HIS FORBIDDEN OBSESSION

in slow, absentminded strokes. The party had

str

me like it meant something. The way he van

he light. That's what

he cou

ill lingered, curling around her ribs

r bedroom door

called, settin

. There was something effortless about him-something tha

ep," he said, watching her th

d a small sm

on her shoulders. His touch was warm, f

st... overwhelmed.

a slow, deliberate kiss to her bare

ach tightened

nothing to know. The man had be

d y

rmured, placing her

owly, he straightened, his fingers trai

ething for y

ed, brow li

pulled out a small, velvet box. He

eckl

er. Simple, elegant. But there was something about it-somethin

tiful," she

. "I want you to

ent, not

hed over the diamond.

the briefest second, she thought she

d people that y

reath

ot

M

ed it down. Ethan had always been possessive, always p

suddenly feel

e around her throat, the cool

ssing another kiss to her che

a soft laugh

her collarbone bef

you'r

hy her pulse quick

own, it felt le

e like a

city skyline. The diamond necklace around her neck felt heavier than it

Attentive. Possessive in a way that sent a

t she stop thin

from th

e he knew things she didn't. Like

ad. She was being ridiculous.

marryin

loved

n't

he door pulled her

ed inside, her expression hesitant. "Mi

. "A package?

rward and placing a small, un

pulse q

No retur

black envelope

side her as she reached for it, her

was a si

rawled in bold,

st the man

reath

ds, the weight of them

lifted the li

stled in bl

e, blood

**

se hammering in her ears. The words blurred for a

st the man

soft, delicate-yet there was something almost sinister about the way it la

war

ocialite trying to stir doubt before the wedding. But the memory of the man on the balco

now Ethan Bla

naked down

asn't a

ted her to q

t w

e import

he maid's voice w

d her expression to remain

eft at the service entrance, n

quickened. "Did

ss. Only

a quiet thank you. She waited until the

they want

-what did they kn

rs hovering over Ethan's name. She should tell

ldn'

mething deep in h

nvelope, placed it inside the box, and locked

d to the vanity, and m

glinted against her co

bol of

l of pos

ed over it, a war

ng believing in Etha

the fir

doubt had b

already begi