Kate approached the businessman with a smile warm enough to melt ice. Trent Caldwell spotted her and lit up like he'd just hit the jackpot.

"And you are…?" he asked, taking her hand with far too much confidence.

"Veronica Maddox," she said, letting their fingers linger a second longer than necessary. "And you must be the man everyone keeps talking about."

His smile sharpened with interest. Across the room, Grayson's grip tightened around his glass until his knuckles turned white.

"Let go of her hand, you idiot," he hissed under his breath as Trent stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

"I like confident women," Trent murmured, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.

"Do you?" Kate touched his chest, pretending to fix his tie. "What a coincidence… I like men who know what they want."

The man stood close. Too close. He whispered to her. She laughed. She tilted her head. And then… she touched his chest again.

Grayson clutched the glass so hard he heard the faint c