"You're safe," he murmured, his charm radiating like a heat lamp.
He brought out a pristine white handkerchief from his inner pocket and began to tie it around her cut with gentle ease. "I am Damian."
The music shifted into a slower, more haunting rhythm, and the second round of dances started.
Damian smiled and offered his hand with a slight bow. "A dance will calm those throbbing nerves I could sense from a distance."
Anastasia looked at the private hall entrance, Matteo hadn't followed her out yet.
"Just one dance."
Anastasia scanned the room one last time for Matteo, her heart hammering. Seeing no sign of him, and needing to blend in to avoid more predatory stares, she let him take her hand.
His hand found her waist, hers on his arm. They swayed to the slow instrumental music. Damian pierced into her eyes, while Anastasia was trying hard to avoid his gaze.
"Your eyes... the Castellano women are a rare breed," Damian remarked.
