Chosen for Power (Women of Power, #1) Read Online Free Page A

relationship, too. That’s why she was dreaming tonight. Dreaming of a man to give her enough memories to sustain her for another year of sitting alone on the couch at night.
     
    Elle looked out the window as the limo came to a stop. The museum was lit up like Christmas against the dark night sky.
    “We’re here. I’m going to hop over to the mall and do some last-minute Christmas shopping. If I don’t hear from you sooner, I’ll meet you right here at one-thirty to take you back to the office,” Finn told her as he held the door open.
    “Thank you, Finn.” Elle stepped out and smiled for the flashes from the photographers. They’d have fun trying to figure out who was who with everyone wearing full masks or a half-mask like she’d donned. Although, she was sure most of the guests would have gotten out of their cars without their masks just to make sure they were in the paper's society section.
    She walked the red carpet and paused in front of the Drake Charles Foundation and Children’s Hospital sign for her official photograph. She ignored the questions of who she was and just smiled before she went through the ornate glass doors and into the art museum. Beautiful masterpieces hung on the walls, and lights cast a warm glow upon the dancers below her. Elle took her time looking over the large crowd as she made her way down the set of white marble stairs. Groups of people stood on the perimeter of the large room talking as waiters walked among them passing out hors d'oeuvres and champagne. Mr. Charles certainly didn’t spare any expense for this year's party.
    Elle smiled as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs and watched the dancers. They were twirling around the dance floor while laughing and talking to their partners. She hoped someone would ask her to dance.
    “Excuse me, Vivienne?”
    Elle turned and looked down, way down, to the man standing next to her.
    “Wrong person, sorry.”
    “My apologies. I’m Dr. Martin Brist, plastic surgeon. And who might you be?”
    “If I told, it would defeat the purpose of a masquerade, wouldn’t it?” Elle teased as she eyed the champagne tray making its way toward her. She silently prayed there would be some left when the waiter got to her. When she had dreamed of a guy talking to her and asking for a dance, it wasn’t a man who was five-feet-two with a balding head and a potbelly, wearing a peacock mask. Elle smiled to herself and he puffed up, thinking the smile was for him, confirming her suspicions. He was quite literally a preening peacock tonight.
    “Well, since I can’t find Vivienne . . .”
    No, don’t do it, Elle mentally chanted as the man started stuttering. Then she saw him look up and smile. She followed his gaze and saw the mistletoe hanging above. Uh-oh.
    “Excuse me. I want to catch someone before he leaves.” Elle smiled politely and made a dash for the waiter with one last glass of champagne on his tray.
    She reached for it with a grateful smile to the waiter. A hand closed around hers at the same time hers closed around the glass stem. “Oh!” Elle stepped back, but refused to let go of her hold on the last glass of champagne.
    The hand was big and strong and attached to a very nice tuxedo-clad arm, which was attached to broad, muscular shoulders. Elle jerked her head up and was met with dark blue eyes behind a simple black mask that blended into black hair. His lips were full, his jaw strong, and there was no tell-tale ring around a particular finger. Elle fought the urge to shiver and melt all at the same time. Maybe her wish had been granted after all.

CHAPTER THREE
     
    Drake wasn't used to losing his cool, but as he looked down at the fiery redhead in front of him, he felt a primal urge like he’d never felt before. His hand closed tighter around hers, not wanting to lose the magic between them.
    Beautiful green eyes shone through her mask, and he felt himself grow hot with desire. The pink dress clung to full breasts and