The mansion was quiet after dinner. Every hallway whispered of secrets, shadows stretching long under the dim lights. I knew I wasn’t supposed to roam, but my curiosity pulled me like a magnet. Every creak of the floorboards felt loud under my skin, and every step made my pulse hammer in my ears.
Then I felt him — the way he always appeared silently, like he was part of the darkness itself. His presence alone made me shiver, a mixture of fear and desire I couldn’t shake.
“You shouldn’t be wandering,” he said, voice low, commanding.
I tried to meet his eyes, tried to look defiant, but my knees betrayed me, weakening just from being near him. His gaze was sharp, stripping me bare without a touch.
“I… I just wanted. . .” I started, but he cut me off, stepping closer, so close I could feel
