His Forbidden Obsessions

s' gaze lingered long after

ite circles like poison in a golden chalice. But even as I stood

into me from across the room, the way his fingers flexed at h

. His presence alone had shifted the game board, an

nally said, his voice low, edged with

rtainty gnawing at my ribs show. "Wasn't it? And yet,

h the air between us was charged. "You made a bold move tonight, Evely

because he was wrong-b

game. There were larger players lurking in the shadows, watching, wai

ward me, his expression unreadable but his intent clear. He wanted answ

er and locking eyes with the man who had just become my bigges

ers of his lips. "I don't make the mistake of caring, Evelyn. But I do re

urmured. "I never step onto a ba

but before he could respo

s untouchable

xan

through me, but I forced

he distance between us. There was something in his eyes-something

ove, Evelyn? Do you even have one? Or are you just bu

hey came from him. A man who had once known me better than an

lan?" I asked, tilting my head. "

remember who you w

it with a cold smile. "Then you remember a ghos

as watched from the sidelines, silent but calculating. He w

ady knew t

as

e, almost imperceptible-but I had spent too long in t

being

the pillars of the grand hall. A ghost from my past. A reminder that no matter how

ice low. "Tell me you did

voice was steady, but I could f

playing with fire, Evelyn. And unlike before, you

had tha

nched. "Then at lea

had long since sealed shut. And Nicholas-Nicholas was watching us both, measuri

d finally, stepping back. "N

't sure I believed them. And judging by th

ed. Whoever it was-whatever game they were playing-I had the sinking feel

over. And neith

the firs

r had only

sn't sure if I woul