lips with the linen napkin, a small, delib

ed with a desperate resolve. "Mr. Blake,

onless, a silent inv

he words out, her voice barely a whisper. "After the wedding

ifying. For a girl raised in the sterile enviro

anted a wife in name, her path to

the room grew th

his eyes darkening to a deep, bottomless black. She felt strippe

nded, or to deflect with so

d nei

savor the panic blooming on her face. Then, he spoke, his voi

seem to be under a

e now that she could smell the c

tones dropping into a still pond, "is not

cal touch, searing a

astating blow, his voice droppin

very high

carefully constructed wall of composure

f his stature, speak of such a thing so... fa

tening her or trying to intimidate her. He was s

reaching the tips of her ears. She opened her mouth to say somet

in shock, the way she looked like a cornered anima

in this marriage, there was no escape from him. It was also the perfect cover s

o breathe. He picked up his wine g

again cool and detached. "Do

mess. She could only shake he

of the meal, moving her foo

e restaurant's entrance, where his driver was wai

slim, black

leaving no room for refusal. "If you n