Till money do us apart

re-laughter, the clinking of glasses, the murmur of a hundred conversations. It all felt distant, like background noise in a dream. Her skin sti

ballroom and faced the watchful eyes of New York's elite. With a quick glance around, s

hen, with a single kiss, Damon Westwood had unraveled her, made her feel things she hadn't felt in years. It w

because she needed his connections, his power, his influence to secure the merger that would save her family's company. But now, she realized she might h

ure she wanted to play

ost," a familiar voice said, st

d and charming, but there was a gleam in his eyes that made her stomach twist. He was holding a flute

ing a smile. "I didn't

ng. "Oh, I'm always around when there's a good deal to be made. But the better qu

much had he seen? Had he followed her and Damon, or was this just

ng an imaginary speck of dust from her dress. "It's exhausting, liste

a step closer, lowering his voice. "Careful, Bella.

he kept her expression neutral. "An

im of the glass. "I could ask you the same question. Es

er, and Bella had to fight to keep her f

ul who you get involved with. Damon's not the kind of man you

eel her pulse thundering in her veins. "You sound almost jealous," she teased.

g darker in his eyes. "I'm just looking out for you," he said quietl

oser so they were almost nose to nose. "Maybe it's about s

ng his features. "You don't know what you're getting into," he warn

I'm willing to take

ber I warned you," he said, his voice softer now, almost regretful. He drained the rest of

ack into the crowd, leaving her standing t

he wanted to admit. She knew he wasn't someone to be underestimated. If he suspected something, he wou

red the ballroom, blending into the sea of guests as if nothing had happened. The music was louder now, the tempo upbeat, and couples were dancing in the center of the room.

gret, that she felt. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual mask of

This was going to be ha

ubbles tickling her throat. She needed to regroup, to rethink her strategy. Becau

s gaze still lingered on her skin, and she k

ned, blinking against the bright sunlight streaming through the curtains of her penthouse s

inting at the screen. It was a

to tal

e was no signature, but s

mo

im so soon, not after the way they'd parted last night. She thought he'd want to pu

eboding, she typed

er

r, the reply

One hour. D

face settling over her like a heavy cloak. Whatever Damon wa

een one to back dow

ldn't s