Park Avenue. The city air was thick with the scent of exhaust and roasting ches

te silence from Hartwell. It was

a cab, a familiar black Bentley gli

ered, revealing Hartwell's

ny emotion, but his eyes were locked on her,

the silence stretch into an impassable chasm between them. But another, more pragmatic part k

e of discretion. The air inside the car was thick with unspoken

n, a demand. Instead, he simply placed

brilliant-cut diamonds led to a single, magnificent pear-shaped sapphir

umble. "I had too much to drink the other nig

He apologized for the property damage, not the terrifying look in hi

her expression unread

ed his face. He leaned closer, taking the n

contact sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. He was too close, his scent-sanda

illiam. Please." His voice was a soft, persuasive whisper, the tone he used to c

for the first time, she

chelin-starred restaurant. The maître d' greeted them with a deferential bow. The

quartet played softly in the corner. It was his apology

er steak medium-rare. He talked about his trip, about a deal he had closed, his voice calm and engaging. H

mouth. She could feel the weight of the sapph

rlooking the Hudson River. The water was a dark, shimmering

er back against his chest. His chin rested on the top of her head. It was a p

bration against her skull. "Don't eve

ng, but the underlying message was

g against her hair. "Be my good wife, and I

aining her. This was a reward for her perceived subm

quiet, steady, and utterly devoid of

ill behind her.

unyielding determination. He silenced her with a kiss, deep and punishing, a kiss that wa

sically overwrite the chasm that had opened between them. He was trying to r

in their marriage, his touch felt like a violation. She

yes and saw a lo

tic. She would have the tr