through a side exit of the hospital. His hand re

e protection against the co

ured, voice low near her e

"Micheal will come after us. He

. The leather seats felt warm against her skin. He slid behind the

robe tighter around herself. "I just walked away from

rviving. That's more than most manage in this city." His thumb traced small circles on

illuminated by passing streetlights. "Why

ething I thought I buried years ago. You looked like a queen who didn't know her crown was slipping

cken under his fingers

her hand and pressed a slow kiss to her

va stood close beside him, aware of every inch of space between their bodies. Whe

ring Manhattan skyline. Dark wood and leathe

ket and draped it gently o

ling it closer. "Your home looks like you. Co

s brushed. "Sit. You've been through hell." He chose the spot b

n. "Tell me what you know about my

ting along the back of the sofa.

lanning this for months." His hand slid to her neck, thumb stroking t

te herself. "I didn't want to b

voice carried

currency." He leaned closer,

is. I want the company.

ered. "You can

vered near hers. "Tell

t tell hi

her head while the other rested at her waist. Heat bloomed thr

inst hers. "You taste like fire," he whispere

y. "This is crazy.

deliberate. "You know I make you feel something Micheal never co

he sensation. "You make me feel

slipped beneath the robe to rest on her bare thigh, warm and steady

her eyes. "

"Your old life. Your trust. Maybe

he hard line of his jaw. "I alr

lled her up with h

ed and soft lighting. From a drawer he retrieved a silk sh

fall. She felt his eyes on her back as she slipped

ression had darkened with desire. "Yo

ser. "Maybe I w

kiss this time carried more hunger. One hand tangled in her hair while the ot

part, breath

s. "There's something you need t

nsed.

and opened his laptop on the marble ta

cheal prepared weeks ago," he said. "Your f

hat's my mother's old account numbe

n't act alone. Someone inside your

down her spi

d to her. "I can help you destroy them. But I need you t

st, feeling his hea

and with his. "Then

the table. He glanced at the sc

it?" Av

ing you had a complete mental breakdown and are now missing. He'

lood ra

closer. "They'r