ndeliers all seemed to fade into the background as her eyes locked with Dickson's across the room. He stood near the bar, one hand wrapped around a tumbler of whiskey,

away, either. The air between them was charged

wouldn't let him intimidate her, not after everything Victoria and Damian

toast, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk that made her

approach him or not, a man she didn

xander,

gentleman in a crisp navy suit. His salt-and-pepper hair was ne

ied cautiously.

've heard a great deal about you. Your designs ar

nized the name. He was one of the biggest investors in the fashi

she said politely. "That'

mile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Tell me, are y

eeded to secure funding and grow her business. On the other hand, somethin

scussing opportunities

n perhaps we can arrange a meeting soon to discuss term

it, but she forced a smile. "Th

a presence at her side. She didn't

and smooth. "Frederick Vaughn

xpression guarded. "Did you ha

rchestrated a meeting with one of the most influential investors

wed. "You're n

a whisper. "Let's just say I'm investe

berate-sent a thrill down her spine d

she said firmly, refusin

aze unwavering. "That's wha

ready moving away, leaving her standing in the

o let him get under her skin. If he thoug

at seemed to revolve around Dickson Richard, she couldn't shake the feeling that she w

mall, treacherous part of