Page 35 of Sinful Pleasure

My mind was swirling, and I stopped trying to follow the discussion when I caught something about investments.

I gently took Angelo’s hand, drawing his attention.

“I’ll go find Lydia. I never officially congratulated her on her comeback.”

Angelo nodded, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he answered, “I’ll find you later.”

He kissed my cheek again—an action that felt more like an obligation than affection.I said a quick goodbye to Angelo’s partners, eager to escape the tense atmosphere.

With each step, I felt the weight lifting off me, like I could finally breathe again.What a strange conversation, I thought.

And that woman… the way she looked at me and Angelo… almost like she was jealous? Or was I justimagining things?

I shook my head, trying to push the strange thoughts aside, but they lingered like an itch I couldn’t scratch.

I needed fresh air.

I made my way to the second floor. I didn’t have a clear destination in mind, but I was desperate to escape the chaos below. It was quieter. Most of the guests were clustered around the ballroom and the first floor.

I climbed the stairs, moving quickly through the long, silent corridor.When I reached the door that led out to the balcony, I could already feel the cool night air teasing my skin, a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere inside.

As my hand wrapped around the door handle, I nearly collided with a woman coming out in the opposite direction.

She stopped for a brief moment, her eyes scanning me before she walked past without a word. Her face was pale, her eyes red, and there was something about her—she looked like she’d been crying.

Okay… that’s not strange at all.

I shook my head again, telling myself not to overthink it.I opened the door, and as soon as the night air hit my skin, I stepped outside, feeling the weight of the evening finally start to lift.

But then, my eyes spotted someone.

There, standing in the shadows of the balcony, was none other than Maddox King dressed in a black suit.

Shocking, right?

Maddox stood with his back slightly turned, adjusting his tie and muttering curses under his breath, clearly frustrated. I stopped in my tracks, surprised to see him here. Lydia told me he wouldn’t attend.

So what is he doing here?

I couldn’t help but notice how good he looked, which was frustrating in itself.

Nope, Allyn. He’s a jerk. Don’t even think about it.

But I did.

When Maddox finally sensed my presence and shifted his gaze toward me, I found myself unable to look away. The cold, unreadable expression on his face was always there, like a mask he wore to hide anything real.

“Did I interrupt something?” I asked, pointing behind me toward the door where the woman—who I was sure he knew—had almost walked into me.

“No,” he replied, still struggling with his tie, swearing quietly under his breath again.

I hesitated, unsure of what came over me. The words came out before I could even think, barely audible, as I whispered, “Do you… need help?”

At the sound of my voice, Maddox stopped.

His black eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, everything around us seemed to blur.He didn’t answer immediately. His gaze narrowed as if he wasn’t sure whether he could trust me.

One breath. Two breaths. Still nothing.

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