Hazel shifts on the soles of her feet, her gaze darting to the ballroom door.
I cock my head. “Don’t even think about it.”
Apparently, Hazel’s not done proving she has trouble following orders though, because she turns on her little kitten heels and flings herself towards the door.
I lunge across the space, my palm flattening against the door and holding it closed as Hazel tugs on the handle.
I press my front to her back and twist my hand in her hair. She tenses, her body coiling like she’s about to fight so I band my arm across her waist too. “You cannot even begin to imagine how furious I am, sweetheart,” I say, my voice hushed. “You donotwant to test me right now.”
Her hand drops from the doorknob and I let her spin to face me, spitfire eyes sparking. “What are you even doing here?”
“Funny,” I say, not a trace of humor in my voice, “I was about to ask you the same thing.”
She crosses her arms and the swell of her breasts heaves at the edge of her low-cut dress. “You wouldn’t let me help.”
I drag my gaze back to her face and raise a brow. “So you decided to slow dance with the one man I explicitly told you to stay away from?”
Hazel juts out her chin. “You’re not the boss of me."
I tug her hips towards me and bring my lips to her ear. “Aren’t I?”
She shudders under my hands.
I nip at her ear and twine my fingers through hers.
“Where are we going?” she asks as I lead her down the hall.
“Somewhere a little more private,” I say, trying the doors that line the wall until I find one unlocked.
Hazel tries to free her hand, but I tighten my grip and shoot her a warning look. “Don’t.” She pales a little and I gentle my hold. I like Hazel’s fear and she should be scared right now, but I want her scared of what I’m going to do to her, not scared ofme.
I push open the door to an old, members club style office and guide her inside. I let go of her hand as she turns around, taking in the dark oak desk and the leather wingback chairs.
I close the door behind me and lean against it, waiting for Hazel’s gaze to land on me. “Explain,” I order.
Hazel huffs. “The other day, at the office, I met the senator’s aide. He invited me to the gala, and I thought maybe it wouldbe a good place to learn more about him. You know, rich drunk people spilling secrets.” She gives me a pointed look. “Your turn.”
I hold back a smile at the fierceness written across her face. I’m still mad at her for putting herself into the senator’s orbit but part of me is impressed too. That’s the reason I’m here after all.
“An old friend got me a job as a waiter.”
Hazel nods, her gaze dropping to the carpet as she twists her fingers together. “Are you going to— Is tonight… the night?”
I narrow my eyes, confused by her sudden nerves until I realize she thinks I’m here to kill the senator. I shake my head. “No. I’m here for the same reason you are.”
“What if someone recognizes you?”
“The charm of being a waiter at an event like this? We’re practically invisible.” I prowl towards her, my hands circling her hips as I back her up against the desk. “Unlike the guest of the senator’s personal aide.”
Her hands rest on my chest, the touch of her fingers, even through my shirt, going straight to my cock.
“Danny isn’t like the senator. He practically told me himself that Claren is corrupt. He thinks he can do more good on the inside.”
My grip on her hips spasms. “Or he’s just telling you that so you’ll trust him.”
I don’t believe for a second thisDannyis as good as he’s made himself out to be. No one works that closely to a man like Claren without crossing a few lines or at least turning a blind eye.
Hazel glowers at me. “Do you actually think he’s dangerous or are you just jealous?”
