ng her back against the wall. The impact jarred her

reath was hot, smelling of whiskey and rage. "You think you can spend a

He used his other hand to grip her chin, fo

g you have, is because of me. The name. The status. T

tle her, to tear down this new, defiant wo

s held his. They were clear, steady, and f

mouth aiming for hers, ready to devour her protests, to silen

rs when she spoke, her voice quiet but

ust me, C

, hit him harder than a sla

nce looked at him with pure adoration, who had lived for his approval, w

stunned hesitation, sh

I opened that door right now. If everyone out there saw the CEO of Winters Consoli

ink in before delive

n see the headline now: 'Billionaire Crockett Winters in Dru

a bucket of ice water, exting

and reward, instantly assessed the fallout. The stock

oman standing before him tonight w

e took a step back, putting space between them. He looked at her, truly looke

ress, her movements graceful and

oarse, defeated rasp. He couldn't win here. Not

gue. The point

ndle. She paused and looked back at him, at his ruin

"Don't ever try to use force on me aga

walked out, leaving hi

. He saw the wet stain on his shirt, the wildness in his eyes. Wit

And he hated it more th