erling's low, magnetic words echoed endle

thing she owned that still felt like armor, a classic, tailor

he carefully wrapped it in a thick medical bandage, swallowed two strong pain

of determination. This was her only shot to save her father, and perhaps, a secr

lls-Royce was waiting at the curb, a sta

t speak. He simply handed her a slim leather folder and an

e Hayes Corporation's debt. Every creditor, every overdue payment, deta

his homework, stripping her of any leverag

turned on

l and frail, lost in a tangle of tubes and wires. In the bottom right c

alculated threat. A ruthless reminder of exactly what was at sta

scraper of black glass and steel that seemed to pier

levator. It shot upwards, opening directly i

anoramic view of Manhattan. He was on the phone, his custom-tail

r, each step sending a dull ache up her leg, but she bi

Let him handle it. It is time he grew up." He tossed the pho

crushed on was actually the uncle of the scumbag she had just dumped? The

e chair opposite his

a deep breath, trying to project a confidence she did not feel. "Mr. Sterling, I

rship, but looking into his cold, all-knowing eyes, the words died in h

ting straight to the poi

er liquid catching the morning light. He did not offer her one. "Term

re making her skin prickle. "Before you say another word, there is o

eld, that it stunned her. Heat flooded her chee

room intensified, suffocating and heavy. "Over? My information says you

ed with a dark, dangerous jealou

outh. Her entire life had been investigated and laid bare for

hat if we talked about an engagement? We never slept together.

a desperate,

office went c

gh Julian's eyes. He stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate, and

arms of her chair, trapping her completely in

ing scent of his aftershave mixed with the sharp tang of whiskey. H

heeks, and the way the tailored Chanel suit hugged her soft curves perfectly, emphasizing her de

rder and more intense than before, all hes

rcing her to meet his gaze. The touch wa

ed, his gaze drop

is mouth w

demanding, parting hers with an expertise that sent a shockwave of pure heat straight to her cor

stinctively crept up to grip his lapels. A tiny, shameful whimper escaped her lips as she

down at her, his chest heaving slightly. Her lips were swollen and red,

tossing it in front of her. His voice was once again

In return, all of Hayes's debts