His smooth, velvety voice was drowned out by the chaos of the masquerade ball.
No one else caught what Mathias had whispered.
Only Carla did.
Her head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock, and she stood rooted to the spot.
The sheer panic etched across her face—Mathias couldn't get enough of it.
He couldn't deny it—he was falling harder for this stepsister of his with every passing moment.
Mathias playfully tapped Carla's nose, his voice oozing with warmth and charm. "Surprised, are you?"
Carla instinctively covered her nose, her lips sealed tight.
Once the opening dance wrapped up, Mathias clasped her hand and whisked her away from the bustling dance floor to a secluded balcony.
Carla followed without resistance, her steps light and obedient.
Mathias's gaze lingered on the grace
