HIS FORBIDDEN OBSESSION

ushing against her skin as she listened to the faint

being left alone, being second to whatever power play

his warmth left her fe

ackwells had built an empire, and tonight's engagement celebration wasn't just for her and E

agne on the tray before weaving through the crowd. If s

group of elegantly dressed women. Evelyn had always been poised, always composed, b

aching out and clasping her han

"Thank you, M

" she corrected gently. "You're

hter-

ed over Celia li

ind the empire. The woman who understood that power wasn't just about mone

ways admired

lyn continued, tilting her head slightly.

ad. "Not at all. Ev

it

She had a future

ever wanted was ri

e she was standing on the edge of

the thought, a familiar voi

emen, if I could h

entre of the room, his champagne glas

om fell

oss the crowd, and something

e said, his voice smooth, confident. "It's about celebra

led through the cro

med as Ethan extend

," he m

dn't he

ble floor as she crossed the distance between them. When she re

dropping just enough for only her to h

erupted in

her head. "You love a gr

rked. "Onl

as he kissed her soft

ad eve

y the end of the night,

e stepped away from

into the path of the man

**

from Ethan's side. The engagement party was everything she had dreamed of-gl

needed

collect herself, to let t

n and made her way towards the back of the estate,

endlessly, shadows pooling in the corners. She had been her

iet

de casting faint reflections on the tall windows. The night air was crisp,

d t

shi

rese

ia f

ne was

at her skin, an awaren

darkened edges of the garden, where the

en she

ar the shadows, ha

l. S

something about him sent a shiver d

thing

he didn't ha

s. "This is a private event," she said, her

stepped

light to catch the sh

tal-gr

, ass

in her ches

n't bel

is party-every business ass

t h

s a st

d y

him felt distur

idn't move any clos

ime that night, Celi

ays, of people who smiled with secr

't playi

mething el

e asked, her voice

aw ticked, but he

back. Whatever this was, whoever he wa

urned

ia Mo

reath

it wasn't just a name, but some

him, her pulse thrumming

u know me?"

slightly, those piercin

, finally

is voice was low, edge

ca