The Billionaire's Forbidden Flame

host to the most coveted event of the season-the Knight Foundation Gala. Political leaders, society elites, and billionaires in tai

s didn't b

r figure but whispered of borrowed elegance. She had come on behalf of the art gallery where she worked, tasked with quietly en

y gave Elena w

ike these had everything handed to them, while she had clawed her way through life since childhood. She adjusted t

she f

cing through the noise

om, Adrian Knight

's most powerful. His black hair was swept neatly back, his jaw strong, his expression unreadable yet magnetic. Around him, people hovered-b

hing. The connection w

Why would Adrian Knight-one of the richest, most desired men in New York

colded herself. He's marri

placement for the auction, but when she glanced up again, he was closer. Cro

ing th

th, with just enough rou

sibly close, his presence consuming. She forced a poli

wasn't quite a smile. "Extravagant is what my fam

? "Maybe I've seen enough to kn

d with interest. "And wha

even engaging with him? "Dist

en them. Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled

Most people here would ne

e trying to impress you." Sh

ickered in his eyes-longing? Recognition? Elena couldn't tell. But be

n, dar

utiful in an icy, untouchable way, she slipped her hand through her husband's arm poss

t Elena felt the shift.

ed politely, stepping back.

sharp. "Yes, it is.

that, Elena

e he allowed Cassandra to pull him back into the c

oor into one of the quieter hallways of the estate. The music and chatter faded beh

just happene

Yet the memory of his eyes burned into her,

ing as she drew in a shaky breath. The city lights sprawled before her, dazzl

o escape

was. Adrian Knight, alone, his bowtie loos

dry. "You shouldn'

, stepping closer, "but

silence, with the night wrapping around them, Elena knew with a t