Velvet Lies &

r da

living in the glass-walled pris

igh stone fences, and silent men in black who stood like statues. It had every luxury

mething else entirely: a pawn in a world of violence she didn't unders

no Mo

uld hat

di

he most danger

. Wind pressed against the window like fists.

, pretending to read

knock. Three

ore she open

ci

sheveled, blood at his collar-not fresh, but not dry either. Hi

he said

speak. Di

" he murmured. "But I

art tw

epped

harged. Like the momen

in the middle of her room, the lamplight catching the rain

gry," he f

her arms.

aw cl

because if I didn

me away because you don't tru

you to risk you

on't o

I'd burn the world t

ds land

ter the alley? After the gallery?" she

ing from his sleeves. "Because ever

t do

cont

rt now. Her pulse th

the entire time-and brushed a wet curl behind her e

nd of man I am," he murmure

distraction," she sa

ou're the only real thing

. "Then why do I feel like I

eane

lips. His fingers c

" he said softly. "And I

s wasn'

and unrelenting. A

rld. She gasped, hands bracing against his chest, but he pulled her in deeper, tighter, o

Salt. Coffee. And

idn't

ging she'd been choking down for weeks. His hands roamed her back-sl

led away-just for a breath-and stared at her lik

," he

rembled. "D

did

n, softer this time, but with the same unbearable intensity. He kissed like a man w

pulled apart, th

iano

"You make me human. And I can't decid

TO BE CONTIN