at Elijah. He stayed as distant as ever

d been effective. Without it

ripping with eagerness as he directed his flattery entirely at Elij

demeanor turning fawning and ingrati

And call me Mr. Warren." He then turned his attention to Ashley as if he had just se

ough her knees ached, she quickly tid

natural beauty shone through. The abs

and fell," she said, her voi

said Daniel, his conc

ke. "I'm not in the mood for drinks tonight.

s a playboy, still retained an air

kable, as if moments earlier Daniel and

gestion and raised his hand. "There are

niel and Andrew chimed in at o

ly set up the finest p

ng on Ashley with deliberate lazines

Warren, Ashley doesn't know the first thing about

. "Why don't I ask the manager to sen

plied, "I don't know much, but Danie

art she was expected to pl

arlier slap, she stood beside Daniel, h

fted toward her, drawn

own for her striking beauty in high socie

smile f

marrying into wealth was noth

hollow, fille

say it again,

she murmured, her v

asily deceived. The fact that he was here mea

ruin Elijah's evening," Daniel said

ble and began dealing cards, her han

glance. Both understood that Elijah and Anthony were me

seemed entire

, her mind still clouded by the

of what might have unfolded if El

ea what thoughts were

. Then, Elijah's hand struck her thigh, the signet ring on hi

the silence, turning all he

. Her wide eyes b

eg, and his words came out sl

and let it rest cas

onfusion plain. He couldn't under

er of trying to seduce him at the

em, it was clear that Elijah's acti

ed at him, some faint memory or fa

rp glare. "Move your leg, Ashle

kered nervously. She shifted her leg to the side witho

g, and he didn't bother hiding

ct that she had orch

ess made it clear-this was his

without looking at her, his ton

ready walked straight into his trap. She was the prey,

poker, and the tension on

y unraveling. His sweat-drenched face and tr

ght. Don't even think about bowing out now,"

s long legs brushed agai

iately stiffened. Her instinct was to move h

ards onto the table. "Anthony, escort them out," he said

e, her thou

angry w

h a grin, patting the dazed Andrew on

llowed Daniel, unsure of wha

ure Andrew wouldn't leav

is money, was found later t

s assistant. "Mr. Warren's guests on the second floo

stomach

like a punishment wr

nudged her forward. "Of course! Mr. Warren's asking y

hat she might endure, as long as h

shley walked into the lou

eon lights casting eerie refle

the glow of the city. His expression was impossible to rea

ld tell he wasn't done with her yet. Steeling herself, she slip

He held the cigarette in the air, s

ter on the table and st

to life, it illuminated

ht a glimpse of somethin

and pinned her against the cold glass windo

though she couldn't tell if it was fro

ut. The panic in her chest swelled as

rong?" she asked, her

ghtening. "You play the part so well. Was I interrup

. "Or are you looking for som

business," she stammered, her words tumbling out quickly. "I didn't

growing colder with every word. "How does it fee

oam over her body. His touch was calculated

ut in desperation. The truth burned inside h

uldn't hesitate to end her

. His hands moved with more force, leav

o way to

lifted her leg sligh

His voice carried

not worthy of your attention. You're far above s

s tone unwavering as he pressed harde

the other side of the door. "Mr. Blake

rembling uncontrollably in his hold. A

rs twisting through her hair and

he leaned in and kissed

sank as dread w

he chose to

Daniel stepped inside, his gaze freez

miss a sin