ntirely limp, slidin

er from hitting the wet asphalt. His jaw tightened as he felt the warm, wet sme

ook a step forward to take the girl off

tie at Clark's chest. The knot had been pulled askew during her collision wit

n, persistent pressure again

state, Briana let out a soft, pained whimper. It was a specific,

ked. His dark eyes widened for a fraction of a second, a fl

in and any prying eyes. Only then did he reach up and forcibly pry her stiff fingers from his tie, one by one. As the fabric came free, he

open the rear door. Clark ducked inside, pulling t

f the roar of the storm. The sudden blast of the

uickly focused on the sharp, unforgiving line of Clark's jaw. Th

eached up and impatiently yanked his tie lo

e faint, rhythmic pulse at the base of his throat caught her attention. It was a hy

ed deep in her fractured memory surged up-a flash of sunlight through a bedroom window, her lips brushing that exact place on his skin in another life. Before she could stop herself

voice barked from the dri

ed, snatching

ulnerability, were now pitch black and lethal. He had seen exactly where her fingers had

reach for that e

g fingers wrapping around

y awake. She stared into his eyes, her sto

His voice was a low, dangerous rumb

he knew she was Imogen, he would know she

let her lower lip tremble. "Briana," she choked

hung in

shed instantly, replaced by a disgust so pro

pulled a pristine white handkerchief from his pock

Have a detail keep eyes on her," Clark ord

He was the most powerful man in the countr

dy hands grabbing his sleeve

on't push your luck." The tem

t, curling into a tight, trembling ball against the leather door. She let out a

ocked onto his. Clark looked away, a muscle ticking in his jaw,

tersection in downtown LA. The locks clicked

r pride, whispered a trembling "Thank you," a

r slammed shu

tic fear vanished from Briana's face. Her exp

g figure in the rearview mirror. "Run a full

a closed shop. The wind bit through her we

a cheap, 24-hour diner glowing through the ra

riana ignored him, limping straight to the darkest boo