asting warm stripes across the massive bed. Eleanor s

vision was blurry for a second,

leg was thrown over his thighs, and her face was

anked her arms and legs back as if she had been bur

ulled her right back to the center of the mattress. A deep, morning

bright red. She stuttered, pushing against his chest. "

t up. The duvet fell away, revealing his bare, heavily muscled tor

ian said. His tone was casual, as if they had

was wearing a simple beige sweater and jeans. In the open kit

perfectly tailored charcoal suit. He was reading the financial news

de pocket of his suit jacket. He pulled out a heavy, matte black card an

hat it represented-limitless wealth and absolute control-made her chest tighten. "What i

f his black coffee. "The pin is your birthday, bu

ed this. I have my own job, I can pay for my ow

t absolutely no room for argument. "When my wife walks out of this hous

nor swallowed hard and slowly reached out,

was already waiting by the front door. Julian pi

at Eleanor, who was standing a few feet away to

on. Then, Julian raised his inde

pped forward, and pressed a quick, feather-light kiss to his jaw. Juli

y, the clock s

groaned, rubbed his temples, and blindly reached out to grab his phone off the nights

power button. T

No texts. Not even a not

y hit his chest. He opened his contacts, tappe

rently busy. Please try again late

e hung up and dialed again. The exact same message played. H

opped up next to the bubble. Message failed

He frantically opened Instagram and Facebook. Blocked. Block

om. It smashed against the wall, the screen shattering into

a silk robe. She put on a look of innocent concern. "

g with toxic rage. "She blocked me. I'm going to find her, a