Author’s POV:
Valerie had planned this moment carefully. She chose the black silk robe—the one that clung to her curves, the one that made Alaric’s gaze linger the last time she wore it. She dabbed jasmine oil at her pulse points , knowing the scent would cloud his judgement.
The fire in Alaric’s study cast flickering shadows across the walls, painting the room in hues of amber and gold. He sat slumped in his high chair, a half drunk glass of whiskey dangling from his fingers, his mind lost in the storm of his own thoughts.
The door creaked open without a knock.
Vera stood there, draped in the black silk robe that clung to her like liquid shadow, the neckline dipping just low enough to tease. Her scent, jasmine and something darker, something like power filled the room before she
