Gabriel sat up slowly. The muscles in his broad back flexed and shifted in the dim light of the bedside lamp.

He reached over the edge of the bed. He grabbed his discarded dress pants from the floor.

He pulled a sleek silver lighter and a pack of cigarettes from the front pocket.

Without looking at her, he stood up. He walked completely naked toward the sliding glass doors that led to the balcony.

Breanne watched his back. A toxic mixture of intense resentment and lingering, heavy desire swirled in her chest. Her skin still hummed from his touch.

Gabriel unlocked the glass door and slid it open.

A rush of freezing New York night air blasted into the stifling, sweat-scented bedroom.

He stepped out onto the concrete balcony. The sharp flare of the lighter briefly illuminated his strong jawline and straight nose.

Breanne sat up abruptly. She pulled the duvet tightly around her chest, shivering as the cold air hit her heated skin.

She glared at his dark silhouette against the glowing city skyline. She hated how effortlessly cool he always looked, even after losing control.

Gabriel took a long, deep drag. He tilted his head back and blew a thick plume of gray smoke into the dark sky. He completely ignored the fact that she was sitting ten feet away.

Breanne muttered a harsh curse under her breath.

She threw the duvet off her legs. She stormed across the cold floor, heading straight for the master bathroom. She needed to scrub his scent off her skin.

She slammed her hand against the light switch. The harsh, bright glare of the vanity bulbs made her wince.

She looked in the mirror. Bright red marks bloomed across her neck and collarbone.

She turned on the cold water faucet. She cupped her hands and splashed the freezing water directly onto her flushed face. The shock helped slow her racing heart.

The heavy sound of the sliding glass door closing echoed from the bedroom. He was back inside.

Breanne grabbed a hand towel. She scrubbed her face aggressively, determined not to make eye contact with him when he walked in.

Gabriel stepped into the bathroom.

He brought the outside in with him. He smelled strongly of freezing air, bitter tobacco, and the heavy musk of sex.

He stopped right behind her. His tall frame blocked the doorway. Their eyes met instantly in the large vanity mirror.

Breanne gripped the edge of the marble sink. Her knuckles turned stark white.

"Get out," she said. Her voice was hoarse. "Let me shower in peace."

Gabriel ignored her. He took a slow step forward. His bare chest brushed against her naked back.

He reached his long arm around her waist. He grabbed the faucet handle and shoved it down, cutting off the rushing water.

He lowered his head. He pressed his freezing cold nose directly against the sensitive, heated skin of her neck, right over a fresh red mark.

Breanne shivered violently. Her breath caught sharply in her throat. The temperature drop against her skin was a physical shock.

Gabriel's large hands slid down her stomach. He gripped her bare hips and pulled her backward, pressing her flush against his hardening body.

"You're far too tense, Breanne," he whispered directly into her ear. His voice was a dark rumble. "You need to relax properly."

Breanne swung her elbow backward, aiming for his ribs.

Gabriel caught her arm effortlessly. He pinned her wrist firmly against her own side.

He bent his knees slightly, gripped her waist, and lifted her completely off her feet.

He set her down heavily onto the edge of the vanity counter.

Breanne gasped loudly. The solid marble was freezing cold against her bare thighs. The shock sent a jolt straight up her spine.

Gabriel stepped squarely between her parted legs. His dark eyes burned with a renewed, insatiable hunger.

He kissed her again.

This time, it wasn't a punishment. It was slow, deep, and agonizingly thorough. His mouth tasted heavily of bitter tobacco and mint.

Breanne's hands involuntarily came up. Her fingers tangled deep into his thick, dark hair. She hated herself, but she was entirely unable to stop pulling him closer.

The bathroom quickly filled with hot steam from their bodies. The sharp, echoed sounds of their second, desperate round bounced off the tile walls.