Too Late Mr. Noble: You Can't Afford Me

harsh, mechanical buzz that cut through the low hum of the studio.

rning twist, the kind that usually preceded bad news

Hunt Noble sat in a leather booth at the Polo Club. He was leaning in, his posture relaxed, dangerously int

mouth. The corner of hi

s smi

r knuckles turned the color of old bone. It wasn't the woman. There were alw

es to set,

d through the door, spo

o relax, pulling her lips into the vacant, sweet curve the world

voice was light, airy

me. She drove her Audi toward Fifth Avenue, navigating

ume and old money. The clerk, a man with a suit that fit to

hires, Ms. Allis

light, cold and brilliant. Engraved on the bac

s ago to mark their three-year anniversary. She

he said, though the

unt's apartment wasn't peaceful; it was oppressive. It fe

the velvet box on the console table, right in the cente

wa

. One a.m. Two a.m. Her stomach cramped, a physical

evator

brought the cold November air with him, mixed with

ble, registering the velvet box for a fraction of a second before dismissing it. He lo

It wasn't a question

rd him, reaching out to take his coat, a habit i

t m

racticed. He walked past her outstretched hand t

r. She slowly lowered it, her finge

Her voice was quiet, barely car

d. He didn't turn around. "Since w

sending me pictures of my

a mask of boredom. "It was a

morning? At t

oice cracked something inside her chest.

. He was beautiful in a cruel, sharp way

ack to the foyer. She p

brow furrowing slightl

was cold under her palms. She moved to the sink

red to life, a

he box ove

arned. He set

roppe

e crunch of velvet and platinum being chewed apart. It s

e long strides, his hand clamping around her wrist. He s

back in, ring

you?" His voice was low, vi

eyes burned, hot and dry.

she whispered

could feel her pulse thumping against his f

m hers. "You don't go anywhere without my p

tch

bit into her lower back. He pressed his body against h

eyes," he muttered. "Like you're a milli

ressure. There was no affection in it, only a raw, desp

anging at her sides. She closed her eyes and let

. He adjusted his shirt, buttoning the cuffs with sh

oom. The door clicked shut. T

blouse together. She sat there in the dark, listening to the water was