ling - high, white, and gleaming

omeone with better taste in furniture. Then the pounding in her skull reminded h

the room whispered wealth. Sleek furniture. Sculptural lighting. The faintest trace of expensive cologne in

at a single glass o

a low voice sai

d around - an

g she noticed was the stillness - the kind that came from control, not calm. His suit looked like it h

looked like a man carved

t thought was: He sme

u?" she demanded, vo

ide of the road," he said evenly. His tone wasn't warm, but it wasn't

So... what? You j

"You were bleeding and unconscious. I took you some

tered. "You could've

trust h

latly, so unapologetically, that she couldn't

gether the night before. "You have a real

all, humorless s

the glass of water ag

sion. Take it before you collaps

e pill anyway. "You've got

slipping his cufflink into pla

rushed her skin - cool, unfamiliar - and that

"Where are

Cleaned. You can tha

ned. "The houseke

es

did

steady, sharp. "If I had, yo

ay he said it - calm, effortless, an

nose. "You have a really st

eassurance,"

turned toward the hallway. "You sho

d I'm

you shou

"You always this bossy

n, after a pause that felt longer than i

er to feel flattered

-

a few cautious steps behind him. The place was spotless, almost

u," she asked finally, "or is 'soull

belong to a man who looked so composed. "Peac

olation and tax eva

talk a lot for someone who nearl

d like my

dry and sharp. "She mu

," Cassie s

ity? Guilt? He masked it before she co

n borrowed silk, him tall and unreadable in an immaculate suit. They looked

, most people would ask before

t most

said softly.

t time, there was something almost human in his expres

think I am, t

"A mystery man with too many s

aintly. "Cl

gestured for her to step

an," she said u

he replied

ally kidnap women

faint smile tugging at his mouth. "Yo

"You're assum

ing you'll

e. But there was something in the way he sa

found herself nodding.

l smile, brief and da

ormal and unhurried.

before shaking

esting the sound. "Good. I like know

again. "I'm not s

ping around her like a whisper. "N