, heir to the Kensington fortune, stepped into the ballroom. He was handsome

on his lips, and extended

ed hand appeared, res

n, she

urves that were graceful and toned, flowing around her like liquid fire. Her skin was pale and flawless against the cas

ame eyes-large, almond-shaped-but they were no longer sad. They were sharp,

d posture was gone. In her place stood this creature, r

f frantic whispers. "Who is that?

le beside Damian. "Damn. Wh

it. His entire being was focused on the woman in red. Hi

uldn'

nt hammering of his heart against his ribs. He

ro

xploded in

d the way his eyes lingered, the way his hand tightened on his glass. Then s

auntered towards them, his smoot

, his eyes devouring Auro

dismissive. A small, knowing smile play

a subtle, protective gesture. "Sharpe," he said, his tone polit

thur Kensington

d through the nearby guests. To be claimed by the Kensington pa

smile. The easy intimacy between them

oom, sweeping past faces until they found his. Fo

e. He saw nothing. It was the calm, polite di

ng at all. She took Julian's arm, and together, they moved t

ce was a thousand times more cutting than any accusation.

d. "Kensington's goddaughter... Man, sh

n he had dismissed as a "fat, scarred shield" was now the most radiant person in t

Damian Blackwood felt a tremor o

oice was tight with anx

back the rest of his scotch. The liquor did n

bit out, his vo

was inevitably drawn back to