cold light, a cavern of glass and silence. Our footsteps echoed as

armth of his body seeping through my gown. The scent of cedar and clean musk clung to him, pulling me back t

stretched wide, windows spilling out into the night sky. The

d his tie, his gaze still locked on me. "All of this. M

'm not somethi

his jaw tight. "Then what are you, Annie? A pawn? A martyr? Or

shook as I held them together in front of

d bitterly, "traded you like livestock. Don't dress

see me break. "If that's how you see me," I said, my voice low

ned. Then it was gone, shuttered, replace

neckline of my gown barely clung to my skin. My breath hitched. I

e roared in my ears. His hand brushed mine-not gently, not harshly

. My breath caught. I swayed closer without meaning to, my

-he pull

said quietly, his voice r

slap. My chest hollowed out, my lips

t carelessly across a chair. "You'll stay here t

und me, my body still trembling f

eared into another room, the sound of

er of the wind against glass. My hands shook as I touched the neckline of

out at the endless city lights. They spa

pressed lightly against the flat fabric of the gown

whispered, barely au

do if he finds

the air, heavier th