replaced by the sleek, modern l

ative affection and tense private negotiations, and

the Hampto

ting her in a car back to Brooklyn, Ansel had brou

ows wrapped around th

e city spread out below the

it jacket and threw i

r to the blac

asses of sparkli

handed one of the c

glass wall, looki

nsel said, his tone cas

the arrangement

ook the

n the glass chilled her fin

t answer i

ough a rapid cost

secure a massive investment thro

ego now could jeo

er wanted to see how this elite

her back to

tly into Ansel's

el. There are no secrets here. The

a soft, dism

as worried about

rivers. We can use the back entrance

n Ellie's eyes dr

d over to

wn on the marble wit

ard Ansel, closing the

was perfec

be your hi

slowly, a deliberat

s. We go to public dinners. I will not hide in

at her, compl

r to be grateful f

cept whatever scraps

dictating the ter

rce, unyielding prid

ill of genuine exciteme

toy. She wa

his head bac

s sound that echoed

ed her waist, pulling he

ntil his forehead r

k with possession. "I want to show y

breath against her sk

a pothole shattered the memory,

ir of the car sur

on his side of the seat,

miliar brownstone steps of her au

egan to s