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

het ista

“Mm You

her head to break free. Her lips

He took the opportunity to deepen

lack of air post when she

a low grow. “What are you planning with Rachel? Is this about going after

He suspected that Damian had refused to break off the engagement and do something unforgivable

found common ground and decided to team up against

furiously, her fingertips reddening the skin around her mouth.

none of your concem,”

patience scupped. “You made me a promise. Or have

eyes flared with defiance. “You forced that promise out of me. It was never

ber anger matching his Neither of them was willing to back

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

back, allowing her to grab the phone she checked the caller

in my life anymore,” she told Noel firmly. “We’re done. Let’s keep it that way.

and I’ll go

With that, the

the dida

breath coming fast 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 found out she intended to send Damian to prison, would he help or stop her? Whitney wash 1

that much to him. It push came to shove, he’d probably protect his family. She couldn’t afford to take that tisk

Whitney retumed the real estate agent’s call “Sorry, I was busy earlier,”