en's

ittle sugar mama. That was someone else's job. Someone who had

line. "Want me to send h

ked. "Send i

nto place. Mrs. Osmond-Carlos' wife-was his Achilles' heel. Not becaus

wels, luxury trips, designer pieces that no one else c

than spontaneity. Meanwhile, Claire was all about the thrill-

d couldn't keep up, she loo

one willing to break the rules, to dive into the deep en

o play the part-especially when it meant

the wild rides, the danger, the spark that he

pleasure she got in return. The lifestyle? It came with a

ng into people's lives, earning their trust, making them believe in him-

ad no idea she was playing h

, it was her. All it would take was the right

t my backup pla

shed across Liam's screen,

bbing his jacket and stepping out of the suite. The night a

ention. He played his role well-gave her just enough to make her feel special, i

entered the more private, elite part of town. Her estate was a fortress of

, the front doo

xpec

d out, his voice a l

le click of heels echoed down

ere sh

d in that effortless way that screamed both money and seduction

the steps with practiced grace. As she moved, the robe

s movements deliberate. "Or maybe

soft, teasin

round her waist and pulling her against him. Her breath hitched slightly, and

rmured, lips ghosting

ripping his shirt, pulling him

was calculated-every kiss, every touch, every

that, she led

-

s. The scent of her perfu

ng as Claire curled up beside him, her fi

s the m

n, when words flowed without thought, when se

. "I heard something today... something about tomorrow's

ed for a fractio

ng

, resting her cheek against h

ng believable. "Because I care about you. Unlike your husband, w

left her lips. "Y

ight of her frustration settle. Th

overheard him on the phone with his lawyer-something abo

his chest, but his exp

roking her back, keeping her ground

to present them at tomorrow's board meeting. If the v

ingers s

was

information D

it?" he asked, already

"Hell no. The

ck

"Thank you for trusting me, Claire," he

hat, she drifte

He had wor

d moved into the hallway. The weight of Mrs. Osmond's conf

ng once. Tw

ed when Damien picked up

ice calm but laced with antici

crack in Carlos' scheme. Just a

ois

nt cr

rea

h

the phone

e turned

dim hallway, wrapped in onl

ocked on h

ssion unr

forming a question she wasn't

am?

rd. Barely

iam k

dangerous. Knew she

e that, the