ed off the mirrored walls of the massiv

nto the air, executing a fl

h the thin fabric o

est from the sheer overuse, burni

fused

ballet could drown out the memory of her mo

d crash echoed

le doors were violently sh

he sound system and ya

cut off

ing silence fel

eyes wide with fear as t

pped into

wool overcoat, bringing the f

with the heavy, arrogant steps of

o whisper, recognizing the billionair

nce, Gretchen lost her footing and

heaving violently as she

mind? This is my pr

errified stares of

p to her, stopping i

e sweat dripping fro

harp, Mrs. Spenc

of his Patek Philippe watch. His tone l

e to run the

to push herself

ld stand, Dixo

pped completely ar

rtless pull, he hau

over. Go change y

gged down the tight, we

pils, but he quickly snapped his ga

r colleagues boring into her bac

er wrist out

and marched into

she emerged wearing

dn't say

ound her waist, his fingers

ed her out of the Lincoln

d not head tow

b on Fifth Avenue, stopping dire

nt store was already standing on the sidew

he VIP floor, which had been comple

you bring

at the endless racks of

arm

vercoat and sat down o

s, his posture lazy but

estate wearing last season's

ords to mask the violent urge he had

a slig

ppers swarmed Gr

off the racks and holding

s, Gretchen felt like

of the dressing room, tr

one. To

his hand d

like you're going to a

cted ev

he dressing room wearing a dark

r's waist, exposing the elegant, sharp

yes locke

eath h

e bobbed heavil

es vanished, replaced by

od up

ck carpet until he was s

sive floor-to-ceil

ould feel the heat ra

a velvet tray held b

, blindingly expensi

nd draped the cold j

his cold fingers brushed against the s

le shiver shot straight

is the

her reflection

terrifyingly

from the new colle

lightly, giving the

ed to the master bed

suffocating, seized her lungs. She stared at his broad back in the mirror, her mind racing as t