Page 21 of Sinful Pleasure

“Thank you. I’ll be there in a bit.” She nods and leaves my room.

Well, it’s official—my freedom ends tonight. Why?

Because my husband-to-be is downstairs, waiting for me.

Another week flew by faster than I wanted, and now I have to face Angelo King.Just the thought makes my stomach churn.

Not that sick like the night I humiliated myself in front of Maddox, but close enough.

I’m done drinking, for real.

If you wanted me to kiss you instead, all you had to do was ask nicely.

God, kill me now.

I still can’t get over how badly I embarrassed myself in front of him.

What did I expect? For him to kiss me?

I don’t even like him, for God’s sake.

Then why has he been occupying my mind for the past few days, locked in my room?

Why can’t I forget how he looked at me that night like he wished he werethe one whose hands were all over me?

I’ve only left my room once in the past few days, and that was because my mother demanded it—not because I wanted to.

I hope that after tonight, I can convince Angelo I need a new bodyguard.

It took me a few minutes to mentally prepare, but eventually, I joined my mother and our guests in the dining room.

The conversation fell silent the moment I stepped in.

All eyes are now on me.

My mother sat in the main chair with Maddox to her right and our newest guest to her left, leaving an empty seat next to him.Maddox and I exchanged a quick glance before I forced my gaze away, landing on none other than Angelo King.

His brown, chocolate eyes stared back at me, framed by dark brown hair trimmed short on the sides. His sharp features made him hard to miss.

As the media described him, Angelo King is a handsome man—tall, well-built, with a charming smile, and on top of that, one of the youngest millionaires in our city.

He stood up, tall—well, not quite as tall as the man sitting opposite him, but it suited him if that makes sense.

Angelo flashed me a charming smile. My mother also stood, smiling brightly. I wondered if she was happy knowing she was destroying my life.

I made my way to the only empty seat, next to Angelo.

He extended his hand to me. I took it, and he raised it to his lips, kissingit.

“Pleasure seeing you again, Allyn.” His dark chocolate eyes locked onto mine. “You’re just as beautiful as I remember.”

I gave him a smile I had rehearsed a thousand times in front of my mirror, quickly saying, “Thank you,” before we all took our seats.

“We’re glad you could join us, Angelo,” my mother said, speaking for me as always.

He nodded and poured me a glass of wine, which I accepted with a small smile. Then, he turned to my mother.

“The pleasure is all mine, Alicent.’’

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