ng liquid slid down her dry throat, the chil

herself. She cleared her throat, desperately trying to pull the

last night," she demanded. Her voice wa

ed his long legs, resting his large hands on his knees. It was

a stray cat outside the venue," he deadpans

f deep, agonizing embarrassment cr

d on a chair in the VIP section. You demanded that everyone

r glass to one hand and hid her face behind

ide is completely ruined," she mut

slightly. "I cleared the VIP room before you made a

nuinely shocked by his meticulous damage control. He had

d. A sudden, terrifying wave of vulnerability washed over her. She was sitti

. The question slipped out before she cou

, violent shadow flickered in his eyes for

Street meetings," Alex deflected smoot

ked down at her lap. She was twenty-four, wealthy, beautiful,

, her voice cracking. "Crying ov

s. His fingers twitched on his knees. He suppressed an intense, violen

t," he stated firmly. "Y

Colette's heart skipped a strange, rapid beat. She looked into h

d away, her stomach fluttering wit

d buttoned his collar, instantly restori

friendly breakfast downstairs," he in

shirt tighter around her shoulders, suddenly h

t was a rare moment of genuine g

rested on the brass handle. "Take the day off,

smile. "I can't. I have a dress

ain for the wedding perfectly. He stepped out into th

hest ached with an unsettling mix of dread for Julian's inevitable excuses,