in the gleaming steel box, surrounded by silence and her own pounding heartbeat. The man beside her-her

but his expression was a mask of perfect d

t she neede

rself," she mutter

mouth twitched again. "You keep talking to yourse

rvous. Just

d. "The press lov

evator

d around the open space, offering a glittering view of the city skyline. Marble floors, crystal lighting, clean-c

owned everything, includ

ard a hallway that curved out of sight. "Your own room, yo

at abou

owly. "I only have

s narrowed.

d a black folder. With a flick, he opened

ge Con

typed clauses. Cold legalese that outli

s will be attended together,

als, no dating, no c

l assume the Blackthorn

l intimacy unless both

y is binding. Breach result

r clause bl

didn't

he was giving him control. Th

ers trembled when s

ack to him, he signed with effortless grace-no hesitation, no second thou

e," he sa

d away, need

n continued. "Engagement photos at nine, a curated

sharply. "You expect m

crossed the room toward her. "You wanted a deal,

n her eyes. "This is more t

coolly. "And you? You

easy it would be to forget why she hated him in the first place. The

nd of hair from her face-his

na f

aid, voice lower now, more dang

t and shame-and something

elf," she whispered

led like he alr

aybe

That N

ome-feeling like a prisoner in silk pajamas. The city twinkled outside,

si

mond

ant-cut. Cold as t

her finger, hating h

d would believe sh

made herself a

ht be h

thorn would neve