pped up her broadcast and dragged herself back t

rtyard, the sharp gleam of a Maybac

kind of fragile beauty that looked untouched by the world. A fitted white gown hugged her delicate frame, the high heel

lack shirt, the hem carelessly rumpled, and the faint bi

tenderness, leaning in to ease Vincent from the car

th an undenia

is ear. "You really pulled out all the stops for me tonight. O

than just Vincent's loyal secretary. The girl had been a Cooper family scholarship

t polished facade. Hazel's elder sister, Rachael Cooper, was

out the ambiguous nature of Haz

marriage and chose to believe in Vincent. And what had that blind trust brought her? A brazen, public spectacle. The two made a habit of pa

acticed, honeyed smile that never faltered, she glided to

e, she carried herself with the easy authority of

d," Hazel cooed, offering up a jacket blotched with dark red

laugh. "And are you asking me that

a sugary smile. "Does it make a difference? You can't seriously expect me to

ms to me you haven't quite figured out your own pos

ned, heat and frost collidi

t down and forced her lips into a brittle smile as she took a step back. "Then I'

r chest, Hazel handed Vincent over to Ca

nd Vincent to steady him as

mixed with the faint trace of Hazel's perfume on Vince

nt toward the living room, every step fee

, Vincent suddenly yanked her back with surpris

rom her lungs. She barely managed a gasp before his wine-t

and shallow breaths-neither tender nor purely lust

gainst Caroline's mouth, rough and consum

d, his long fingers clamping around her wrist hard enough to sting. His other hand moved with possessive

e knotting with a sharp, unfamiliar fe

eneath her skirt, gliding up the sensitive inside of her th

ial depths. She ground her teeth, summoned her strength, and shove