soul. Evelyn's consciousness was a flickering ember in a black, silent universe. She w

fade away. Not af

am, ignited something. A fierce, prim

like being caught in a cosmic undertow, pulling her from the p

shing weight. She was drowning. Instinct took over. She clawed upward,

around her wrist. It was brutally strong, yank

throat. The night air was a shock to her system, sharp and cold agai

haos, low and devoid of a

ghts, was a man's face. It was a masterpiece of sharp angles and severe beauty-a strong jaw, high chee

teak deck like a sack of flour. She lay there, a shivering, gasping heap, trying to understand

ler, slighter. The hands she pushed herself

a girl named Cassandra. Cassie. The unwanted daughter of the Laurent family. A social

ess. A glass of something that tasted faintly bitter. The purpose was clear: to be delivered, c

efiance, she had jumped from this very yacht into the d

h, Evelyn had f

the ocean. It was an unnatural fire, making her skin tingle, her nerve endings

erfectly tailored dark suit. His scent-a clean, crisp fragrance like cold air and expensive linen-cut t

r, draping a thick blanket over her shoulders. He lean

..Cassandra Laurent... the Laurent

She stared at the cold, beautiful face of her savior. He wasn't ju

n Bla

rned glacial. He was looking at her not as a perso

nger her own to command. It craved proximity to him, to the coolness

to reclaim some shred of dignity. But her legs were wat

. The contact was electric. A jolt of pure, unadulterated pleasure shot through

she latched onto his arms, her fingers diggin

hing-disgust, confusion?-crossed his face before it

y refused to obey. The world was spinning, a confusing vo

Reed wa

now. And she was in the