Unsettlin

t occasion, she had vowed not to go again, but Sophia had pe

ting the sparkling throng while holding a glass of wine. A string quartet's gentle

avement, and the scene kept coming back to her. After his penetrating, unfathomable eyes met

o the present by Sophia's word

and apologized. "

ere tonight," Sophia said, putting her arm around Lena'

I don't feel like meet

u are not possible. At leas

ng fun,"

Lena moved away, taking cover behind the patio doors as her ac

evening air called. She could see the city skyline in

already

voice made her

aculately fitted black suit, he stood in the shadows just o

ble above a whisper when

id, taking a

lerated. "Why are

es, he cocked his head. "I coul

d, "This is a charity event.

A little grin

to calm herself. "You can't simpl

e wh

fficult to speak. "As if y

dwindled as he moved clo

s betraying her, Lena sneered

rue?" His voice was low, al

She felt as if he could see right through her

he eventually murmure

t is

you... inf

he extended his hand and touched her arm with his fingertips. I

ot alone,

wanting to back away, Lena swallowed har

ion, he respond

rase lingered between the

plied, "I can't." "You're

ce, he said, "Y

rowed her eyes

s face as his jaw clenched. "You

s correct. Her body betrayed her each time he drew clos

was afra

," she said, tak

e, he said, "It f

k her head once again. "This is not what I do

them closer together,

raced. Despite all the warning signs in her mind, she fo

risky,"

ping over hers, he

r in until she was out of breath. She felt herself clinging to him as if he were the

ad a blur of bewilderment and

d as she questioned, "Why

said, stroking her face with h

regained her balance. Dam

t sure what you're l

u," was al

she opened her eyes and looked into his eyes, she found vulnera

ng their throat interrupted

elderly guy standing in the d

, the guy said, "Al

ensing as his stance change

stern look, the gu

s she looked at Alex

e paused. "There is no on

that last time." "However, I f

aw a glimmer of something else that she c

ce bursting into a sour chuckle. "Al

ached for her hand. "I'll go over e

orway before she could re

ontinued, "

s his jaw tightened. He said in

patio with more questions

uzzed on her phone as she

t's too mu