sod

.... The g

sofa, scrolling through her phone

t week-you'll be a

"Why? So you can show

mportant for both our families. You need

w raised. "And what exactly is '

need to know-who you'll meet, how to behave, what to say.

"Great. A crash course in pre

, voice dropping

k into that room, you're not just Daisy

the slight smile tugging

read it. But don't expect me

eepened. "That's

hone from his hand a

y now, wait until you see what I'm

ound that echoed thr

ouble. But

ack onto the couch and

onquer this 'gala' of yours. Just

y the light caught her hair making he

ybe, that was exac

opened the message - a detailed itinerary for the gala, includi

if this crazy wife of mi

egant gown delivered that afternoon. It was stunning-silky black, huggin

self, "Act nice, huh

ye, she began plotting her own br

rough the speaker as he cal

nd you're my queen on the board. Play your part-charm, seduce,

eat spreading through her b

ice dripping with challenge. "But don't be

wouldn't expect anything less. Just rememb

. "Maybe I'm the only one c

handeliers, clinking glasses, and a s

ging gown that left little to the imagination,

s sharp eyes searching for her. He approac

smirk playing on her lips. She had no

ing the room like the wild queen she was - and Cassian

ace of a model and the fire of a rebel. Men stared. Women whispered. Bu

of champagne in hand, his presence

he murmured, voice lo

smile. "Try not to fall in love ton

dress before meeting her gaze. "Just

ng his ear. "Then keep your ha

r right then and there. But before he could respond, t

our favorite power duo-Cassian Blackw

them. Cassian instinctively pulled D

pered, "If you try anything, I

d. "I like my

en quiet," she s

dy the air between them was thick with

m. But her mind was spinning. The lights, the music, the champagne-it was all a blur compared to the heat

r together like royalty, but the t

y muttered under her breath as t

ly, his lips brushing her ear,

her eyes scanning the crow

in hand, smiling at guests like the king of the e

flinch. She

t through him a

oticed. "

emotional blackmailer of a father in a room full of fa

I think you'r

ice interrupt

ho finally showed up

ian's business rival . His eyes raked over Dai

ody protective, voice cold. "Gideo

hen he looked back at Daisy. "If you ever get tir

ebrow. "You offeri

n arm around Daisy's waist and l

he said sharply. "I tak

y bl

's m

he

om Gideon and toward the d

n't ag

o l

s moved in perfect rhythm, the world blurring around them. His hand

t-just a second

fi

da

deniab

lips brush

Mrs. Blackwood. They're

ultry smile-not for the cameras, n

how, she'd give th

" she whispered, pressing her body just a little close

, but a flicker of heat

his dramatic?

hen I'm trying to make my

t, hips grazing against his in a move that wasn't

ng and I might forget this marriag

ice dripping with chall

pplause. But Daisy could barely hear it over the pounding in h

ance floor, and as they pass

see that

t what I

d looks o

glance at Cassian. "Yo

behind his eyes. "I enjoy watching people realize y

ght off guard. That... almo

her father stepped into th

y, a

t even slowing her stride.

d darkly and fo

pplause from some board members greeted them. But even as

Da

one thing

hem with a soft click, silencing the chaos of flashi

ssaged her aching ankles. "Ugh. Remind me never t

, his jacket already slung over his shoulder.

l glare. "Who says th

apped in that backless, deep red gown. "There will be. I meant what I

her pulse skip. Not cold.

closer. "You lik

t. No one saw Blackwood tonight," he sai

ill playing the goo

clear. This marriage may have started as business.

hudded. Fas

t it show. "I'm n

e," he sa

easing smile. "You really

k I alr

h, walking toward her room. "

hallway, she threw him one

iment, husband. And don't

ut of sight, jaw clenched and something