MASKED AFFECTION

und her; to her, this was a glimpse of glamour yet so utterly alien. They oiled her with makeup and hair, includ

ace and found Ben awaiting her. "You look perfect," he n

full weight of it all had fallen around her like an iron cloak.

in the sea of people. Laughter mixed with conversations as soft strains of live music played. As she entered o

or her hand with practiced

ad been so intense; reminding herself it was all an act, Maya

ts and fielded questions. She was all too aware of curious glances from strangers, the murmur of conversation as they

hese?" he asked them, stopping

ide as she gazed upon the decadence surro

et used to it. Just rememb

of her back. He leaned down, his voice low, his words whispering gruffly in

sane, Alexander's company was curiously comfortable to her. The calm, softly guiding manner of hi

er's world of beauty, refinement, and influence. No longer was she just a starvin

of affairs?" she asked,

But they exist for a reason." His face changed then, a flicker of vulnerability

s she was beginning to see beyond the mask he wore. But this was just a game, she reminded herself-a temporary arrangement with clearly defi

ne a reminder of how urgent her quest was. The search would continue tomorrow. And this little arrangemen

's a mission that has just gotten bigger. Will she be able to keep her emotions in check, or will the lines begin to blur between their fake relationship and reality in ways unexpect