Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 369 Playing Along

His kiss was fierce, pulling me in, his hands gripping ne with a force that betrayed his fear of losing me The sterile hospital hallway stood empty, as cold and sent as a tomb. But here, we were, caught in al whirlwind of heat, our lips meeting, each breath sharp d electric

The hospital air around us thickened, charged with the weight of what was happening

1 gasped for air, his lips smothering mine as if he were sealing my very breath

My fists pounded weakly against his chest, my body fighting against the onslaught, but he didn’t yield. Reluctantly, he pulled away, his eyes dark with desire, gering on me like a predator eyeing its prey. I breathed deeply, grateful for the space to fill my lungs again, but my heart still raced

Then I saw it. The camera. My face flushed, heat flooding my skin. Had they caught that? The kiss. The

moment.

All of it, now in full view for whoever might look.

A wave of panic rushed over me. “Caden,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “Next time… can we be more discreet? Somewhere more private?” I felt the weight of the gaze I knew was on us, invisible yet somehow tangible.

He stepped closer, his expression darkening, but not in anger–in amusement.

His fingers brushed over mine, his touch lingering as his thumb traced circles over my palm.

“Rosaline, he murmured, his voice low and laced with something far too dangerous. “Are you asking me to take this further?” His hand, warm and strong, sent a shiver down my spine.

I blinked, taken aback. Then I shook my head quickly, trying to dismiss his words. “You’re reading too much into this,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. I couldn’t let him distract me now, not with everything on the line.

I cleared my mind, getting my mind back on track. This was no time for distractions.

The plan was bigger than just Queenie and Eleanor–it was about Heidi, too. The one who’d poisoned Richard alongside them.

The one lurking in the shadows, pulling strings, as dangerous as any of them.

Tonight, we had failed to capture her.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Heidi and her master was biding their time. They were players, too.

just a pawn in this game–she was central to it.

be taken out of

sharp and searching, feeling the shift in my thoughts. “Caden,” I

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369 Playing Along

Caden’s POV:

Rosaline, my brow furrowed with concern. What’s going on?”

truth about Heidi, whether she was Tessa or not,

disappointment, and my heart, well–it belonged to

No woman but Rosaline

my

heart.

+8 Pearls

have a the proof yet. But from everything I’ve gathered. there’s a very real chance Heidi isn’t who she says she

her hair. “Still bothered by Heidi? I can make sure she never crosses our path

Rosaline shook her head,

is it?” I asked,

what else could it

years ago, when you told me Tessa saved you by throwing herself off that

“Yes,” I answered, my voice heavy with the weight

moment.

sacrificed

never forget that.

she know so much about

to pin the blame on me for leaking the Eclipse Group bid? After we exposed her, she showed you her injuries,

my voice low.

wasn’t Tessa,

in her gaze. “If I’m right, those injuries don’t look like they came from a fall off a cliff. They

slowly creeping in. “So what are you saying? The pieces started to fit together in a way that

me put on a

a second thought, I nodded.

Rosaline’s POV: