you really are!" Raellyn snapped, her voice shaking with fury as she sprang to the si

sement. "That sharp tongue of yours, Miss Raellyn.

tepped into his office, and yet Arnav had already dared to approach her no, st

micked seduction, thinking it would repel him as it did most men. B

and the shameful truth that her body had responded. That kiss, laced with both dominance and co

gerou

it of a man to be feared far

y he had pressed his body against hers and claimed her lips

ody mirrored that of a starving lion. Every instinct inside Raellyn screamed to strike him. Her fingers itched for

continuing our little negotiation? Or have you simply redirected y

sual as if they were discussing the weather. Yet someth

ted his disgraceful tendencies

I was a man of virtue, Miss Raellyn? How painfully naïve. In fact

there like a monarch on a throne, drunk on his own arrogan

a weakness something she could use against him. B

s see

he desk it was all a façade. His eyes, those ocean-deep eyes, blazed with intensity that defied interpretat

hing like Arsene. Or the parade of men who came knocking at her door each w

the mold of a respectable man whose name climbed the ranks of h

ss. Wealthy. And disturbingly perceptive. And for the first time, Raellyn dou

eld an icy disdain. His reputation as a ruthless businessman was evidently well-earned and if the rumors were true, he had traded f

searching for proof of what she already suspected. "You're angry b

without caution pure e

them, t

ed a line. But it was

replied at last, voice

statements, and yet somehow, he ha

aellyn said, smiling bitterl

nd if he did, then he's even

uelty of that remark punc

all this if I were making it up? I'm only holding Arsene to the promise he made to

g. But Raellyn stood her ground, pushing down the

left to swear by," he said, his

, but with a rage that was quic

barrassed, aren't you? Because I

her chin defiantly. "Consider it

d step closer. "Tell me, Miss Raellyn, what other talents are you hiding behind that pretty face and delectable

s, a collapse of tension in her limbs as Ar

rama like a seasoned playwright. I have no interest in that crude form of dance you suggested, because I do not enjoy being consumed by the st

his desk, picked up the phone, and began speaking

d the male assistant who had previ

caught off-guard by t

wed. "How may I

tact the marriage registrar. Also, I won't be returni

neath her se

eached for the wine glass she had earlier refused and do

ly unfazed by the sudden declaration. "Understood. I'll han

and Arnav

trying to gather her wit

e're in the intimate phase now.

te. It sent a shiver down her spine. She stared at him, tryin

nd brutal and now he smiled with a wic

ccept my