k. His thumb dug into the soft, sensitive

re g

exhale, his mouth

kiss. It was

it. She tried to keep her mouth shut, to keep her teeth clenched

n pain, her

ue swept into her mouth, deep and deman

Then, the sound of a thousand camera shutte

front of God and her grandmother, and he wa

chest to push him away. She shoved

a brick wall. He d

t. He yanked her against him, eliminating the

as h

radiating off him through the layers of silk and wool. He pressed her

n short-

expensive scotch, and pure ma

for ten seconds

felt swollen. Her heart was hammerin

t him, dazed, h

lown wide. He looked satisfied. Like

his lips brushin

s. Singleton?" he whispered.

She wanted to scream.

d erupted in

d trapped in his. He raised their join

ing. Blaire felt l

ommanded und

so badly she had to lean on him. He took her weight

urch doors and into the blindi

was physic

ld back a mob of onl

eton! Mr.

the s

Is this a host

effery

ere shoved in

t the chaos with bored indifference. The crowd

d, "Declan! Why did you step in?

lled her tighter against his side,

over the noise, "I couldn't stand the t

head sn

ction. For a split second,

red who he was.

ack of a waiting Rolls Royce Phantom. The he

nstant, co

t let go; he recoiled. He slid to the far side of the leather

mask

ssessiveness, the h

d started typing furiously.

ingling from his bite. Her body was still hummin

t dirty

her mouth and wiped her lips hard,

id. He didn't look

hat?" sh

e going to a reception, not the

lled out a white linen handkerchief. He

er

ndkerchief. She wanted

hand. She crumpled it in her fist,

picable," s

ed, scrolling through a messag

Fifth Avenue, headin

" she asked, her voice hollow. "I assume

oked up. His eyes

ing into my penthouse on C

n maintain separate residences

. "With real assets and real public scrutiny.

back to

lurred by. She felt like a prisoner being