shed, leaving him depleted. His body, already pus

forward, a

her own body as a lever to guide his collapsing frame onto the velvet sof

They burned with an intensity that

d her wrist. He pulled, hard. Alisa stumbled, falling forward, her hands

nderground medic in the world... why are you here, m

ithout flinching. She pushed her

"The name 'Mrs. Sterling' opens doors and provides a level of le

narrowed. "You

ed a wife to unlock your trust fund and placate your b

think I'll play al

r thigh, she produced the leather roll of needles. She slapped

expression cold and confid

opping into the air like stones. "Not just suppr

, cynical laugh. "The best medical minds at Johns Hopkins and

led the kit, selected the longest silver n

accuracy, she plunged the needle through the fabric of h

at. A strange, unfamiliar warmth began to spread through his legs-limbs that had been cold and numb for

at her, the skepticism in his eyes shatt

id calmly, laying out her terms. "During my time here, you will afford me absolute freedom and r

the impossible reward: his life. A slow, dark smile spread across

his right ha

ublic, you are not my doctor. You are my adoring wife. Y

er grip was firm, her palm cool ag

nto that of a clinician, all busines

w movement, he untied the belt and let the silk fall open, revealing a

her hands moving with a speed and precision that was mesmeri

gnawing cold inside him recede, pushed back by

t his hot skin. Each accidental touch sent a jolt of electricity through

fierce concentration in her eyes, the dete

as swiftly as she had placed them. She tosse

im. The constant pain that had been his companion for years had faded to a dull ache. H

g him in the darkness of the room, a slow, predatory smile spreading across