was not seduction,

ungry climbers, and smooth liars. But they were disarmed b

him that

aused before answering personal questions, like there was pain tucked b

morning as sunlight spilled across his kitc

asked, watchin

"Gone now. It was

ce follow.

. "You never t

hispered, looking away. "But I was

int of truth buried in it. But Adrian reached for my hand

to pretend wit

oment I knew h

or my

the mask

ule, bringing me along to meetings, dropping names that

estions. I let tears brim at the edges of my lashes when he told me

e I want

the game, my ow

yself lingering wh

onger felt like strate

g to feel like Ava wa

wa

g for a man she wa