Sinful Pleasure (Sinful #1)

CHAPTER 25

C HAPTER 25

ALLYN

“You look stunning,” Lydia exclaimed from my bed.

I took another glance at myself in the mirror, my heart sinking to my heels.

“Don’t you think it’s too much?”

It’s too much.

It’s the same dress Maddox fucked me into yesterday.

“No,” she said, giving me a thorough look. “You look hot, girl. My brother would love this dress on you.”

I bit my tongue.

“Let’s go, everyone’s waiting for you.”

Lydia stood up from my bed and extended her hand to me. I took it, letting her lead me down to the first floor of the King’s residence.

The Kings stayed true to their style, hosting the engagement party in their million-dollar mansion. The sound of my heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the space, stabbing me like blades with every step.

Most women would say this day is one of the happiest of their lives. As it should be. It’s a day meant to be shared with the person you love the most.

It’s not supposed to be with someone you barely know, someone your parents have arranged for you to marry. Lydia squeezed my hand encouragingly as we walked down the stairs.

My heart raced even faster, the weight of so many unfamiliar faces staring at me, pausing in mid-conversation. The place was packed, but my vision felt blurred. I pasted on the fake smile I’d rehearsed countless times in my room.

“She’s stunning.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“That’s the perfect match for Angelo.”

I heard people whispering, gossiping. Their voices seemed to come from everywhere, all eyes on us.

My gaze landed on the person waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Angelo King—looking up at us with his trademark smile. His eyes ran down me, taking me in as though seeing me for the first time. He was playing his part well, making everyone believe in this engagement.

But then my attention shifted, almost instinctively, to the person standing behind him—blending with the crowd even though he stood out in every way.

Maddox King, towering over everyone around him, wearing his trade- mark expressionless face, looking like the devil himself. Somehow, his gaze evoked a reaction in me.

I didn’t want to look at him, but it was almost impossible. A nd I hated that the first person I noticed in the crowd was him.

I forced myself to look away, though it felt almost painful.

I flashed a smile at Angelo as he raised his hand to me. Lydia winked at me before leaving me in her brother’s hands.

I took his hand, and he brought it to his lips, kissing it. As he did, my eyes caught Maddox’s, and for a split second, he looked away at the exact same moment.

“You’re stunning, Allyn,” Angelo murmured, pulling me closer and placing a kiss on my cheek. “As always.”

I smiled, but didn’t speak.

Angelo led me through the crowd of people gathered around us. We were stopped at every step, each person eager to congratulate us on our engagement.

The news of Angelo King’s engagement hit every tabloid and magazine front page like a rocket. It was a shock to many that The King’s older son had finally tied the knot, seemingly out of nowhere. And now, all these people were gathered here to witness it firsthand.

The number of strangers I hugged was insane. I didn’t even know these people, but they sure knew me.

I spotted some familiar faces in the crowd. My mother smiled at me, with Tamara beside her, matching my mother’s excitement.

Tamara practically threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly. Angelo stepped back, giving us space.

“You’re so fucking sexy, bitch.”

Angelo shot her a look. I laughed.

“Thank you, Tamara. You’re beautiful as well.” I turned to Angelo. “Angelo, this is my best friend, Tamara.”

She didn’t even wait for him to speak, grabbing his hand with a wide grin. “I’m so honored to finally meet you!”

Angelo glared down at their hands but shook it anyway.

“You too.”

Next, my mother pulled me into a hug.

“My beautiful girl,” she whispered in my ear before pulling back to look at both of us. “I’m so happy to finally see you both together.”

“Thank you, Alicent. Always a pleasure to see you,”

Angelo nodded professionally.

“We’re glad you could join us. It means a lot to both me and Allyn.”

My mother laughed it off. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

I can bet.

After a brief conversation, we all headed into the grand ballroom in the east wing of the mansion. We took our seats at the main table—Angelo on my right and Tamara on my left.

The entire King family joined us, but my gaze fixed on Maddox, who carried himself like a dark storm. He took the seat opposite me, adjusting his tie, then falling into conversation with his father beside him. He seemed to avoid me at all costs, not even acknowledging my presence—as if he hadn’t fucked me senseless yesterday in the changing room while I was wearing the very same dress.

I hate to admit it, but my choice of dress was purely to get a reaction out of him. I didn’t succeed, though. He seemed unfazed.

Tamara was saying something to me, but I couldn’t focus on anything except the way his tattooed hand scratched his chin while talking to his father. The same hand that had been wrapped around my throat not even twenty-four hours ago.

I tore my eyes away from him, forcing myself to stay present in the conversation with Tamara. Soon after, the food was served.

A few moments later, Martin King took the stage with a glass in hand, drawing the attention of all the guests.

“Good evening, everyone.”

Martin started his speech with a wide smile on his face.

The press didn’t miss the opportunity to capture the moment.

“Tonight, we’ve gathered to celebrate the love between my son, Angelo King, and his beautiful fiancée, Allyn Delgado.”

A round of polite applause filled the room, and the cameras turned to us. Angelo smiled and took my hand, entwining our fingers. I flashed a faint smile as I looked down, Angelo’s ring adorning my finger—as a reminder of how real this mess is.

“We couldn’t be happier with the choice Angelo made. It’s our true honor and joy to welcome the beautiful Allyn to the King family.”

Martin raised his glass higher.

“Let’s raise a toast to the union of our two families and the excitement this new chapter brings to all of us.”

Another round of applause filled the room as everyone drank.

I followed suit, nearly choking on the bitter champagne in my glass.

Angelo drained his glass in one swift gulp, then stood up, drawing everyone’s attention. A microphone was handed to him. With a smile, he began speaking.

“I also want to thank all of you for joining us and celebrating this remarkable day with us.” His hand rested gently on my shoulder. “I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to call this beautiful woman by my side my future wife.” He looked down at me, curling the corner of his lips into a smile.

He was giving a whole speech, but I was too busy looking the other way to hear a word of what he said.

“Cheers to us and our new beginning.”

Without hesitation, he leaned down, capturing my lips with his, prompting a burst of wild applause from the crowd. I was caught off guard, his hand resting on my cheek, caressing it gently with his rough fingers as he deepened the kiss.

I had no choice but to kiss him back.

Flashes from the cameras nearly blinded me. Angelo pulled away, placing another kiss on my forehead before returning to his seat.

My eyes instinctively sought out Maddox.

This time, he acknowledged my presence, but it was the way he did it that sent shivers down my spine.

It felt as though his gaze was piercing through me, even though his face remained unreadable. My cheeks flushed, and I was the one to break the eye contact, turning to Tamara.

She hugged me, and Lydia raised yet another toast.

This time, I drank the whole glass of bitter champagne.