na'

ing with hushed whispers and laughter from people I couldn't see clearly. The ma

ee

ety. A month ago, I never would have set foot in a place like this. The former heiress of a respected fam

t girl

dream I had, molding myself into their image of perfection. And it was never enough. No matter how hard I tried

an water. That was t

osed to be Serena's betrothed originally. They were using me as a tool agai

being their obedi

e night. If I was going to be forced into marriage with some decrepit man I'd never met, then I was damn well going to make this decisi

nd suddenly locked onto an

ng electric sparked between us. Time seemed to slow do

eeling, an unwelcome hand snaked around my w

art l

rab me like that, and the scent of his cologne hit

th

face and a cocky grin that made my skin crawl. D

e he was, the same man who'd broken my heart for my sister just hours ago, claiming it was all about

and expose him for the scumbag he really was. Bu

t we weren't

ags. And I deserved so much

company, beautiful?" His voice dripped

ly, unable to

hough I'd known him instantly, just proved how one-sided our r

e speaking would give away my voice, so I ignor

kept

speaking to you." His tone

y chair, determined to find a

, he seized my hands with brutal force and

anger radiating off him in waves. "Dressed like a whore and acting like s

uth shut, refusing to give him the satisfact

is grip tightening like a vice. I struggled against him, pan

d my face, reaching for

om every word. "Let's see what happens when it's off. You'll never be able to work anywhere

uch my mask, his body was s

ing between us like a wall. In one swift motion, he delivered a devastating

mpact. He tried to regain his footing but the stranger stepp

does not want you, you pervert!" The man's deep voice

lvage his pride as he scrambled up from the floor. But the stranger towered over h

t lost before I break your hands too?" T

outmatched, and started backing away while hurling empty t

ension finally eased and I released a br

d me from a disaster, and g

to thank him properly, but h

him a small smile.

with that man then, uh?" He referred to me in third perso

ted on certain miscreants, don't you think?

this? Even with the revealing gown, you look out of place here. I can't put my finge

I admitted, adding a hint of mystery to

target then?" His eyes gleamed

e drop to something more alluring. "I'm simply a

ise and a smirk tugged at my

ld not be able to enjoy the pleasures of casual intimacy j

rly caught off guard. "Uhm... no

njoying the power shift between us.

with something that made heat pool in my stomach

let a sultry smile play a

ing him shiver under my touch. "But I have a feeling," I murmured, my breat