Page 170 of The Owner's Temptation

I’m going to ruin her.

And the sweet, smug little rabbit who thought she could outmaneuver the devil is about to find out what it means to becaught.

I glance back at Langston, who’s watching me like he’s trying to decide whether to apologize or run.

I give him the answer.

“Off-limits means off-limits, Langston. You’re out.”

I don’t wait for his response.

I’m already moving—out the door, into the heat of the evening, the roar of the city wrapping around me like war drums in the distance.

She thinks she’s clever.

She thinks she’s unpredictable.

But all she’s done is light a match in a room full of gasoline.

This might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.

And that’s saying something.

But it’s too late to turn back now.

Everything was already set in motion the moment I stood outside the restaurant, waiting for The Ledger’s on-call service to answer.

“This is Sienna Knight,” I’d said, sweet as sin. “I’m on a soft-contract tonight with another sponsor during my training. I can’t get a hold of Lucian to let him know—can someone pass along the message for awareness?”

So polite. So procedural.

Sofucking calculated.

It was all too easy.

I’d been planning for this.

The moment Mr. Langston invited me to dinner, I knew exactly what I needed to do. I’d peeled off the tiny tracker hidden under my nail polish—filed it down to nothing, wondering if I was screwing with something industrial-grade or fragile as glass. Guess I’ll find out later.

But it doesn’t matter. Because even if the tracker’s toast, Lucianwillknow where Langston planned to meet me.

And that’s the point.

He’ll think he’s caught me.

Until he realizes I’m not there.

Until he realizeswhereI am instead.

I step out of the elevator, making my way through the corridors of The Masquerade, each level a little darker, a little louder, a little more dangerous.

I can feel eyes on me. I can feel the heat of curiosity trailing behind me like fingers across my spine.

And I know exactly why.

Because tonight, I’m wearing the most provocative thing I’ve ever put on.

A black sheer mesh bodysuit clings to me like smoke, long-sleeved with leather cuffs circling my wrists. No bra. No pasties. Just the bare shape of me, visible beneath the mesh, daring someone to look.

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