Page 150 of Sinful Pleasure

That confidence makes himeven more dangerous.

It should make this easier. But it didn’t.

I knocked.

The door opened almost instantly, faster than I expected, like he’d been waiting on the other side, anticipating my arrival. His dark eyes swept over me, and the faintest grin tugs at his lips—a grin that felt like an invitation to step into the devil’s lair.

And so I do.

He stepped aside, granting me entry, and I walk into the dimly lit suite. Shadows dance across the walls, and the faint scent of leather and whiskey lingers in the air.

“I thought I wouldn’t see you,” his hoarse voice cuts through the silence behind me, low and rough like gravel. “Despite my invitation.”

I didn’t respond immediately, keeping my back to him as I took in my surroundings. My mind was screaming at me to leave, to run as far from him as I could. But my feet wouldn’t move.

The door clicked shut behind me, sealing us in.It’s a large space, with a huge window offering a view of the city from above, right in front of me.

“We’ve already established that you’re not good at thinking.”I turned around to find him with his arms crossed over his chest, muscles rippling through his white t-shirt.

It’s a rare occasion to see him not wearing a suit, but just a regular t-shirt and shorts. The playful grin on his lips held my attention longer than I’d like.

Why he has to be so goddamn so handsome? It should be illegal.

Why is he so strikingly beautiful when his soul is a devil’s playground?

And why, oh why, did I have to notice all of this?

The tattoos on his skin are just the cherry on top, and I find it hard to look away.

Allyn, concentrate.

“I can name a few things I’m good at, though,” his grin widened, watchingmy face flush under his comment.

I knew exactly what he had in mind, and I hate how right he is.

I shook my head, burying these sinful thoughts deep inside. I can’t let him win this time.

I rummaged through my pocket.

“I’m not here for a sweet little reunion,” I said, finding what I was looking for and pulling it out. “Give this back to your brother from me.”

I dropped the small red box at his feet. His eyes followed it as it fell, his brows furrowing in confusion.

He looked up at me, waiting for me to speak.

“Your brother sent it to Mikael a few weeks ago,” I said, recalling how angry I’d been when Mikael told me. He laughed at Angelo’s pathetic gesture, but I hadn’t. I’d been furious.

“He still holds onto the hope that the wedding might happen,” I added with a sneer, but the way Maddox’s eyes darkened showed he didn’t find my words amusing at all.

I was stunned when I learned about the “gift” my father received.

I initially thought the Kings were trying to use this to avoid the war they had started, but now, looking at the furious and confused Maddox standing before me, it’s clear he has no idea about it.

Although Angelo and I never officially ended our engagement, I have never truly been Angelo’s fiancée, even with his ring on my finger.

“And would you want to?”

Maddox’s sharp voice caught me off guard, cutting through the room with its coldness as he stared down at the ring with disdain.

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