lyn's consciousness flickered like a wisp of embers in this dark, silent universe. She died on

isappear. I will not, n

cream, ignited something. A fierce,

s if she had been swept into a cosmic undercurrent, pulling her fr

cating pressure. She was drowning. Instinct took over. She struggled upwards, her

nly gripped her wrist. It was incredibly strong, and

throat. The night air was a shock to her body, sharp and cold, stinging

os, deep and devoid of

e a man's face. It was a masterpiece of sharp angles and austere beauty-a resolute jaw, high cheekbones

teak deck like a sack of flour. She lay there like a trembling, gasping pile of rubble, struggling to

ore delicate. The hands she used to support hersel

ic torrent-a girl named Cassandra. The unwanted daughter of the Laurent family. A soc

tight-fitting dress. A glass of something that tastes slightly bitter. The purpose is clear: to

of defiance, she leaped from the yacht into the

, Evelyn fou

e ocean. It was an unnatural flame that stung her skin and sent shivers down her s

ectly tailored dark suit. His scent-a fresh, crisp fragrance like cool air and expensive linen-

d draped a thick blanket over her shoulders. He leaned c

tured. "...Cassandra Laurent...The La

bs. She stared at her savior's cold, handsome face. He was more than just

n Bla

now turned icy cold. He no longer looked at her a

was no longer in her own control. It yearned to be near him, to be near the

regain a semblance of dignity. But her legs were as weak as wate

. The touch was electric. A pure, unadulterated pleasure coursed through her body, so

he clung tightly to his arm, her fingers diggi

n-disgust, or confusion?-flickered across his face, t

Reed

. And she has fallen into th