t two days. When the first gray light of dawn filtered through the massive floor-to-ceiling w

en lips that still tingled from his punishing kiss. She looked like a victim. She was tired of feeling like

come shock to her system, washing away some of the lin

door opened w

if he had not slept either. His tie was gone, and his usually immacu

her arms over her chest, a futile gestu

ed form with a cold, proprietary air. But beneath that icy exterior, a muscle

shaking with panic and a sudden, terrifying vulnerability. She was in

oudly in the tiled room, and walked further into the bathroom. He advanced on her, s

poke trousers and his expensive leath

ulder, and shut off the water. The sudden silence was dea

, his voice a low, predatory growl in the enc

ed herself back against the cold tile, trying to shrink away from the

wrists. He pinned them easily above her head against the tiled wall, his fingers wrapping around her de

ntrast to the coldness of his words. "But not now. Not like this. I do not enjoy taking. I prefer to b

ul spark of desire through her. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling like an animal in a trap. She did not

her go, almo

t heaved slightly. He grabbed a thick, fluffy bath towel from the heated r

re is something I

the wet wall, her heart hammering against her ribs as if it wanted t

ownstairs, wrapped in a silk robe, she found Julian sitting on the so

toward them.

e title was printed in stark, black letters, "Co

tters, and signed releases. Bank loans, supplier invoices, private notes, three hundred and forty mill

ty-eight hours. This was the absolute

l contempt, yet he had, in his own way, saved her entire family from rui

have fulfilled my end of the bargain. N

stopped in front of her, looking down with a glint of dark anticipation in his eyes

he had investigated her past, but to force her to attend their cel

"You will attend. On my arm. As my wife. I imagine," he said, his voice dripping with malicio