owed and left, leaving the pentho

ing. Her fingertips brushed against the

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, the vulnera

gown off the rack. She walked into the bat

e mirror. It fit her body flawlessly, hugging every cur

She applied a sharp, flawless look, using dark eyeliner

from the rainstorm was gone. The qu

glow of the setting sun sp

he electronic lock on

ght the freezing, cutthroat energy o

sen his tie, his eye

y silk draped over her legs. Her makeup wa

olent surge of pure obsession and po

fraction of a second. His eyes returned to their

down on the single armchair opposite her, crossing hi

sharply against the floor as she wa

s the smooth stone. Her s

Mr. Stone," she said, he

The corner of his mouth twitche

l, I need to know one thing," Kr

r her to speak, looking like he was

et out a dry laugh. "I am the laughing stock o

arrying me will only bring the Stone

curity hiding behind her sharp eyelin

s knees, instantly closing the physical dis

ipping with absolute arrogance, "that I, Jasper S

She was completely para

ace of absolute power, no one in New York will d

ers, burning with an intens

thing," he commanded. "I ch