When Love Is a Lie

Noel lifted whitney with ease and placed her on the desk, itis hands rested on either side of her, and his intense gaze locked onto hers. There was a storm brewing in his dark eyes, and whether it empted depended entirely on her next m

But Whitney wasn tone to hack down

“Am I your time or vour pet? Why should I listen to you?” she snapped, leaning slightly back to keep some space between them. Her hands braced against the desk, but she winced, forgetting that her lett wrist still wasn’t fully heated

Not need inmediately. He polled ber doser, cently supporting her inom

you want to be my pet?” he said, histone mocking. “I could make you my canary–kept, pampered, and caged.”

“Are you delusional?

hot back, heranger flaring,

Acar meant woman who was kept with na freedom and no identity of her own. The thought made her stomach chum. She would never be that person. His words weren’t just insulting they were degrading

(what’s your plan?” Noel leaned in, his voice low and war against her ear. “Why are you playing nice with Stachel?!

His breath brushed her skin, and his lips grazed her railobe as he spoke. The unintentional intimacy sent an welcome shiver down her spine

It’s none of your business,” she hissed, poshing him away.

He didn’t budge. His tall, leantime towered over her, and his piercing eyes searched herster a crack in her defiance.

Without warming, Neel grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard. There was no tendemess in the kiss–it was a mix of punishment and frustration—in

dominate het

“Mm You

break free. Her lips pressed tightly shut, refusing

took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, ignoring

lack of air post when she thought she might pass out, Noel finally pulled back, resting his

grow. “What are you planning with Rachel? Is this about

Damian had refused to break off the engagement and do

found common ground and decided to

fingertips reddening the

of your concem,” she said

a promise. Or have you conveniently

defiance. “You forced that promise out of me. It

glared at him, ber anger matching his Neither of

buzzed on the desk, breaking the tention Whitney glanced at the screen. “I need to take this,” she said, her voice sharp and curt

back, allowing her to grab the phone she checked the caller ID–a real estate agent

meddie in my life anymore,” she told Noel firmly. “We’re done. Let’s

and I’ll go

With that, the

the dida

and heavy as she stepped outside. Only fresh air seemed to ease the heaviness in her chest. Noel imvolved in her plans. The less he knew, the better. If he

meant that much to him. It push came to shove, he’d probably protect his family.

estate agent’s call “Sorry, I was