Sinful Seduction

ved rent-free i

ing to do with yo

-her mother couldn't have jus

f her screamed to leave, to walk away with whatever dignity she had left. But the stronger

t

er veins, she turned sharply on

mble. The sound reverberated through the grand living room, but Janet

cold, indifferent. Lik

avered, but she forced

a single brow. "Who are you?

hitched. It f

like shards of glass, slicing throu

sts. "Mom?" she whispered again, her voice barely holdin

on't know who you are," she repeated, her tone sharper this time. "I

ere was no humor in it. She looked up, blinking ra

er... because I finally did something for my

didn't

er palms as she let the

whole life trying to make you proud! I did everything you ever asked-everything! I learned fencing, swimming, dancin

red, but she p

. No 'I'm proud of you.' Nothing! You just sat there, watching

ir

ped, her voice shaking with

nce settled

lly cracked-just slight

violently as she t

ver since Dad died, you've blamed me. You hated me for it, didn't you? And

rmed in h

piness for you," she whispered,

if she wanted to say som

own mother had nev

she nev

Amira," Janet finally

gh escaped A

say tha

the iciness in h

you would have shown up for my graduation. If you loved me, you would have wanted me to be happy."

hed between th

aze, her lips press

her heart hammering so hard

o do with me, right

idn't r

sharply, cle

leaving. Forever. I won

d the door, her hands

," she whispered. "And

he turned an

idn't

n't loo

ched the door,

broken

ra.

n a cho

ed her mouth with trembling fingers. Her shou

ra neve

he was al

_

stau

interior. Chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over polished mahogany tables,

hite shirt and black pencil skir

vi, sir. Are you l

s gaze still searching. "

ed. "Oh, Mr. Scott? Yes

gh ceilings, the crystal-clear glass partitions separating the VIP lounge from the main h

e waitress held the door open. The si

on had an air of exclusivity. Fewer people. More luxury. Every table had someone adorned in wealth-

ddenly fe

Tamlin squared his shoulders and walked in that direction, but the weight of stares p

s, he bumped into s

d drenched

man staring at him, her white designer dress now stained

the air, drawing attention. "Do you

y, a stinging slap cracked across his

ghtening at his sides. He was use

ut before it could land, Scott app

Scott said, voice

her arm from hi

kbook, scribbled an amount, and handed it to

and, tossed Tamlin one las

o him. "Come o

still feeling the

tt leaned forwar

d, touching his cheek. "So

rass me? Please. I dea

ing on her lips as she set menus before them. But she barely looked at Tamlin-her ga

you, sir?" she pur

d up. "Two number t

her shirt conveniently slippin

brow. "Do you

nce as she strutted away. "More than I'd like. It's ti

d. "Right. Speaking of which...

d in slight

g his shoulders back.

n surprise. "Seriously

e mo

's...

nough," Taml

ed. "Does s

"Why wouldn't sh

rog

ate

whiskey the waitress had just placed in

hen leaned forward. "I need to b

d look. "And how do you

smirk d

ything she owns. Every property, every di

let out a low chuckl

only

their meals, setting down t

our meal

with anticipation-not just for the food