Chapter One
Crystal Moran’s gaze settled on the broad-shouldered, dark-haired man the instant he walked through the doors of the hotel ballroom. He came in with an air of authority, heightened by tuxedoed elegance and pure male magnetism.
His Mediterranean heritage was apparent in the inky black of his hair, his sun-kissed skin, and strong rather than handsome features—prominent jawbones supporting lean, grooved cheeks, a long, narrow nose, and full, sensuous mouth. She’d always thought his face a study in classical Greek bone structure.
A stir of excitement skittered around the room once he was recognized, the atmosphere suddenly teeming with renewed expectations. As one of the world’s wealthiest and most eligible bachelors, Demetrius Vardolas’s presence at any social event made it a guaranteed success.
For Crystal, the sight of her former lover had her heart pausing, tightening with pain, and then pounding in a riotous rush. It had been three years since she’d seen him, two years since she’d stopped sobbing over him and a year since he’d invaded her nightly dreams. He’d hurt her badly, but she thought she’d gotten over him. It stunned her to realize she’d been fooling herself. With him came a wave of memories, both joyous and agonizing.
His proximity made the air whoosh from her lungs. The old pain resurfaced, threatening to suffocate her. She forced it to the back of her mind with a strength born of necessity, but her palms went damp and her nerves felt wired.
She’d been the quintessential art student studying in a foreign land, fascinated by a man way out of her league. Worse yet, she’d been naive enough to believe she’d found her happily-ever-after white knight.
Their gazes briefly met across the crowded room. Crystal didn’t acknowledge him with so much as a blink of an eye or a nod of recognition. Instead, she slowly, deliberately, shifted her attention with an aloofness that came naturally these days. She wouldn’t allow him the satisfaction of knowing he could rattle her so easily.
Taking a deep breath, she accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed half of it. The alcohol would wreak havoc on her empty, nervous stomach, but she hoped it would also bolster her shaken confidence. Head held high, shoulders squared, she donned a practiced smile and composed herself enough to continue around the room, chatting with the guests.
She moved with a gentle swish of the finest silk. Her gown had a designer label, but she’d chosen it for its flowing lines and pale green shade. It had a modest V-neck and short sleeves that left most of her arms bare. The fabric draped across her torso and fell nearly to her ankles with a knee-high slit for easy movement.
Accessories included small pearls in her ears and a strand around her neck. A successful professional strategy included blending with the rich and famous without competing. It wouldn’t do to outshine her guests in any fashion. Thinking of their latest guest, she finished off the glass of champagne.
“Miss Moran, how nice to see you.”
The heavily accented voice belonged to Makis Stratus, Demetri’s partner and best friend. She should have known he’d be in the vicinity, even though she hadn’t noticed him earlier. He rarely left Demetri’s side. The two had known each other since childhood and Makis was very protective of the friendship.
“Mr. Stratus.” She replaced her empty glass with a full one and turned more fully toward him. “How are you?”
“I am doing very well,” he replied with a courtly nod. “I was hoping you might honor me with a dance.”
Crystal studied the other man for a silent moment. Although more classically handsome than Demetri, Makis was shorter and stockier. He lacked his friend’s aura of sizzling sensuality. From what little she knew of him, he also lacked Demetri’s personal honesty and integrity. Although he’d always been unfailingly polite to her, she’d sensed he
Crystal Moran’s gaze settled on the broad-shouldered, dark-haired man the instant he walked through the doors of the hotel ballroom. He came in with an air of authority, heightened by tuxedoed elegance and pure male magnetism.
His Mediterranean heritage was apparent in the inky black of his hair, his sun-kissed skin, and strong rather than handsome features—prominent jawbones supporting lean, grooved cheeks, a long, narrow nose, and full, sensuous mouth. She’d always thought his face a study in classical Greek bone structure.
A stir of excitement skittered around the room once he was recognized, the atmosphere suddenly teeming with renewed expectations. As one of the world’s wealthiest and most eligible bachelors, Demetrius Vardolas’s presence at any social event made it a guaranteed success.
For Crystal, the sight of her former lover had her heart pausing, tightening with pain, and then pounding in a riotous rush. It had been three years since she’d seen him, two years since she’d stopped sobbing over him and a year since he’d invaded her nightly dreams. He’d hurt her badly, but she thought she’d gotten over him. It stunned her to realize she’d been fooling herself. With him came a wave of memories, both joyous and agonizing.
His proximity made the air whoosh from her lungs. The old pain resurfaced, threatening to suffocate her. She forced it to the back of her mind with a strength born of necessity, but her palms went damp and her nerves felt wired.
She’d been the quintessential art student studying in a foreign land, fascinated by a man way out of her league. Worse yet, she’d been naive enough to believe she’d found her happily-ever-after white knight.
Their gazes briefly met across the crowded room. Crystal didn’t acknowledge him with so much as a blink of an eye or a nod of recognition. Instead, she slowly, deliberately, shifted her attention with an aloofness that came naturally these days. She wouldn’t allow him the satisfaction of knowing he could rattle her so easily.
Taking a deep breath, she accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed half of it. The alcohol would wreak havoc on her empty, nervous stomach, but she hoped it would also bolster her shaken confidence. Head held high, shoulders squared, she donned a practiced smile and composed herself enough to continue around the room, chatting with the guests.
She moved with a gentle swish of the finest silk. Her gown had a designer label, but she’d chosen it for its flowing lines and pale green shade. It had a modest V-neck and short sleeves that left most of her arms bare. The fabric draped across her torso and fell nearly to her ankles with a knee-high slit for easy movement.
Accessories included small pearls in her ears and a strand around her neck. A successful professional strategy included blending with the rich and famous without competing. It wouldn’t do to outshine her guests in any fashion. Thinking of their latest guest, she finished off the glass of champagne.
“Miss Moran, how nice to see you.”
The heavily accented voice belonged to Makis Stratus, Demetri’s partner and best friend. She should have known he’d be in the vicinity, even though she hadn’t noticed him earlier. He rarely left Demetri’s side. The two had known each other since childhood and Makis was very protective of the friendship.
“Mr. Stratus.” She replaced her empty glass with a full one and turned more fully toward him. “How are you?”
“I am doing very well,” he replied with a courtly nod. “I was hoping you might honor me with a dance.”
Crystal studied the other man for a silent moment. Although more classically handsome than Demetri, Makis was shorter and stockier. He lacked his friend’s aura of sizzling sensuality. From what little she knew of him, he also lacked Demetri’s personal honesty and integrity. Although he’d always been unfailingly polite to her, she’d sensed he
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