nning stories that had no business leaving the realm of fantasy. But the truth? When it came to intimacy, Ell

gown, instinct took over. Without thinking, she la

nstant, his reflexes

crashed to the floor, but not before Cole had alread

mering under the soft lighting like spun silk. In th

, she'd sold the lie-sickly, fragile, a girl with damaged hair and an un

dn't expected. Her glossy hair framed her face, still faintly marked fr

Elliana layered on makeup to hide her ruined face, and some even claimed they'

g away a smear of foundation. What peeked through wasn't mangled flesh-it wa

ns, and eyes that shimmered with depth like stars caught in motion. Underneath all that heavy makeup, she

e bride who had landed in his life out of the blue turned ou

, and a sharp wave of regret swept over her. She

just how mistaken she'd been. This man was wildly unpredictable, swinging between polished gentleman and reckless rogue, impossible to get a read on. He could wear the ma

ly makeup. She was ready to reclaim her identity and showcase her true self. But after meeting Cole,

"Could you explain wha

I just... I didn't want to g

that body's something else. I'll just switch

ck and her stomach dropped. He'd actually meant his words.

bolted for the balcony, but the heavy layers of her wedding gown dragged at her steps. Quick and precise,

creamed to tear the dress off, toss it aside, an

t, Cole?" Elliana snapped,

her made-up disaster of a face. But Cole? He didn

eath ghosting against her neck like a warning. His tone lower

use

e planted someone outside to listen in. If we don't put on a show, the

h of frustration. "If making noise is

arp with fury. In the shadows, Cole's grin turned even more devilish

d beneath him, feeling a

ootsteps outside finally

in near, his breath grazing her ear as he said, his tone thick with amu

. Cole, sensing she'd had enough, lifted his ha

cked the switch, flooding

nt. Her vision took a moment to a

or, hair in disarray, wedding gown bunched around her. Chaotic, y

ur plan to keep lying there? You're beginning to ma

a reply. She pushed herself off the floor, hauling the hea

re off the suffocating dress, and slipped into a black tracksuit. It felt like armor-light, e

, she stopped cold. Whatever s