Page 86 of Just The Way You Aren't

"Damien!" Finn Bardot's voice booms across the ballroom. His golden hair is perfectly mussed, long-legged stride full of swagger. "You planning on hiding this beautiful young lady from us all night?"

In a word:Yes.

"They’re all friends of yours?" Willow asks, and I don't missthe way her eyes widen as she takes them in. Five men in perfectly tailored tuxedos, each one better looking than the next.

"Unfortunately." I paste on a tight smile as they approach, trying not to notice how their gazes immediately lock onto Willow. Or rather, Willow in that sinful midnight blue dress that hugs every curve, the glittering Tiffany necklace I placed on her throat catching the light.

Wyatt reaches us first, his usual easy grin in place. "Willow! You look absolutely stunning. That dress is?—"

Mine,I think but I don't say it, as my arm slides more firmly around her waist.

“Wow,” Wyatt finishes, clearly dazzled. And why wouldn’t he be? Willow looked lovely the day he met her, dressed in one of her long flowy skirts and a colorful top, but tonight she is magnificent.

"Thank you," she says, that brilliant smile of hers making something primitive stir in my chest. "I’m so pleased you were able to make it tonight, Wyatt."

"Wouldn't miss it." He gestures to the others. "And I brought reinforcements. Gentlemen, meet Willow Harper, the Executive Director of Silver Hearts."

The way they all stare at her with laser focus and open interest makes something primitive stir in my chest. Five single billionaires, and every one of them is drinking in the sight of her charm, her warmth, that dress. Fucking hell, why did I buy her something that makes her look this good?

Because she deserved it, that’s why. And if any of my friends from The Retreat thinks he can muscle in on my date—my woman—he’s going to have to come through me first.

"Alec Beckett." The tech mogul steps forward first, takingher hand with a smile that makes his dimples appear beneath his sharp cheekbones and green eyes that miss nothing. "It's a pleasure to meet the woman who's managed to domesticate Damien."

"I'm not domesticated," I growl, which only makes them all laugh.

"Right," Brad Hayes says, stepping up next. "That's why you missed poker last week to deliver meals to the elderly."

"You deliver meals? Personally?" Gabriel Sinclair's deep voice is edged with surprise. "That's actually rather?—"

"Can we not do this here?" I interrupt, but Willow's hand finds mine, squeezing gently.

"I think it's wonderful that Damien's friends are so supportive," she says diplomatically. "And thank you all for coming tonight."

"Are you kidding?" Finn smirks. "When Wyatt told us about the cause, we couldn't resist. Plus, we had some items gathering dust that might help your auction."

"Items?" Willow blinks. "You all donated something tonight?"

The way her face lights up with surprise and gratitude makes my chest tight. But it also draws my friends' attention even more intensely, and I have to resist the urge to step between them and block their view.

"Just some things we had lying around," Alec says, shrugging nonchalantly. "I put together a smart home package. Full security, environmental controls, the works."

"Lying around?" I snort. "That's a hundred-thousand-dollar system you designed yourself."

"One twenty, actually," he corrects. "But who's counting?"

"Two weeks at my beach house in the Caymans," Brad adds. "Never find time to use it anyway."

"Because even corporate vampires avoid the sun," I remark wryly.

He casually flips me off, using his middle finger to scratch above his brow. "I just don't see the point of beaches when pools exist."

"Rain forest adventure package," Finn chimes in. "Zip-lining, wildlife tours, luxury glamping."

"The man owns the company," I tell Willow. "Makes those Bear Grylls adventures look like kindergarten field trips."

"And this one donated a car," Wyatt says, pointing at Gabe.

I practically choke on my drink. "The Aston Martin?" I can't hide my surprise. "The one you've been obsessing over for three years?"

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