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“You didn’t tell me I was supposed to go to this event,” I stated, trying to get back to the issue. “Just like you didn’t tell me I was a built-in babysitter. Once again, you leave me ill-prepared and I wouldn’t dream of showing up at such an event as anything but my very best.”
He smiled and stretched his arms overhead to grab one of the exposed wooden beams above. The action made his whole body flex with tight muscles, and his shirt rode up just enough to expose his lower stomach.
And instantly my damn drooling problem was back. It wasn’t just the way he looked, it was every move he made. Relaxed and easygoing. Like he owned the frickin universe. We both knew I was in a bind and he was on the brink of winning this little battle we had going.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Red,” he said with all the charm in the world. “I should have given you more time, but it’s important you accompany me. I need you.”
I bit my lower lip and trembled just slightly as that warm feeling he usually left me with turned a little hotter.
“You do?”
He nodded.
Wow. He needed me. That idea almost drowned out the dress debacle and made me feel important. A small smile tugged at my lips. He valued me enough in this short time, and maybe with this project, to see me as a valuable employee—
“See, there’s this woman . . .” Leo said.
My stomach dropped. “What?” But he said he needed me. Why was he talking about another woman? I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Her name is Siobhan. She’s the wife of one of my investors and gets handsy after a few chardonnays. I need you to be my date, keep her at bay. Deflect.”
“Deflect?” Now it all came together. He didn’t need me the way I had hoped. No, he wanted me to run interference.
He nodded as if this were a totally normal request. All of a sudden I went from coffee-getting-gopher to secret-project-keeper, to . . . what the hell was opposite of a wingman? Woman repeller? Awesome. Just frickin awesome.
“So.” Leo held out his hand, motioning back toward his bedroom, and likely the closet of slutty dresses.
I didn’t know where they came from and I didn’t care. Fuck emotions, expectations, and hope. Business Paige was kicking into gear, because if one thing was made clear just now, it was that I was Leo’s assistant first and foremost, a job I’d be out of in two months. And I needed another one lined up.
“I’ll wear my own dress,” I said calmly and, before walking out of his room, informed him, “I’ll be ready and waiting in the foyer at seven.” Which gave me plenty of time to follow up on some phone calls and get ready to be the deflective date to one of the most eligible bachelors who ever lived.
Looked like I would be pulling out the big gowns.
Chapter Nine
I walked up the same steps I had taken many times the past couple weeks, only this time, I was in a strapless dark-gray dress that fit like a dream. It hugged my body perfectly and every time I put it on, I felt powerful and beautiful.
I had saved for over a year to buy it and wore it to my first gala at the governor’s mansion. Being in it again was bittersweet. It reminded me of what was, what could have been, but I wasn’t going down that route tonight. No. Tonight would be new opportunities, and hopefully a new beginning.
I held my shawl together, juggling my clutch in the same hand, as I opened the door to the Main House with the other, and headed into the foyer.
“Good evening,” I said, and Leo, who had been talking to Sampson, the older fellow manning the front desk, turned to face me.
Leo’s mouth opened a little and I mirrored the movement because, holy hell, he looked good in a tux.
His blue eyes took a lazy stroll over my entire body and I felt each swipe of his gaze more acutely than the silk gown grazing my legs. My hair was fastened in a loose knot at the base of my neck and a few tendrils framed my face. I felt the need to tuck one behind my ear but that would be fidgeting.
“You look amazing, Red,” Leo said, taking a step toward me until we were out of earshot of Sampson. “And you look like you belong on my bed.”
I gasped and he smiled and lifted his chin at my dress. “The color.” I glanced down at the gray silk and remembered that Leo’s entire bed was made up of similar colors. “It’s my favorite.”
I hadn’t even thought of that. Yet somehow, the compliment made me heat a little and feel like I stood out in a good way. Because not a single gown I had seen in his closet was gray.
“Thank you.” I wanted to tell him he looked beyond amazing himself, but his ego was large enough and keeping niceties to a minimum would help remind me why I was here: to deflect.
Operation Don’t Get Caught Up in Leo Savas’s Charm had commenced. And it was a tall order, considering every lazy grin and intense feel of his warmth was already affecting my mind . . . and my body.
“Your driver is waiting and it’s a half an hour drive until we get to the gala. We should get going,” I said.
