Page 156 of The Donovan Dynasty

He straightened his tie, preening.Then, professional that he was, he made notes on his schedule as she walked away.

Before leaving the room, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Cade.Even though he stood next to his handsome brothers, he didn’t completely fit.His smile wasn’t as genuine as theirs, and his Western-style tux and hat set him apart.He was taller, broader, more… She considered herself pragmatic, but the only word she could think of was brooding.

After shaking her head, she went to check that everything was perfect for the cocktail hour in the other room.

The quartet was in place on a platform, and they were tuning up.Two servers stood behind an open bar.The banquet manager confirmed that hors d’oeuvres would be served at ten minutes after the hour.All the centerpieces and decorations were perfect.

Finally, she went outside to check the patio.

Right now, it was too hot and humid to be pleasant.The overhead beams had pendant fans hanging from them, their blades seeming to slog through the thick air.

Later, though, the lights off the bayou and the view of downtown Houston, combined with cooler temperatures, would make this an ideal spot.

She ordered a sparkling water from the bartender, enjoying the last few minutes of peace that she was likely to get for the next couple of hours.

“Lemon?Lime?”

“Lime, thanks.”After she had the drink in hand, Sofia walked around the patio.She found a gate that led to the side of the building.There was gravel there, with pavers.That could be the best way to get Julien into the party with as little disruption to the festivities as possible.

She paused at the back of the patio near a massive potted palm.If she could get some workers to move the plants around, they could block part of the area from view.

Cade emerged from inside.Without hesitating, he headed directly toward the bar.

Sofia told herself that he hadn’t followed her, but she couldn’t be sure.

The woman wrapped a napkin around a beer bottle and handed it to him.

Sofia watched as he dropped a bill into the tip jar.Judging by the bartender’s wide-eyed expression, it had been a good one.If she hadn’t already liked him, she would have changed her mind in that instant.

Then he turned toward her.

If she’d had any doubt that he’d followed her, it was erased.

He remained where he was.

Heat and feminine response chased through her.She shouldn’t be attracted to him, but damn it, she was.

Maybe she should have handled the Oilman’s Ball and left Cade to Avery.Even as the thought flashed through her mind, she banished it.No matter how badly he unnerved her, he ensnared her.Intuition told her to run before she couldn’t.Yet her body refused obey her mind’s orders.

She curved both hands around her glass as he approached.

“I would have gotten that for you,” he said, indicating her drink.

“I think as the event planner, it’s my job to make sure you’re taken care of.”

“Always the duty of a man to make sure a woman’s needs are met.”

He hadn’t said anything provocative, so why was she responding as if he had?“Thank you.But I’m pretty accustomed to taking care of myself.”

She noticed him glance toward her left hand.

“By choice?”he asked.

“That’s nosy, Mr.Donovan.”

“It is,” he agreed.

But Cade didn’t relent.Instead, he seemed genuinely interested in learning more about her.How long had it been since that had happened?Months?Maybe years?Then the truth hit her.She’d never had a man be so inquisitive and not back down when she called him out on it.He was unique among the men she’d known.That, more than anything, was what encouraged her to respond.“My mother was abandoned by my alcoholic father when I was very young.”