HIS FORBIDDEN OBSESSION

Celia wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly awa

and music spilled from the ballroom, a stark

slowly, Get a

hake the feeling that so

han before, the shadows stretching, shifting. She knew it was irrational

g. Just your

closer to the edge of th

thi

tranger from earl

d y

till f

ht of uns

Monroe, daughter of one of the most powerful families in New York

ders, she turned aw

's when s

n. Not hidden in

the opposite si

reath

was

been there all along, as if he belonged in this

from th

n't dis

follow

of his face more pronounced. His suit-just as expensive as Ethan's but worn with a differ

there were

ray. Cold.

dator'

pulse k

here." The words left her li

tugged at the corner of his m

mbered-low, smooth, with something

her heart hammering. "H

moved just beyond the glass. He didn't answer her quest

ith Ethan. And yet, here you are, standing alon

d. "I didn't in

and deliberate. "But that doesn't chang

omach t

g, unsettling. He wasn't just another rich man play

ing dan

curity," she said,

ould

In fact, he sounded bored. A

into fists at her

ed her. Then, slowly, he pushed o

actly what kind of man

s breat

th

ween them. He wasn't touching her, but he didn't have to. His pre

e softer now, almost coaxing, "you

swept thr

id it-so certain, so a

f he wa

er sides, but she forced herse

trying to

is wasn't their first encounter-like he had always been th

. "If you have something to

. But some truths..." He stepped forward, just enough that the light from the bal

ed its way do

was

s him further, the bal

th

suit crisp, his piercing blue eyes immediately landin

ranger

nis

never been

rrowed as he reached for h

d stood just seconds ago. There was nowhere for him to have gone-no

d y

thi

a t

softer this time, his finger

g her head. "I-I'm fine. Ju

always, he let it go. "Come inside," he murmured, pressing a

her back into the wa

er mind stayed behind,

he man