“Guess what?” she murmurs as we reach the top. “There’s a big difference between knowing thirty different media outlets will be present and being on the receiving end of all that attention.”
Planting my hand in the small of her back, I simultaneously guide her inside and stake a claim on her in case any of the other assholes here decide to look her way. “Welcome to stardom.”
She makes a noise that could be a laugh, but sounds more like a squeak from a terrified rabbit. “I prefer being on the other side of the rope.”
Pausing, I press a kiss to her temple, ignoring the buzz below. “Thank you for coming. You’re doing great.” Strangely enough, helping her cope with her nerves eases mine. “Let’s find our table.”
Unfortunately, as soon as we enter, someone whisks me away from Lena and I glance over my shoulder to see her wide eyes disappear into a sea of faces. I’m taken to a back room where a guy in a designer suit barks instructions, and next thing I know a half hour has passed and I’m being ushered onto a stage, in front of more than fifty tables full of people. They all have their faces turned toward me.
I swallow, then clear my throat. “Good evening, everyone.” My voice is too loud in the sudden silence, and sweat breaks out on my upper lip. What am I doing here? Who am I kidding? This isn’t the place for me. I check the notes I wrote on my palm earlier, but the ink has smudged because my damn palms are sweating, too.
“It’s great to be here,” I say, improvising. The tie is too tight around my neck and I’m not sure I can breathe. But then I catch sight of a brilliant black and red dress, and a beautiful head of curls, and the pressure on my throat eases. Lena smiles at me, and nods. I nod back, and stand straighter. I’ve got this. Lena believes in me, and I’m all over this speech. I’ve said it a dozen times over the last few hours. So I open my mouth and let the words fall out. Lena’s grin widens, and I talk directly to her. People laugh and applaud, but I don’t hear them because all of my focus is on my girl.
When I come to the end of my speech, someone claps me on the shoulder and my gaze tears away from hers. I reel back, feeling like I’ve stumbled out of a pleasant daydream. The audience are standing, and for the life of me, I can’t even remember what I said. But I smile and step back, seeking Lena out again. She’s looking away, talking to Nick, but she’s beaming and I’m so fucking pleased to be responsible for that expression.
The MC takes over, and I’m excused. All of my instincts scream at me to run to Lena’s table and kiss the hell out of her, but instead I find an empty room, shut myself inside and close my eyes. In my mind, I can still see her as clearly as if she’s right in front of me, and it fills me with warmth.
I’m in trouble. Because not only am I crazy attracted to Lena and more than a little possessive of her, but I think I’m falling for her, too. And that isn’t okay. I don’t have time for a girlfriend. Not one who deserves a man who’ll conquer the world for her. But fuck, I wish I did because everything about her feels right, and I want her with me forever.
14
Lena
I’m so proud of Jase. I know how nervous he was, but the crowd loved him. It doesn’t hurt that he’s easily the sexiest guy here, with his broad shoulders, smoldering eyes, and confident swagger.
“Hey, Lena, is that you?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Travis, a linebacker for the new Vegas football team, who’s also a former client of mine. Another former client, hockey star Brent Wallace, is standing beside him, both of them with drinks in hand. We’re free to mingle until the dinner service, and Travis has a glint in his eye that says he wouldn’t mind mingling with me in ways I’d rather not think about. He heads toward me, people scattering in his wake, and brings Brent with him.
I scan the room, but there’s no way I can dodge them, so I resign myself to brushing off Travis’s lame-ass pickup lines. In a lot of ways, he isn’t a bad guy. There are many worse. But he’s spoiled, self-centered, and never learned to take “no” for an answer. Especially where women are concerned.
“Nice to see you, gorgeous,” he says, ducking to kiss my cheek, where he lingers long enough for me to grow uncomfortable. He gives me a once over, pausing on my chest. “You look great, as always. Do you know my buddy Brent?”
“Yes.” I offer a hand to Brent, who shakes it. He’s quieter than Travis, more the brooding type, and while he’s easier to deal with, he unsettles me. “Good to see you.”
“What are you doing here?” Travis asks, crowding closer. “Brent, why don’t you get her a drink?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine, thanks.” I’m not drinking anything either of these two give me. Not that I necessarily think they’d slip me something, I just don’t fully trust them. They’re accustomed to doing whatever they want, and having someone else clean up their mess. Someone like me.
“So, why are you here?” Travis persists, sipping his wine. “Did you decide you want in on some of the action yourself?”
“Hardly.” I laugh. “You know this isn’t my scene.” I don’t want to reveal too much personal information to them, but I’m getting the impression I should dissuade Travis’s interest as quickly as possible. “I’m here with someone.”
“With someone.” He tests the words, as though they’re unfamiliar. “Like a date?”
“No. Yes.” I sigh. “He’s a client.”
If anything, the interest in his eyes intensifies. “I thought you liked to keep your personal life separate from work.”
Generally, I do, so I can’t argue the point. But then an arm is circling my waist and I’m being pulled into the shelter of a male body.
“Cutie pie.” A masculine voice rumbles beside my ear, and I shiver.Jase. Thank God. “Introduce me to your friends.”
Turning in his arms, my hands go to his chest. His jaw is tight, eyes narrowed on the two men across from me, who are staring, rapt. Smoothing a hand on Jase’s cheek, I redirect his face down to me. Immediately, his jaw loosens and he smiles.
“You were great up there,” I tell him, and after glancing around to make sure no one has a camera aimed our way, I stretch onto my tiptoes for a kiss. I only intend for it to be a brief touching of lips, but he secures me against him and ravages me so thoroughly I know I’ll need to fix my lipstick. When he pulls away, there’s a smear of red in the corner of his mouth and I wipe it off with my thumb. I want to be annoyed at him for kissing me like that in full view of everyone, but it’s hard to be mad when my body is zinging with attraction and my hormones are going crazy.
“Thanks, baby.” He turns back to Travis and Brent, wearing a cocky, challenging grin. “Sorry, remind me what your names are?”
