Chapter 1
8465%*
Shannon Lane lay sprawled on a snow white down quit, her black silk ship dress clinging to her curves. Her eyes gleamed with albure, her slightly parted lips tinged with a soft, my hur
That face–always breatheaking now radiated pure temptationer delicate collarbonet and fring, stender legs were enough to leave anyone spellbound.
Randall Rowe, drunk and dared,gazed at her through a haze of desire. One thought consumed him. he wanted her Now,
Yes, as his lips found hers, his touch was impossibly tender, a stark contrast to the fire burning within him. Her lashes flattered, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Be good,” he murmured against her ear, his voice low and rough and I’ll go easy”
His hands encircled her slender waist, and with that, the last shred of his control snapped.
The next morning. Shannon blinked awake, her body aching in unfamiliar ways
She stared at the opulent ceiling above her, confusion thick in her mind. Where am I she wondered.
Flashes of the night before came rushing back: Dancing with her best friend at the bar. Laughing, a little tipsy Stumbling into a man’s arms outside the restroom, the heat of his gaze drawing her in Flirting–bold, reckless.
The rest of it? Well, the evidence spoke for itself.
She turned her head, her breath catching as her gaze landed on the man beside her.
He was stunning–long lashes, a sharp nose, and a jawline that could’ve been carved from stone. His features were impossibly perfect, like a masterpiece brought to life.
Even in sleep, his brow furrowed slightly, lending him an air of cool detachment. But none of that mattered. What mattered
who he was.
Randall Rowe. The man everyone in Lorston whispered about–cold, ruthless, untouchable.
Also, he was the man her so–called sister, Miriam Lane, had been hopelessly in love with for years.
Panic surged through her veins. She had to get out
He doesn’t know me anyway, Shannon
we were drunk–it won’t mean anythi “assured herself, slipping out of bed as quietly as possible. ‘Even if he remembers.
Hurriedly, she threw on her clothes, grabbed her bag, and bolted,
Minutes later, she stumbled into the hotel next door, got a room, and jumped straight into the shower. Scalding water cascaded over her, washing away the remnants of the night.
When she caught sight of herself her arms.
the mirror, she couldn’t help but scowl. Red marks trailed across her skin, even down
Seriously? she thought, her annoyance rising. Isn’t Randall supposed to be the untouchable type? Turns out Mr. High–and- Mighty is just another horny creep
With a sigh, she pulled on fresh clothes, hailed a taxi, and headed home.
16:07 Sat Dec 28 G.
Chapter 1
1657.1
and The moment due stepped into the being room, the fese terpent four brothers, sud Miriam were all there wanting for her like a thing spind
“Where the hell did you go snapped his father, Lincoln Lane slammed his hand on the table with enough force to
Unimpressed, Shannon strede over to the tota and sank into it, meeting his firious gaze with an arched brow
“You’re not wearing or Dad. If you’ve got something to say, just pay it said the
A gust of air swept pact her as a stack of photos landed in front of her with a thud.
“Look at these, you disgraceful girl Lincoln barked, his voice shaking with rage.
Shannon picked up the photos, her eyes scanning them lazily. They were from last night–shots of her at the hair, drinking, dancing, and hugging Randall.
The lighting was chos, her face blurry, but her outfit gave her away.
She let the photos drop onto the table and leaned back, crossing her arms. “So Im not allowed to grab a drink now?”
Lincoln’s jate clenched so tightly it looked like it might crack. He let out a sharp huff, “Oh, you can drink, all right, but you can’t just hop into bed with some random guy!
The paparazzi sent these to me at the crack of dawn. They squeezed 300 grand out of me, threatening to plaster your little stund everywhere and make you look cheap. Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you’ve caused”
shannon smirked, completely unbothered. “Oh, that’s why you’re so mad? Don’t sweat it, Dad. Next time, save your money -I doubt you think I’m worth 300 grand anyway. And as for the press? Let them talk. I couldn’t care less
Lincoln’s face turned crimson, his fury barely contained, but before he could retort, his wife, Camilla Lane, stepped in
“Shannon, Camilla said sharply, her tone icy, “you might not care about your reputation, but Miriam does. She’s about to marry into the Rowe family. Your behavior could ruin everything for her.”
Shannon’s lips curled into a mocking smile as her gaze shifted to Miriam, who sat silently, playing the victim as always
“Marry into the Rowe family?” Shannon drawled. “With who? Randall? Has he ever proposed to her? Because from what I can tell, he doesn’t take her seriously at all‘
The color drained from Camilla’s face, and the room fell into an uncomfortable silence.
Lincoln’s face turned red with anger at Shannon’s words,
“What the hell are you talking about, Shannon? Miriam and Randall grew up together–they’re made for each other. Daniel says they’re getting engaged any day now!” he huffed.
Shannon leaned forward, her eyes glittering with cold amusement. They could try all they wanted to control her, but she’d stopped caring about their opinions a long time ago.
Eighteen years ago, a fortune–teller had whispered poison into Lincoln’s ear, calling Shannon a jinx, bad luck personified.
That was all it took for him to ship his daughter off to some backwater village, deciding she wasn’t fit to live at home until she turned sixteen..
But Lincoln didn’t stop there–he went to an orphanage and brought back a girl, Miriam, to fill the void. Just to play it safe. Lincoln didn’t even bother bringing Shannon back until she was wenty
Since her return, life had been one big joke. The Lanes never used a chance to nitpick and make Shannon feel like an
16:07 Sat, Dec 28 G
Chapter 1
outsider.
65
Meanwhile. Miriam was treated like royalty, with everyone walking on eggshells to make sure Shannon’s presence didn’t upset her.
It was laughable–Shannon was the Lanes‘ real daughter, yet Min was the one showered with love. Sometimes, Shann couldn’t decide if she was just cursed or if Mirin had a golden horseshoe tucked away somewhere.
SEND GIFT
