My eyes meet Damien’s as I sit and he gives me a slight nod. I raise my chin and acknowledge him with a tilt to my lips. My heart hammers a victory beat inside me. I’ve got his attention and now I’ve got to ensure I keep it fixed on me!

Damien

I LEAN AGAINST A PILLAR in the corner of the ballroom, enjoying the smoky flavor of the malt as it goes down my throat. A few old acquaintances pass by and I acknowledge them with a slight nod, immediately looking away lest they decide to stop and make small talk.

A loud giggle makes me turn my head and I see two women walking towards me. They pause when they’re a foot away from me and whisper in each other’s ears, casting long glances my way. I don’t even bother to look at them because they’re just one of many who have tried to snag my attention tonight. Being single, rich and now a Duke makes me a hot commodity amongst many of the women in this room, unmarried and married alike. But their subtle and not so subtle invitations don’t interest me in the least. Instead, my eyes return to the one woman who has captured my interest and whom I’ve been observing for the last half an hour.

From the corner of my eye, I see the women approaching me and I move. I stroll along the perimeter of the ballroom and find another lone pillar and position myself there. This one gives me a better vantage point to observe my quarry.

Aaliya is still chatting with Jonathan. He hasn’t left her side the entire evening. Jonathan whispers something in her ear leaning too close to her for comfort and the urge to remove him from her side wars inside me. He is a complete ladies’ man and even though we’re not so close anymore, our friendship code dictates that I should stay away from a woman he is so obviously interested in. But with Aaliya, my instincts scream to swoop in and stake a claim. Strange!

I haven’t met Jonathan this evening and he’s also not taken any effort to stop and say hello. In these last few months, I’ve rejected all his invites, so I know he’s pissed off. But at this stage in my life, when I have so much going on, I can’t imagine whiling away my time in mindless partying and womanizing, forget my lack of interest in any high-octane sport. He doesn’t understand it and I don’t have time for his petty tantrums.