Inner Circle

arm glow over the crowd. She'd spent weeks planning this fundraiser, and as always, she'd delivered perfection. The guests were mingling, the music was just the right volume, and the hors d'oeu

e art of juggling appearances, hiding behind the glitz and glamour of her meticulously organized life. Yet late

as a rising star in politics. He exuded charm effortlessly, and tonight, he looked very much like a future senator in his tailored suit. His tall stature, caramel brown skin, piercing golden brown

eep voice laced with genuine admiration. "I didn't think it

at's what you pay me for, isn't it? Besides, i

ve yourself too little credit. The people might be

y from clients, but there was something different about Andre. She'd been careful to keep things pr

scount on the bill," she repl

aid I'm after a discount? I'm more interested in

ion. Not here, not tonight, and certainly not with him. She was good at maintain

he said, her voice ligh

rooke Taylor has a little time to enjoy herself. You're the woman behi

f of it. No one did. For a moment, she wondered what he'd think if he knew her secret-if he knew ab

thing running smoothly?" She turned her gaze back to the crowd, desperate t

rself," he said quietly, his voice softer now.

he was right, but accepting help wasn't in her nature. She'd spent years building th

covered," she replied, keeping her

t crossing his face. "Well, if you ever ch

w breath, willing herself to stay focused. Tonight was about him, not her. She'd keep it together, just as she always did. After all, she'd learne