reamed through a gap in the heavy curtains, a blade of light that sliced across the room and

beside her was empty, but the indentation on the pillow and the lingerin

y. The brutal kiss in the elevator. A tangle of limbs and a raw, despe

p of the previous night's chaos, dotted with faint bruises that were already

's white dress shirt discarded on a chair. It would have to do. She pulled it on, the crisp

was to find her p

e feet silent on the cold marble floor

his back to her. He was looking out over Central Park, a

not the man

shoulders like a second skin. He stood with one hand tucked into his pocket, his posture radiating an aura of abso

A chilling realization crept up her spine:

silence. Her phone. It was on the sofa, where it had been tossed

and photo flash

lence it, to erase him, seized

ian was

and sharp and utterly devoid of any trace of a hangover, met he

his face. It was a smile of pure, predatory satisfaction. His th

hone, but he was too quick. He caught her around the waist with one

the phone's speaker. "Penelope? Where the hell ar

p jawline, the crisp collar of his shirt, and Penelope, trapped in his arms, w

. His voice was a low, possessive growl, thick w

from the other end. He ended the call. Then, with a casu

fingers onto the thick rug. It

ling, a volatile mixture of rage an

ed, pushing against his

ting space between them. "What the hell is wro

She retreated until her back hit the cold, unyielding marble of the wall beside th

ce than a shout. "You walked into my bar, looking for a weapon." H

in a lie, but he lifted a finger and presse

fully constructed walls of her composure

was," he continued, ignoring her question. "You needed a

ittle. "It was a transaction. We both got what we wanted. A one-night stand." She tried to push past him, he

t, his fingers closing around her jaw. He tilted her head up, forcing her to meet his gaze. The lazy playboy was gone. The col

e, use an Astor, and then pay him off like a common escort?" he

e intensity of his stare hel

w you're going to see this through." He paused, letting th