s, and an orchestra filled the air with hauntingly beautiful music. Guests floated through the room in elegant gowns and tailored

red into her carefully laid plans. Dressed in a flowing black gown that hugged her figure in all the right places, she exuded an understated elegance that fit s

st real step into Ha

ng for this moment, learning every detail she could about the attendees and their connec

t her. Could she really pull this off? Could she manipulate a man like Hayden

the stem of her champagne f

es scanning the crowd with mild disinterest. These events were always the same-empt

hered to attend was to keep up appearances and satisfy his father's constant meddling. After their

he room, something, or rat

amed her face perfectly, leaving her hazel eyes to shine with an enigmatic allure. She wasn't like the others, who clung to th

was

asn't often that someone stood out in these circles, and yet he

r, weaving through the crowd with the ease of som

le of energy seemed to move through the room as he a

n Rus

ine exuded authority, and the tailored cut of his black suit only added to his magnetic pre

oothly, his voice low and

ering him a small, enigmatic

on her. "Though I can't decide if it's the anon

ite the flutter in her chest. "A chance to be someon

ile. "And who are you tonight,

holding his gaze. "Isn't the point of

rm. "Fair enough. But secrets hav

e replied, her tone playful. "Yo

ected," he countered, his eyes glint

expected, his charm cutting through her carefully crafted person

ho enjoys a good mystery," she s

th solving," he replied, his

sent couples swirling onto the dance floor. Hayden exten

id, his voice more a c

told her to decline, to keep her distance. But de

e placed her hand i

, his touch firm but respectful. Jasmine followed his lead, their moveme

Hayden said, his tone

ing?" she asked,

ke the type who spends her t

do I seem l

has better t

onfidence to meet his piercing gaze. "Maybe I

o keep your glass full

't just from his charm. She needed to en

back, offering him a polite sm

he said, his voice tinged

ulse quickening. She could feel his eyes on her

was something about her, something he couldn't quite place. She wa

ended to f