Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
“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.
And he’s at least the tenth richest man in the room, I hear Rachel’s whisper, like a devil on my shoulder.
I turn to introduce Armand, but he’s disappeared completely, as if he’s flown away. Just like Hermes.
If Adam is wondering why I’m looking around, he doesn’t show it. “I missed you, darling,” he draws me close. My eyes catch on the tiny golden lyre pinned to his lapel. Beware Apollo.
I blink and focus on Adam, who’s still talking. “I called your office to see if we could ride together.”
“Sorry.” I’m blushing. The only way my cheeks could get redder is if I turned inside out. Breathe. Remember to breathe, dammit. “I must’ve been in the lab.”
“Poor, sweet Cinderella.” He draws me onto the ballroom floor. “Once our companies merge, you won’t have to work so hard.”
His hands—they’re on my body. Intimately touching me. Well, more intimately than I’m usually ever touched.
His right hand rests on my waist right above the curve of my hip like he’s held me there every day of his life. Even Armand wasn’t so bold. Adam’s left hand holds my hand in a commanding grip as he guides me across the floor.
“I-I don’t mind it.” I struggle to get my tongue back in order. “I mean, I like the lab. I like my work.”
“I know you do,” he soothes. “Your board tells me you barely leave Belladonna’s basement.”
Wait, what? “They do?” I bristle. Who’s been talking to him behind my back? “They shouldn’t be talking about me to outsiders—”
“But I’m not an outsider, am I, sweet? I’ve been an ally of Belladonna since the beginning. If my father hadn’t wanted me to take over Archer Industries, I’d be in the lab with you, just like in the olden days with your father…speaking of whom, how is Dr. Laurel?”