track, the metal scraping against the tiles with a harsh shriek. Then he swept her off the gro

nd his neck. The small puppy, still clu

et animal. His brow furrowed in disgust, but h

tor, bypassing any staff who might see them. The elevat

seats a stark contrast to her soaked, shivering body. He cranked th

n discomfort. He pulled a thick cashmere blanket from a compartment

haking so hard her teeth chattered. The puppy

the door shut. The enclosed space was suddenly fi

en. "You dare hang up on me again?" His voice was shaking with a terrifying, barely leashed fury. "Your life belongs

Tears welled in her eyes. "You were bu

replaced by a ghastly, pale shock. He remembered the call. He remembered Eugenia's manufa

heaving. A pained, choked

en only by the hum of the heater and the distant, m

is face. The cold, ruthless mask was gone

ling, ice-cold hand and

. His expression was a tangled mess of

y a whisper, "that you were more worri

the puppy into a crushing embrace. The force of it knocked the air from her lungs, but she d

breath hot and ragged against her cold skin. Sh

er face against his damp shirt,

ad out and licked Chandler's hand

suit jacket and tossed it aside. He pulled at his tie, then undid

r heart doing a slow, p

ge, his jaw set. Finally, he let out a long, slow breath and

ice rough. But his hand came up to gently rub h

iny, genuine smile touching her