he Plaza. The massive crystal chandeliers poured bright light

waist. His fingers dug into her ribs through the silk of

d chest. The string quartet started playing a slow waltz. She too

her hand and spun her out hard. The force whipped her heavy skirt

ept the bright smile plastered on her face. She lea

ck in. He whispered against her ear that her parents

rowd. As soon as they stood up straight, they d

ss of champagne and a warm, disarming smile that didn't quite reach his ey

er arm through Pierce's. She

forward and asked where they

warmly and described a romant

ached her hand around his bicep. She pinched the

ed his head and glared at her. His eyes promised violence.

the Ainsworth board of directors walked o

of her skirt and walked away from the crowd. She headed

denly, a large hand shot out from the shadows. Long fingers wrapped a

er wall. She looked up. Pierce was standing inche

ad. He trapped her in the tiny, dark space. He demanded t

e laughed and asked how he planned to run a billi

er. His voice was a low, dangerous whisper. He told her

s blood boil. She raised her ha

id-air. He twisted her arm behind her back and stepped

heave up and down, brushing against his suit jacket with every br

r outside the curtain. A waiter aske

froze. They st

al warning for her to behave. He let go of her wrist, pushe

aching wrist. She took three deep breaths to

massive five-tier cake. They both wrapped their

twisted her wrist, angling the sharp

knuckles. He forced the blade down into the cake. The sudden force caused

othly. He grabbed a microphone and s

t felt hollow. She dreaded the moment thi