“I’m older than I look actually.” I took a sip, the alcohol burning down my throat. “Is the term a little too colloquial for you?”
“No.” His lips twitched up. “It’s quite refreshing, actually.”
I had to find a way to bring up the development casually. I reached for my glass, my fingers landed offside, I knocked the glass, nearly toppling it over. “Shit.”
“Steady,” he said, looking amused as he slid the glass back in front of me.
“I think I’m a bit tipsy,” I said, clutching the glass in my hand.
“I think you might be right.”
“How is the development going? You must be very excited,” I blurted it out, then immediately wanted to jam the words back down my throat. It was hardly the casual mention I had planned.
A clip of something uncomfortable flickered in his eyes. “It’s going well, it’s Cole’s area of expertise, I’m more the silent partner.”
“And this ball is to celebrate?”
He rested his forearms on the bar casually. A gold Rolex watch sparkled against the dim light. “Yes, we have the plans all done by mini replica, the first investors got a look today.”
“And did they approve?”
He nodded and took a mouthful of whiskey.
“I’m curious to know why you would choose Rutherford Estate for the development. It must be difficult when it’s owned by so many people to get the necessary approval?”
“It’s been a challenge, but I’m sure it will be worth it.” There was a blunt edge to his voice that suggested he didn’t want to pursue this topic.
Nonetheless, I smiled sweetly. “I have heard it’s quite beautiful. I might go up and have a look.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” he said, his response was abrupt. He shifted in his seat. “We have security up there, you won’t get in.” He corrected his tone.
“Why do you need security for an undeveloped forest?” That they hadn’t secured. Not yet, anyway.
He forced a smile. “In case some crazy tries to destroy the forest. With no beautiful forest there can be no development.”
That made sense, I supposed. “Oh, I see, that’s a shame. Well then, I look forward to seeing the big reveal.”
He analyzed me for a beat, his brown eyes glinting. “It’s in my office, I could take you now for a look if you’d like?”
I flashed a smile and held his eyes. “I’d love that, if you’re sure you can leave your own party?”
“I’m more than happy to disappear from this shin-dig with a beautiful woman like you, Amy.”
I tossed the rest of the drink down. I didn’t have an exact plan, but if I could get to his office it’d be a start. I could?—
“Amelia.” Karson interrupted my thoughts. “I wondered where you went, sweetheart.” He smiled, but it went nowhere near his eyes. No, his eyes looked like he wanted to wring my neck.Sweetheart, what!For some reason I couldn’t fathom, he was staking a claim.
“Well, here I am,” I muttered, trying to force a smile but my lips felt like they were carved from plasticine.
“Karson, I didn’t know you were invited tonight,” Jefferson said coldly.What he meant was, ‘what the hell are you doing here!’ There was tension between them, and it was boulder thick.
“You should know by now, Jefferson, there is nothing that goes on in this town that I’m not aware of,” he answered as if he was chatting to an old friend, but the arrogance he normally wore like a coat of armor had been upgraded to a full suit.
Jefferson’s lips tightened. “What you think you’re aware of and what you can do about it are two very different things.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure,” Karson said, barely restraining a smirk.
They sized each other up like a pair of cage fighters. There was more testosterone than a nineteen eighties gym. Had they pulled their dicks out and started swinging them I wouldn’t have been surprised.
