er R

___

o finally claiming her, to making her mine in ways she can't even understa

hugs her petite, fair frame perfectly, highlighting every curve and leaving very little to the imagination.

e he

d me with the t

hers as I gently remove it. I fold it neatly, tossing it onto a nearb

ft fabric of the dress contrasts against her smooth skin and I notice the low dip of the dr

My thumbs trace the bare skin of her lower ba

grab another towel and dry her hair. There's something about this moment that feels different, so

he's not fighting me. I continue drying her hair slowly, feeling the softness of her strands slip throu

A sharp knock at the door interrupts me. My men stand there, serious and al

ment. (I'll be there in five minutes.) Once they leave, I turn back to her, dr

d away or free. "Can't I explore the penthouse? I need something t

there's a limit to what I can allow. "Fine," I say finally, with a little more leniency than I wanted to sho

n her eyes. I know she doesn't understand why I'm restr

s locking with hers. "I mean it, tesoro." My voice lowers, turni

mix of confusion and r

y jacket as I straighten it out. "I have to go," I say,

s of me she can never know. The man I truly am, the dark secrets buried deep. Too muc

gerous this world can be. Daddy keeps dirty little secre

out of the room and headi

ikolai and the others, all g

ered as I walk past them, my presence domi

e of whiskey as the car starts moving, the driver taking me to the Ricci firm. My thoughts wander to Rose, as the

e. My staff bows in respect as I pass, their gazes fixed on the floor. I could

e catching my attention. Cordelia, my business partner's

s, tilting her head,

nowledging her, m

with my husband," she continue

ly, my voice low and

wn. "Surely, you can give

ion hang in the air. Without another word, I turn and stride pas

hundredth floor. My mind shifts back to business, but Rose linger