THE UNLIKELY UNION

he couldn't believe how easily he'd gotten under her skin. She was determined

, Ava received an invitation to a charity gala at the city

sity got the better of her. She had to see L

her spine. Landon was standing at the entrance, his e

, his voice low and hus

her arm, his grip like a vice. "Dance with me

her. She let Landon lead her onto the dance floo

gaze. She knew she was playing with fire, but she couldn't

s lips brushing against her ea

sent shivers down her spine. She tried to p

whispered, trying to sound firm, but h

th amusement. "I love playing with fi

a, but not before his fingers brushed

self. She knew she had to get away from Lan

e felt a hand on her shoulder.

sked, eyeing Landon warily. "You

to calm down. "It's just Land

serious. "Be careful, Ava

ooked back at Landon, she couldn't help the way he

is eyes locked on hers, an

but he seemed to be everywhere she went. She co

some fresh air," she told Sophia,

found Landon waiting for her, hi

sily, Ava," he whispered, hi

art racing. "What do yo

ctive. "I want everything, Ava.

spine as Landon's words sent wa

o sound firm, but her voice c

ement. "Oh, Ava. You're so easy to read. You

, his lips brushing against

body betrayed her. She kissed him back, los

in trouble. She was falling for Landon, hard.

t hers. She couldn't believe what she'd jus

her close again. "You can't resist me, Ava," he

uldn't cooperate. She felt like she was und

im hers again, a voice cut through the

ding in the doorway, a look o

is lips. "Just getting to know your friend, Sop

"I don't think so, Lando

kly followed Sophia back into the party, l

a turned to Ava, her voice low. "What happened

ar the fog. "I don't know, Sophia

ious. "Ava, you need to stay a

ady fallen under Landon's spell. And she

she was beginning to think it was all a dream, maybe he got tired of pursui

telling herself she was busy with work and didn't have time to think about him. But

a realized how much she'd been thinking about him. "Hey, have

ay it cool. "No, I haven't. And

ow. "You're worried ab

y, fine. I am worried. But I don't know why. It

se you're starting to develop feelings for him

ophia's words struck a chord. Was she

xt from an unknown number. "Hey, I'm ba

s Landon. She felt a mix of relief and excitemen

rying to sound casual, as they

the corners. "Business meeting in New

her, but pushed it aside. "Oh, okay. I was starting to thin

g with intensity, he knew she was starting to l