Eleanor's lips parted slightly, her breath hitching as the weight of my words settled over the table like a veil of tension. Her mother’s smile widened, slow and calculating, a queen contemplating her next move on the chessboard. It was almost amusing—how easily they fell for the illusion, how seamlessly they accepted the existence of Nikolai Volkov, the wealthy heir with an insatiable charm. They had no idea what lurked beneath this mask. Eleanor tilted her head, studying me, searching for any trace of insincerity. “You… would love to replace him?” she repeated, her voice soft yet laced with intrigue. I smiled, allowing a hint of amusement to slip through. “Why not? A woman like you shouldn’t be alone for too long. It would be a shame.” Mrs. Prestwick let out a delicate chuckle, sipping from her wineglass as though she had just witnessed a winning hand at a high-stakes game. “Well, Mr. Volkov, you certainly don’t waste time,” she mused. “I must say, it’s… refreshing.” Eleanor

The moment we were inside, the air seemed to thicken, charged with anticipation. I set her down, but only for a moment, because the next thing I knew, her lips were on mine, hungry and demanding. Her kiss was fierce, her tongue tangling with mine as her hands clawed at my shirt, tearing it open in her haste. I didn’t stop her. I couldn’t stop her. I was too far gone, too consumed by the fire she’d ignited.I pushed her back against the nearest wall, my hands roaming over her body like I was starving and she was the only meal. Her dress was a hindrance, and I wasted no time in pulling it up, baring her to my gaze. Her skin was flawless, her curves a temptation I couldn’t resist. I pressed my lips to her neck, her shoulder, her collarbone, tasting her, memorizing her with my mouth.Lilith moaned, her head falling back against the wall as she arched into my touch. “John,” she breathed, her voice thick with desire. “Don’t stop.”I didn’t intend to. My hands slid down to her thighs, pushin