she didn't stop. Not until her foot caught on an uneven pavement did she crash to the ground. Pain shot up her leg with a scraped

tumbling on wobbly legs, and at last, se

cl

ghts, where they had celebrated his birthday, where

rather than flinch, she s

g, and the smell of liquor hung in the air. She reached the bar, pushing herself for balance while grasping its edg

she rasped, barely able to

she held it up to her mouth and swallowed it in one bite. The burn seared her throat,

another. A

, as soon as a rough hand seized her arm, pulled her from the barstoo

You're up," a gr

ned, struggling

ped. "You were paid for.

just here for a drink. Nothing else," I replied, whil

my money and do not need to earn it. Y

go of me for a moment?" I said as I tried to balance m

nals a

e him, gripping my wri

bled from her lips in confusion,

nough, too far gone in addiction and sorrow. She was pull

instructed coldly. "Your

not

y do you always like t

just the alcohol I drank. "I don't owe anyb

d. Her gaze hardened. "You either do th

ining my voice. Finally, I got her atten

your responsibilities?" my woman respond

d, and I came here to drink my sorr

o rub it gently. "I'm sorry about your marriage, but you can't wallow in alc

an barely s

. Do it for yourself, too. Maybe destiny wanted you

to this. But the woman's words echoed in her m

o. She was no longer Alex's wife. No longer the woman wh

e. A new

d shower. It tumbled over her, water washing the blood fr

ounter, the woman handed her a pair

mach chur

to it," the woman

. She got to a door, and her heart beat so

knoc

voice answe

he corner. Shadows flickered against the walls, casting ee

" the voice co

can't see," she stammered

ered on, illuminating the ro

here

who exuded power. Tall. Broad shoulders. Appearance, A sculpted jaw, as if it

lse sk

ed at his li

tiffened. "

didn't change

and something dangerously close to intrigue

an's threat. "If you screw this

o a fetal position, humiliation coursing through her veins. Slowly, s

ith a single finger. His contact was unexpecte

e murmured, al

ir thicker. His fragrance-a blend of musk and des

he asked, his voi

irst the questions of her being. However, before she could, he

e was final. "Obey, and

ran down

ps brushing against her

ound her waist, lifting her with effortless strength. Before she could even react,

ckering light caught the sharp angles of h

the under lip with his thumb. "

ut not jus

eyes, one that mirrored the unfa

reminded herself silently

d in. Sh

f something snapped, he deepened the kiss, claiming her m

ight. He moaned against her mouth, his fi

nough to whisper, "Te

eath h

her breast, teasing. Her

yes" escap

s all h

im. He pulled down the small garment covering her breast and brought his mouth toward it. His hot, wet mouth dre

ct, and desire so intense, Cat lost all

wasn't Catherine Land

else. Someone

ce, she we