was a steel band around Aleah's waist, guiding her do
s chest. She could feel the steady, powerful beat of his heart agai
l away, a small,
"Want everyone to know you're a liar?" he mu
no choice. She was his captive, and
r inside. In the confined, mirrored space,
lly found her voice. It came out as a dry r
lips. "Are going to a party. As my 'girlfriend
dangerous game wasn't ov
space even more private and lavish than the VIP area b
eact, steering her directly
Aleah tucked securely at his side, a brief, stunned silence
ailored suit asked, his eyes raki
sture for all to see. "Aleah," he said simply. The sing
offered the crowd a tight, polite smile. She felt l
pproaching to greet him. With each interaction, he kept her cl
ed her as a buffer, a shield to deflect advances from social
ield. And she, the liar who had served hersel
ver her. As long as she was usefu
in conversation, she would offer a demure smile or stand qui
. A flicker of approval, mixed with
ass of champagne. "Not a bad perf
inst his. She met his gaze, her own voice a so
ound. He leaned closer, the words a lover's murmur.
way, taking a large gulp of champagne
, went straight to her head. Her face flushed, and the g
stand tall beside him, but her mind
row furrowed as he discreetly placed a ha
n short. "It seems my
n arm around her, half-supporting, half-ca
on her skin, of being bundled into the plush leather backseat of a luxury car. Her last coherent thought
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