The Ruthless Heir's Unwanted Obsessive Love

hed the

and the sharp scent of cologne. She wrinkled her nose i

e bed, its screen glowing softly. Unlocked. Of course it was. Ryan Hancock's brain had only en

embled, a tiny vibration of excitement and nerves. She took a

e phone. It felt

as a contact named "My Queen." The profile picture was a professional

monument to one-sided devotion. Ryan's messages were desperate bids for atten

om Ryan, sent an hour

you see? I won

le. This was the fuel she needed. This p

versation. A menu popped up. Her eyes

te C

appeared, stark and

sense of ceremony, a priestess performing a sacred rite

if Ashleigh Meadows had never existed in his

nightstand, carefully adjusting the charging cable to the exa

of sports heroes and photos of Ryan with his football team. In every

ing. No guilt

sun would bu

the silence. The roar of a car eng

as b

mmered against her ribs. She moved instantly, slipping into the adjoining walk-in c

his varsity uniform, the fabric stained with grass and dirt

ements casual, practiced. He swiped it

mming

e, then melted away, repla

thumb moved frantically, refreshing the app, pul

e conversat

is blue eyes, usually so bright and carefree, narrowed

like a predator searching for its prey. His eye

k. He saw the s

s met his. His were burning with a r

was

e closet door open and stepped out into the ligh

with fury. His voice was a low, guttural

ou do

te, defiant gesture. A slow, moc

oice clear and steady.

lief. Then, a tidal wave of incandescent rage. It was like

les were white. He was a statue of coiled tension, ev

p toward her.

e light, casting her in his shadow.

e small distance between them. She looked up into his fu

o violence. She tilted her head toward the large w

from her face, the air from the movement making her hair

hought he would do it. Hope, sharp

tion, he spun around and slammed

t of impact. His knuckles were instantly red, then purple. But

heaving, sucking in air like a drowning man.

t o