Sinfull Kiss

coil of anxiety in my chest. Richard sat at the head of the table, beaming as he raised his glass. "To

as Miles leaned back in his chair across from me, his gaze like a steady current pulling me under. He did

Richard said, his tone genial b

at felt like a poorly fitted mask. My voice

rm's next charity gala. The conversation swirled around me like white noise. I risked a glance

" he murmured, low enoug

ce of roasted potato. My jaw clenched as he l

he word like a slow drag of a knif

barely above a whisper, but the i

sion shifting into something a

tween us. My face burned as I realized I'd draw

laced with mockery. "Let me

e thoroughly gone. Miles, of course, continued eating like noth

me I looked up, his gaze was waiting, sharp and unreadable. It was maddening. I barely reg

other urged, her tone

to my feet and followed ev

stures and laughter filling the space. But when it was

moothly, his voice slicing throu

arms. "I'm fi

d, his lips curvin

He held out the slip of paper for me to draw, and I snatched it without

d, his tone dec

s guessed eagerly, their voices overlapping as they threw out possib

s voice pitched low enough for only m

How about you stop pre

silent. My mother looked at me in confusion, her brow furrow

idn't realize you hated losing so much," he said soft

air outside the living room felt colder, sharper. My breaths came fast an

ate and unhurried. I didn't n

st coaxing, but it carried an edg

against the wall beside my head. My pulse thundered as he lea

ing," he said, his t

rd, my throat

is voice like a velvet blade

ssion a mix of frustration and something darker. His eye

ight,

the dim hallway. My hands trembled as I pressed them to the wall, my tho

my life, it was far from ove