tainers. As Dimitri unpacked dishes of seared scallops and truffle risotto,

ts twinkled below them like a carpet of fallen st

finally breaking it. "For

eak. Didn't look at her. "It was

pointment. Which annoyed her. She reached for the water pitcher on the other side of the table. Leaned forward. The wid

cut. His gaze drawn to th

st brushing the pitcher. She misjudged the dist

water tipped directl

d through the fine wool of his trou

d. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" She grabbed her nap

t out a hand and grabbed her wrist. Stopped her just inches from

ing hot. She snatched her hand back as if burned

reining in some internal reaction. He st

Clara watched him go. Face burning with shame

had cleared the table. She sat there sipping cautiously from a new gl

to a fit of vi

ook the glass from her hand. Rubbed her ba

s. Cheeks flushed deep pink. When the f

n lips and took a small sip. Like testing it. Then he

lara automatically parted her lips and dr

unspoken awareness. She could smell the fresh, clean scent of his soap. See the pulse beating steadily in

He's a stranger. A hired escort she'd accid

I'm fine." Her voice shaky. "I'm... I'm

he safety of her bedroom.

his hand. A slow, frustrated smile touched his lips. He set the

paparazzi shot of him, back to the cam

ions on the wedding, Mr. Sterling. You

's face. His expression turned

ill be digging into me. Get a