nsion. Emaline sat stiffly against the plush, hand-stitched leather seats, acutely aware of the powerful, imposing man beside her. Abdiel Sharpe was reviewing a

s deep, gravelly voice shattering the quiet.

" She wasn't going to lie or play coy. Her mother's mounting me

anded, his tone pu

ed, keeping her chin high despite the

uickly scribbled a figure, tore the check free, and handed it to her. Emaline stared at the staggering amount written in his

te. "We slept together once. That doesn't make me your charity

amusement. He was a man used to people begging for his wealth; her fiery pride was a rare

ind of money?" she asked, desperate

to lend you a copy so you can browse?" he moc

umorless laugh. "No, tha

moothly, leaning back in his seat. "El

, unadulterated luxury and sin. Soft amber lighting illuminated deep burgundy velvet booths, and the air smelled of expensive Cuban cigars and aged bourbon. It was the ultimate

racticed grace, recommending exclusive vintages to hedge fund managers and foreign diplomats, her sharp wit keeping their massive egos in check. She was an exhau

nursing a glass of rare scotch. Beside him was Wyatt Sterling, a notorious playboy and, unfortunately,

is that? She's absolute fire. Look at those curves. I might just have to go down there and introduce myself. Since

rned his head and caught sight of a faint, purplish bruise peeking out from the crisp collar of Abdiel's dress shi

girl you left with last nig

erent story. His dark, piercing eyes were locked onto Emaline like a predator tracking its prey, watching her every move with an

arly not buying a single word of it. "The

oice dropping to a dangerous, guttural octave. "Sh

oup of rowdy, entitled finance bros who had clearly had too much to drink. They

list?" she asked politely, offering a profes

er suit, reached out and grabbed her wrist hard. "Forget the l

d to pull her arm away. His grip was bruising, his sweaty fingers dig

ss of straight, burning vodka and shoved it aggressively toward her face

eyes narrowing as she stood her ground, refusing t

ng her wrist closer so she stumbled against the edge of