Page 180 of Sinful Pleasure

And when I tell you that Theo Stone was a pain in my ass this entire week, I’m not exaggerating.He took his role as my future husband way too seriously—always around, making sure I had everything I needed.

It almost seemed like he wanted to make this work between us.

And the more time I spent around him, the more I realized he was nothing like his father.

Theo Stone seemed like a good man, and that’s why I wonder how long he’ll last in the world his father pulled him into.

I found myself asking the same question.

I smiled as Theo Stone’s arm wrapped gently around my waist, keeping me close while we walked through the ballroom, greeting all the masked guests.

I stared at the expressionless faces hidden behind masks. They don’t need them—people like them hide behind masks their whole lives anyway.

Daphne soaked up the attention more than I did.

She stayed close to my right, her head held high, with a big smile on her face, clearly enjoying the eyes on her.

Her red hair is tied into a neat bun, half her face concealed by a red-and- white mask that ends just above her red lips. Her dress of choice is a long, sparkling red gown with a thigh-high slit.

Naturally, my choice of attire came as no surprise. The moment I learned we’d be attending a masquerade ball hosted by the Stone family, I knew I would wear black.

Black—deadly, elegant. Just like me.

No one owned me, and that was my way of making it clear. I was the only woman at the ball wearing black, defying Garrett Stone’s ban on the color for his masquerade.

That’s exactly why I chose it.

Mikael’s eyes follow my every move— as if he fears that the moment he looks away, I’ll vanish.

Even though the entire estate was heavily guarded for the celebration. Everyone was invited, everyone except The King family.

The guards were given explicit orders: shoot on sight if any King dared to cross the property’s threshold.

I barely listened to my father and Theo’s dull conversation with the people in front of us. My body remained here, but my mind had drifted elsewhere. As I scan the grand ballroom, I’m relieved to see Daphne enjoying herself, laughing and dancing with a blonde man wearing a white mask.

Theo chuckles at something the man in front of him says, but his gaze shifted to me. His laughter faded, as if he could sense how withdrawn I was.He gently places his hand on my waist, pulling me closer before turning to my father and the others.

“Excuse us.”

Mikael nods approvingly, clearly pleased. I can almost see a smile forming on his face.

Theo led me through the crowd, greeting people as we passed. His hand never left my waist, caressing it lightly.

When we reached the small garden at the back of the property, hidden by a canopy of beautiful trees, he dismissed the guards with a quiet word and turned to face me. We were completely alone now, in a place far too private for comfort.

“What’s been on your mind all night?” he asked.

He took a seat on the nearby bench, and I followed, sitting beside him. Against all odds, Theo Stone is a good man—the kind of man any woman would be proud to have.

A gentleman, kind and thoughtful, unlike theruthless men that inhabit the world we live in. If I asked for the moon and stars, he’d find a way to give them to me. And yet, it’s still not enough.

He could give me the entire world, and I’d still find myself searching for a pair of black eyes and a dark, deadly smile.

“It’s just been a weird week,” I lied, my voice steady.

Thankfully, he didn’t question it and simply nodded in agreement.

His hand moved to mine, resting gently in my lap. The unexpected contact surprised me. No one was here to see us, there was no reason to keep up appearances.

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