The wine is far too sweet for my taste, and honestly, part of me would rather be at home, talking to my brother and father.But Chiara expected me to be here for bubbles and fun.And even though I’d made several excuses, she continued to insist I join her.
The night air is warm on my bare shoulders, and the silk hem of my dress brushes the top of my thighs when I shift my weight.
Around me, the music pulses and lights shimmer.For the first time in days, I’m not actively trying to keep anyone alive.
And then the air changes.
I feel it in the subtle tightening at the base of my skull.There’s a prickle along the back of my neck, like someone just laid a dangerous hand on the room.
I freeze.
“Someone’s staring at you,” Chiara singsongs, already tipsy and more than a little delighted.
Unfortunately for me, people always seem to stare.Because of my guards.My face.My name.My reputation.
But when I follow her gaze across the rooftop, I know she doesn’t mean the usual curiosity.
She meanshim.
He’s at the far side of the rooftop, half shadowed, a dark slash of tailored suit and ruthless stillness.
The man is drop-dead gorgeous with impossibly broad shoulders and what I imagine are rock-hard abs.
The fit of his suit is perfect, quiet and expensive at the same time.
He’s loosened his tie a little bit.Not enough to be casual, just intentional.
He doesn’t fidget.Doesn’t preen.Instead, he just watches.
Like he’s cataloguing the room.
Our eyes meet.
And now he’s cataloguingme.
Heat suddenly rushes through me, settling deep inside.
Instantly I shove away the hated, unwanted reaction.
I’m absolutely not interested.Not in him.Not in any man.I have too much to accomplish to allow myself to be sidelined by my hormones.
“I mean, heisgorgeous.”Chiara touches my arm, dragging my attention away from the man.“And it has been a reallllly long time for you.”
“Don’t.”Even as I protest, my betraying pulse notches up a second time.“Whatever you’re thinking, no.”
“He’shot,Val.”
As if that means anything,I try to tell myself.
“And he won’t look at anyone else.It’s rude to ignore that kind of commitment.”
I roll my eyes, but despite my best efforts, my attention keeps drifting back to him.
He doesn’t look like Dallas money.There’s too much coiled restraint, not enough performative flash.He moves like someone who knows exactly how much space he owns and doesn’t need to prove it.
Danger,my instincts scream.
Opportunity,another part of me whispers.
