Chapter 16: Forbidden Fervor.

Violet Virgilson.

If guilt had a taste, it would be bitter champagne lingering on my tongue.

If shame had a sound, it would be the echo of applause still ringing in my ears from the gala dance I should never have taken.

But if desire had a heartbeat, it would be pounding in my chest right now.

I leaned against my bedroom door, dress pooling around my ankles like a midnight sin. The sequins that had sparkled under the chandeliers now looked like a thousand ...