When she stepped out of the room, the scent of breakfast drifted through the air. The warm rich smell of food invaded her nostrils. Her footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor as she walked toward the dining room.
The moment she entered, she froze.
Adrian Qinn sat at the head of the table, his posture immaculate, his expression unreadable. The light from the tall windows caught the sharp lines of his face, his presence as cold and distant as always. He didn't glance up immediately, but she could feel his gaze, heavy and deliberate, the kind that made her skin prickle.
A knot formed in her stomach.
For a brief moment, she considered walking out, pretending she had no appetite. But she caught the butler's expectant stare from across the room and decided against it. Avoiding him now would only look suspicious.
She took a slow breath and walked forward, pulling out a chair across from him. The sound of porcelain clinking filled the quiet room.
