Shame (Ruin #3)(12)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

In fact, he reminded me of the professor, though the professor was such a stiff I doubt he even knew what a masquerade was, let alone owned a suit as nice as the one this guy was wearing.

“So,” he prompted, his full lips curling into another devastating smile as his light eyes twinkled with amusement. “Tell me a secret.”

I froze.

I had nothing against secrets. But that had been a game Taylor and I had played… something intimate, something he’d used against me repeatedly in order to get me to do his bidding when he was angry or jealous.

I shivered in response.

“Or…” His smooth voice matched his captivating smile, and the mystery man changed tactics. “…just tell me a truth.”

“This last week…” I swallowed, ignoring the painful reminder in my chest. “…I had to switch mailboxes seven times.”

“Seven?” His eyes widened. “Not happy with your PO location? Hmm, I highly doubt that. The only reason a woman would go to all that trouble would be to hide from something or someone… tax evasion? No, too young.” His eyes scanned me. “Crazy ex–boyfriend, then? Or stalker?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he gave a slight shake of his head. His eyes examined me from head to toe. “Too polite to report a crazy stalker or ex-boyfriend. My guess is you’ve been trying to hide from the individual and hope it will go away with a simple address change.”

“It will,” I defended. “Besides, ever since information was released into the public—”

His eyes narrowed. “The public?”

“Never mind.” I shook my head. The last thing I needed was to let him know who I really was. That always gave me unwanted attention. “So I’m in college.” Not the smoothest subject change I’d ever tried, but it worked. He seemed amused. His lips curved into a grin. Something was so familiar and ridiculously hot about that grin.

“Twenty?”

I gawked as his mouth nearly brushed mine with the ending of his answer. “Huh?”

“Your age.”

“Yeah.”

“Sophomore?”

“Can you stop psychoanalyzing me now?” I said, breathless.

He laughed heartily. His head fell back just slightly, giving me a view of his strong neck.

Something was seriously wrong with me if I was lusting after the man’s neck.

“Alright, so tell me about your week, let me guess your new professor is an absolute prick.”

I joined in his laughter, recalling all the times that week that Professor Blake had picked on me in class. “Yeah, something like that. I think he hates me.”

“Who could hate you?”

“Ah, there’s that flattery again.”

He dipped me, the motion stealing any control I’d deluded I’d had in his arms. He brought me back against his chest and said in a husky voice. “I prefer truth.”

I fought to not roll my eyes. “Fine, and apparently it’s really easy. Apparently I offend him by breathing.”

“The only reason a man would be offended by your breathing is because of the distraction it causes.”

“Me living is a distraction?”

“To me?” His eyes narrowed as he twirled me then pulled me back into his arms. “To the male species?” He lowered me into a dip, his face inches from mine as he whispered, “I imagine your presence is a distraction everywhere you go.”

I swallowed convulsively as the music ended, and he brought me back to an upright position.

A man tapped him on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I wrapped my arms around myself while he engaged in conversation. I read no expression on his face. It was like he’d gone blank.

When he turned back around, that dead-sexy smile was back, and I could have sworn my knees knocked together a bit.

“Walk with me.”

I nodded and grasped his gloved hand with mine.

He smoothly led me through the crowds. We came to a stop once we reached the stage; he released my hand and jogged up.

Uh, did Wes and Gabe know that this guy was going to make a speech?

I looked behind me for the guys. The music stopped.

When I glanced back up at the stage, Wes and Gabe were joining mystery man. They slapped him on the back and then pumped each others hands. Okay, who was this guy? Seriously?

“Thank you all for coming,” Wes said into the microphone. “With your help tonight and the generous donations of W. Enterprises, we were able to raise over one million toward our goal of two million by the end of the year! Thank you so much!”

Gabe clapped along with Wes. They stepped out of the way while my mystery man stood tall amongst the two guys, not dwarfing them but easily holding his own. He coughed into his fist then shoved both hands into his pockets; it looked practiced, as if he wanted to show an heir of vulnerability. His eyes flashed toward mine, giving me a dark possessive look, before addressing the crowd.

“As CEO of W. Enterprises, I’m more than happy to thank all the donors, and on behalf of my father, we truly appreciate everyone’s continuing support toward bettering the healthcare in the greater Seattle area.”

More applause.

But the pieces weren’t falling into place. So he was a CEO of a company? That fit, I guess. He was dressed well, and he’d mentioned security, but what CEO had that type of security?

The guys filed off the stage. Gabe purposely bumped into me and winked before wandering off, probably to find Saylor, and Wes stopped right in front of me.

“So…” His grin was shameless. “Having fun with Charming, Miss Cinderella?”

I narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms. “You mean that’s the guy—”

“I think I deserve an ‘I’m sorry, Wes, for doubting your ability.’”

I held up my hand. “Not happening.”

“Of course, the great Wes Michels knows the prettiest girl in the room.” Mystery man walked up to us. He wrapped an arm around me, tugging me closer to his body. I liked it. I shouldn’t, but I did.

“Funny, I don’t see my wife.” Wes winked. “And yes, Tristan, this is—”

“No last names!” I blurted, sounding like a complete idiot.

“We don’t want to break the rules.” Mystery man leaned down, his breath hot on my neck. “Do we?”

Oh we do, we really, really do. “Nope.” My voice came out like a squeak. “Sorry, Wes, but no names until the unmasking at midnight!”