and Hotel loomed before her, its golden lights casting an ethereal glow against the night sky. Tonight was the event of the season-the Blackwood Founda

ist, feeling the weight of the woman she had to

in, but tonight wasn't about Liam or Sie

she was A

As she walked inside, chandeliers hung like constellations across the vast ballroom, their golden

ly, readying hersel

she f

res

otent it made the tiny

ed insti

s when sh

n Bla

ng that even in a room full of millionaires and

-shouldered

rt that made him magnetic. It was him. The raw, masculine energy that radiated from him, the quiet authority in t

lt her staring, his g

breath

n her stomach. Electricity. Sharp and undeniable. It crackled

unreadable, but something in

en, he

ke a man who knew he owne

ave looked away

oom, the sea of people parting for him li

er, the world had shrunk

with something she couldn't quite place. "I was beginnin

his voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. "Sh

f a smirk. "Let's just say... I make it a point to k

ending to consider him. "And

lowly, deliberately, as if he

enia

before she recovered. She was used to being

fect dress and the poised expression. Not like he was pe

to let him

makes two of us," she said, her lip

dangerous sound. "You

h skittering through her veins. She wasn't sure i

locked with his. "Tell me, Damian, do you always make a

"Only when they'r

s pulse

ds, control, and power. And God

ilting her chin up slightl

catch the faintest trace of his cologne

said, his voice softer now, dangerou

betraying her with the way it

perienced girl easily sw

e. And she had her

swirling the champagne in her glass. "I

ull smile curved his li

inten

ut before she could say anyth

nd Sienna Haye

ike ice water, extinguishing the warmth

e way her expression change

hat wasn't good news

r fingers tightening arou

," she murmured, forcing the

assessing, as if deciding w

hand. "Would you car

offer. "You don't seem like the typ

n't. But I do enjoy keepi

uld refuse. She should wa

ut Damian dared h

o she

is, allowing him to lead

s, his grip firm and unwaveri

ere tonight to

ybe, she had found