Bound by fortune.

of his name reverberated through her. Lila's mind raced, fragments of memories and emotions clashing-a co

hollow laugh escaping her lips, thoug

of amusement, but there was something else-a curiosity, a glint of intrigue that seemed to

ng she couldn't define. The heat of his presence was intoxicating, blurring the line betw

outh. "I make my own decisions. I don't follow Julian's lead." His v

ian's betrayal flickered to the surface. She swallowed, breaking eye contact, looking down at her fingers, still

ch sent a jolt of warmth through her, steadying her breath. "Real or not, it's in the past now," he

expected. This wasn't Julian's brother, not really-not the polished, arrogant facade she'd co

confession slipping from her lips as her gaz

oice softening, "but you d

lightly. Lila's gaze drifted to his lips, and for a split second, her mind stilled, the noise, the pain, all

she didn't need, yet everything in her rebelled against it

ether. She didn't know what she wanted to say, and it didn't matter, because in the next instant, his hand slid to t

ured, his voice

guiding her closer, until their lips were a breath apart. The tension between them thickened,

ction. His touch was firm yet gentle, possessive but controlled, as though he was savoring every second of their closeness. Lila's hands

his lips pressing soft, heated kisses along her jawline, down to her neck. Every touch, every kiss felt l

ked up at him, her heart pounding. His gaze was softer now, the hard ed

oice barely steady, though the

ouch lingering. "Do you want to?" His voice was low, the quest

ght screamed for her to leave, to put distance between herself and the complicated world the Ste

g his eyes with a newfound b

nce more, leading her wordlessly toward the elevator at the far end of the lounge. Neither spoke as they

floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the glittering city below. Lila walked to the window, her brea

he lifted her off her feet, carrying her toward the bed with a confidence that sent a thrill through her.

hat made her ache. They shed the remnants of their careful facades, their vulnerabilities and pasts s

ated together, the unspoken understanding that bridged the gap between them. She coul

d patterns along his skin. The events of the night felt surreal, like a dream that could dissolve with the first hint of morning. She knew she'd have to f

licated," she murmured

his tone calm, unwavering. "Complicated doesn't

e of warmth blooming in he

through her. "Maybe. But I think you're stro

e walls she had built so carefully. And as much as she wanted to deny it, to retreat bac

her eyes, allowing herself a few more moments in the cocoon of his