He smiled and kissed her fingers.“I’m delighted you came.I know the perfect place to put you, away from the action, but still able to see it.”
He led her to the end of the bar, far from the front door and very close to the elevator leading to his private quarters.He introduced her to the bartender who’d served her the first night she’d come looking for him.
Christien kissed her on the forehead.“I truly am glad you are here,” he said above the beat of the music.He smoothed her hair, his gaze sincere.
She smiled and waved him away.“Go.Do your thing.”
Christien shot Ken the bartender a pointed look.“Take care of her,” he said and disappeared into the crowd.
The dance floor was filled with writhing bodies and women barely dressed.The flashing lights reflected off the sparkles in their halter-tops and strapless dresses.Scattered among the dancers were couples wound tightly together.
“Try this.”Ken slid a glass of blue liquid toward her.
“What is it?”
“Blueberry martini.My specialty.”
She took a careful sip and smiled.It tasted like a melted ice pop so she took another sip and turned back to the dance floor.
Occasionally she’d catch a glimpse of Christien as he moved through the crowd.A man put his hand on Christien’s shoulder and Christien bent his head to listen, laughed and moved on.Both men and women stopped him and he would listen attentively before continuing through the crowd.Lainie fought unexpected jealousy when women touched him.Some provocatively, others possessively and still others just to get his attention.Christien, however, didn’t seem to notice.He treated everyone the same.
Except for Sabine.
Immediately Lainie felt the connection between the two.They moved in tandem, one on one side of the room, the other on the other side, yet they communicated silently with just a nod or a glance.It was obvious they had worked together a long time.
Sabine also talked to whoever stopped her, but was very adept at sidestepping the wandering hands of a few drunken men with a laugh and an admonishment.
Another blueberry martini appeared at her elbow and Lainie took a sip.Sabine slid onto the barstool next to her.
“Welcome to The Chevalier,” she said with a wide smile.
“Thank you.”
Ken handed Sabine a drink of what looked like carbonated water with lemon and Sabine sipped it.
Lainie tugged on her plain, knit shirt and ran her palms along her jeans, eyeing Sabine’s silver spangled halter-top that dipped low between perfect breasts and her tight, black leather pants that made her legs look a mile long.
“Are you having fun?”Sabine asked.
Lainie nodded, her tongue suddenly thick and awkward.
A waitress motioned Sabine over and she slid off her stool.“Back to work,” she said brightly with a small wave toward Lainie.
Christien met up with Sabine and the waitress and the three powwowed with their heads bent together.Christien’s dark hair brushed against Sabine’s nearly white-blond hair and Lainie’s stomach churned.
Of course Christien had a life before Lainie.He was a good-looking guy and it would be stupid of her to think he’d never had a girlfriend.The internet articles with the pictures of the supermodels proved he had.She drank half the martini in one gulp to drown the jealousy suddenly rearing its ugly head.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t had boyfriends.She’d had lots.Dozens.Scores.Legions.
Okay, maybe just two and a few dates that never panned out.
Someone slid onto the stool Sabine vacated and jostled Lainie’s arm.
“Sorry,” said a masculine voice.
“S’okay.”She turned to the newcomer and smiled.
He smiled back and offered his hand.“John,” he said.
