lavish, walls lined with velvet curtains, polished chandeliers glittering above her like stars. Laughter echoed through the air, soft music hum

n there

who had stumbled into this world hours earlier

nfamiliar. Every face seemed to study her just a little too long. It was like

. He moved with calm authority, his hand gently resting at the small of her back, guidin

ar. "You're doing fine," he murmured, his voice low an

ing to keep her panic from s

er, and there was a faint flicker of a smile on his l

into a room with," he said simply. "Bu

ce from across the room sliced

from stone and eyes that didn't miss a thing. He stood beside Jaxon Hawke, who looke

readable. "Cade's mystery woma

eyes. "Yes. I'm Tessa," she said, trying not to sound l

ver his chest as he studied her like s

" he muttered, v

ut turning to him. His tone

just long enough to keep from flinching. She knew how she looked. Like

r voice quieter now but steady. "B

humorless snort.

You're here to help Cade,

a said, the words coming f

hed her. Then he turned to Cad

ade said with

r more, how quickly he answered or

tween themselves as they moved through the crowd. But t

their eyes on her.

omach

again. "They'

sked, forcing her

er into the room, where more guests wa

erstand what they were saying. Cade stayed close, one hand always at her back, his voice low and steady in her ear when needed. He

et him lead. Hated the way her

, she felt like the o

a light press of his fingers, s

s wasn'

uldn'

his breath brushing the side of her nec

p, her eyes

st me," she sai

," he said. "They j

d. "What doe

n is working," he sai

about the way he looked at her, made

was somet

ard a quieter corner of the room. Away

t speak

ooked

o hold herself together all nigh

suddenly, the words slipping

yebrow. "I never

treating me

oing better than most people in your situa

nder her breath

me, it sounded like he meant it. Like he saw so

moment, watching the party move

closer. Just an

rything

locked

ved gently

hout warning,

caught as his

It was fierce. Like a fuse had been lit between

nded before she even had time to think, her fingers clutching his jacket

he ha

was

as dan

think. Coul

mouth moved against hers like he meant it. Lik

he music blurred.

idn't

th

end

y, his lips just bar

so close, his fore

ou didn't feel th

she was afraid he could hear i

the roo

rs open

chway, her dress per

saw

veryt

eyes n

is going to work?" she

Tes

e that, the

steppe

ing about th

es had just