room at TrueLight Group's headquarters, havi

he threshold, a subtle

g away the instant they met his. Though each of them tried to compose themselves, the tensio

the odd atmosphere, he pulled out his chair, hi

rst open. One of his assistants, Nate Baile

in his hand, Nate stood

yden's brow as his dark, s

able a light tap and asked in a cal

sweat from his forehead, and

rd, Brayden lowered hi

look in his eyes

ent, he said n

eemed to grin

into his vision-"Low Sperm Count," "Brayden Hughes Impotent," an

adline flashed. "Can Someone with Lo

ne he read, Brayden's expression hardened, shadows gath

s face gave a faint, angry twitch, and a chil

d, wondering if Verena had

rds played through the speaker, the hand gripping the

erence room. The stunned executives could only trade baffled looks,

d lost his composure becaus

s were whispering behind his back. All h

way. The second he stepped through the front door, the housekeepe

The question came

ayde faltered and answered in a sha

oor. By the time he shoved open the bedroom door, Verena

rossed her face when Brayde

ng her damp hair, deliberately ignoring

d against the wall. Without uttering a word at first, he leaned in, his lowered gaze icy and intense as it locked onto her face.

ips, a dangerous heat flic

re, Verena couldn't shake the une

potent. Love had never been part of the equation, yet in a twisted,

restraint, never satisfied until he had taken what he wanted again and again. Only when

re-unyielding, forceful, leaving

ake birth control, or when he forced her to confront his

her silence, her obedience, her quiet acceptance of everything he im

med by pride would never

a sharp sense of self-

held closest to his heart, and that made her impossible to ignore. What stung far more, however, was the w

e an unbearable thorn lod

A sudden weakness washed over Verena, leaving her drained. She couldn't even

ould you? As far as I can tell, your performance isn't exactly impressive. Your technique lacks finesse, your stamina leaves much to be desired, and you don't even bo

dangerous darkness pooled in his eyes as his jaw tightened, the muscle ticking beneath his skin. A fa

her chin, firm and unyielding, forcing her

kered throug

snapped, twisting

ruggled, the towel barely clinging to her damp bod

oze her

eks, blooming across h

and crushed his lips against hers. The kiss deepened with growing intensity as he pulled her

en's grip locked her in place. Something feral burned in his eyes, a

e; after three years beside him, sh

d them above her head, pinning her with effortless strength. His other hand slid behi

ency, his movements intense

her body in an instant, her

wallowed before it could fully form. Desperation made her twist and struggle, trying to put di

, he lifted her off her feet

this..." Verena blurted out,

s hands roamed without restraint, coaxing and igniting sensations she couldn't suppress. The mome

way that left her overwhelmed and struggling to endure. By the time he finally pulled away, satisfied, every ounce of s

ying there, Verena stared blankly at the soft, amber glow of the

es had arranged their marriage. From the very beginning, Brayden had believed it was Verena who had forced Mila to l

hadn't been the Jones family's daughter, the woman h

his way to act like a reckless playboy, using

never truly faded, and fresh rumors of a new wom

rriage, yet she had always chosen to endure, clinging stubbornly t

was obvious he would stop at nothing to forc

cold disdain, Verena decided she might

e bed, he stared down at Verena with frigid contempt. As he rubbed his damp hair with a towel, a harsh, mocking smi

e still believed today had been nothing mo

began dressing at an unhurried pace. In a flat,

eath and finally said the words she had never once foun