Billionaire's Captive Complete Trilogy - Stasia Black Page 0,5
me smoothly between the other dancers. My full skirt swishes satisfyingly around Armand’s lean legs. Okay, well this isn’t too hard.
“We make a perfect pair,” he tells me, and I almost believe him. Heads turn as we pass. For a moment I close my eyes and imagine I’m the beauty in the arms of her prince.
“There,” Armand murmurs in my ear. “You’re not a wallflower anymore. No one can take their eyes off you.”
I draw back, my cheeks in full blaze. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
He lets me out for a twirl and I follow his lead, giggling.
“You’re welcome, my lady. But there’s something you should know.” He leans in close to whisper, “I am never kind.” He pulls back and I get a glimpse of the calculating look in his dark eyes.
Tingles run up and down my spine, but I relax. In the past few months, I’ve dealt with more deceit and machinations than in my entire lifetime. And that’s just dealing with Belladonna’s board of directors. All in a day’s work for a CEO.
I meet his gaze straight on. “So you’re acting for your benefit?”
“Always. But not only mine.” He promenades me past a beautiful blonde in a silvery sheath. The Gala sponsor and hostess, the famous Cora Ubeli, standing in a receiving line of guests. Armand cuts through them and jerks his chin at me. I try to restrain my wild blushes. Cora gives me a gracious wave and smile.
“See?” Armand murmurs, twirling me away. “You’re the belle of the ball tonight.”
“Me?” I laugh. “No way.”
“I’ve heard nothing but rumors about your intelligence, your wit, your beauty.”
“Stop it.” My cheeks burn even hotter. “I’m just a scientist.”
“On the cusp of great discoveries.”
“I hope so.” I bite my lip. “But no guarantees. Most scientists try their whole life to make one life changing discovery. “
“Is that why you’re seeking the merger with Archer Industries?”
I stiffen in his arms. “What do you know about that?”
“Just what the papers report, bella donna.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“No? I’ve always wondered why your father named his company after a poisonous flower?”
“He named it for my mother. Her name was Isabella. And she was beautiful.”
“The original Bella Donna. I see.” We whirl together for a few more beats before he adds, “She passed her looks to you.”
“Thank you.” Must. Stop. Blushing.
The song ends. We break apart and clap. Now that the room has stopped spinning, I notice the throngs of people staring at us, studying me behind their masks. My own Greek chorus.
I shiver. Armand smooths his hands down my arms as if to soothe me. Up close, I realize there’s more to his costume than the monocle and red velvet jacket. A pair of silky wings are folded against his back. Black to match his eyes.
“So, what are you?” I ask, fighting to keep a grip on my calm. “A fallen angel?”
“Hermes, of course.” He leans in and kisses my cheek. “I even have a message for you.”
“A message?”
“A warning. Tonight you’re Daphne, from the myth?”
I nod shakily.
He dips his head close and whispers in my ear. “Beware Apollo.”
“Daphne!”
I whirl in the direction of the shout. A crowd of toga wearers parts like a white sea. And there he is, striding towards me, dressed in white from collar to shoes, a crown of golden leaves on his head.
Adam Archer.
He’s golden and handsome and I think about all the things Rachel said earlier. About how the outings we’ve been on were actually dates.
“Adam,” I greet him, holding out my hands. To my dismay, he brings them to his mouth and kisses my fingers. Does this mean Rachel was right? Or is he just being overly chivalrous?
“Daphne. You look so beautiful.” His teeth flash, white as his tux. A few feet away, Aphrodite and Athena sigh and strike a pose, their assets on full display. But Adam only looks at me. My heart flutters.
“A-and you look handsome.” I free my hands and press fingers to my lips. I worked hard to lose my shy stutter. But all my intelligence flies out the window whenever I’m with Adam. And then I realize the fingers on my lips are the ones he just kissed and my cheeks flame all over again. It’s good I barely put any blush on since my cheeks are going to be a perpetual rosy red.
Adam really is the handsomest man in the room. White blond hair, a sculpted profile and body of an Olympic athlete. The gods wept when they made him.