her suitcase. Dinner at seven, Damian had said, and she couldn't tell if it was an order or an

hat could easily seat twenty. But tonight, only two places were set, the rest of th

of wine in his hand, his dark eyes

" he said, motion

te," Elena replied, takin

t smile. "And you follow o

se to the bait. "I prefer to think of

ore retreating silently. Elena glanced down at the art

heavy but not uncomfortable. Damian seemed cont

ence. "Do you always eat a

his expression unreadab

it get...

isn't something I have time to think about

" she asked, her tone s

lifting in that infuriating half-smile. "B

. "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Blackwood. I'm here

hifting back to cool professionali

sion between them simmered, unspok

Night D

tate. Sleep eluded her, her mind racing with ideas for the project-

and the distant creak of wood settling in the cold. She turne

he library, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He hadn't seen he

but something about the way he stood-his sho

r?" she asked softly,

ss his face before he masked it wit

ight casting a warm glow over

his gaze thoughtful. "You ask

stand you," she said, surprisin

his glass down on the table. "Understanding me

e pressed, st

," he said, his voice low. "I'm the kind they fear

, against her better judgment, she spoke. "Maybe yo

onto hers, and for a moment, the mask slipped. She saw something raw

ck, putting distance between them. "Go to bed,

as she turned to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling tha