Till money do us apart

hrough the sea of high society. He moved with an effortless confidence that spoke of a lifetime spent commanding rooms like thi

hat she was do

rm glow over her. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and aged whiskey. She needed a moment

ked, already pouring a fresh flut

g her head. "A vodka mar

oup of CEOs. Across from him, a young socialite was showing off a diamond necklace, her laughter shrill and hollow. It was a scene she'd witnessed countless

y?" a low voice m

anding closer this time, his eyes glinting with amusement. He looked relaxe

ching an eyebrow. "I was start

ep and rich. "It's not often I meet s

bartender slid across the counter to he

ips. "You said you wanted information," he said, his tone

. She was aware of the stakes, aware that this conversation was far more than casual banter

replied, meeting his gaze. "But if you really want t

ecting this. "Privacy, hmm? Are you sugges

is cologne-something dark and woodsy, like cedar mixed with a hint of smoke. "I'm suggesting we cut

hing raw beneath his polished exterior. He leaned down, his lips close to

would follow. Bella hesitated for a split second, feeling the eyes of several guests on her. The roo

d, her decision made. Whatever was about

quiet click of their footsteps on polished floors. He pushed open a door at the end of the hall, revealing a small, private lounge. It was diml

the air change-cooler, quieter, more intimate. He closed the

ce her. "We're alone now. Tell

in her stomach. This was it. The moment she had been planning f

estwood Capital and Stratton Inves

slightly. "That's a bold ask," he replied. "Especially

blink. "I hav

minibar-a dark whiskey that he swirled in the glass before taking a slow sip. "And why s

he Federal Trade Commission catches wind of it, the deal could be stalled for months, maybe even longer. You

of interest lighting up his fac

taking a step closer. "You need

e, his movements slow and deliber

she said quietly. "I'm assuming you're smart eno

intense, unreadable expression. Then, he took a step closer, closing

," he murmured, his vo

as his fingers brushed lightly against her arm.

choice but to look into his eyes. "Confidence can also be a weakne

her voice steady. "Then it's a g

in the quiet, dimly lit room. Bella could feel the tension coiling b

a slow, wicked smile. "Ne

entle. It was fierce, consuming, like he was trying to claim her, to make her his in that single, searing moment. Bella's hands gr

late. She was

in a long time, she d