pte

are fought behind polite smil

stars over a sea of elegance. Laughter rippled through the air, mingling wi

ver seen any

ander's assistant had chosen for her shimmered like liquid midnight, the satin hugging her figure modestly but with undeni

looked the part - the billionair

art raced like

pping in jewels, conversations carried out in carefully measured tones. Not one face was familiar, yet

.. no, wait - doesn't she look

spoken, but she felt

d the stairs when Alexa

rs, even the knot of nerves in her stomach - it all dulled beneath the intensity of his sta

ent m

I won't let t

ess. But it was a kind of shield

mor in her hands. She reached Alexander's side just as the chairman of

und Elena's waist, pulling her close in a move so

ning close enough for only

ing her head toward him. "

hint of amusement - not quite a smile, b

, his hand resting lightly

lena caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he took in the scene - Alexander Kane, notoriously

thought. Let

glasses of sparkling water held in trembling fingers. Elena played her part well, leaning into Alexander's whisp

lk, her head ached and her che

pressed a little too hard - Alexander was there. A steady hand at her back

s str

er, cold and im

he was also

handelier's glow, Elena Carter

her heart long before it

conversation after the gala - maybe on the penthouse balcony