Lorena was stirred awake by the beams of sunlight fluttering through the blinds and laying to rest on her face. Her eyes flicked open, and she sat up straight.

Stretching and yawning lazily, she looked around, trying to come to terms with her surrounding. She could have sworn last night was a long dream until her eyes caught the painting on the wall, and memories began to stream in. A slow smile crept up her face, and her hands twisted into a victorious fists.

Not only had she succeeded in annoying Markris, but she had also not allowed herself to be seduced by him. To her, that was what winning...