ra

-

Blake's penthouse, silence had teeth. It stalked me through every room, clung to e

from the cozy, cluttered apartment I'd shared with my son, Leo. Here, there were no toys scattered

glass, stee

ri

n my tongue, like a forbidden

g city, my arms wrapped tightly around myself. The city lights blurred through the fog

ity of him pulling me in even as I swore I'd never let him get close. His scent sandalwood

ed to understand. My life doesn't allow r

said no. I s

those big hazel eyes eyes that were so much like Adrian's.

w, her

dress that wasn't mine. A ring sparkling on my finger

-

d my heart gave a startled leap. I tur

like this relaxed, casual-he radiated control. His every movement was deliberate,

ly, his deep voice cutting through the thi

ng my arms tighter around

Instead, he poured himself a glass of whiskey from a crystal decanter and

rvous," he

my voice betrayed me

mouth, but it wasn't warm. It was the kind of

ra," he said softly. "You can't afford to b

ve sent shivers down m

I snapped, more defensive than I in

a brief shadow flickering in his eyes. He downed the

something human in him. Something soft. "But if we're going to ma

-

ure if I liked t

able?" I

d dress brushed against my legs, and suddenly I was hyperaware of everything-the steady

iness partners. The press. If they smell even a hint of pretense betwee

ght, like a promise o

my chin tilting up instinctively, t

rk that wasn't playful at

he touch was feather light, but it sent electricity zipping down my spine. My breath caug

e like velvet. "You're acting

hispered before I

al smile sharp and

t y

-

between us, and hi

quickened, and I hated how my body betrayed me, leaning into him when I should've pulled away

t a kiss; it

The man who had unknowingly fathered my son. And here I was, melt

k, his eyes burned into mi

woman with secr

chest. Did he know? Could he see it the

some rest," I stamm

nothing had happened. But his eyes stayed on me, d

-

ring at the ceiling while my mind spun. Every part of this ar

d over in my head. I could still feel

and a pang of guilt twisted in my chest. I was doing this for hi

ike a prayer until exhausti

-

to a str

gain-a faint beep followed by the soft whir of machine

from the hallway. It w

ights, but what caught my attention wasn't the skyline-it was the sleek black SUV par

ing me watching, one

shadowed by the brim of a cap

mach d

second later, my own phone still o

wn nu

side, heart in my t

My voice

ice crackled t

ow abo

ne wen

from my fingers. The silen

her beep. This time, fro

ny red light of a surveillance ca

was watc