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My strange partner stands and straightens his coat when he releases my hand. His eyes meet mine and there’s a familiarity there, but I can’t place where I’ve seen those eyes before.
Silently, the man lifts his mask, his beautiful, haunting blue eyes gazing unwaveringly at me. His chiseled face and coal-black hair are coupled with a perfectly tailored tux completing his princely look. He looks exactly like the pictures I’ve seen, down to the dimple in his cheek and powerful shoulders. Plus, he looks like he belongs among these lavish surroundings. It is his house and party, after all.
“Hello,” the man rumbles, keeping his eyes locked on mine. He extends his right hand to shake mine, as if we haven’t already been introduced in the most intimate way. Dancing and a kiss on the hand are romantic and beautiful, whereas a handshake is formal. I reach my hand out to shake his because I’m at a loss for what I’m supposed to do. When I imagined meeting the man, this is not how I expected it to happen.
“I’m Trent Moore,” he says smoothly. “And you are?”
Oh, no. What do I say? After all, I’m the help and I wasn’t supposed to be dancing. So do I make up a story, or do I admit the truth? Because this is my fantasy … but if Mr. Moore knows I’m staff, will he expect me to cater to his every need?
Chapter Two
Trent
I’ve stunned the poor girl.
When I saw this unmasked beauty from across the room, I knew I had to speak with her. She’s the most gorgeous woman at the party and if I didn’t whisk her into a dance, one of my ridiculous friends would have attempted to do so. A woman like this doesn’t belong with one of them. She belongs with me. I can already imagine what her lips will taste like, what she’ll look like when she’s panting beneath me….
But we can’t get there if we can’t get past this moment. I suppose dancing with her prior to a proper introduction might have been a bit intimidating, but I just couldn’t wait. That curvy form begged to be held, and I wanted to be the one to taste her first.
I study the brunette’s face as she gathers her thoughts. She doesn’t look familiar, but half of the party is unfamiliar to me even without their masks on. My assistant, Amanda, handled the guest list for this get together, and I’m not sure who she chose as attendees. She’s a great assistant but maybe I need to supervise her a little more. Not that I want to—Amanda tends to go on and on about one thing and another, and I hate to admit it, but her gaze is always so calculating, like she’s trying to count my money behind my back.
But for now, the beautiful brunette before me captivates my attention.
“Katie,” my companion finally breathes. “My name is Katie.”
“Katie,” I test. Her name feels delicious in my mouth. I bet she tastes just like her name. Sweet. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” she murmurs. “I’ve been wondering if our paths would cross.”
I raise a brow at this. Is she going to ask me to invest in her idea for an app? Is she the daughter of a man who wants me to buy out his business? It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve encountered either situation.
“Is that so?” I ask smoothly, giving nothing away.
Katie nods. “I thought maybe I’d make it through the entire party without laying eyes on the man paying me to be here.”
I take a step back. I don’t hire prostitutes. What the hell is she talking about?
But maybe I’ve been too judgmental. After all, working girls need to make a living too, and Katie is a beautiful woman with lush curves and a sweet smile. That dress begs to be removed from her body. This prostitution thing complicates things, but it doesn’t change them altogether.
Katie senses my hesitation and confusion. “You paid for this party,” she clarifies, raising her eyebrows. “I made it happen.”
Oh. I understand now, and relief floods my body. She’s the party planner, and not some high-priced escort who slipped in hoping to make a score. Okay. Makes sense now. I almost laugh in relief, but manage to restrain myself.
I clear my voice in an attempt to sweep away my confusion and slight embarrassment. “You’ve done an incredible job, Katie.”
“Thank you,” she says. “You have a beautiful home. It didn’t take much to make it ready for the party.”
“Oh, good,” I say. “Everyone I’ve spoken to has complimented the delicious food. They’re devouring the canapes, in fact.”
She flushes.
“I’m glad they like it.”
We’re silent for a beat. Now that I know Katie is my party planner, the complications of sleeping with her slip away. She’s not my employee. She’s not a prostitute. She’s just someone hired temporarily to put together this shindig, and I won’t have to worry about Monday morning awkwardness if I take her to bed. With that in mind, I smile wolfishly.
