Barrett's hand, he snatched it back as if bur

my pressure. His dark blue eyes churned with suppres

hissed, the words squeezed through

ed it again: his condition was real. But her touch hadn't trig

g weakness, her hand pressed to her forehead. "Perh

"Mr. Barrett," creating a

touch hadn't brought the expected disgust. Instead, it was like

didn't lash out. He just spat out a cold, "S

almost like a hasty escape, a triumphant sm

n the mansion's garden. He was on the ph

d a short distance away, trimming

t walked straight toward

nt?" he demanded, his g

e something wrong with that?" Chloe held up

closer, his tall shadow engulfing her. "The Mitchell

ep forward, closing the distance between them. She stood on her to

inst his chest. Through the fabric, she

ld I use?" she asked, tilting her head up at him. Her

nned into silence, Chloe rose on her toe

t. There was no aggression. It was s

way immediately. He smelled the faint scent of roses on her,

. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her away

lf killed?" His voice was hoarse, his eyes

pain, her gaze unwavering. Then she gave him a deliberately innocent smil

rip tighten. Something dark flashed through his eyes. She was his co

her skin had suddenly burn

asked softly. "

ickly, as though staying another second would force

watching his hasty retreat. She

given her. That afternoon, under the pretext of "sourcing design references

familiar logo. The events of three years a

design department. As she passed the executive of

lightly ajar. From within came the sound

oor. What she saw made her blood run cold. Jessica Sinclair was perched