Søren took her chin in his hand, gripping it to the edge of pain.

“Do you think,” Søren asked slowly, “that there is any corner of your life you can keep from me?”

“Why do you care what happens to Wes?”

“One of us has to. Is he a virgin still?” Søren demanded and Nora turned away from him. “Answer me, young lady.”

“Yes,” she said, too well-trained to ignore a direct order. “We’re just friends.”

“Only for love would you ever sleep alone. I could have had you when you were fifteen years old, Eleanor. And although I burned for you, although my desire for you grew until the calendar of my life counted down only the days and months and years I had to wait until I could make you mine, I still kept you a virgin. Why?”

Nora rolled her eyes. “Because you’re a sadist.”

Søren reached for her and held her by the shoulders. His hands on her bare skin sent electricity running through her whole body.

“Because I loved you. I wouldn’t take you until you were ready. You keep Wesley for yourself as I kept you for me. But you were born for this life and he was not. You will harm him if you keep him any longer.”

“I would never hurt Wes.” A knot tightened in her throat.

“It will end badly, Eleanor. As will that, if you aren’t careful,” Søren said, indicating Zach sitting at the bar with Griffin. Griffin glanced at the mirror and winked. Of course, Griffin knew it was a two-way mirror that hung behind the bar. She and he had snuck back here for some quick kinky sex more than once. “Your editor. He seemed surprised when we met. You haven’t told him everything about us. What else haven’t you told him?”

Nora twisted her riding crop in her hands.

“Eleanor…” Søren scolded in his most insufferable paternalistic voice. “How will he feel when he discovers that writing isn’t your only source of income?”

“I was going to tell him. I will tell him. When the book’s done.”

“He cares for you, Eleanor. I can see it in his eyes. He’s letting himself care for you and it terrifies him. He won’t take betrayal lightly.”

“Then I won’t betray him. The book is more than halfway done. And Zach…he’s amazing. He’s smart and funny. He’s—”

“Married. I thought I taught you better than that.”

“They’re separated. They even live on separate continents.”

“Are you attempting to convince me or yourself?” Søren asked. Nora closed her eyes, exhaling as Søren slipped his hands down her arms. “If he hasn’t taken you yet, and I’m sure you’ve offered, it is because he still loves his wife. Broken love is the most dangerous love. It will slice you open with every touch.”