p in

g, broke the stillness, sending an

ch heartbeat, the sound r

she filled her lungs an

ramed the tall windows. Greyson remained by the glass, his back turned, post

reshold, he slowly glan

rm lamplight, sculpting his fe

his robust frame, just lik

umbled from him, low and abs

them, each second stret

, Melanie paused, voice quiet and wary. "Di

lips curling into a teasing smile. A single

, she was

n, Melanie fought

ummon me like this. I know my place and I won't make trouble. Fro

s low, his hand slipping into his pock

ct tangled in silk, every move

behind her and slammed the door, th

way from me after everything?

but a cold shiver sli

r eyes skittering away from the look he gave her. "While I'm here

, and she'd traded somethi

ain - nothing mor

t his fingers coaxed her back, thumb brushing ov

x of invitation and dominance, impo

nic swept ov

had driven her - she

what was ha

s isn't how thi

g against her tongue. She flinched in alarm, but the door pressed against

in his gaze felt overwhelming - like a

before you walke

ng speech impossible, her mouth g

through her, her eyes w

nce promised anything, s

ng his finger away and leaving a glist

ly catching her breath, t

osity doesn't come

ntensity far surpassed w

ed determined to make

d four in the morning did

wn, and Melanie's restless sleep brought l

d across the room when she

ed that she was still in Greyson's bed

g her groaning as she wrapped

that he was gone, she muttere

d out than the door creaked o

tly inside, gaze fixed on the floor, arms laden with neatly folded clothes. With

ng, she set down a sm

y prepared by Mr.

d the maid left, closi

steady her thoughts. He had

ed a mystery, impo

, so she was left with no option but to sli

r gaze landed on the jar of ointment,

er cheeks, stain

en overwhelming, far more intense a

lf-control and icy exterior beco

othes and limped to the bathroom. The sting in he

things and reached for her phone. As she u