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"Oh--everything I love the aged wood--the stone hearth," her eyes slid around the room and she continued, "the textures--the brocade of these chairs, the bronze fixtures--just the whole warmth of the room It's so--so peaceful" Her eyes landed back on him and her lips curved into a tiny smile "Yes Peaceful"

Marco watched Natalie froht that she was peaceful caht of her as such--other descriptive words came to mind when he ith her--and when he was not Sexy, beautiful--totally fuckable But peaceful? But that's what she was When he ith her, or when he thought about her waiting for him in his penthouse, he ads Extreme horniness, extreers fro caused a ain before co back to study her as realization hit him "You don't like the penthouse" It was a statement--not a question

A blush stole over cheeks and she averted her eyes from his "It's fine," she said softly

"Holy shit You actually hate it Why didn't you say anything?"

"It's your home, Marco, not s"

His mouth flattened "It's your hos? I didn't have anything to do with the--" He paused as if searching for an unknown terht Decor All I did was ask Joy to call a company The penthouse is just some place I sleep--" He frowned and then continued, "or it used to be"

"It's fine, Marco," she soothed

His teeth gritted and he was about to begin arguing when he looked over her head and saw Mathew Kennedy approaching the table Mathew fucking Kennedy The only place where his business world crossed his debauched past, godda was about to go to shit

Natalie saw the expression that came across Marco's face and almost felt sorry for whoever or whatever had put that look in his eyes She watched as his gaze became pointed, his jaw clenched, and ropes of tension bracketed his mouth

His reaction fled her e body loomed up next to hers She jerked her head around to face the newcomer just as she saw Marco rise from his seat and throw his napkin on the table

Mathew Kennedy stood beside her, squeezing her shoulder Panic assailed her--not fro to his feet and looking as if he was preparing to go in for the kill

Whatever Marco was about to do or say was abbreviated when a ed woman, dressed to kill, strolled past Mathew Kennedy and rested her hand on Marco's lapel

"Marco, sweetie--why the glulad to see us?"

Natalie felt bile rise up in her throat, both fro touch still on her shoulder and from the familiarity of the woman's hand on Marco Confusion and nausea filled her senses and she sat in her chair, unable to move as paralysis seemed to take over her body