w them. Sophie watched the city lights blur into streaks of gold and white, trying to steady her breathing. The kiss

ring straight ahead. The silence between them was thi

penthouse-no lobby, no hallway. J

ture in charcoal and cream, abstract art that probably cost more than most people's homes. A grand piano sat untouched in

ly li

the back of a leather chair, and loosened anothe

asked with

er voice came out st

a glass with ice and sparkling water for her. When he handed

etting the cold calm t

watching her over the rim of his

yed th

dropped to her mouth for a second,

ed. "It was fo

s i

wn harder than inten

wh

ow what I'm thin

them in two slow steps. Not crowding her-not yet-but cl

eling, Sophia," he said quietl

his is a job. A perfo

ht now?" His voice was low, rough. "

'm here because y

urs.' Not 'ta

hed again-dang

im, and brushed a loose strand of hair behin

mured. "And I will. No qu

lena had given her. Blackmail. Revenge

leaned in-jus

thumb stroking the sensitive skin there

ed the l

this time no cameras, n

aist, pulling her flush against him. She gasped into his mouth, fingers curling into his shirt. He tasted like whiskey and

against the bar island. The edge pressed into her lower back. His hands slid

ir, his forehead rested aga

of the contract

oice wrecked. "Thi

nd he call the car back. She should remem

fting her onto the marble countertop in one smooth motion. The cold surface shocked her skin

hot-teeth grazing her collarbone. She

xand

name on her lips. Pulled ba

t was untucked, hair mussed. They

er swollen bottom

er," she

is eyes-need, possession,

g up her thighs under the dress, bunching the silk. Her breat

on the counter beside

y cras

k, chest heavi

e. "It's Elen

eck in. Protective best friend mode activated th

zzed again-t

or it with sh

ou got home. It's been an hour. If I don't

shakily. "I h

pace, though his hands stayed on her

ine. At his place. Safe.

THING. And if he hurt

the phone

r, expression unread

you,"

ed between them. "Of

trying to reclaim some composure. "We can't..

harp, controlled

at. No press

e was holding himse

ward the hallway she assumed led t

down the hall. Fully stocked. Or..." He paused. "M

doorway. "I need

the left. Bathroom's en suite. I'll

ated. "Th

t," he said quietl

nd her, leaned against i

ingling. Body aching in plac

onfusion, one terrifying t

lready in

was the secret that coul