She clinked her glass with his, and they sipped in unison. She pursed her lips at the white wine.

“Is the Chardonnay all right? I know you’d prefer red.” His tone was apologetic, which only made her feel worse. She never wanted to say or do anything to drive him away. She needed-craved-David’s normalcy. A life with someone like him would make up for all the years when she hadn’t been able to count on her father.

“No, this is just what I wanted.” She sipped again with better control. She’d asked for white wine to protect her expensive ivory dress.

David waved to three men she didn’t know. “Smart choice. Red wine and that dress could be a disaster.”

Another trait they shared-smart choices. David was perfect for her in so many ways. She sipped her wine with a smile to assure him she was content.

After all, the illusion was as close as some people got to the real thing.

“Excuse me a minute.” He leaned close to her ear. “Those gentlemen all contributed to my campaign fund. Give me three minutes with them, then join us.” He left before she could answer.

Iris scanned the partygoers in the crowded ballroom, but didn’t see anyone she wanted to make small talk with for three minutes. Political events made her nervous, though she did her best to hide it from David. She intended to be the model wife for him, and she’d do whatever was necessary to further his career. She sipped her Chardonnay, alone.

A tingling at her neck warned her someone had approached from behind. Warm fingers whispered up her bare spine to rest at her nape.

“One of your pins is loose.” The male voice lured her-rich, dark, and promising the same jolt as a good espresso. “Allow me.”

His fingers slid about her neck, past her ears, sending alarms from every nerve ending. Her entire body shivered with heat, a sensation beyond anything she’d experienced before. A pin slid deeper into her hair, but his touch lingered. She liked how it lingered.