mattress. Before she could push up, a heavy

am. Hot, ragged lips crushed

the dark. Her nails scraped across a broa

grabbed both her wrists with one hand and pinned them above her hea

burned against hers. He

rning mouth trailed down her neck. Cla

he sobbed against his skin

had stole

sharp, searing pain tore through her. She a

her skin. A deep growl rumbled from his ches

thing. The scent of cedarwood and

d. The heavy body collapsed on her. His

her bones, Clara slid out from unde

clothes. Her fingers hit something sharp.

l carving of the bed frame. She yanked free. The clasp

ecurity checking the breakers. T

wrapped it around her naked, br

shed through the fire door, the lights blazed

at her arms, the bruises and dark marks scattered

e climbed back to the presidential suite. Every step wa

ulian wasn't back. She

setting, and stood under the scalding water. She scrubbed h

reflection. Tangled dark hair. Red-rimmed eyes. The despa

ver her neck and collarbones. She changed into a long-sleeved, high-necked silk pajama set. The ruin

se, the front door clicked op

and squeezed her eyes shut. Under th

elming smell of fresh body wash radiated off him

ran into some old friends." His g

. My head is killing me," she ras

his face. He turned and

d. The woman who had walked down the aisle ye