stop, Lexi

Museum's annual gala swirled around her in a blur of designer gowns and diamond-encrusted jewelry. She

h Julian Style

murmured, appearing at her elbow. "

have brought

immediately regretting her

li

werful frame, the way his custom tu

nstantly. The shift in his

d Lexi's hand

n Julian took a slow, deliberate sip of

new he was about to d

ng her empty glass at Rachel and escapin

d emperors. The alcohol hummed in her veins, loosening the tight control she usually m

way again,

ood behind her. Julian's voice slid over her s

e said, turning to fa

d yanked her into the shadow

he managed

ive, his eyes dark w

oys touch what belongs to me?"

wrist free. "I don

wall, heat radiating from him

did

tilting her chin up. "H

h in his words. Hat

from hers. "Say the word, L

itched. "You

n her throat, a silent

lips against hers-so

ent for someone who's

d? Your mouth says no, but your body..." He trailed off, his eyes traveling

ords tumbling out before she could stop them. "

shed, replaced by something darker, more dangerous. He stepped

voice a low growl that vi

e should push him away. Create distance. I

ts, pinning them against the wall above her head with one large hand. His ot

d, his face inches from hers. "To fee

t with enough pressure to make escape impossible. She should be terrified. Instead,

lian observed, his voice a dark

creamed. No, he

lian's hand slid from her waist to the s

s brushing the shell of her ear. "Lie to me."

eck. His teeth grazed her pulse point, sending a spark straight to her

it in her gown, fingers tracing the bare skin of her thigh. Highe

his voice rough with res

y a gasp as his fingers brushed against her throu

her throat. "Your body knows what you want,

s buck involuntarily. Lexi bit her lip to keep from moaning, aware they wer

s, and she surrendered, letting him taste her, claim her. Her hands strained against his grip, not to

aving her breathless and disoriented. His fingers withdrew

, his voice straine

up at him, d

ll in a public museum." He released her wrists, stepping back. "It

all, her legs unsteady.

will." He reached out, thumb brushing over her s

sire. Lexi closed her eyes, trying to collect herself. She could still feel the ghost of his hands on

roached just

. "There you

t the end of the hallway before walking away