Prohibited pleasure
ructed from something beyond marble and glass. Something heavy. Secrets, maybe. The oppressi
me but Eden began understanding t
ade her vu
e study. Isabelle was waiting for Eden by sitting on
ning," Ed
ely looked u
on whether you int
eye contact and said "I'll only bother
se she believed that proving h
d emitted a quiet laugh. "
ow as she responded
me accustomed to it even as her
ention-at least partially. She demonstrated brilliance whenever she
asn't ju
an unusual tension that remai
e clear to Eden when Victor Laurent ent
ediate transformation whe
in her pocket as Victor entered. Eden maintained a n
elle greeted h
a nod before his intense st
e rose from her seat and walk
d behind them the tempera
istake my intentions." Victor spoke in a calm yet forceful manner. "My dau
osture straight
minder serves to show you why maintain
n down Ede
the source of t
or k
ing tension between her a
h to speak and Vict
ion," he replied with a smooth tone. "I want to make
eye contact with him. I will not exce
ked any sign of warmth. It would break my h
ke that, he
for a moment while he
er. A part of her felt like laughing
ridicu
The Laurent family's games
anted to d
yet.
d with Eden hadn't e
ut Gabriel wa
was-dangero
-
uring the evening, Eden found her thoughts
just a w
s con
a flawless machine which allo
rated on principles beyond financial gain. They were about power. The
n that caused his father to v
cking at her door brough
door and then let out a sigh w
e doorframe with an ease
r arms. "I've b
ed, "Is that what
ore stepping back and asked,
oom and surveyed her surroundings. "You're n
ened. "Exc
her with an impenetrable lo
ing wouldn't work.
es
le while shaking his head as he
Gabriel, "You showed up at my d
And yet, you
ion grow inside her and she began to say "
without warning wi
had taken on a serious tone
ce before asking,
ilent for a l
uce the space between them unt
in this house, Ed
. "You keep s
e it's
asked him why he cont
d his face which seemed t
't listen," Gab
a moment but Gabriel retreat
ward the door and pausing briefly befor
icked shut
the first moment since her
er decision to arrive at