re

eady signed-neatly tucked away in my desk drawer.

successfully won the bid to build one of the largest integrate

y caused Lucien to change his attitude toward me, though he

Airport was warmly greeted by Marc Rochat, t

he said, kissing th

Marc," I rep

His smile was barely there

ith compliments laced with jokes. His eyes never

rs, we were checked into the best hotel-and, of course, into the

r to get ready for t

, there was a large bouquet of flo

ed, inhaling the fresh, soo

hasing after someone els

is remark. Marc Rochat-that wa

e's something even m

read the poetic word

he bathroom door

wrong w

r tonight, I'd be wearing a dress designed by

e a thousand times more beautiful.

ent he saw me step o

ert Group," I said as I put on my diamond ne

you put it on

. I felt his warm breath on the nape of my neck. The hairs

ly. "Come on, let's n

ien threatened, positioning his ar

afraid of getting lost?" I

and gave me a look, signali

"Later, okay? There's no one here

t jogging as I headed toward the ballroom. Luc

ay too far from me," h

I could take his arm, Marc and his

get a chance to welcome you both earlie

ave him a sweet smile. Lucien loo

I found myself sandwiched between him and Luc

emarks, Marc singled

success. She's contributed so many extraordinary ideas. Let's rais

hampagne; we followed his

his speech, Marc started

e to treat you to some traditional Swiss fo

I whispered back

ot just that-ther

ps slightly. "

. Lucien was speaking whil

ghed and took a sip of

is speech, Lucien

y, aren't you?" Lucien teased, w

person; it's hard not to get close t

with an awkward smile. Lucien'

t the same table. His father and mother were the

c asked me to dance, after first asking Lucien for pe

ly dragged me back to our room. He slamme

ith a guy who's clearly interested in you, even though y

do you mean? I was just being friendly with

, you were chatting w

n. How could I not respond?" I re

to any event again." Lucie

ith you? You're all over t

r worn a dress this revealing before," L

s at the event earlier. Enough already, Luce

lose until I was p

g weird, Ser," he said,

d. "I won't!" I

enly, his lips seized mine.

but couldn't

deeply, forgetting all his ultimatums that we