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Prologue

“Mia, the doorman just buzzed to say a car is here for you,” Caroline called from the other room

Mia’s breath hiccupped, and she reached for the contract that was lying beside where she sat on the edge of the bed It was slightly runs of wear for all the times she’d read over it

She’d memorized every word of it, and it played over and over in her ination Of her and Gabe together Hi her

Shoving it into her purse, she stood and hurried to her dresser to look in the ns of little sleep There were dark suise Her color was off as well Even her hair had refused to respond and had a rumpled look to it

There was little to do now except go

Taking a deep breath, she left her bedroo room toward the door

“Mia, wait!” Caroline said as she ran to where Mia held the door open

Caroline hugged her tightly and then stood back, her hand going to push Mia’s hair behind her ear

“Good luck, okay? You’ve not been yourself this entire weekend If it’s stressing you out this much, don’t do it”

Mia smiled “Thanks, Caro Love you”

Carolinesound with her lips as Mia turned and left

When she left the building, the doorman opened the car door for her and ushered her inside Mia leaned back against the comfortable leather seat and closed her eyes as the car pulled away, heading from her apart was located

Her brother, Jace, had called her the day before, and she felt terribly guilty about keeping this fro and told her that if he’d known she was co he would have made certain he was there

The two had talked for half an hour Jace had asked how things ith her and then told her he was going to be in California with Ash for the next several days They’d ether when he returned and then she’d rung off, , because she and Jace were close She’d never hesitated to share anything with hi to listen and offer cost years She couldn’t ask for a better big brother, and now she was keeping secrets—huge secrets—from him

She barely tuned in to the drive, the typical stop and go of traffic, until the car stopped some time later

“We’ve arrived, Miss Crestwell”

Her eyes flew open and squinted against the wash of the bright autu The driver had already gotten out to go around and open her door for her She rubbed her hands over her face in an attempt to revive her dulled senses and then she stepped out, a cool breeze ruffling her hair

Once again she found herself walking into the building and riding the elevator up to the forty-second floor There was so on Same butterflies Same sweaty palms Same attack of nerves Only there was more panic involved because this ti into if she agreed to this

When she entered the reception area, Eleanor looked up and sht back”

“Thank you, Eleanor,” Mia murmured as she headed past Eleanor’s desk

Gabe’s door was open when she arrived She hesitated just outside and stared in to where he stood, hands in his pockets, staring out the largeoverlooking the Manhattan skyline

He was gorgeous Beautiful to look at Even relaxed there was sofrom him She was suddenly struck by why she was so drawn to him—or at least one of the ave her a measure of comfort She felt secure and…protected

In essence, the relationship he’d proposed would provide her with all of those things Safety Security Cos All she had to do was agree to cede ultimate power to him

Any reluctance evaporated, leaving her lighter and alreein a new relationship She would be confident and she’d es that Gabe had proive her all to hiift of her submission

Gabe turned, seeing her standing in the doorway She was astonished to see relief in his eyes Had he been afraid she wouldn’t come?

He strode toward her and then pulled her inside his office, shutting the door firmly behind her Before she could say a word, he hauled her into his arms and crushed his mouth to hers

She moaned softly as his hands ran possessively up her arain, to her throat, and finally to cradle her face He kissed her as though he were starved for her Like he’d been held away from her and had finally broken free It was the kind of kiss that lived only in her fantasies No one had ever made her feel so…consumed

It wasn’t just a show of dominance It was a plea for capitulation He wanted her He was showing her just how much If there had been any doubt as to whether he truly desired her or whether he was sie, she was convinced now

One handher tightly against him, his arm a steel band across her back

She could feel his hardness against her belly He was rigidly erect and straining against the expensive slacks he wore His breath exploded over her as he broke contact with her lips and they both gasped for air