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“That’s my good girl.”

All I can do is feel, and every word except his name fails me.

He bites down on the curve, and my climax crashes over me, wringing a strangled cry from my throat. Connor groans as I clench around him. With a few more thrusts, he spills inside me in hot spurts.

“You okay?” He brushes a soft kiss over the spot he bit down.

I nod, not trusting my voice yet.

“Let me help you.” Connor kneels down, cleaning the remains of his cum dripping out of me while I slide up the straps of my dress.

After that, he stands and tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. It feels like I’m back at the party with Chris in front of me. The color of his eyes is different, but everything else feels the same.

“Mary? Talk to me.” His voice is gentle but firm. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

Chapter 31

Mary

If I’m going to confront him about my suspicions, now is the time.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Were you at the masquerade party with Elijah?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The masquerade party. Were you there?”

“I don’t know.”

The question tumbles from my lips. “Are you Chris?”

“This again.” Connor closes his eyes for a moment before meeting me head-on. “No, I’m not Chris. What kind of question is that?”

“But you know who he is, right? You read and saw the messages?”

“I… Yes.”

“The way you touch me, the way you look at me. I thought maybe you were…” I can’t say his name aloud anymore.

“Say it.”

“Chris.”

His tone is sharp, annoyance clear in his frown. “I don’t know how you come to that conclusion, but I’m not Chris.”

“Then how do you explain all of this?” I gesture between us. “Why does it feel so familiar? Just feel. Chris said the same. And your voice. The first time I saw you, I thought you were him. It would all make sense. That’s why you blindfolded me, didn’t you? So I wouldn’t recognize you.”

“I’m not Chris.” He drags a hand through his hair. “Did you plan this? To get me to put on a mask?”

“If you’re Chris, it’s fine. We can work it out.”

“I’m not lying. I’m not Chris! I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that.” His voice rises, frustration bleeding into anger. “Why can’t you accept that? I’m Connor Milton, the man your father hired to handle security. Nothing more.” His words cut into me, sharp and cruel.

“Nothing more?” I slap my hands against his chest, shoving him back a step. “So fucking me, is that part of your job, too? And when your job is done, you’re gone?” I swallow hard against the lump in my throat, blinking back tears. “Just like that night?”

Connor captures my wrists, stilling my hands. His grip is firm but gentle, his skin warm against mine. I try to tug free of his grasp, but he holds me in place.

“Blue. Please. You know I didn’t mean it like that.”

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