“I’m going back to New York,” I announced. I couldn’t wait to put an end to this unpleasant trip.


    My fingers closed around my suitcase handle, but before I could lift it, his hand covered mine. “Wait.”


    I shook my head and tried to pull away, but his grip on my bag tightened. “Just let me go back. I’m exhausted.”


    His eyes softened. He looked at me, really looked at me, and then his shoulders sagged as he lowered his head to the ground. “I’m sorry. I lost control. I’ve never… I don’t lose control, Olivia. Not with anyone.”


    Any anger I felt vanished. “What are you saying?”


    He looked up. “I just… I can’t when I’m around you. I can’t.”


    Even though he was being very vague, I understood. Or at least, I thought I did. And if my guess was right, then things had gotten even moreplicated.


    I let the bag go and Alexander returned it to the trunk. I didn’t protest as he led me into the club. But then I caught a glimpse of a tall, lean figure standing on the balcony. When our eyes met, I saw him smile mischievously.


    “Who is that?”


    Alexander followed my gaze to the balcony. “Duke Cater. An old friend. He’s been waiting for us.”


    And watching us, Yve added. I felt him looking at you and Alexander.


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    I have a feeling he might have a lot of questions.


    I frowned, but followed Alexander into the club still.


    The interior wasn’t anything like the exterior. Bright colors jumped out at me as we walked in. All the furniture was designed with velvet material, and there were nude art works everywhere.


    But it didn’t hold a candle to the appearance of Duke Cater.


    He glided down the stairs, his Hawaiian–style shirt hangingpletely open to reveal a skinny chest. Snake tattoos spiraled across his pale skin. His ck hair fell over his shoulder, bouncing as he moved. The man wore enough rings for three people. And he moved like a ballroom dancer with exaggerated movements.


    “Alexander, darling!” He raised his hands, drawing my attention to the silver chains hanging across his throat. He spoke with a thick European ent. “And you must be the famous Olivia I’ve heard absolutely nothing about.”


    Just as his eyes began to rake over me, Alexander rushed and mped a hand over my eyes, causing darkness to envelope me.


    “Sit.” I felt him pushing me into a chair. “Duke, put on some clothes. Now.”


    I heard Dukeugh. “Oh, but darling you know I hate confining myself. Besides, it’s just us here.” I heard the sound of his rings clinking together. “Surely, Olivia doesn’t mind a bit of skin, do you, sweetheart?”


    Heat flooded my cheeks. The way Duke spoke to Alexander was awfully familiar.


    “I’m not asking, Duke.”


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    “Mmm, somanding.” Duke’s voice dropped to a low purr. “You know how that gets me all worked up, Alex.”


    My eyes widened even though they were mped shut. Alex?!


    “Come here and give me a proper greeting, won’t you? Just a little kiss for your old friend?”


    Oh God. They’re together. I felt sick, and stupid. But also terribly confused.


    “Stop being dramatic. Just fix your damn clothes,” I heard Alexander


    say.


    And then I heard Duke fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. “There. Properly dressed just for you. Happy now?”


    Alexander’s hand finally left my eyes and I blinked as my vision adjusted to see Duke now mostly buttoned up. He was watching me with amusement in his eyes. And that was when I realized my cheeks were hot with embarrassment.


    “Shall we have a drink and get properly acquainted?” Without waiting for an answer, Duke raised one hand and snapped his fingers twice. Almost immediately, three servers appeared, carrying tes filled with steak, lobster, pasta, fruit, and probably every desert on the.


    My appetite suddenly returned and I devoured the delicious steak. It wasn’t until most of the tes were cleared and Duke had poured himself a generous ss of expensive scotch that they spoke.


    “So, the Windsor Group,” Duke began. “Are you nning to leave them alone? Because Mrs. Windsor paid us a visit not too long ago about this same issue.”


    Alexander’s eyes widened. “Mrs. Windsor came to the Cater


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