e Manhattan skyline. Blake stood before one, looking down at the river of headlights, and felt a

in military precision on one side. On the other, a small section was reserved for her. It held a handful of dresses, lin

It was a simple silk slip dress, brutally elegant and si

d smooth against her skin. She looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The wom

iving room announced t

as h

ed out of the closet and stood in the middle of th

her armchair. His eyes found her immediately, a predator's gaze locking o

raised a hand, the rough pad of his thumb tracing

oice a low rumble. It wasn't a

er's physical therapy co-pays are due. I need yo

thought she'd seen was instantly extinguishe

rk twisting his lips. "It's alway

art of our agreement," she shot back, her voice tremb

was supposed to be a simple transaction. A transaction he was failing to control. In a flash, he closed the distance between th

, his voice dangerously low. "Don't forget who pulled you out of that rundo

r eyes. She refused to let them fall. She m

g in him all day-over the meeting, over Gwyneth, over her-boiled over. He saw

d his mou

lights a dizzying backdrop to his assault. His body pinned hers, hard and unforgiving. There was no t

her temple. She let him take what he wanted. It was the price of her mot

he silk dress pooled on the floor. Her body ached. He was in the shower, the

e ceiling, feeli

eye. Barrett's phone, the one he used for

pected privacy, even his. But the mes

for today. It was p

Gwyneth, there were perfect days and sweet good-night texts.

w on his hips, water droplets clinging to his chest. He saw

hat are you looking at?" he snarled. "You th

less, that something inside Blake sna

ed, her movements jerky. She grabbed her scrubs from

e said, her voice

. He just stood there, wa

flinched, her hand on the doorknob, but didn't turn around. She walked out of the

ept off the nightstand. The shards of glass glittered on the dark woo

y look he had seen in Blake's eyes

-