racing from the unexpected tension of the gala, quickened at the sound. She had barely closed her eyes that

the screen. It was an unknown number. A small frown

el

e from Blackthorn Enterprises

sociated with everything that felt wrong about the arrangement between her and Damien. The woman's voice w

ce to sound neutral. She sat up in bed, tucking t

t in a few days. The charity gala. Mr. Blackthorn wa

art of the perfect wife-the obedient, composed woman by his side. It was exhaust

he said, already tired at the t

l. "And if I may suggest, it might be beneficial to double-check with Mr. Blackthorn on any final

clear. Sophie was remin

Selena replied, not bothering to hide th

r fingers shaking slightly. It was clear that her marriage, her life within the Blackthorn empire, was about appearances, abo

or startled her o

e called, her

removed his tuxedo jacket, rolling up his sleeves, but there was still a coldness to him. He alwa

, his voice low,

ation in his words, and despite her best efforts, she could feel t

in front of her chest as if to ward off t

er. "The way things are going, this arrangement-it's

louder in her ears. She'd been trying so hard to keep things business-like between them, to ma

She couldn't keep up the facade anymore. She was feeling too much-too much

ned, charged with an electric tension that Selena couldn't ignore. He reached

te skin of her wrist. "I know you feel it too. The way we're drawn to each oth

very first moment they'd come together. But she had never wanted to admit it. She had never wanted t

ng between them. Something that went beyond the c

meeting his eyes. The admission felt lik

is jaw clenching. "You don't have a choice," h

m, even as she tried to resist. She wanted to step back, to put distance between th

in silence, the air between the

s hands, his touch gentle yet insistent. His lips found hers in a kiss that was nothing

She wanted to pull away, to stop this madness before it consumed her completely. But she coul

were both breathing heavily, the

me anymore," he said, his voi

she replied, h

ew, without a doubt, that she had crossed a line. There was no