egant. Commanding. Bekky ran her fingers over it, the paper smooth, the

t 8 PM. Don't be l

n silk gown shimmered like sin. The neckline dipped scandalously low, and the sli

re already moving-unzipping, stepping into it, letting th

ekky stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the polished stone. Inside, chandeliers sparkled

n she s

presence a gravity of its own. Their eyes locked. His gaze raked over

veryone on it. "You clean up well," he murm

s like a goddamn tyrant,"

ng her into the ballroom. "And yet here you

voice seeped under her skin like smoke

e free champag

d. "Sure

cross the room like a lion eyeing prey. Then came him-a

ike you belong he

w. "That's not rea

I mean you stand

, partly to feel some semblance of control. But the momen

e cut through, smooth bu

slowly. "We

ook that could free

firm-and led her through a hidd

shut. Silence. Te

l was that?"

ke sharing

ked. "Ex

event. You danced in my world. Don't p

. "I'm not yours, Kendrick. This i

Because the way you looked at me from across t

nded. "You're

pped her jaw, tilting her face up. "You

reply, his lips c

a moan from her throat. He tasted like whiskey and sin. Her hands found his s

she gasped aga

before the night's ov

high, slipping under the silk, finding heat and hunger.

e whispered against

didn't.

ered his name-half

odies still tangled. The air

drawer and pulled out

ened it

not just any ruby-her mother's. She hadn't seen it

cold. "How do

ened. "Because I know more

him, heart p

is an accident, Bekky. No

er cheek. "Welcome to t

box, the ruby necklace staring back at her

her," she whispered, voice crack

dn't flinch

pulling away, the heat from earlier

en watching you

-deep chill ran

ll is this?" Her voice rose, raw. "Why do you ha

d, voice low. "Or

gave out. "What

illionaire host but something more

or my family," he sai

rted, stunn

ivate chef. F

her coming home exhausted, the scent of herbs and wine

t return. You know the story you were told. That

wer this time, as if n

father's old safe two year

ntire wor

ught me here as some twisted

top thinking about you. Because the first time I saw your

etween them earlier-was that

she said softly. "That you

also want you to know the truth. And the truth is..." His voice dropped, nearly a whisper, "I

e dress clung to her body like a second ski

is now? After you've" she pause

endrick said, jaw clenched. "I didn

dow into the glittering city, her re

me," she s

g behind her. "What you n

firm, anchoring her. She sho

ot that you've been watching me. It's not the necklace. It's tha

ips brushing her shoulder. "Then

ar between her heart and her

belong to

and dark. "Then let me be

tment, the ruby necklace on her nightstan

. You don't have to fight me

twisted in knots. In the dark si

e you doing to me

ready knew

And she wasn't sure s