Andrei I watched a tumult of emotions cross Illyra's beautiful face. Rage. Fury. Grief. And most of all helplessness. I knew I had gotten her in a tight spot and that was exactly what I wanted. It was like Christmas and my birthday all at once. I was finally getting revenge for everything she did to me years ago. I would finally crush her heart like she did to mine. Still smiling, I turned back to the deserted, moonlit road and pushed down on the gas of the Lamborghini, causing it to give a low purr as it sped through the lush mountains of Oahu’s interior.When I’d first seen young Lyra Bennet, Illyra's sister at the poker game, getting lured in over her head by the hotel manager, I hadn’t recognized her. How could I? I'd never met the kid before. Illyra had always found her way to keep her out of her mess. So when I saw her at the poker game, I’d just thought some idiot girl was letting herself get played.I hadn’t liked it, so I’d tried to get her out of the game. An unusually c

“You...you should...” Her voice faltered as our eyes locked. I could see it in her eyes, everything that I didn't believe in years ago. As we stood beside the four-poster bed, the brilliant sun burst over the horizon, coming through the tall east-facing windows, bathing us both in warm golden light. Everything I’d ever hungered for, everything I feared and despised, was personified in this one woman. Illyra Bennet Aurora. She was my poison yet my antidote. She gave meaning to my life yet she took meaning out of it. She was everything I wanted but didn't want. Her long blond hair shimmered like diamonds and gold. I had once loved stroking her hair while she slept passionately in my arms. Her eyes shone a vivid green, like emeralds. Those eyes peered into me and I could feel her reaching deep into my soul. Her skin was pale and untouched, like plains of virgin white snow. I could almost feel rage as I thought about other men touching her the way I wanted to touch her.Hardly aware

ViktorI heard the loud whir of the helicopter flying away as I stood on thick carpets over the packed sand in my own grand tent, the largest andmost luxurious in his camp, deep inside the Sahara Desert.I looked down at my prisoner—that is to say, my dear wife—sitting on my bed. Tied up with a soft silken gag over her mouth, Lyra was glaring atme with bright sparks of hatred in her eyes. I could feel her growing hatred for me as I watched her.My eyes traced down her body. She still wearing my black T-shirt and oversized jeans from Marrakech, but from the flash of lacy bra strap, I knew she was wearing the sexy lingerie I’d given her underneath. Something about that did things to my head. My body tightened as I imagined her naked. I said softly, “What am I going to do with you?”She answered me in a muffled, angry voice, and I had the feeling she was telling me what I should do with myself, and that her suggestion was not a courteous one.I sighed. I should have guessed Lyra might

Catching up with her easily, I grabbed her hand and pulled her roughly all the way to the top of the dune. Then I abruptly released her. It was time to tell her the painful truth.“Look where you are, Lyra,” I raged at her. “Look around you, goddamn it!”With an intake of breath, Lyra turned in a circle, looking in every direction from the top of the dune. It was like standing in the middle of an ocean, surrounded by endless waves of sand. I saw the way her eyes were slowly filled with gleamers of sadness.“There’s a reason why I brought you here,” I said quietly. “I brought you here because you can't leave without my help. There is nowhere for you to go. You are trapped here until I am willing to let you go. And that is not happening anytime soon.”She went in circles for five minutes before the truth of his words sank in on her, and she collapsed in a heap on the sand. “I can’t stay here.” She whispered. "My sister might be in danger. I want to save her. You have to let me go. Pleas

At the sound of Andrei's husky voice from the doorway, she jumped, whirling around. “You—you knew I was sleeping?” she stammered.His gaze was intense as he came toward her. “Yes.”She felt suddenly very small as his tall body loomed over hers. She licked her lips. “So why didn’t you wake me up and start bossing me around?”Reaching out, he brushed a tendril of hair out of her eyes. “Because you looked like an angel. I couldn't wake you up. Besides, you have been working all day. You must be exhausted.”His voice was low. Sensual. Illyra’s eyes widened as she looked up—no, not at his lips! His eyes! Trembling with awareness at how they were once again alone in his bedroom, she tightened her hands at her sides. “Um. Thanks. For letting me borrow your bed.” She edged away from it. “I should probably be getting back to work....”His eyes glimmered. “Our bed.”“What?”Andrei's large hand wrapped around the post’s polished wood. “You called it my bed. It is ours.”Her lips parted. Then she