Prologue

“Amélie Gagnier.”

He said Amélie’s name weakly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Her face shone like a halo in the golden sunset.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“We haven’t really said anything yet, have we?”

He closed the distance, stepped closer, and froze as he laughed like a small boy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Amélie stifled an involuntary gasp.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Because of you, I’m in a lot of trouble.”

His shiny blonde hair swayed gently in the breeze, and his dark green eyes met her unflinching gaze.

She was standing on a tightrope.

If she doesn’t stay alert, she might end up falling into the arms of that smirking little duke.

All she could hear was the waves crashing on the cliffs below and the distant cries of seagulls. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.All was silent, as if they were the only ones in the world.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What was that about? I’m very curious.”

A soft voice tickled her ears. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She lowered her head and managed to hide her bewildered expression, but she couldn’t hide her burning neck and earlobes.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You really didn’t mean anything?”

Olivier smirked and tilted his head at her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Amélie remained silent, her mouth tightly closed.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Tell me, Amélie.”

Another step. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He closed the distance again. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She felt her breath catch in her throat, even though he was smiling so sweetly.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I…”

Everything is too fast. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The rush of emotions scared her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Some people’s entire lives could be shaken by a seasonal fire.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Like Amélie herself.

“I really want to know. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why did Amélie Gagnier lose her mind and touch me?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Standing stiffly with his hands in his pockets, he tilted his head further and whispered low.

“…”

There’s a subtle undercurrent of electricity that threatens to burst at the mere touch of their fingertips. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.If they stayed this way, their faces would be inches from each other’s. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A breath, a glance, the slightest movement tickles their nerves, a tension…read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

At the edge of that precipice, Amélie barely held on to her heart. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She raised her voice with a firm voice that left no room.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“It doesn’t mean anything. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What I wrote about.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

After a stiff reply, Amélie quickly took a few steps back, wondering if his impulse didn’t carry the same weight as hers.

Olivier seemed to her to be very skilful, and his nonchalance was repulsive. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She could not be the moth that foolishly burned its wings for the sake of a poor master.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

There could be no more mistakes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Never. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Never again.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I thought you felt the same thing I did.”

He whispered, low and seductive.

Reach out a little further, grab his sleeve, twist it into an innocent smile. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Close your eyes, pretend you don’t know, pretend you’re innocent. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Let’s roll around in a sweet hell…read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Amélie shakes her head vigorously, like she just awoke from a reverie.

“I’ve been hanging out with you so much lately, it’s just a slip of the tongue. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Don’t worry, I don’t have any serious feelings for you.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As if to convey her resolve, she stepped back once more. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She heard a light sigh.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I see.”

The answer came back crisp. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was a smooth acceptance.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“…”

To avoid making eye contact with him, Amélie turned her gaze as far away as possible. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She felt relieved only when she made her intentions clear. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The hand that had been clenched tightly around her hat all the while was trembling.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

This must be it.

They were standing on the edge of a cliff, with the sun hanging on the horizon, radiating its last light with all its might. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The landscape, with brilliant golden streaks weaving across the sea, was so beautiful that it was heartbreakingly poignant.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Beautiful moments are fleeting. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Amélie thought again of a life maxim she’d already repeated dozens, perhaps hundreds, of times since she’d met him.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“But.”

Until Olivier opened his mouth again…

“It doesn’t mean anything, there are no feelings. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.But you wanted to touch my body anyway?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Amélie turned her head, a little perplexed, and in that brief moment, the sun had completely disappeared.

“Isn’t that even worse?”

A languid laugh dissipated.

“Now it looks like I’ll be studying all summer, Amélie. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Because of you.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The twilight of the vividly blue evening quickly took over. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was Olivier Dampierre’s time.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It was the beginning of a seductive evening.

✦✧✦

Male protagonist: Olivier Dampierre. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The ultimate celebrity in Ezon, possessing both wealth and fame along with striking good looks. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, behind his glamorous life lies a constant sense of ennui and disillusionment. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.One day, facing the biggest crisis of his life, he gets involved in a major accident in an attempt to escape from high society.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Female protagonist: Amélie Gagnier. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A maid working for the Count of Biché, exhausted from her difficult life. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.One day, by chance, she accidentally entangled with Olivier, and her life is turned upside down.