Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 1027:

“Not bad at all. You’ve met my expectations,” Austen said with an easy tone. “Still, throwing yourself at me like this… what exactly are you after?”

With a slow motion, Rosanna trailed her fingers in gentle circles across the hard plane of his chest. “Isn’t it obvious? I want you.”

“Is that so?” Austen’s brow lifted, and a low, mocking chuckle escaped him. “Do you, now? But you’re about to wear the title of Mrs. Nelson—my sister-in-law. Doesn’t that make your words sound a little hollow?”

Amusement curled in Austen’s mind as he silently ridiculed the woman before him. The truth was simple—whether it was his older brother or himself, Rosanna had only ever been a passing diversion.

A woman this pleasing to the eye and easy to handle was worth entertaining a bit longer.

smile deepened. Oblivious to the truth, she leaned into his wandering touch.

Austen’s eyes, his grin unreadable. “Alright, let’s say I

added, “And if you ever need a

than a hollow assurance—a man’s

grin widened, pleasantly surprised by his willingness to play along. “In that

each one deliberate. “Austen, I want

of surprise flickered in

in the underground boxing ring. Maia had humiliated him—his prized fighter, Tyrant, was not only beaten

that score were already taking shape in his mind. Perfect—their goals were