ne f

ning white. The cold metal bit into her skin, but it was not

ing breath, and forced her face into an e

she turn

allway, wearing only a pair of dark gray lounge trouser

bone were vivid, unmistakable evidence of the night before. In his righ

k. C

llic sound echoed

the lapels of the oversized robe tighter against her neck,

ng of her heart. "Last night was... a mistake. An unfortunate combination of cheap alco

er stoppe

and sharp, locked onto hers. The temperature in the

ed off

, his bare feet making no s

her feet felt like they had been nailed to the floor. She backed

nowhere

flat against the door beside her ear, effectively caging her in. He

is eyes boring di

ke?" he

o drop her gaze. "A one-night stand. P

ised his right hand, his thumb reaching out to brush a

olt of heat shooting

randdaughter," Bennet said, his voice dropping into a register th

wildered. "What the hell

arry you," Benne

ell over

inked onc

re insane. You are genui

. "We will announce the engagement next month. It resolves your issues with th

oice rising in outrage. She brought both han

llowed himself to t

r. "You don't get to sleep with me and then decide to acquire me like a failing hedge fund!

ained maddeningly intact. He tilted his head,

smoothly. "Wal

ed for the h

three sizes too large, completely unbuttoned underneath, and ends at your mid-thigh. The Carlyle lobby is currently filled with Wall S

paused on th

d down at

evealing the red marks on her collarbone. Her legs were

ng past reporters and society matrons looking like a

ating heat ros

d, and glared at him with murder in he

et replied smoothly, not an

ard the kitchen bar. He picked up the house phon

Buy a complete daytime ensemble for Miss Bradford. Size two. Cashmere sweater

thout waiting

ard the large leather armchair in the living ro

f like armor. She marched over to the armchair, threw herself into it, an

bathroom, the sound of the s

temples. Her head felt lik

ria

had to be a catch-a merger, a piece of leverage against her uncle, something. S

vibration shatte

ne j

ss cocktail table, was buzzing

chair, grabbed her purse,

t up with an

ID displaye

e Ch

through the floor. The blood in he