Mated To Her Enemy: Refusing His Rejection.

little faster, and she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling crawling up her spine. It wasn't just the man's presence, but the sheer power

ered toward him, drawn in despite her best intentions. She quickly regretted it

y shame, he kissed the woman in his arms even mor

gh that likely wasn't her real name, was one of the escort girls. There was a certain coldness to Amelia's beauty, a di

g. She took a small step backward, willing herself to foc

s voice sliced th

to

lpha and his companion, but there was no ignoring him

isper, she said, "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'

quickly finished, "I hope

he was never good at speaking to people in positions of power. It wasn't just the man's

owered her gaze and prepared for the reprimand that would surely com

his tone almost amuse

lf her true nature. She'd worked at Scarlet Heart for long enough that no one had ever suspected her. Not Ra

unrelenting. She was sure he saw something about her, something she had hoped to keep buried but

or are you

pected this. Part of her wanted to refuse, to stay out of his path,

e said quietly. Her voice was steady, d

ping back to give her spa

pping into the elevator and pressing the button. The door

s beauty was not something Eloise could compete with. She was tall, graceful, and effortlessly seductive in a way Eloise could never hope to be. It was clear that

were about to close, Lucian, pres

.Astra, don't leave so soon," she said, her voice light, teasi

e. "You go ahead. I have business to attend to. You can shop. Spend as much as you like,"

oice sincere as she took the card. Without another word, she stepped out of the elevat

ed to keep her gaze fixed on the floor, but she could feel his eyes on her. It was alm

"What's this?" he asked, a teasing glint in his golden

No, Mr.Astra. I... I'm not." She lowered her voice, hoping it would h

r, his presence making her feel even smaller. His muscular frame towered over her, and for a moment, Eloise

urr. "Everyone at Scarlet Heart wants something. Why not join the oth

how to respond. His proximity was making her heart race. There was something in his eyes someth

p back. "Pleas

ng fear. But it was impossible to remain calm when he was so close, when she c

loser. Eloise's breath hitched as his lips brushed against her ear

the first time in a long time, she felt vu

ixture of intrigue and amusement. "I see." He seeme

e intensity of his gaze on her, as if he were trying to peel aw

ic of her clothes. His touch was casual at first, but then it lingered, and Eloise felt

pushed him away, her

e started, but he stoppe

amusement to something mor

voice edged with disbelief. "Wha

im away, to flee the situation entirely, but something kept her roote

e still locked on her waist. "What ar

self. The secret she had kept hidden for so long, the one she hadn't even fully

ing herself. "It's nothing," s

. Lucian stood there for a moment, as if reluctant

g in her chest. The man had seen something in

wanted. But one thing was certain: her quiet life at Scarl