s. The black, floor-length gown clung to her curves like a second skin, the plunging neckline leavin

r. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, the black fabric hugging his broad shoulders and tapering down to

his dark eyes flicking over

urning to face him. "Is this really necessary? Can't

e the world we're madly in love. They need to se

on? You make it sound like

, a heady mix of sandalwood and spice that made her pulse race. "And

's the se

to a sly smile. "Ne

t pooling in her stomach as he closed the distan

-

the ballroom glittering with chandeliers and the kind of wealth Sienna could on

ion, the whispers, the appraising glances. She felt like an impo

greeting people with charming smiles and firm handshakes. He introduced Sienna as his wife, his hand resting

" he murmured as the

anding here and smiling like

w and warm. "Yo

eyes flicking between Sienna and Xander. She was breathtakingly beautiful,

ol and clipped. "I didn't reali

r back. "Victoria," he said smoothly, his voice

gaze sweeping over Sienna like she was assess

though her stomach twis

though her tone suggested s

, an interloper in a world she didn't belong to. The tension between Xander a

steering Sienna away from the bar a

oulder at the blonde, who was now chatting anim

tightening. "She's a board member at H

ened. "Your ex-fi

d, brushing it off. "We're barel

her eyes at him. "Does she know

to a faint smirk. "No.

ographer approached them, camera in hand. "Mr

o Sienna's waist, pulling

ander's touch sending heat radiating through her body. She forced he

murmured in her ear, his br

muttered back, though her ch

-

and more introductions than Sienna could keep track of. By the time

e, Sienna leaned back against the seat wi

" Xander said, his to

by the hint of warmth in his

and headed straight for the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water, lea

ictoria," she said, unable to kee

hrough his hair. "Victoria and I were engaged for all the wrong reasons. It wasn't about love-it was a merger, a w

d. "That soun

id simply, though there was a bitterne

r. "Do you ever get tired of it?

she saw a vulnerability in them that

. Sienna's heart thudded in her chest as Xander stepped closer, h

began, her voice

leaned in, his hand brushing against her

er breath hitched, her pulse racing as the magne

th

intimacy," he murmured, h

ng. "There won't be," she said quickly, though her body be

gleaming with mischief.

gh her heart was still pou

d, his tone softer now. "That's

sappeared into his bedroom, leaving her al

g that their arrangement was far more dangerous than she'd realized-not because

how much longer sh

-