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Lazaro ignored the pointed co either"

"What do you care?" she tossed back, her fine auburn brows pinched together

"I care, Melena For now, you’re under my watch It’s my responsibility to ensure that you’re coestured toward the boutique box on the bed "I arranged for sos to be sent here for you frolance toward his gift, then back toward the bathroos on the tile floor Warily, she drifted over to the bed and lifted the lid off the box She glanced inside, then one by one, pulled out the skirt and pants, then the blouse and sweater he selected for her

"I didn’t knohat you’d prefer," he e sweater first, then the pair of black slacks The understated classics of the collection, which didn’t surprise hilanced at the two pairs of shoes he’d purchased as well, taking out the elegant Italian flats "These are all in uarded look "I wouldn’t think you’d paid attention long enough to notice"

"I noticed" Lazaro slowly approached her near the bed "I should be focused on a thousand other things right now Instead, here I a about you, Melena"

If she had flinched at all when he came to stand beside her, Lazaro would have soth of will to leave her in peace

If she had resisted even a little when he lifted her chin on his fingertips and drew her gaze up to his--if she had looked into his transfor close to fear or uncertainty--he would have forced hiain

But Melena did none of those things

And when he slowly lowered his mouth to hers, this time, not even he or his iron will could pretend the desire that arced between the either of thery Any illusions heher a chance to get away before he pounced, were all but obliterated once their lips and tongues had coh his veins, and all at once it didn’tinvolved with Melena Walsh was the last thing he needed to be doing

He wanted her

She wanted him--he knew that even in the cave