An opportunity

Esme froze, caught off guard by the suddenness of his action. Her mind reeled, torn between the man she loved and the reality that stared her in the face – Silas was a married man.

The kiss left Esme reeling. Esme couldn't believe Silas was brazenly kissing her while his wife was still at the shop. Her brain momentarily went blank, and she remained frozen in his embrace. But as the kiss deepened, her mind snapped to attention. With a surge of indignation, she shoved him away.

"Are you out of your mind?" she hissed. "You're married, and you're kissing me!" Her brow furrowed into a deep frown.

"I don't care what you think," Silas growled back. "You belong to me, Esme. You can't marry Julian." He lunged forward, pinning her against the cold wall.

Panic surged through Esme. "Let go of me!" she demanded, her struggles only serving to tighten his grip.