ett

with anticipation. A group of executives s

its, expansion plans, projections. On paper

"costs too much. Cut unnecessary expenses a

quickly. "Yes, Mr. Landon.

"Good. Bring me a ne

el, handed me my schedule. "Dinner with

d. "Of

****

d of place where deals were made ov

re perfect. My father barely looked up,

oss from them. "Mother,

ed "Bennett darlin

What's th

eplied "It's time we t

. "I didn't realize my f

ll grunt. "Everythin

t waver. "We've arra

ass down. "

out my consent and expect me to compl

he's well bred, intelligent and most importantly, the Windsors fami

in return?" I questioned tak

ecurity. Their finances have been... unsta

This wasn't surprising. It was just another busine

idn't mean

right now," I said flatly. "I have

s is perfect for you, darling. You don't have to focu

is about securing the future. Em

motions were

een them, then

in

ctory flashing in her eyes

ved on. This was just another deal. One

****

er feeling.

m. I've not felt

r s

myself think too much about it. But every year

ersary of my bes

t. To drown in alcohol u

ot to

neede

y from the crowded parts of the city.

nodding to the bartend

ed in front of me.

aze moved acr

en, I

gripping her drink like it was t

zed her i

hion show, she had caught my attent

here s

ghtly tousled, as if she ran her fingers through it so many times. Yet it fra

he looked effort

w she look

away, should have ign

I di

, I found myself scooting

l eyes locking into

ulling together slightly, like she

gaze dip

aring at

my stomach at t

she'd say something. If she'd ac

breath and turned to me f

y, studying her "Wa

ed. Her voice was slurre

ing I couldn't quite hear

ep, but her b

ink, I reached ou

alread

, her expression daz

d, steadying her with one

ead, her lips parted, and when she

y family hates me," she whimper

g something, her

k decision, "Let me drop

d. She just leane

settling her carefully int

her head tilting a

e engine and

see her eyes closed, her breathing even and shal

she bee

I headed into the hotel a

passenger door, leaned down

ling slightly against my ch

lised her dress had ridden up slightly,

w tig

his is t

ack down, forcing my gaze aw

ore I could step away, I f

uttered open, hea

ment before her fingers tighte

above a whisper, she aske

Her eyes held Something raw, broke

aptured her soft lips int

at moment

inside me