For the few days, Damian made it his personal mission to torment Evelyn—not with cruelty, but with something far more dangerous. Attention.

  He was everywhere. Holding doors open for her. his hand when she climbed into the carriage. Whispering in her ear when no one was looking, just to see her shiver.

  And worst of all? He looked at her. stantly.

  Not with the sharp, irritated gres of the past. No, now his gaze was something else entirely—something sm, something patient.

  Like a predator waiting for his prey to e willingly.

  Evelyn refused to give him the satisfa.

  So, when she arrived at the evening ba, wearing a deep crimson gown that brought out the fire in her eyes, she didn't so much as g him. She ughed at other men's jokes, danced with visiting lords, and ighe weight of Damian's stare.

  Or at least, she tried to.

  It was only wheepped onto the baly for fresh air that she realized her mistake.

  Because the moment the cool night air kissed her skin, a deep voice murmured behind her, "Tiring yourself out, are we?"

  Evelyn spun around, pulse leaping. Damian leaned against the baly railing, the moonlight carving shadows across his sharp features.

  "I didn't realize I needed your permission to enjoy myself," she said, lifting her .

  He hummed, pushing off the railing. "Oh, you certainly don't. But tell me, did any of them make your heart race the way I do?"

  Evelyn's breath caught.

  That insufferable, arrogant—

  "I see you, Evelyn," Damian tinued, stepping closer, his voice soft but firm. "You dah every man in that ballroom, smile until your cheeks ache, but at the end of the night, it's me you 't stop thinking about."

  She swallowed. "You think too highly of yourself, Duke."

  "Do I?" He tilted his head, smirking. "Then why are you trembling?"

  Damn him. She was trembling, just slightly, her breath uneven. Aiced everything.

  "I should go," she said quickly, moving past him—

  But he caught her wrist.

  The same way he had that night oerrace.

  Slowly, deliberately, he pulled her closer, until only inches separated them. His thumb brushed over the sensitive skin of her wrist, feeling the wild pulse beh.

  "Tell me to let go," he whispered. "Tell me you feel nothing, and I will."

  Evelyn opened her mouth—to lie, to end this, tain trol.

  But nothing came out.

  And Damian saw the truth in her silence.

  His smirk softened into something else entirely. Something real.

  "Darling," he murmured, lifting her hand to press the fai kiss against her knuckles. "I told you—I ood a ce."

  Hi guys,this is Adele_hill , hope you all are enjoying this!??