A Kiss In The Dark

closing in from

ore held the truth. The world was obsessed with unmasking Lucian's mystery date. What they didn't know-what non

could eve

t

owe anyone explanations. But even in private, the weight of

the articles. She didn't know it was me in the photos-of

p. "And now there's a scandal brewing. You need to be c

, that I was just doing my job. S

feeling like someone was watching. I couldn't walk into

it was only a matter of time be

ate. The sky hung low with thick clouds, casting a pallid light over the driveway, mirroring th

ichard sat-back straight, glass of scotch in hand, his eyes as unreadab

w up," Richard said, setting h

ding. "I didn't come

at, Lucian? To accuse me again of cr

you're behind the media chaos.

ll need to be more specific. You're q

what I mean. You've been stirring the media to uncove

. "And yet, you've said nothing to stop them. Made no statement. Let

nt her identity because you think she's my weakness. Bu

eat was

'll find out who she is. Eventually. Every mask

ned to leave. There was nothing left to say th

ce, the tension was a different

office. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows,

should've made th

his desk, my voice calm. "You're m

something different in them. Not just the weight of leadershi

gaze. "You don't owe anyone an e

could hear the quiet rhythm of his breath. "But

n't let

away, but I didn't lean in either. I kept my composure-not out of fear, but bec

he was searching for so

scandal. I don't see the headlines. I see the o

se above a whisper

The air grew warmer, our bodies inching closer like magnets

t afraid?"

at him, stea

means to sta

htly. "But I am afraid of l

re grounding than possessive. "Then I'l

longing, but something deeper. A promise. A man n

ponded to that intensity, I

it one ste

y. Not with triu

rumors and schemes. But in

part of his private life and would remain so-the media buzz didn't disappear, but it quieted. Not fully, of course. Some platforms still

s, the board start

curiosity

ispers didn't fade. The

cenes, Richard Ashens was sowi

now was no longer

d in removing Lucian Vale