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Her grin grows. We begin driving to the gala, and I find myself sneaking glances almost unconsciously. I also notice that she’s doing the same. Our gazes meet at one point, and we both turn away quickly.
Sloane groans. “This is ridiculous. We’ve both seen each other naked. You think I look nice and I think you look nice and we shouldn’t be weird about it.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her bluntness. “True.”
My eyes once again rove over her body, paying special attention to that slit in her dress. “Though perhaps it’s the leaving something to the imagination that’s getting to us more than anything.”
Her eyes glimmer. “Oh? And do you imagine a lot?”
It’s my turn to smirk. “I do. Though I think I prefer the real thing.”
She turns away but not before I see her biting her lip and color rushing to her cheeks. “So do I.”
We arrive at the gala, and a valet takes the car away. I offer her my arm which she eagerly takes.
The gala this year, as usual, has gone all out. Several local businesses have joined forces to raise money for charity and sponsor this event and it shows. There are buffet tables with exquisite dishes. Decorations that probably took days to set up. There’s even a red carpet.
I see several of my other employees and nod at each one. The only one from my management team I don’t see is Valentina, but she doesn’t usually attend these sorts of events.
Sloane squeezes my arm. “I’m going to start recon. See if you can get eyes on Craig and Angel.”
I nod and she slips into the crowd seamlessly. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of watching her work.
Doing as she says, I subtly scan the crowd for our targets. It doesn’t take me long to spot Craig. Especially since all I can hear is his obnoxious voice from across the room. He’s chatting it up with a few other businessmen, and even though I can’t hear what he’s saying, I know he’s bragging.
More than ever, I hope that tonight will be the night we take down his spy and send his operation crumbling to the ground.
I begin searching for target number two, who’s only slightly harder to find but not by much. Angel isn’t shy in or out of work. Currently, she’s arguing with the bartender on how to make a proper Chilton.
Taking a plate of food so it doesn’t look like I’m just standing around, I watch the two of them. Neither one of them has made a move to go near each other. They haven’t even so much as glanced in each other’s direction.
But I still don’t let them out of my sight for one second.
CHAPTER 18
Sloane
After I’ve checked every alcove, back hallway, and exit, I’m confident in the map I’ve made in my head of the building. Now I have a better idea of where Craig and his spy might meet up and any access point the spy might use to get in and out. Tonight is the night I finally nail our mystery middleman.
I come up from behind Tarek and don’t miss the way he tries to hide his surprise at my sudden appearance.
“Do you have eyes on them?” I ask.
He nods towards the bar where Angel appears to be showing the bartender how to make a drink. Then he angles his head to a group of businessmen, and I hear a familiar obnoxious laugh.
I grimace. “Yep, there he is.”
Then I notice the plate Tarek’s holding and steal a chocolate strawberry from it. He gives me a half glare. “You know, I would have gotten you your own plate.”
I just grin at him. “Thief, remember?”
He rolls his eyes and opens his mouth, no doubt with some snarky retort, but then the orchestra begins to play. Around us, people begin moving to the dance floor in the center of the room and swaying with their partners. To my surprise, I even see Angel moving to dance.
Tarek sets his plate on a nearby table and holds out his arm to me. “Shall we?”
Despite my best efforts, heat still rushes to my cheeks and I nod, taking his arm. He leads us out to the center of the dance floor and takes one of my hands in his and slides the other around my waist. “Ever danced before?”
“Not like this,” I murmur.
