h the glow of fairy lights and the hum of conversation, laughter spilling like c

nt. She played her part beautifully, the gentle bride to be, the devoted partner. Her smile w

not notice

ccepting handshakes, slaps on his back, and c

e a prize he

ickly, and touching Adams' arm a moment too long every time

them, calm

not need

correctly, was

lifted her champagne glass and took a slow sip. The bubbles fizzed at her lips,

marry him?" a lazy voi

. She lowered her glass an

appearing as if he had been watchi

g. That was th

ly it looked like it belonged to him more than his skin did. His hair was dark, his featur

er with the kind of interest a predator g

hu

gnit

thing in her that

without blinking.

ir, crossing one long leg over th

e was p

aning

"You do not sound par

ghtly. "I am just wondering how

ed steady. No flicker of exp

t paused for

wa

ow, knowing,

to ruin anything. I just enjoy watc

d her like a bla

"And I enjoy watching people notic

just enough to show

introduced himself

h

is wa

ns, business rumors. A man who rose quickly, ruthlessly, mysteriously. A man who played with corporations

rm disguised

epted h

ia

slowly, tasting t

ce cut throu

brightly, her gaze flicking briefly and sharpl

t even look

nued wat

de Nicole's s

tone was gentle. "Mr. Dalt

tched, the smallest c

ach other?"

Sia an

said at th

le f

es sweeping over Nicole like she was

he said smoot

kward. "Oh. Right. Well. Si

n and rose gracefully

he pa

or a m

oked a

ers, dark, stea

misunderstanding

ee

the

the

o

rolled breath

party, Mr

ss slightly. "You

ot hurried, not sh

awak

grabbing her arm the mome

eon Dalton is not someone people like us get involved with. H

d her hea

es wer

ca

softly. "I know exactly w

miled an

too, sweet

ation, into the arms of the man

er pulse w

eps we

s made of ir

the world

ba

forw