Page 3 of Fake it for Keeps

“If I didn’t know better,” I whispered against her ear, “I’d think you wore that dress just for me.”

Her breath hitched, and I had to bite back a grin. Yeah, this was going to be fun. She wasn’t my typical date, but I liked her already. For a random hottie I picked up off the street, she seemed like she knew how to have a good time.

I liked watching her cheeks flush. Those cute little intakes of breath had me thinking about what it would sound like when I was buried balls deep inside her. Fuck me. I was getting ahead of myself.

We made it to the top of the stairs.

“Smile,” I said close to her ear again.

We turned to face the cameras with my arm around her waist and holding her close against me. She said nothing. I had no idea if she was smiling or not, but the paparazzi were eating it up. A million flashes lit up the night.

I waved once, indicating we were done with the pictures, and turned around to lead her inside with my hand in the small of her back. She kept pace with me and still said nothing as ushers gestured us down the hall and into the ballroom.

The venue was exactly what I’d expected, opulent, over the top, dripping with wealth. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling highlighting the sea of tuxedos and gowns. A string quartet played in the corner. Waiters moved through the crowd carrying trays filled with champagne flutes balanced on their hands.

Frankie appeared at my side almost immediately, her expression thunderous. “What the hell was that?” She hissed the words, her frustration evident. “And who the hell is that, while we’re at it?”

“That,” I said, steering my mystery woman toward the nearest group of investors, “was damage control.”

“Damage control?” Frankie hissed. “You just grabbed a random woman off the red carpet!” She leaned forward to address my beautiful companion. “No offense.”

My damsel’s eyebrows lifted, and her lips parted, but she still held her tongue. Curious. Normally, women had a whole lot to say when they were lucky enough to find themselves the subject of my attention.

“She tripped. I caught her. The cameras loved it.” I shrugged, flashing my sister a grin. “You’re welcome.”

Before she could tell me all the reasons I was wrong, I was already moving, pulling my new arm candy deeper into the crowd with me. My father’s old friends were scattered throughout the room, their eyes tracking my every move. I hated how much they scrutinized me. I knew all about how they whispered behind their champagne flutes about whether I was fit to run Valenteen.

“Colt!” Gerald Morrison, a silver-haired investor who’d known my father for decades, stepped forward with a wide smile. “Good to see you, son. And who’s this lovely creature?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but my mystery woman beat me to it.

“Hallie,” she said smoothly, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Morrison.”

Her voice was warm, confident, and just a little bit sultry. A delightful surprise after all that silence. She played the part beautifully, charming Gerald with ease as she asked him about his work and listened intently to his answers.

Damn.

She had curves on her like an old pin-up model. A dark-haired Marilyn Monroe. Everyone in the room was going to be eating out of the palm of her hand. Including me at this rate. Perhaps on my knees. Perhaps without pants on.

That thought corrupted my focus. I needed to get her away from all these people so I could have her to myself and try to solve the riddle of who she was and why she was here. So I led her to the dance floor.

“You’re full of surprises,” I said, pulling her into my arms as the music shifted to something slow and romantic. “Where’d you learn to schmooze like that?”

She looked up at me, her dark eyes unreadable. “You’d be surprised what you pick up when you pay attention.”

Her body fit against mine perfectly, her curves pressing into me in all the right places. I let my hand drift lower on her back, testing her boundaries. She didn’t pull away, but I could feel the tension in her shoulders.

“You’re quiet,” I observed, leading her in a slow circle. “Most women can’t stop talking when they’re around me.”

She didn’t respond, just kept watching me with those mysterious eyes of hers. It was maddening. I was used to women falling all over themselves to get my attention, throwing themselves at me without a second thought. But Hallie? She was keeping me at arm’s length, and it only made me want her more.

What’s going on in that pretty head of yours? I wondered. What do you want? Better yet, what do you need?

Over her shoulder, I caught sight of Frankie shaking her head at me from across the room. I smirked, spinning Hallie in a lazy circle. My sister could scowl all she wanted. I’d sneak out when her back was turned, just like I always did.