an's

ampagne glasses and jeweled gowns. The room smells of wealth-polished oak

e wants to burn it

tension in her muscles, the way her breath hitches every time someone's gaze lingers on us. She doesn't belong here

this world

cisely why I

ar as another guest approaches. "These peopl

o a line. "Then ma

. "Not an option. You're min

I feel her spine straighten. She plays the part, polite, graceful, h

. Some with curiosity, some with envy, some with fear. They all know wh

ff my tongue like silk. Her sharp inhale is almo

sha leans in, voice a sharp whisper. "

t even taste. "Relax. Words are f

nothing. She knows better t

d g

e of the circle, her gaze distant. She looks out of place in her emerald gown, though it clings to her like sin itself. I brought her here not

his shoulder, stepping toward her. She doesn't see

I murmur when

me, fire in her eyes.

ce is soft, but the weight of it makes her

harshly, "You treat me like a

ry handshake, every smile tonight is another brick in the wall

hat does my father

o her lips, silenc

e, but I don't explain. Not yet. Let he

t in the silence between us in the car, in the way she presses herself agains

heels clicking against the marble like gunshots. I f

rls on me. "You think you can drag me around like

ou signed t

ng behind that damned contract! I may hav

slow, deliberat

ches. "You're

're into

n. I see the crack in her armor, the way her hea

ean that," s

ir from her cheek. "You think I don't notice the way you fight me? That every t

t not with fear. "You

isper, leaning dow

with fury and something she ref

inches from her lips no

h, ready to hurl another i

rashes aga

hoves at my chest, but my hand grips her waist, anchoring her to me.

I can'

r falter, feel the war inside her shift. Her lips part, her breat

r eyes wide and conflicted. She looks at me as if

p, swollen from my kiss. "You can fight me every step of th

is louder th

, shaking, I realize

ove a point, to re

the

ke victory. It fe