“There, you got your evidence, right?” Don asked as he scooped me in his arms to dance amongst a crowd of couples on the dance floor.
Looking into his eyes with a smirk, I said, “No, and you know it. I have a job to do, and the sooner you let me get to it, the better.”
He sighed, pulling me in closer. “Don’t think I won’t break his kneecaps. If he’s a cheater, he’ll deserve it anyway. But if he touches you, I will lose my shit.”
I kissed the corner of his lips because the scowl on his face was too irresistible. “I never thought I’d care for the possessive type, but you, sir, might win me over yet.”
He looked me square in the eyes. “Baby, I’ve already won you. All you have to do is admit it.”
My heart thumped against my ribcage.
I stopped dancing and slowly lowered my arms. “I have to go,” I said, peering over his shoulder. “Kelvin just left the room. He’s alone.”
And had just picked up a drink and passed the bar.
Don responded with a nod.
I headed in the direction Kelvin had walked into a small off-shoot of the larger room. However, it was still easy to see into the room where guests were mingling.
“Needed some time alone, huh?” I asked as I entered the room. There was no one else around.
He chuckled and took another sip of his drink then looked around before letting his gaze settle on me. “I can’t stand these things,” he said in a serious tone, even though he still wore a smile. “It’s a worthy cause and all of that. I’d give any amount, but showing up to these functions to smile and shake hands with all these big wigs and what not?”
“They’re not all elites in there,” I pointed out. “There’re a lot of firefighters.”
“Them, I don’t mind. Most are genuine fans too. But it’s not the firefighters who my agent wants me to suck up to.”
I looked over his shoulder and caught sight of Don talking to Sean from Rescue Four. Both men looked stunning in their tuxedos, but I couldn’t pull my gaze away from Don. My chest swelled a little when he smiled at whatever was said in the conversation.
He has such a great smile.
Kelvin asked, “Are you a firefighter?”
“Me? No.” I shook my head, lowering my eyes to the floor, briefly. “My father was. And my brother is. Well,was.He was...severely injured earlier this year.”
Sympathy invaded Kelvin’s gaze.
I glanced back over at Don. More people stood around him and Sean. Don was saying something that caused the others to laugh. I wished to be closer to him, to know whatever it was he’d said that had caused them all to crack up.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“What? Oh, yeah, thanks.”
Focus, Jocelyn.
“He’s taking it pretty hard.”
Kelvin squinted. “Wait, I read about a firefighter earlier this year who lost his leg. Ty told me the guy worked with his brother.” He snapped his fingers. “Colin or Carey.”
“Corey,” I corrected. “Corey Stephens.”
“That’s him. How’s he doing?”
A sad smile touched my lips. “Some days are better than others. But he’s on the mend.”
I straightened my spine and moved closer to Kelvin. On the sly, I stuck my hand in my clutch, making sure my recorder caught our entire conversation.
“So, Kelvin, you’re here alone tonight. There’s no lucky woman in your life?”
