ian

y throat remained. The music in the club pounded aro

ger than anyone else, slapped my shoulder, his grin wide. "You ju

w. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Our marriage was arranged to preser

ok that said they understood. The look that said they pi

. He hated the lie. He hated Sean for

indow to the dark city. Her face swam into my visi

go. "I'm tired," I said, s

ng too long!" one of them called o

swer. I jus

emples, the headache that had been building all night finally cresting. Going back

owl in the quiet garage. I drove towards the home t

ste

pulled me from sleep. The sou

skipped

as b

slow, even rhythm, pretending to be asleep. I couldn'

ed. Each one was a thud of Alpha presence that

m door cre

cold night air, and that unique, sharp smell of snow and

ped on the other

tting. Wa

y silk pajamas. My entire body went rigid, every muscle screaming. I fo

ck and heavy. He just sat th

gasp for air, when the

alk-in closet. The soft rustle of

e I'd been holding. My heart was s

d the room instead of returning to the bed, then stopped near the floor-to-ce

king. In m

ord, and now he was filling the bedroom with smoke as though I we

shoulders. My voice was rough with sleep when I

cigarette arced through the air

ow rumble, as cold and empty as a winter night

hours of waiting, he spoke as though I were someone he b

ark silhouette against the city lights. "Wh

l and walked towards me. His Alpha presence filled the spac

sted his lips. "What, I need to give you advance notice? So you hav

I had no idea what he thought I ha

light. One sitting, one standin

s our r