tween them, lit by a minimalist crystal chandelier. He sat at the head, looking immaculate

ble served two plates of seared duck breast. The housekeeper moved with franti

the man across from her. He was swirling a glass

ith our mouths open, or can we actually

rk eyes snapped to hers, fl

'm a ticking bomb," she said, leaning forward. "If I'm supposed to be the lady of t

ever used to care about the atmosphere, Elena. Usually, you

taking a bite of the duck. "This is delicious. And sinc

his perfect, rigid composure show a genuine crack. He leaned back in his ch

urmured, his voice dropp

s empty, which means I don't have the energy to play whatever cold, high-society games

p sound cut th

unded like it hadn't been used in years. The sound

he couldn't completely hide the small smi

a burning, intense curiosity. "You haven't spoken to me without a calculated

ooking him dead in the eye. "Who am I to you? Because you look at me l

ll between them, the one she had felt in the hospital, flared back to life with a vengeance. He didn't

r ribs as he reached down, his large hands resting on the ba

, his breath hot against her skin. "You're my wife.

er nose almost brushing his jaw. "

raw, unfiltered, an

grabbed her by the upper arms, lifting her out of the chair with effortless strength. I

ft gasp, but she

, his thumbs wiping across her cheekbones. His eyes were entirely consumed by a dark, feral passion.

ou do to me?" he growled, hi

forearms. Her body remembered him, even if her mind didn'

, agonizing ghost of a kiss. Her eyes fluttered shut, waiti

crash ne

sharp, sudden agony twisted his handsome features. He forced his eyes open, staring do

steps back. He ran a hand through his dark h

is voice rough and comple

, her brain spinning in confusion. "What do yo

r his black shirt. When he spoke, his voice was colder than ice, a

d darkly, his hands clenching in

irt. When he spoke, his voice was colder than ice, a comple

id darkly, his hands clenching i

ine untouched and the heavy silence echoing in his wake. She stood pressed against the

was broken. A heavy garment bag of emerald silk was delivered to her bed, acco