The private room was exceptionally soundproof, isolating them from all outside noise. As Silas Thorne drew near, Joyce Monroe felt a daze wash over her, and it was as if she could hear her own heart pounding in her ears…
'What did he mean by "allowed"?'
'Don't tell me he actually wants to kiss and cuddle and do all that cutesy stuff?'
She had only been speaking casually and never thought Silas would take her seriously. Her mind was in turmoil, and she zoned out for a moment. When her senses returned, she found that Silas had already put down his wine glass and was now extremely close to her.
He had crossed the line of personal space. His familiar cool scent, wrapped in the rich aroma of wine, swept over her like an all-encompassing tide, intensely stimulating her nerves.
Danger signals flooded her brain, telling her one word:
Run!
She instinctively shrank back, but her wrist was suddenly seized and held tight.
She couldn't break free.
In the next second,
