's slap. No one had ever dared to hit him before, especially not a woman. He couldn't

ad crossed a line, but she couldn't just stand there and let Nathaniel ta

arrowing into slits. "How dare you,"

in her chest. "You were out of line," she

iel's eyes seemed to bore into Andrea's soul, searching for any sig

urther, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Soph

rea saw a glimmer of uncertainty. But then his mask slipped back

his anger. He turned to Sophia, his voice smooth as silk. "No

aniel's expression gave nothing away. She shrugged, her interest

soon as she turned away, his expression darkened. He was seethi

r duties, her heart still racing from the encounter with Nathaniel. L

. She had kissed Nathaniel, the son of the man responsible for her father

ought about it. How could she have been so stupid

She had promised herself that she would make Julian Richardson p

of her father's memory, and her values. She didn't k

hat she had to get out of there. She had to get away from Nathani

to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. But as she walked, she

to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. But as she walked, she

ix of disgust and shame. The hickeys on her neck and chest seemed to m

out how she had let him touch her, kiss her, and mark her as

sical evidence of their encounter. She scrubbed herself raw, try

. It was as if his touch had left an indelible mark on

of their encounter. She felt like she was trapped in her own body, unabl

t tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She was torn between her desire for

e. Andrea didn't know how much longer she could keep up the charade,

er taste. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and it scared hi

e, Nathaniel couldn't help but feel trapped. He was caught betwe

hardson was a man who valued power and prestige above all else. He would see And

rcely independent, and determined. She was the one person who had ever

he familiar sight of Julian's imposing figure. His father wa

ping with condescension. "I hear you've been get

r than to show weakness. "I don't know wh

thaniel. I know all about your little tryst with And

What did his father have planned? An

?" Nathaniel asked, tryin

e than just a pretty face. She's a pawn in a much larger game,

of his family's business dealings. They were ruthless, c

ught right in the

from his father, a loud crash echoed from outside the

e rushed to the door. "What's going o

Andrea was lying on the floor, her eyes c

ter smile spreading across his