The first ray of sunlight spilled through the wide curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the spacious bedroom. Mirabella stirred slowly, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheek as she realized the heavy warmth around her waist wasn’t a blanket but a strong arm. Her breath hitched as the night before returned to her in flashes; his dominance, his punishing touch, the way he had claimed her with a fire that made her body ache even now.

She tried to move gently, to slip from his grasp, ...