The air was electric with excitement and anticipation as the sleek, high-ceilinged ballroom filled with the crème de la crème of the fashion world. Brielle surveyed the scene from her vantage point near the bar, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"They clean up rather nicely, don't they?" Darius's deep voice rumbled in her ear as his arms encircled her waist from behind, his solid warmth enveloping her.

Brielle leaned back into his embrace, her smile widening. "I'll say. Though I much prefer you in a state of delicious disarray." She twisted in his arms, her fingers toying with the crisp collar of his tuxedo shirt.

Darius's eyes...