A PRICE OF OBSESSION

uldn't have come. She'd had a morning meeting at the gallery, and her shoes were killing her like damnation. But she was here now, sipping somethi

rink, Miss

-a slim brunette with a pie

not here to drown

lways drowning something

ally t

isguising themselves incognito in black tie and silk masks. Invitation-only. You we

none of th

, a phony invitation, and a body me

t voice spoke behind her, and

rned a

st her

No tie. A half-mask fashioned in matte obsidian covered the upper half of his face

him that screamed restraint. Controlled menace. A man who broke rules by existing. But i

shot back, cold in the face of the

ched her as if memorizing the color of her fles

d, tilting her head. Playing

bluntly. "No names. No

ed her so plainly-so neatly with desire.

one d

reathed, even as her body deceiv

aceful, panther-qu

robably did this every night.

hen inserted her hand into his. The shock was inst

" he said to her. "Or we can get

alle

. "I like c

"I like watching t

-

oor-to-ceiling windows, a skyline dense with li

ck, Amara felt something change. Reality blurre

ted. Her breath caught as he approached, not touching, merel

e dress," he

a re

omm

orward, slid the straps off her shoulders, and al

eath h

lored lace thong. Her nipples pushing aga

not a

king prey he didn't wish to de

e

e line of her spine. Down to the crease of

he whispered. "T

. He spun her around, kissed her like she was prope

remained

ing, taking control, before he bit h

k off. She saw tattoos on his chest-lines, symbols, maybe a name

red her, there w

weet

Black. Unyi

starving man. P

ke a woman who had not

her that didn't sound like hers. The headboard slammed. Sheets tangled.

ne," he growle

e panted, even as her hi

e whispered, biting her sho

t moment,

htning and heat, and when he followed, gaspin

ose few minute

e was

-

ke up

ht places. On the pillow beside her, coiled like a sec

no c

at it, puls

onds after a o

t racing. There was some

da

oday. But one fro

swal

she'd buried just rat

was h