sheets, stood as a monolith in the center of the room, and floor-to-ceiling windows provided a panoramic view of th

ady herself. Her hands clenched into fists as her mind replayed Conner's smug expr

her breath, her voice shaking

espond, it opened, revealing Conner. He filled the doorway, his pre

or you, is it?" Donna snapped,

smirk. "Not in my house, no. What'

dacity. "Do you hear yours

eliberate click. "And you're in denial. This isn't a fairytale, Donna. You don't get to sto

igned under duress. You don't own me, Conner. You can't con

is green eyes bored into hers, unreadable yet unyielding. "

with," she shot back. "A tyrant

e leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Careful, D

back down. "And you don't want to see w

willing to back down. Then, as if deciding she wasn't worth the

laced with mockery. "You'll come

kept her expression neutral. "If you're done t

to make her skin crawl, before he turned and walked out of the room. Th

e bed. Her mind raced with everything that had happened, everything she'd just endur

Donna clenched her fists and straightened her b

rced upon her, but she wasn't go

shadows across the room. Donna hadn't slept a wink. She spent most of the night pa

oor broke her fr

oth yet commanding. "We have brea

ning around the satin robe she had wrap

here Conner was waiting for her. He was already dressed in a tailored gray su

text," she said flatl

s," he replied, fallin

layout of the penthouse as they walked. Every detail, every corner. S

d them. Freshly baked croissants, a variety of fruits, smoked salmon

to take the seat beside him. She hesitated for a moment

ply, pouring himse

not h

is expression blank bu

piece of toast anyway, if only to avoid another confron

ked, her voice low but cutting. "You b

his gaze never leaving hers. "Y

bitter sound. "

eisty. I like that. But let me give you some advice

she refused to let him see her fear. "Good thin

t his eyes darkened.

hair back. "If you're done threatening me

she walked away. "Better thin

didn't turn around. "If I were you, Conner, I'd wat

ine laugh from him, low and rich. "I think I'm g

efiance spoke louder than words as she walked

as in control. Let

regret undere