Tangled In Desire

4 – The

her-an extravagant display of wealth and influence w

different. Tonight, she wasn't just another guest. She was

shimmering under the flash of cameras. The moment her heels

Over

l to be engaged

is was an arra

Eric's arm as he guided her toward the entrance. He was the picture of

eath warm against he

smile just as the came

ter filled the air. The golden chandeliers cast a soft glow ove

eady anticipating what-or

ted, she didn't h

was

e bar, a glass of wine in her hand. She wasn't alone-several guests surrou

d. Let the

lic Per

f high-profile businessmen, inclu

smoothly. "The two of you ma

er role. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. Eric

, his grip firm. "Zoey has always ha

elt the shift in Eric's tone-the un

g her head slightly. Oh,

to his cheek. "And you always know how to make me feel spe

riefly tensed ag

room, Sarah's

action behind anoth

onfro

s conversations and fake smiles, Z

the cool night breeze-until a familia

oying this,

eet away, her arms crossed, lips curled in

row. "Enjoying

Playing the perfect fiancée. Act

by his side." She tilted her head. "Y

d. "You think a ring on yo

. "It change

e, Zoey, but let's not pretend you've

now the man you knew." She leaned in slightly, lower

her mask slipping just enough for

rned on her heel,

ispered, "Are you

y f

. "Because last nigh

Sarah the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead,

ed. "Because tonight, h

ed away, leaving Sarah s

to the ballroom, her confi

ah been

ng onto something he wa

jaw tig

wasn't going to

t

ev

osed exterior. The chandeliers sparkled above her, the laughter

ds lingered

night... he

e wasn't built on love, and she never expected Eric to fall for her overnight. But know

with an investor, his posture relaxed, his smirk effortl

He was a

hed him, her heels clicking purpo

s gaze flickering with

dn't just had a confrontation with his ex-lover. "Darling," she purred, lou

uckled, clearly enter

thly, playing along. "We wer

ipping into charm mode. "Oh? Well, I ho

nd Eric gave he

rt. But beneath the ac

eded a

Ride

soon enough, Zoey and Eric were back in the limousin

between th

er reflection revealing the s

spoke. "You'v

eyes sharp. "Should I b

ly, as if intrigued. "

Maybe because your ex made sure to remi

n Eric's gaze d

er arms. "She'

head back against the s

nto her palm. "So

ed. "Not in the

"Oh, really? Then

tated. "Sarah called me. She wanted to ta

her teeth. "

ey. She's someone I cared about-someone I thoug

ll pang in her che

way. "And wh

le

cing herself to meet his ga

rs, something unreadable

since their engag

all Zoey ne

reath, nodding to he

owned.

hest burned hotter. "You don't know what you want. You're caught between what was a

tly as if to argue, but

o

t need em

e window, her reflecti

i

o Sarah... then she would jus

nt playing the