: The Sto

her mind a storm of conflicting thoughts. The lingering warmth of Desmond's touch still burned against her skin, a remind

"You'll come to me. You'll beg for me." The audacity, the arrogance in his voice-it enraged her. But deeper, s

s if to dispel the thoughts. "I won't

eamed for freedom, but her body... Her body betrayed her. Every time Desmond was near,

was light but firm, the sound that came with authority

me through the door, deep an

the sound of his voice, the raw power in it, made her legs move before she could think. She didn't wa

nd stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. His sharp eyes moved over her, stu

r now, though the intensity lingered. "I

You didn't mean to? Desmond, you're the on

sts at her sides. She was letting him

this is complicated?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You're the one who m

le chemistry, the constant tension that stretched between them. Every time they we

ice trembling with the effort to keep her emot

her breath catch in her throat. His presence was overwhelming, his ene

d, his voice low and cutting. "But that d

, Eliana thought she might crumble under the weight of his touch. It was gentle, ye

e, but it was a plea. Her eyes fluttered shut

gerous intensity. "Not until you admit it. Not unt

his gaze. There was no escape from the storm brewing inside her. No escaping

ft her mouth. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought the overwhelming de

hat left her breathless. His lips hovered dangerously close to her ear as he whispe

anted to push him away. His presence was all-consuming, and the more she fought, the more she

t his, but before she could, Desmond's lips brushed agains

ed, the words a promise, a warning,

. She tried to fight him, but her body was betraying her. She could feel t

on her neck. His voice was low, almost desperate,

ling down her spine in a way that left her breathless. His touc

ce thick with an emotion she couldn'

tle between wanting to escape and wanting to give in to the passion that was building between them. She w

nt stretched on, and for a heartbeat, Eliana was caught betwe

hers, but he didn't kiss her. Instead, he pulled bac

, though the underlying intensity never wavered. "