. She was warm. A heavy, impossibly soft blanket was tucked around her. S

able on his sofa, Rhodes Carlisle had come home. The thought sent a hot blush creep

to the master bedroom, and placed it neatly on

zed on the coffee table. The screen lit up with

reach you for days! Did you see the n

t ne

laptop. Now. I

ines were sensational, plastered acr

H HOSTS GALA TO F

EMENT FOR THE FUT

hrowing a lavish party at the family estate. The most beautiful and eligible women in New York were invited. The prize, whispered th

!" Tatum shrieked through the pho

hroat. The number was obscene,

ew," Tatum lamented. "Otherwise, you coul

th. "Tatum," she said, her voice

reative, furious curses directed at Blake Sterling. Elara recounted the eve

d back to the gala. "Wait. If you're single, th

f revulsion washing over her. "It's a... a

pragmatic. "This is about your mom. This is about survival. Did

She was right. What did pride matter when her mother was sitting in a public hospital,

e warm blanket he had placed over her in the night. Who was this man? T

steely resolve in her voic

d, her voice buzzi

lection a pale, determined ghost against the sky

wntown office, Ethan Reyn

he gala is public.

up from the document he was

g every string she has to g

anyone but himself to notice. "Let her secure the invitation," he said slowly, his tone laced