oi

k ago

realise it was Mike's arm wrapped around me for balance, his f

d in my ears as I blinked in the dim lightin

can't tell. But am I e

w?" I muttered, clinking my g

chuckled, his gaze

But the kind I keep meeting? Yeah. Definitely trash.

I know, but it was as if once

nstant, and for what? A spark with an old lover, my stepsister!" I looke

started, his voic

weary to cover m

You didn't hav

d, a reassuring smi

e I don

nto the plush bed, a rare

the mess," I mumb

down be

supposed to feel. No one has the right to take tha

dgement, felt like balm on a wound

watched him rise, p

ld think twice, I reached for hi

smaller than I wanted it to be, I wanted

ss his face, but it was quickly replaced by so

back down, his hand m

me to stay, I

art pounding as m

pered, my voice

ned forward, brushing his lips against mine, the warmth of

shoulders, tracing my arm

rtips press slightly firmer against my ski

to my jawline, neck, each kiss sending a shiver down my

ured against my skin, his vo

reathless. I met his gaze, my

PRESEN

ment, I was mortified, heat rising to my chee

rse, he

playful, his smile a hint of mischief, b

amusement radiating, which on

ispered, brushing a stra

r, just enough to catch my

s like you're reme

But there was no escape; He looked fa

, unwelcoming voice b

g yourself

k playing on his lips. He looked impeccably polished in his dark suit,

lf, reminding mys

took in the scene, his gaze lingering on Mike for

e days. Who's watching Max tonight, hmm? Or did you le

er bubbling inside. I met his gaze di

grandma! And since when did

hat had once charmed me but

ng smile still in place. He muttered something lik

tted my

the same? When was the last time you actually spent time with Max, be

altered, only

Eloise. You knew that

re like excuses. Obligations that keep you away from your son almost every

ave a lot to say about what's 'best

e step closer, his silent support wa

ld, assessing, like he was quietly e

Mike fully for the first time, though the

his tone dripping with faux po

usiness!" I retor

hing but sincere, his gaze flicking betwe

Elo

ely concealed malice. Her hand rested casually on Lucian's

nifer continued, her voic

ong to find a replacement. Just a week aft