Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 1006

Even in the crowded room, Noreen spotted Seth instantly.

He was dressed in a meticulously tailored black bespoke suit, the sharp lines of the shoulders perfectly highlighting his tall, commanding frame.

One hand was casually tucked into his pocket, while the other lightly swirled a wine glass. The deep red liquid coated the crystal in elegant arcs, catching the light with a cold, mesmerizing gleam.

In the shifting shadows, the sharp angles of his profile looked chiseled and untouchable. His Adam's apple bobbed subtly above his collar, every movement radiating an effortless, dangerous grace.

Just by standing there, he eclipsed every other person in the opulent room.

He was aloof, entirely off-limits, yet fatally magnetic to everyone watching.

So, she couldn't really be blamed for almost losing her mind earlier, right?

The man was just too intoxicating.

Sensing her stare, Seth's eyes cut through the crowd and locked onto hers.

His gaze was so intensely heated that Noreen felt a sudden spike of guilt, quickly averting her eyes.

Just then, someone stepped into her line of sight.

It was Silas.

"Ms. Gilmore, we meet again."

Silas had been spending a lot of time in Rivercrest City lately.

Noreen greeted him politely.

"Silas."

Silas offered her a charming smile. "Would I have the honor of a dance with you?"

In a setting like this, flat-out refusing would be a major faux pas.

Noreen gracefully accepted and stepped onto the floor with him.

Silas was a perfect gentleman, immediately letting her go the second the song ended.

Noreen, however, practically bolted off the floor.

A long, agonizing moment passed before Seth finally pulled back just an inch. He rested his forehead against hers, a dark, chaotic storm raging in his eyes.

His thumb roughly brushed against her swollen lips. When he spoke, his voice was dangerously hoarse, dripping with raw, possessive heat. "Did you enjoy that dance?"

Noreen opened her mouth to explain it was just politeness.

But Seth refused to give her the chance. He stared deeply into her eyes.

It sounded like a command.

But it felt like a plea.

"Noreen, don't smile at other men. Not even if it's just for show."

He dipped his head and claimed her lips with another fiercely possessive kiss.

Breaking away, he whispered against her ear, every word laced with dark obsession. "When they look at you, I feel like they're trying to steal you from me."

(Author's Note: Have you guys heard of fragile people? That's me right now. Hitting middle age is no joke, I've been completely taken out by a bug.)