LOGINCassian Vale was the one man I could never have. He was my stepbrother, my mother's husband's son, and the man I had secretly loved for years, but he had always seen me as nothing more than family. Then, on the night of my graduation, my mother discovered my secret and ordered me to leave Vienna. I had only two days left before I would be gone, so when Cassian invited me to a masquerade, I decided to spend one last night with the man I could never have. One night was all it took to cross a line we could never uncross. I left Vienna the next morning, determined to forget him and build a new life in Westwood. But just when I was beginning to move on, Cassian came looking for me, and this time, he was the one who couldn't stay away. The man who once told me that we could never be together now wanted me back, and every heated glance, forbidden touch, and stolen kiss made it harder to remember why I had ever tried to stay away from him. But while Cassian is fighting to win my heart, dangerous secrets are closing in around us. My mother has her own agenda, the man I thought I could trust isn't who he seems, and there is one secret I am desperate to keep from Cassian. Because if he discovers the truth, our forbidden love may be the least of our problems.
View MoreLiana BlakeI stood there in the pitch-black room, my heart beating so hard I could feel it in my throat. The only sounds were Cassian’s heavy breathing and the soft rustle of the sheets as he moved on the bed. I put on Ella’s mask slowly, covering my face so that even if the light came back somehow, he would not see that it was me.I walked toward the bed on quiet feet. Every step made my chest hurt more. This was wrong. I knew it was wrong. But tomorrow I would be gone forever, and right now he needed someone. Right now he thought I was her. My knees touched the side of the mattress. I climbed up carefully and lay down next to him.His hand found my arm right away. He pulled me closer with surprising strength. “Ella… you’re here… thank god… I need you so bad right now.”I did not speak. I just pressed my body against his. His skin felt hot and damp with sweat. His black suit jacket was already half open. I helped him take it off, then his shirt. My fingers moved over the hard muscle
Liana Blake.The Imperial Crown Hotel was already crowded when we arrived. The entire ballroom had been transformed into something out of a dream.Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting golden light over the room. Soft music filled the air while masked guests moved between tables covered with champagne and expensive food.Everyone looked mysterious behind their masks.Cassian placed his mask over his face before looking at me. “You’re supposed to wear yours too.”I smiled. “I know.” I put mine on.He held out his hand again. “Come on.”We stepped into the ballroom together.Almost immediately, several people turned toward us. Even with his face partially hidden, Cassian still attracted attention.A waitress approached us carrying a tray of drinks. “Champagne?”Cassian picked up two glasses and handed one to me. “To your graduation.”I raised my glass. “To my graduation.”Our glasses clinked and we took a sip.The drink was sweet, and we finished the entire glass.“Come on.
Liana Blake.“I know you love Cassian, Liana.”Everything inside me froze.At first, I thought I had heard her wrongly, but then the expression on her face told me I hadn’t.For years, I had thought that I had hidden my feelings perfectly. I thought I had been so careful. I had never confessed. Never written him a letter, except in my diary where I detailed my feelings. Never allowed myself to touch him longer than necessary.So how the hell did she know?I parted my lips… I should deny it, right? But then no words came through.My mother continued. “Don’t look so surprised. A mother notices things. I have seen the way you look at him when you think no one sees you.”I shook my head. “You don’t understand. He doesn’t even—”“I understand perfectly!” She cut me off sharply.My voice cracked. “No, you don’t. Cassian and I—”“You are stepbrother and stepsister. And that is exactly why this has to stop.”I stared at her. “Nothing happened between us. He doesn’t even know that I have feeli
Liana Blake.“He is so handsome.”The words had barely left the lips of the lady beside me when the laughter and conversations around the mansion garden suddenly became quieter.I didn’t even need to look up to know that Cassian Vale had arrived.The atmosphere in the garden seemed to change the moment he stepped in. Women turned their heads. Men straightened in their seats. Even the younger guests who had been running around stopped to watch him walk toward us.He was dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, his dark hair slightly tousled, and his expression calm as if he weren’t aware that half the people at my graduation party were staring at him.Of course, Cassian was used to attention. He was the only son and heir of the Vale family, one of the most powerful families in Vienna. He was also my stepbrother. And unfortunately, the man I had secretly loved for the last five years.“Cassian!”Several girls immediately surrounded him.I lowered my eyes before anyone could notice the












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