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But instead, I find myself wondering if she doesn’t feel the same charge between us. Or if it was just my imagination in the first place.
I push it aside. This is for the best. I’ve raised the Ruby Realm, and at our next meeting, I can push a little more.
“I had a lovely time,” I tell her as we hover in the foyer. At least that part is true. She’s unexpectedly enjoyable company. When she’s not trying to seduce me, that is.
She flips her hair over her shoulder and gives me a wink. “Worth a hundred grand?”
I have to laugh. “Yes. And more, besides. Thank you, Alessa. I’ve found it a little difficult to connect since I moved back to New York. You make me think perhaps there’s hope for me after all.”
She hesitates, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “You’re…lonely?”
“I-I suppose I am. In a way.” My voice is halting. Cool.
This is too close to the truth. And Alessa, with the way her face softens, seems to understand that.
“I’ve enjoyed tonight very much, Natalie,” she says. “I’m glad you won the auction. We’ll have to meet again soon.”
“I look forward to it.” I think I mean that a little too much.
Her answering smile is small but genuine. “Goodnight, Natalie.”
“Goodnight, Alessa.”
The door clicks shut behind her with a note of finality.
It’s done. And despite the awkward moments, I accomplished what I set out to do: establish rapport, and raise the prospect of a Ruby Realm membership. The operation can proceed.
So why does victory feel so hollow?
I let out a heavy sigh, slipping off the torturous heels. Maybe some time and distance will help me regain clarity. For now, a mug of hot herbal tea and my comfortable pajamas are calling my name.
First thing tomorrow, it’ll be back to business as usual. All these strange emotions stirred up tonight are just a strange aberration.
At least that’s what I tell myself as I drag myself to the computer to file a first-impressions report, which I’ll add to tomorrow. No calls come through from Wright tonight, for which I’m grateful. I get ready for bed in the too-large, too-much master suite.
But the image of Alessa de Luca’s vibrant smile refuses to fade from my mind.
I’ve never been attracted to a mark before.
Hell…I’ve never been this attracted toanyonebefore. Never wanted anyone as intensely as I inexplicably wanther.
Is it just the role I’m playing? A side effect of becoming someone else? Or is there something more dangerous at work here? I sink down into the bedcovers, pulling them over my head.
All I know for certain is that this assignment just got a lot more complicated.
CHAPTER7
ALESSA
Over the past few days, I’ve found my thoughts constantly drifting back to Natalie Moreau, despite the never-ending demands of running the Ruby Realm. That strange dinner we shared still lingers in my mind.
What on earth did she want? There were moments I thought it was a seduction, and moments she seemed…well, almostrevoltedby me.
It doesn’t do much for a girl’s ego, that’s for sure.
Her reputation suggested something of a party girl as well as a philanthropist, but she really was quite awkward at times, not at all what I expected her to be.
And so hot and cold, all night. I went with the expectation that we might end up in bed, and came away frustrated and…
