"Dance with me," he says, extending his hand.
I blink."What?"
"Richard is watching from inside.This will drive him insane."
“Again.”A startled laugh escapes me as I glance over my shoulder."You want to make your brother jealous?That's surprisingly petty for you."
“I’m a man of many talents.Dance with me."
I place my hand in his."I thought we agreed this couldn't happen."
"This is strategy.”He draws me into his arms."Purely professional."
"Of course.Nothing says 'professional' like slow dancing with your boss to spite his brother."
His hand finds the small of my back, warm through the thin fabric of my dress."Consider it corporate espionage."
"Is that what we're calling it now?"
We move together across the stone terrace, the music guiding our steps.Callum leads with surprising grace, his body moving in perfect rhythm against mine.
"In case you're wondering," he murmurs close to my ear, "Richard is indeed watching.And he looks furious."
"Good," I whisper back."Though I'm a bit concerned about what he might be telling Duncan."
"Let him try.Duncan's not stupid enough to believe anything from a man who embezzled from his own family."
My anxiety ebbs slightly."You sound very certain."
"I am."His thumb traces small circles against my back."Besides, I happen to know Duncan has an eight o'clock tee time tomorrow with the head of the SEC's regional office.He won't risk associating with Richard beyond this little power play."
I pull back slightly to look at him."How do you know his golf schedule?"
"I know everything about Duncan MacTavish, including the fact that he's watching us right now and looking extremely displeased that his attempt to cause friction has backfired."
I glance over Callum's shoulder.
Sure enough, Duncan stands at the terrace doors, Richard beside him, both men observing our dance with barely concealed frustration.
"Wow, they look like someone spilled haggis on their dress shoes," I say.
Callum's full lips pull upward."That's oddly specific."
"I've been spending too much time with your grandmother.She has colorful expressions for everything."
"She once described a board member as looking like 'a constipated badger with tax troubles.'"
I laugh, genuinely this time, relaxing into his arms."Perfectly reasonable assessment, I'm sure."
The music swells, and Callum surprises me by executing a flawless spin that brings me back against his chest, closer than before.
"Show-off," I accuse breathlessly.
"Strategic.Richard just left in a huff."
"Mission accomplished, then?"
"Almost."His eyes hold mine."I think we've learned all we can tonight.Shall we make our exit?"
