ey's

k away from the penthouse. I cou

them in one hand as I padded barefoot down

rom champagne, guilt, and so

lways started work before dawn, and if he saw me like this - makeup smudged, g

ls, no trace of warmth - like every place my fat

wn the hal

tst

he column near the dining room. A familiar baritone echoed

ine. If he wants to marry my daughte

Even when he wasn't home, my l

printed the last few steps to my room, easing the d

nd fell back on the bed, gown and all.

hat did I j

zzed. Again

oe

you? I turned arou

gone home with som

Okay, now I'm

ame flashed across the scr

ing, just pure Chloe. "I waited for you outsi

nd breathless. "I.

ned instantly.

ly. "You don't

absolut

Chloe Lane could smell secr

s I walked to my closet. "Okay," I said, collapsing on

ely judging you

t som

sil

sp. "You

d

he

I said, closing my eyes

al

es

ic

oba

d ki

hloe squealed. "Yo

hl

er slept with a strange

"You're i

this for me with guil

id no names. His voice..." I trailed off, remembering the way it had

med. "And

s fit. "Perfect. The kind that makes

nsor your

aid softly. "Like he knew exactly where to touch

ed again. "Well damn. You needed that. You've

asn't

een Ashley Walter - the daughter, the fia

gain. Another mes

ove. I'll come by later.

d at th

my silence.

ea

cé or the

borin

ing now - something romantic like 'Sorry I

tty

r a day. You

phone beside me. "You know I

What's he going to do - sell y

hurt. "You sound like you

ou like a brand acquisition, not a daugh

o. Because for a few hours last night, I'

You'll keep this to yourself. No guilt, no con

ed, half-smiling. "Th

Not Richard, not Marcus, not y

re the worst sec

omes to you,"

re I could respond, she cleared her throat. "Anyway, I have t

aid. "You'l

and

ea

ne with a stranger named Leo w

lighter than it had b

d the quiet pr

e mask still sat on the dresser. I picked it up, turn

en I s

en. Inside, someth

cuff

tel nightstand - engrave

was sure I'd

mpossible. Maybe I'd pick

like a thread connecting me to something I shouldn't

buzzed o

gnore me, Ashley

at heavy on

ace down and stared a

supposed to follow me home - no

me already wanted

ous part - not the

want