y. She stumbled forward, her knees slamming hard against the thick Persian carp

blocked out the heavy bass from the club downstairs. The o

hting. Her gaze landed on the man sitting in the center of the huge l

ce, her heart stopped. It was as if an invisible ha

tting the wild red wig fall forward to shield her face. She prayed

es. His gaze traveled over her like a predator sizin

e silent room. "Interesting. You were writhing around on sta

, making her voice hoarse and unfamiliar. "I'm sorry, sir... I

yn. He stood up. The soft, heavy tread of his

n suddenly used the toe of his polished shoe to

y you cou

ce was fully exposed to him. She bit the inside of her chee

s brow furrowed slightly, as if something was off, but the ra

her wrists. He yanked her up from the floor with brut

ds against his chest, trying to pu

nd her waist like an iron

r cheek. He inhaled deeply, then frowned in disgust.

ved to the back of her neck. He yanked her head back

ation. He forced her lips apart and kissed her w

he faint hint of citrus and soap-it was exactly the same as the woman from the hotel yesterday. His brow furrowed deeply, filled with confusion. *"Impossible,"* he t

re. She had been tortured beneath him just y

Blaire bit down hard on his lower lip. The coppery

b and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "You dare t

, her chest heaving. Like a cornered leopard, she

m his lips. A low, dark chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Got s

h his back to her, he stated his terms in an icy voice. "One million

ion dollars. Enough to make her disappear forever, t

is eyes made her stomach churn. If she agreed, she wou

palms, breaking the skin. She stood up, looked him straight in the

ightened around his glass. He nar

ms." Blaire repeated,

rejected by a "lowly dancer

ss down on the coffee table. The glass shattered, the sharp crack echoing thro

He backed her up until her spine hit the wall. He gritted his teeth, his voice squeezing out

k away from his gaze. She forced the words out through her co

did yo

re's fingers clawed into the back of hi