he private dining room at Le Ciel felt
h, the air tasting of expensive
tapestry of the New York skyline. He was tall, his shoulders broad beneath a perfectly ta
cked shut, and the breath
arp jawline, dark hair, and eyes the color of a stormy sea. There was an air of predator
leering look she was used to from men in this world, nor was
aking the initiative to break the silence.Her tone was ca
ked unflinchingly on his stormy eyes. "Thank you fo
t the corner of his lips. His voice rumbled out in a low, velvety baritone that se
eyes unreadable. The usual script for these encounters involved poli
no time f
im, meeting his piercing
ap to hide their shaking. "I know this is our first m
slightly. A ghost of a smile pla
, however small,
e year. In return for the use of your name, I will act as a dutiful wife in any public or private capacity you
le unnervingly loud. He moved from the window to the table, pulling out the chair opposite her and si
he cracks in her composure. She felt
" he stated. It
plet
. The pause was agonizing. She had laid her last, desperate card on the table,
rantic bird trapped in a cage. But on th
ly asked, his voic
" she said, offering a half-truth. "The Sinclair name car
. Tap. Tap. It was a measured, thoughtful sound that grated on her
verything on this
he single word cuttin
linked.
confirmed, his expression unr
herself.
id, his blue eyes locking onto hers. "It has
e clause in his favor. This was... easier. Too
a wave of dizzying relief washing ove
pushed his chair back and stood up, adjusting t
t's go,"
outstretched hand, co
le flashed in his eyes again. "If we hur
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