An Inconvenient Affair (The Alpha Brotherhood #1)(11)
Author: Catherine Mann

She could be his “bought for the weekend date,” and she could use that role to mingle with everyone, see if she could catch a glimpse of the mystery man Barry had claimed was his business partner. No one would question why she was here and if Colonel Salvatore hadn’t liked the idea he would have objected when Troy asked her to dance. Now, people would be too focused on who she was with to worry about why she was here. He would actually make the perfect cover.

All she had to do was resist the overwhelming urge to pull him into a dark corner and kiss him senseless.

* * *

Troy had been trying to figure out how to get Hillary away from the crowd for the past two hours.

And yes, he wouldn’t mind having her alone after one hundred and twenty-two minutes with her pressed against him, either dancing or tucked by his side as they sampled the array of tiny desserts. The soft feminine feel and minty scent of her was damn near driving him bonkers.

Except he had a plan. He’d already executed the first part through the bidding war. Salvatore’s scowl had shot daggers his way all evening, a price worth paying. Hillary could still make her identification, and she would have him as a bodyguard, even if she didn’t know it.

He guided her along the pastry line, then over to the drinks table—seltzer water with lime for them both—then out on the balcony where tables were set up. Lights were strung and twinkling, the sounds and smells of the lake carrying on the wind. He picked the table against the wall, overlooking the rest of the small outdoor area and out of clear view of the security cameras.

They could sit beside each other, shielded by the shadows. No one would approach without him seeing them first, and she could watch the party, even though she didn’t know they were on the same side. His instincts told him she was honest, but he couldn’t risk telling her of his affiliation with Salvatore until both he and Salvatore were certain of her innocence.

Bluesy jazz music drifted through the open French doors. A saxophone player had joined the pianist and singer. All of the musicians tonight were big names who’d donated their talent to the event. One of them was even a buddy from reform school and a Salvatore recruit, as well. This place was crawling with money and agendas.

Including his own.

He took his seat beside her, the handcuffs in his pocket jingling a reminder of his earlier fantasies about cuffing them together—all night long. He tipped back his glass and allowed himself the luxury of studying her out of the corner of his eye. There was no way to hide a woman like her. Sure she wore a simple strapless black gown, her hair clasped back on one side. Yet in a place full of women in designer gowns and priceless heirloom jewels, she stood out from the simplicity of her presence alone. Her unassuming grace, the way she didn’t seek the spotlight—and yet, it followed her. She drew the light.

She drew him.

Troy watched her over the top of his glass. “Are you still angry about the auction?”

Slowly, she placed her seltzer water back on the shiny steel table and stirred the lime around deliberately. “I’m upset that you didn’t tell me the truth on the airplane. I don’t appreciate being lied to.”

“I didn’t lie.” He’d been careful with his words.

She looked up sharply. “You left out parts. You quibbled about your identity.” Her freckled nose crinkled ever so slightly in disgust. “Quibbling is the same as lying.”

She sounded like Colonel Salvatore. He cursed softly.

“What was that?” She arched a brow, again just like his mentor.

“If I’d told you my full name on the plane, would you have spoken with me during the flight?” He leaned forward, taking her cool hand in his, the minty scent of her carrying on the late-night breeze. “Or if you did speak, would it have been the fun, easy exchange we shared?”

She stayed silent, but she didn’t pull away.

“Exactly.” He thumbed the inside of her wrist, enjoying the satiny softness of her skin, the speeding throb of her pulse. “I wanted to talk to you, so I didn’t pull out a calling card that says hey, I’m the Robin Hood Hacker.”

“Okay, okay—” she chewed her bottom lip, which glistened with a simple gloss, all of her makeup minimal

“—but can you at least acknowledge that you deliberately misled me?”

“I did.” He clasped her hand with both of his and squeezed once. He was making progress. Getting closer. Anticipation thrummed through his veins in time with the bluesy music. “And I’m sorry that has upset you, because honest to God, from the moment I saw you on the plane, I’ve just wanted to spend time with you. I want you to see me, not my Wikipedia page.”

She released her bottom lip from between her teeth. “You make a compelling argument.”

“Good. Then consider this. We’re both here for the weekend. So let’s make the most of it. Don’t think past Sunday. I’ll be patient through all your visits with the chef.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I’m in Chicago because I’m obligated to be here. You’ve made a dull weekend much more interesting.” His eyes lingered on the way the stars and lights brought out streaks of gold in her sleek red hair. His fingers ached to thread through each strand. “If we hang out together for the rest of this gala, we don’t have to make awkward conversation with others.”

“Better the devil I know than the devil I don’t?”

“I can live with that if it means I get to spend more time with you.”

Her midnight-blue eyes narrowing, she traced a finger over the top of their clasped hands. “Are you seriously hitting on me?”

“Yes.” And for once he wasn’t holding anything back.

“You must be really hard up.”

“Or just h—”

“Don’t even say it.”

“Hungry for your company.”

“You’re not funny.” Her mouth twitched anyway.

“Yes, I am. But it’s not something I take pride in. I’m a smart guy, and intelligence is a genetic lottery. What really matters is how I use those winnings.”

She swayed forward just a hint. “There’s sense in some of that egotistical ranting of yours.”

He canted closer until only a sliver of air separated them. He waited. Her breath puffed faster and faster with the quickening rise and fall of her chest. Her pupils widened as she met and held his gaze.

Then her lashes fluttered closed. All the invitation he needed.