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“No, I’m suddenly feeling very unwell. Must be the excitement of the night,” I lie. “I think I’m going to head—
“Outside. That’s a great idea. It is a little stuffy in here.”
“Oh. That wasn’t—”
We’re already in motion. His hand gently lands on my lower back and guides me to the back of the room. People are watching us, their eyes either large with surprise or squinting with disbelief. Am I doing something wrong? Am I not supposed to be with this man? My stomach churns again, not liking the doubt that keeps swirling in my head.
“Ah, that’s better,” Charlie says as we step outside. “Those events can get so overwhelming at times.”
Since this is my first big fancy event, I’ll have to agree. “Yes, this is much better. I didn’t even see these doors.” The cool air of the night feels good against my skin. Stepping away from him, I make my way to the railing and look out onto the garden. Flowers are in full bloom, their sweet fragrance sweetly dancing around me in the breeze. It’s gorgeous out here.
“You look stunning tonight, sunshine.” Glancing at Charlie over my shoulder, I can’t stop my smile. “And your hair,” he says almost reverently, stepping up to me. “It—it’s glorious.” A little huff of humor comes from him. I watch with wonder as he twists a strand around a finger. “Those words aren’t even adequate but I’ve never seen hair like this.”
I swoon. It may be a silly compliment, but to me it means everything. Hair is my life, my profession. It’s also one of the few things that individualizes me from my twin.
“Charlie,” I whisper, not realizing my body has turned to him.
“Yeah, sunshine?” The warmth of his breath hits me. We’re close, our lips only an inch away and I’m so tempted. I want him. More than I’ve ever wanted a man. I have no idea what his relationship to Gillian is, and kissing him would be a huge, HUGE mistake.
But would I be able to live with myself if I let this moment pass?
He doesn’t come any closer, giving me the power here. To kiss or not to kiss, that is the ultimate question.
Rising on my tiptoes, I close the space between us and press my lips to his. It’s a light touch. A gentle meeting of our lips as if to test the waters. I should have known better though. One taste, one touch and I need more.
His lips are softer than they look. I gasp, mouth opening when he suddenly pulls me tight into his body. His mouth comes down on mine, taking advantage of the opening I’ve given him. My surprise doesn’t last long. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back. Damn, his taste is almost better than the donuts I devoured tonight. His kisses could feed me for days.
I cling to him, never wanting this moment to end.
“Mr. Van Ravenswaay? Charles, are you—oh! Sorry,” a voice breaks through my haze. Detaching my lips from his, I hear Charlie curse as he addresses the man who has interrupted us. My face is flaming with embarrassment. We were just caught making out like teenagers on the terrace. I have to stifle my giggle with my hand, looking back out at the garden until I was under control.
“Of course, Mr. Van Ravensawaay.”
My spine straightens when I hear the name, a new awareness falling over me. That name, it’s familiar. It means something—something big—I know it does. I just have to remember…the name clicks.
Oh no.
This isn’t the Charlie from marketing. The friend Gillian mentions every now and again.
This is Charles Van Ravenswaay.
The boss of bosses. The man my sister works for.
The CEO of the company.
And I’ve just been caught making out with him.
This is bad, very bad. Panic grows in my chest. I’ve deceived this man from the moment we met. And if that’s not bad enough, he must really have feelings for Gillian to risk being found out like this.
My heart plummets. I thought this was something special. I thought, stupidly, that maybe he sawmeand wanted to be with me. But it was all a lie.
I need to get out of here.
“I need to go in and give a speech to close out the event. Come with me?”
This is my chance. He would be distracted and unable to keep tabs on me.
“Yes, let’s head in. I’m going to head to the ladies’. Meet you by the stage again?” I try to keep my voice light and cheery. Not giving away that the moment he turns his back I’m going to bolt for the door.
He eyes me carefully, nodding when I begin to fidget. Not waiting for him, I speed walk to the doors and get lost in the crowd. Charlie is instantly by my side, pulling me close into his body and protecting me from the crowd. I hear the chatter of people around us, but I don’t stop walking until we reach the stage. Taking a quick breath to steel myself, I tip my head up and smile.
“Meet you right back here. Good luck with your speech.”
Then I’m in motion again. Heading in the direction of the bathrooms but eyeing the exit. When the crowd swallows me up, with everyone moving closer to the stage and the lights flickering, I make my move. I’m out the door and sprinting as fast as I can in these stupid heels to the line of taxis down the street.
Tears prick at the backs of my eyes. I already miss Charlie and his strong presence. The way his hands held me and constantly pulled me close—like he couldn’t get enough of me. And the way he kissed. I press a hand to my lips, recalling the way our tongues had danced. Like we had been doing it for a lifetime. It’s silly, I know, but there had been magic in the air tonight that had put me under Charlie’s spell.
Too bad all magic has a curfew and my time was up.
