HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

, but damn

ontained notes of roses, and warmer hints of cedarwood and amber…or maybe almond. Tonight's mission would be to discover which one. For yet another time this evening, he murmured, "Excuse me." But in this instance, he wasn't trying to escape someone. No, he wanted to snare her. Keep her. At least for the next few

face, the sharp cheekbones, the chocolate eyes or the lush siren's call of her mouth. Damn, that mouth. He dragged his fascinated gaze away from it wit

it down. Damn, with just a few words uttered in a silk-and-midnight voice, he'd devolved into a caveman. Once more, a warning to walk away clanged inside him, but—like moments earlier—he ignored it.

to say hi...A

. She looked surprised. Why she did he didn't know. Didn't care. H

t to myself. What a ple

o" Em

mpletely at loss for words. She wasn't a shy p

adn't been studying her so closely, he might've missed the slight stiffening of her sho

m him, preparing to

much as he wanted to discover how she felt under his hand, he refused to touch her without her permission. Rich assholes accosting the waitstaff was as old

r attention. She raised her head, a

w me" he said "It's Daniel in case

forgotten" how could she? He'd occupi

as if it were one of the rich chocolate de

ly name. And

d panic flaring in their depths before she lowe

you,

you, it's Daniel. I told you

, goddamn purring—they weren't him. His mouth either didn't know this information or didn't care.

sn't the first time he attended this sort of parties. He probably made it a habit to flirt with anyone. Why shouldn't he?. He was rich and at

t his stare with one glinting in anger. How insane did it make him

nse, Mr.

erience, when someone starts a sentence with '

s usually reserved for fierce business negotiations surged in his c

t," she shot back. Then, as if she realized what she'd snapped

ake it," he added. Take whatever she wanted to give him, whether it was her gaze, her conversation or more

entertainment. But since you've invited me not to be meek, let me tell you this might be a game to you, but the waitstaff aren't toys to

ong he couldn't remember the last occurrence— tripped and stumbled down his spine. "I don't play

nderstood how his pulse jumped and his body throbbed every time she stated his nam

y? A little slap and tickle

d I don't 'slap and tickle' ei

em, he caught her sharp gasp. A voice sounding suspiciously like that of Frank's, hissed a curse at him. How many times had Frank warned him to te

her, he didn't indulge in games. But in this moment, he al

ting the wine. He shrugged, setting it behind him on one of the high tables scattered around the ballroom. "Why single me out?" she continued. "Because I'm so beautiful you couldn

hat? - she didn't know. Actually she did. She just wasn't going to admit it to herself. A part of her kept telling her she had to fight hi

t play games. But if you decline, then no, you would still have a check and employment at the end of the evening. I don't need to blackmail women into my bed, Emma. Besides, a willing woman, a woman who wants my hands on her body, who pleads f

et stopping short of invading her personal space. "To answer your other question," he murmured. "Why did I single you out? Your first guess was correct. Beca

s darker…hotter. In that moment, he'd stand under a damn balcony and serenade her if she continued looking at him like that. He curled his fingers into his palm, reminding himself with the pain that he couldn't touch her. Still, the only sound that reached his ears was the quick, soft pants breaking on h

away from him. "I—" She didn't finish the thought, but tu

e she'd left him, he tracked her movements. Saw the moment she cleared the mass of people and strode in the direction of the double doors where more tray-bearing staff emerged and exited. Saw when she paused, palm pressed to one

ce, that look. It'd sealed her f