His Reluctant Heart

to the ballroom's magnificent entrance, her fingers softly gripping the fragile champagne flute that Leah had given her. Amara didn't notice the lig

remarked quietly and reassuringly. She loo

another, Amara muttered, "I feel like I'm about to be swallowed up b

cause they've been here a million times. But you're d

e her appear much more gorgeous than she actually was, the thought of being seen h

iddle of the room before she could react. "Come on. L

ng her looked like models in their exquisite gowns and well-tailored suits, and the chandeliers above appeared to be

of them. She grinned and gave them a warm greeting as they introduced themselves and exchanged pleasantries. Amara looked

ered. "Don't you recall Daniel? We got to

say more. Leah was already absorbed in the conversa

took another look around the room and saw a tall man standing close to the crowd's edge. Even fro

was here because the world wanted him to be, even if he wasn't requi

d shifted somewhat, and then she moved back suddenly, stumbling a little in the high heels Leah had demanded. It was beginning to appear that t

ed around, gaspin

se and annoyance on his face. He appeared more at home here than an

d. "Be careful, Miss," he begged in a tone that was a

pped a beat. "I didn't intend to....." He paused and looked d

said, adding "You sho

ath. "I'm really sorry. I re

touched her shoulder, causing her to halt. He spoke in a soothing, quiet

y of him. The room appeared to disappear as his gaze met hers. How about his eyes? He was distinctive,

ring, "I'm sorry again." "Normally, I don'

mara's cheeks became hot. With a

dating. There was a sensitivity now, perhaps a trace of curiosity. His lips curling slightly at the rim

ike a prison all of a sudden, and shook her hea

ith one another, as if they were bound together by an unseen thread. The crash was only

d, "Well, if it's okay with you, you're j

rised Amara, who b

a little. "I mean it. Even if most people would fi

response to that? She had trouble thinking clearly since her mind was

ped back a full step. "Permit me to get you

er, she had taken great care to avoid

yes. "I wasn't making a proposal. If you don't, you wi

mated that the room seemed to go silent as he spoke. The words stuck in Amar

gingly, "All right, I

d aside when he approached, as if he were some sort of king. With a startling

o cocktails, and he turned to look at her a

id, "You'll lik

cting so... kind. The bartender set two glasses in front of them just as she was ready to ask him more, so sh

"Before you bring it up, let me i

ked. Damia

d in the back of her head, but he said, "I'm afraid

tle confused.

at Damian's mouth. "Am

m now flickered, aliv