The library fundraiser was in full swing when Marco and I arrived.The space was a sea of glittering gowns and gleaming tuxedos.Despite it being Valentine’s Day, the decor was understated and resolutely book focused.After we checked our coats, Marco steered me towards the bar and snagged us two glasses of champagne.
“Cheers,” he said, clinking his glass against mine before taking a sip.“You look beautiful tonight.”
I turned to him, brow raised.
“What?I can’t give my best friend a compliment?”
“Of course you can.Compliments are always appreciated after spending an hour on hair and makeup.That compliment, however, was far too subdued for you.”
Marco rolled his eyes, then leaned down to whisper in my ear.“Don’t look now, but there’s a certain billionaire boss coming this way.”
I scanned the room and spotted Emmett in a sharp black tux.He began walking towards us, but he was waylaid by a crowd of people eager to shake his hand.His eyes met mine across the room, and a slow smile curved his lips before he was obliged to return his attention to the group surrounding him.My stomach flipped, and I forced myself to look away—back at Marco, who was studying my face.
“Damn, babe.”
“What?”
“You’re real fucking into him, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Please, Callie.You just eye-fucked the shit out of each other from across the room.”
I smacked his arm.“Jealousy isn’t a good look on you.”
“I only have two requests.One, please name one of your beautiful babies after me.With the heat I was getting from that look across the room, you’ll be fucking like bunnies in no time.”
“Marco!”
“Two,” he said, ignoring my death stare.“Please introduce me to all his sexy rich friends.I need a sugar daddy.”
“What if his sexy rich friends are women?”
“Sugar mama, sugar daddy.All the same to me.Now, tell me more about this project you’ve been working on.I want to hear all about it.”
I smiled, looping my arm through his.“Let’s dance first.”
As we danced, Marco kept things light and playful.His humor diffused any lingering tension.“Should we play our favorite game?”he asked.
“Oooh, I was hoping you’d say that!Start us off.”
We both knew the rules: people watching and mocking the rich and privileged.It was our favorite pastime.
Marco cleared his throat.“That there,” he said, jerking his chin toward a man with a receding hairline and gold Rolex, “is Steven Peppercorn the third.His young wife, Mary, was promised to him when she was barely out of high school.Rumor has it that he bought her a diamond necklace the size of a small country to celebrate their wedding anniversary.”
I followed his lead, my eyes sweeping the room.I spotted a woman in a gaudy sequin gown and tacky jewelry.“Bernadette Timbleton is the long-lost relative who just inherited a small fortune from some great-uncle she never knew existed.Now she’s desperately trying to fit in with the upper crust, but her nouveau riche air is a dead giveaway.”We both dissolved into laughter as we continued to spin around the dance floor.Suddenly, someone cleared their throat behind me, causing me to whirl around mid-giggle.My heart stopped as icy blue eyes met mine.
“May I cut in?”Emmett asked.
My pulse skyrocketed.Marco looked at me, and when I nodded, he released me.“Good to see you, Emmett.”
“May I?”Emmett asked again, hand outstretched.
I placed my hand in his and he pulled me in close, his touch sending shivers down my spine.As our bodies swayed to the music, he placed a firm hand on my waist, and I clung to him.We moved gracefully, as if we’d been dancing together our whole lives.Every move ignited a burning desire within me that I couldn’t ignore.
“You and Marco looked like you were having a good time,” he said.We were so close that his whispered words raised goosebumps on the exposed skin of my neck and shoulders.“I’m sorry I broke up the fun.”
“I’m still having fun.”I risked looking up and found beautiful blue eyes looking back at me intently.
