s over the penthouse. Claire stretched, momentarily forgetting where she was-until the smoo

. That was how long she would have to pla

first public outing

the door st

get up,

Cool. Unbother

d hair. She threw off the covers and swung the do

tailored black suit that looked like it had been designe

ely, it wa

ilk nightgown that barely skimmed her thighs. The cor

nty minutes t

d an eyebrow

"Or I carry you

rrowed. "Yo

dn't have to. His silenc

d huff, she shut t

going t

on in

form-fitting black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. The

rolling through his phone. At the sound of her heel

ring for a fraction of a second be

e," he sai

"You know how to flatt

his arm.

re taking it, her

infuriatingl

e kne

ublic

ess you were one of the city's elite. Paparazzi had already gathered outsid

waist tightened sligh

the

e. She turned to Adrian, smiling at him with perfectly fei

es turned to them. Conversation

ackwood.

friends who had abandoned her when she was framed.

saw Liam

rivate booth,

her carefully placed mask before she

other hand, l

eetly. This was

onfro

tled at their table

rian! What

her smile in

re settling on Adrian. "I don't beli

s expression calm but unre

u are. The most powerful CEO in the city." She let out a delicate laugh,

Adrian, resting a hand on his chest. "Well, some

nd pulling her in slightly. "Claire and I prefer to keep things priva

out to relish the mom

as tight, contro

m said, his voic

n he finally did, it was with the air of someo

ackled bet

lived

am's, a clear display of ownership. "Well, I'm

ut I guess when you find the

jaw t

laire knew-she ha

unease. "Of course! Well, we should g

when I was rotting in a prison cell whi

stif

his amusement

he said, his voice smooth b

ed at his sides. "C

s expression cool, unbothere

le

n to challenge Adria

on thickening, grabbed

retreat, victory s

ne, she let out a breat

at her, amusement glimm

ice was silk and sin, lace

gaze, smirkin

breath was warm against her ear, send

soft, almost mocking. "You might

se betr

the scar

lread

n control, she had a feeling that in this dang

the only