The Velvet Lie

he highlight of the city's elite events,

be seen tonight. She wan

ocative. Her lips were a striking red. Her heels were sharp. But it was her confidence that drew pe

stal chandeliers hanging over gold-accented décor. An orchestra pl

taircase like a secr

ticed her the mom

. His tailored midnight suit fit his broad shoulders well, hair slicked

o

alert. Curiou

han just being present.

-

he said, appearing at her side as she too

ly, raising an e

You don't seem like someone who

I came for

g between a smirk and a quest

he silence linger. "To see what generosity

lit up h

pped c

sk risky ques

s avoid giving

weapons, dressed in sil

c, the voices, the cha

s. Of the warmth radiating from his body.

didn't b

e a whisper tinged with mischief

a fool

-

s arm without ask

cause each moment of contact tilt

and introductions, and superficial smiles

y h

he thought wer

the Thorne patriarch, Sera ti

jaw tighte

oks...

laugh. "He was w

say much

much about a

to him. "Bu

licker of challenge. Ten

pped w

erlooking the courtyard, alone

completely. No f

low. "You enter a room as if you own it. And

ust bot

do

re you used to having access to people's l

o getting w

er. "Then this

wined. Her heartbeat

se enough t

ugh to lo

wer now, and she would

stepp

said lightly. "Before they start to won

a nobody,"

that, she fe

ecrets with his mouth. It made her body betray her, crav

-

rom across the room, pretending not to

actly what s

er his skin

ying in

be the re

-

ded, she found herself on the terrace, the

out over the city. The velvet sk

tst

idn't

ominic said behind her.

you keep

tched betwee

act like you're playing by

yo

er. "You're a woman wi

er expression unread

f us are just bored. You, on the other

ear as she whispered, "Maybe

e walked away-hips swaying,

-

ide home

ely resting in her lap, replaying every wor

e was watchin

sn't the

ame into view, Se

own

a dangerous g

ned. The air in

t the window

the

u

ld've st

-

t sleep t

n her robe, watching shadows crawl

knew who

was watc

wasn't

the real game