inting it in pale gold. Selene blinked against the wa

around her like a blanket she didn't ask for but couldn't deny loving

uldn't

r senses - when her mind screamed louder than her b

e hell

ht stand.

ist

hing

he didn

o shift, trying to slid

e moved, Damien s

k do you think

Deep. Laced with sleep

n tried to laugh

buy it for

er back into him. "It's six-fucking

mie

N

lling her tighter to him. His mouth bru

fuck me like that and sneak of

he swallowed.

"It wasn't just sex? Or it was? Make up your damn mind, sweeth

oice barely above a whisper.

reached up and tucked a st

d

breath

want you in my bed, in my arms, in my fucking life. And I don't want you wak

"You can't just say

I fuckin

w to handle the tenderness behind the rough words,

orehead-soft, sure, like a promise-and

, Selene. So stop treat

herself

in a long time, s

____

he leaned against the counter, still in Damien's oversized T-shirt, flipping

ning her legs like a man starv

r eyes. "You sai

ng closer. "You're barefoot, making me pancakes, wearing m

a look. "We

his arms around her waist. "Right. For

nd she tilted her head instin

u're irr

st night like it was a

fast,

stepped back with a mock salute just as

s Cas

t open, setting

a situation. There's an impromptu gala hosted by the Lovell Foundation

Selene

mien's voice cut in, sharp and sexy with that hint of d

ered. "They made last-minute changes, likely to catch certain donors

es widened.

, makeup, and two stylists are already on

ng. Damien groaned and raked

ng fan

ed for both of you. Trust them. And Selene... wear th

ne wen

at Selene, e

her effi

"I think I'm sta

her

tered, walking off

rking orders, a makeup artist practically tackling Selene toward

in my house?" he barked fr

pped over the chaos. "It

s a rack of gowns was wheeled in. She caught a glimpse of one - emer

" she w

meone croone

d, half-dressed

r, her mouth parted, hair being

tensed

" she

tared down at her like

cking r

_____

the penthouse, sleek as sin and humm

tepped i

e daring, the slit whispering promises with every step. Her hair was

k on Damien's face when she turned arou

ng from her face to her hips with

fucking

today," she replied coolly,

oor shutting behind him with a soft click. T

them was hot. Th

ad of letting them drag you into all that

an eyebrow raised. "

. Present tense. Still very

ng how her skin flu

aning in. "Like you were ma

highs pressed together. "

f you," he replied wi

window, trying to hide the smi

rting is

gonna look like if you keep breathing in that damn dress and

le

- soft and breathless - the kind o

ig

," he g

shbulbs popped the moment the car stopped, a sea

r opened

e hes

en asked, sud

followed, immediately slipping a hand around he

and elegance - statuesque

meras

down, lips bru

's show them who

e

ers splayed wide on her hip, gaze f

sh was proof - they

a goddam

___

usic was low and elegant, the kind that whispered money. Champagne flutes floated fr

glass, eyes scanning the crowd with disinterest masked as poise. The back of her dres

es. She caught words like "conglomerate acquisition," "liquidity event," and "minority di

't it?" a smooth voi

rned h

-blue tux that probably screamed European tailoring. Not her type. But he

at depends. Are you th

gretting not being both. Nicholas Verner. Priva

ed once,

he said, eyes brazenly sweeping her

olly, taking a sip. "Careful.

lightly closer. "So tell me, Mrs. Alarin-how exac

tead, she just smiled s

ogance. "You're obviously the better half. He must

gers clenche

th

did you

mi

he air like a blade drawn in a velvet

he crowd parting like the Red S

rage. His jaw was clenched so hard it looked carved from granit

eak chuckle. "Dam

ller, broader, pure intimidation in a suit. "And you think that's okay? You th

staring. The

el

"You want to keep your position? Your company's investment? Then I suggest you get the hell away fro

las p

n't even glance at her-his eyes were locked on the m

hing and vanished into

silent. Jus

ien look

ld. Stil

" he asked

smirk. "Didn't know you'd go full p

mien said, chest still rising and falling. "

s designed to make

"And if anyone else even thinks about touching what's mine again

eath h

smi

r drink before I rear