ively grabbed a plush pillow and held it tight against her chest

the hard, defined ridges of his abs. His dark eyes locked

around, giving her a full view of his broad, heavily

clothes in the closet," h

. She jumped out of bed, her bare feet hitting the thick carpet. She spun in

and. The screen had been wiped clean of mud.

ol before going black. Her only connec

and walked out of the bedroom, ste

tly tailored, charcoal-gray suit. He stood behind the marb

. She stopped ten feet away from him, keeping a safe distance. Sh

ff. "Thank you for what you did last

ers expertly worked the espresso machine

a at The Plaza Hotel?" his deep

Her eyes widened in shock. Her heart slammed against he

urned around and walked toward her. His long le

bbed her freezing hand and forced her fi

the coffee rippled. The heat of th

, her voice rising. "How do

from his mug. His eye

morning," he said, his voice flat. "The engagement of the Pay

rd. His massive frame complete

ic younger sister who was thrown out of th

g" stabbed directly

replaced instantly by a burning, defensive rage. Sh

d slammed the coffee mug down

did Darrin send you to spy on me? Is

e fire in her eyes. He reached down and picked up a newspaper f

e, glossy photo of Darrin kissing Katrina. The head

m tearing the paper to shreds. She forced he

with this, you picked the wrong tar

o his trouser pockets. He looked down at her with

is rough thumb gently brushed against her swollen, bruised cheek.

tly. She jerked her h

warned, her entire b

nd before he casually dropped it to his sid

out at the morning traffic. His voice shifted, dropping the amus

tears. Your family treats you like a disposable paw

at does that have to do w

d him, casting his face in shadow. The oppre

ward her. He

t her knees hit the edge o

completely between his arms. He leaned down, his face inche

anicked eyes. His voice w

Alena. I n