loe's life was a relen

afternoon. Evenings spent with tutors who drilled her on everything fr

nding a standard of perfect

fading bruises and new muscle. But the

. Watchful. Shar

final sparring session,

words Ashton had instructed him to use. "No wo

psycholo

r a fraction of a second. But there was no fl

st, cold

ved like water. Used his momentum against him. A subtle shift o

m on his back. Her knee press

and poised to deliver a fina

, she saw real fea

ession a blank mask. Until Ashto

enough

et as if nothing had happened. The woman who

his throat. His respec

oice raspy. "She's grad

He gently wiped the sweat from her face. A gestu

ing is ove

wel from him. H

her question. No burning impatience. Jus

crossed Ashton's face. "Soon. B

exclusive, private party at a ski resort. The first pub

mply n

her suite. The woman who looked back was no longer a

ere he

r fingers tracing

ve," she

she had become. Her worldview reforged in fire and pain. She no longer

a flawlessly tailored designer suit, the aura of power

ve. She had become Eve. A str

her. This time, an in

Together, they walked toward the jet. A king an