Excerpt:

"You're a phony, Kitty Kat."

"How dare you-"

"I don't think I've met a bigger phony than you. I'd wager my life savings that you live alone here, except for a lazy dog and a fat cat." His fingers loosened, the grip turning into a caress that sent a wave of goose bumps racing down her arms. "You wear flannel and..." His right hand traveled the length of her bare arm to her hand. He lifted it and kissed her knuckles, his soft lips sending an even stronger wave of excitement coursing through her blood. "...even those red claws of yours are fake."

She glanced at her fingertips, bare of her press-on nails, and nearly cried. He was so right. About everything. "You need to leave, Doctor Carrington." Her voice came out breathy and uneven. She couldn't help it. This man sent her senses into overload and turned her brain to oatmeal.

"Say my name," he whispered. Ducking his head, his mouth poised just scant inches from hers.

She could smell mint and coffee on his warm breath. Knew he'd taste like ambrosia. But she wouldn't succumb to him. Couldn't. Ever.

Neither could she pull away.

"Doctor..."

His mouth settled against hers with soft censure. No invasion of tongue, only a seductive pressure and gentle suction that pulled yearning from the center of her empty soul.

"Say my name."

To her horror, her legs wobbled. She gripped the sleeves of his denim shirt to remain upright. Her breaths came in short bursts. As she gazed into his incredible eyes she couldn't remember why she was fighting him. Why she couldn't just...

"Say my name. Give me this one submission."

Submission. The word echoed in her brain like a shotgun blast. Submit to this man and throw away everything she'd worked a lifetime to achieve.

Incognito.

Her life.

Her future.

She jerked upright and shoved at his shoulder. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Her voice came out strong and arrogant, as she'd hoped. "I'm Mistress Katriona. I submit to no one."

"You battle your own heart."

She laughed. "You have no idea what's in my heart, Doctor. You may think you're the almighty, all-seeing shrink from an Ivy League school, but you'll never know me."

A sly smile appeared. "I already know you, Kitten."