frame. The flawless planes of his face only heightened the commanding air he carried, and the sheer height of him ma

reath catching in her chest as she forced her frantic h

ness roughening her voice. "You disappear for an ent

atures. A razor-edged sneer curved his lips. "Wha

ot of his tie, then easing open each button of his shirt. The smooth rev

realization struck her like a blow-he hadn't returned out of conce

ation. From the moment Caroline married into the family, the

line. Not once. He hadn't even to

ked by the threat of controlling shares in

ome home when Caroline's fertile days rolled around, having sex with her in a mechanic

e a slap. Her stomach knotted with nausea. With a hollow ache tightening her chest, she finally lifted he

he muscle ticking along his jaw

stress and still clocking in here on schedule to 'ful

e smoothed it over almost immediately, his tone cutting and cold. "Since you're al

in long, deliberate strides. His hands clamped onto her sh

twisted against his grip, her voice rising.

er ear as his long, precise fingers tugged up the hem of her skir

against the sink as hot tears slipped down her cheeks. "No... Vincent,

a flash of irritation he couldn't name. That foreign sensation coiled tight

nything now," he muttered, voice ed

at his belt and shoved forward, taking her fr

burned through her, despair swallowing what little

n hardened again. One hand clamped over her mouth, the other forcing her chin up tow

really hate me, or do y

t, and his thrusts grew harsher with every se

reduced to a ritual bound to her ovulation c

oo accustomed to each other, ever

hrough the pain, twisting deep in Caroline's gut. Her muffled sobs slipped past hi

ezed her eyes shut, letting hot tears streak

rutal invasion-an assault on

r from the bathroom to the bed, her skin bloomed wi

roline quietly snapped free. She no longer wanted to build her life ar

now polished and composed as if nothing had happened. Her voice steadied, each