Tamed by the Billionaire

y corner. Lucas Sterling leaned against the marble bar, a glass of bourbon in hand, his posture effortlessly commanding. The sharp lines of his tailored midnight-blue suit

ce floor tonight, or are you content to ha

Nathan Caldwell, smirking at him. Nathan's gold cuffl

ht," Lucas replied dryly.

five minutes charming some heiress isn't

over champagne flutes. He knew every name, every motive. Their smiles gleamed too brightly, their words dri

eally should get out of your head. Or at least look like yo

. "Right. Let me just fake a smile and pretend this isn't the hundredth eve

lf." He downed his drink and wandered off toward th

s when he

raped in diamonds and sequins, but somehow, it was more striking. The fabric hugged her curves delicately, the color deepening the warm undertones of her fair skin. Her h

ss, her quiet confidence, p

feline. She didn't belong here, and she knew it. The room was too glossy, the people too polished.

ways talking about getting funding for your co

e designer handbags draped over the arms of some of the women here. But sh

you l

ad tilted slightly as he studied her. He was taller than she'd expected, his dark hair swept bac

mmered, clutching

e you're trying to blend into the wallpaper. Just

I'm not lost. And I wasn'

hly, though the amused glint i

nsolicited observations, or am I just lu

rate through her chest. "You're lucky," he said

"Well, don't let

to impress him or melted under his charm. But this woman was gla

g," he said, e

His grip was firm but not overbea

how her name felt on his tongue. "So, what

work in education, and my programs could use funding. My friend t

th a hint of sarcasm. "In

f-congratulatory," she said, her li

und that made her heart skip. "Fair e

s out I'm not very good at prete

ight be the most interest

eyes. "You don'

ough," he

as something magnetic about him, something she couldn't quite put her

her arms. "Why are you here i

imperceptibly. "Obligation," he said. "My fam

"The burden of b

, his voice laced with both

at each other, the noise of the

king the silence, "I should get

I have a feeling you'd fit in j

leaving her standing there, h