BOOK 2

Then Justine blinked, and the hurt and mistrust came back in a flash.

“Is it true?” she said to Devlin, her petite hands listed at her sides. “You sold the Daily News to him ?” She jerked her shoulder toward the “him” in question.

“Well . . .”

“Devlin!”

“It’s true,” Mitch said. Gently, he took her bare elbow and turned her back to face him. Simply touching her made his hand shake. Her skin felt incredibly soft. She wore the same scent, that irresistible blend of innocence and sensuality that drove him wild. “The paper is mine. But I only bought it because—”

“I asked my brother." Each word was grated out through clenched teeth. The glass at their feet crunched as she yanked her arm free and backed up a step. Her chest heaved with each breath, and the already plunging neckline of her dress sank even lower, making him wonder just how secure she was in that gown.

“Ask me , Jussie,” he said, aching at the hurt on her face. “I’m standing right here. You can’t ignore me forever.”

“Why not?”