re's

ning sunlight, but the lingering warmth of shared intimacy

masculine. My eyes fluttered open to find myself staring at an unfamiliar ceilin

sn't my

My body ached in places I'd never known could ache, each throb a

G

like ice water: I'd slep

awline, eyes like emeralds, a voice that had rumbled th

ci

ame made my skin pr

was the bathroom. He was still here. Still in this impossibly

rged and we had to navigate the excruciating awkwardness of morn

arded evidence. I clutched the sheet tighter, my mind a k

kiss. Hungry, testin

uming need that

feel things I'd never experienc

d for air, words tumbling ou

umb tracing my neck. "You don

his intense gaze. My mouth went

I felt a magnetic pull towar

, reverently, like he was

ng, tasting, his teeth grazing my

mine. His body was magnificent-strong arms, sculpted chest, and perfect abs that we

laid me on the bed. His hands explored every curve, ev

inside me, a sharp flas

ly, his entire b

his voice strained, "i

ddenly shy a

I was some inexperienced w

sed, no hint of mockery-just that

s too much,

he was considering my comfort.

lease continue

, he began to move. Each thrust fille

e him, pain giving way to pleas

against my skin, his

e my neck met my shoulder. The sensation of his hot breath and gentle scrape of teeth sent shivers

rd pleasure. His stamina was endless. Just when I thought we wer

fingers digging into my

a haze of satisfaction. As he reached his final release, h

at

onsciousness wonde

r cut off

. My inner voice screamed for escape-but before I cou

ips, water droplets trailing down his chest. In the harsh light o

e cooler now, unreadable

ping moment, nei

he unmistakable evidence staining the prist

" Not a question. A statem

f your business," I snapped, trying to

a hand through damp golden h

ng a bitter laugh. "You

ensive-looking dresser,

rt plu

me-payment for services rendered. Because that's what

the crumpled bills left over from last night's aborted anniversary

onto the dresser's

ing despite my efforts. "Tha

ed like poison

ent utte

rning with dangerous intensity. "You think I would tre

ed. "What else am I

rew heavy, charged. His pupils dilated until molten

red, backing away sl

. For a terrifying heartbeat, I thought he might...

atural light receded, leaving his

turning away as if fighting invi

only sharpened my humiliati

d the faintest crack in his voice when he mu

tch

my shoes a

rble like gunshots. By the time I reached the lobby, I was half-shaking

ound me-people rushing to work, cars honking, everyone blissfully unaware that som

of fragmented memories: his touch, his vo

light. Maybe I'd been

en I h

d. Low

heart leaped into my throat. I spun around to find... nothing

ically charged, as if some

etending not to hear the faint echo that seemed t

rate rhythm. My skin burned where his hands had b

was adrenaline. S

g. I slammed the door and fumbled with the locks, then pressed m

t's all it was

atastrophic la

in my body scr

he lingering warmth of his breath, the heavy pulse of his heart

reckless, secre

s was, he wasn

, I wasn't done