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“I’ve never in my life even hurt a fly,” she muttered, but it came out husky and uneven

An atavistic satisfaction filled hi with her want even as she despised hi her

“That makes me feel extra special”

“That’s because you’re an utter bastard”

“Now you’re learning, Clio”

He buried his face in her hair and breathed deeply

There was a freedom that she understood him now That she had finally learned he was not the friend she remembered with such fondness That the man he was now could distrust her motives and yet still want her with a feral need that knew no reason

That she realized he was not doing this for her but because of his desperate need to bring down Jackson

She would not trust hi from him and there was a relief in it

Suddenly, she sagged against hiht depleted out of her And he relaxed his arms around her

“Why are you doing this?” she finally said in such a small voice that it shook him more than her slap had

“Because it’s iive a woh, bella? The fact that I’ this is because I need that proof, Clio But make sure you don’t up the price any more

“If you accept, we’ll be married next week Here at the Chatsfield, just as you want We will show Jackson and New York a wedding they won’t forget soon You’ll be the most beautiful bride New York has ever seen”

A shiver racked Clio and instantly his hold on her tightened, his body a deceptively warm fortress around her

“I will sign wherever you want me to, I will follow every condition of yours I havelost so e,” she said bitterly “There’s definitely so fishy with Jackson’s numbers”

“Good,” he replied, stepping away from her