Chapter 9
BENNETT
When the music shifted from fast to slow, Tori almost walked away. I stopped her.
And I’m glad I did.
I spin Tori around, then bring her back in close, the sweet scent of her perfume winding around me. She fits perfectly beneath my arm and I’m struck by how natural it feels dancing with her. The initial stiffness between us is gone, replaced by an easy grace.
Dark eyes glittering in the light of the chandeliers, this is the most at ease I’ve ever seen her. Even surrounded by all these people, wearing a fancy gown, she’s surprisingly calm. Face relaxed, her smile radiant. I’ve never seen her like this before—but I like it.
This is a version of Tori I could get used to.
Gone is the ice queen, thawed over the course of the evening. Seeing her like this —calm and happy — makes me want to stay out on the dance floor longer.
Just to hold this Tori in my arms.
The song ends and the Rayburns sidle up next to us.
Mr. Rayburn taps my shoulder and gestures at Tori. “May I cut in?”
“Of course.” Tori smiles at him, and we swap partners. I instantly miss her — her soft skin against mine, the way she gazed up at me. Mrs. Rayburn is a good dancer, but she’s not Tori.
We chat about her daughter, hockey, and the upcoming season, and soon enough the song is over.
Tori reappears with Mr. Rayburn at her side.
“Time to go, I’m afraid.” She taps her watch and tips her head toward the door.
We say our goodbyes and leave the ballroom behind, the music fading as we walk across the lobby.
We’re almost out of the Yacht Club when Eleanor and Trent MacDonald sideline us.
“Victoria, sneaking out so soon?” Eleanor peers down her nose at us and my muscles tighten, fists balling at my side.
“Afraid so, Eleanor,” Tori says with a tight smile. “Bennett has practice early in the morning.”
“Shame. We didn’t have much time to catch up.”
“Too bad. I’m sure we’ll meet again. Back in the city.”
“So — you are planning on returning to the city?” Eleanor fidgets with the string of pearls around her neck.
“Of course. I’m only here while the team gets established.”
“Really? I heard you were staying. Especially after everything that transpired…”
Tori bristles next to me, her pulse jumping in her neck.
Eleanor keeps going. “Interesting. The move down here felt like a natural transition for you.”
“No, Eleanor.” Tori’s voice is calm, the words clipped. “I’m only here temporarily, helping my father. I’ll be back.”
The words linger heavy in the air, falling somewhere between a promise and a dare.
Trent shifts uncomfortably, taps Eleanor on the forearm. “Darling, we must be going. The Caldwells are waiting on us.”
Eleanor flashes us a fake smile, then leans in and kisses both of Tori’s cheeks.
“I’ll tell Preston you said hello.” Her voice is syrupy sweet and the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Tori’s nostrils flare slightly before she returns a smile every bit as genuine. “Please do. Give him my regards.”
The MacDonalds finally walk away, leaving us alone, Knox lingering in the shadows.
I take a tiny step closer, my lips hovering at the shell of her ear.
“Well done, Sunshine.”
She cuts her gaze at me, the apples of her cheeks pink.
“Thanks. I wanted to say more.”
“I know. You did good. Now let’s go — while I still have a glowing report.” I shoot her a grin and she relaxes.
With my hand at the small of her back, we make our exit. Knox pulls the Escalade around and we climb in, escaping. I sink into the leather seat, stretching out my long legs and swiping my palms down my thighs.
“Marked safe from the Yacht Club gala.”
Tori chuckles. “Honestly, it was a little more than I bargained for tonight. Thanks for saving me.”
“This afternoon, you said we need to work together. I’m good at teamwork.”
She glances over at me, the moonlight filtering in and highlighting the delicate lines of her collarbone. She’s beautiful—especially when she’s not so icy.
“You proved it tonight. Still… I do appreciate the assist.”
“You’re welcome. Remember this next time I get in a jam, okay?”
Knox pulls up to our building, idling. Bishop hops out and opens the door for us. I exit, then turn back and offer Tori my hand. This time, she takes it.
We walk into the building hand in hand, on the same team.
At least for the moment.
Knox and Bishop park the car, leaving us alone together in the elevator.
The doors close, our hands still linked. My thumb slides along the inside of her wrist, just once. Instinct. Her pulse jumps beneath my touch, but she doesn’t pull away. Her eyes drop to our hands for one quick second, then back up to the doors.
I should let go.
I don’t.
The atmosphere between us is different now.
Charged.
I try not to stare at her mouth, those dark red lips.
Impossible.
The graceful curves of her body, that tiny freckle at the base of her neck.
That’s where I’d start. Slow, teasing. Until she stopped being so composed.
Inside, I’m buzzing, amped. Next to me, she’s still and calm.
She’s so different from anyone I’ve ever known. Anyone I’ve wanted.
Not that I’m interested.
There’s nothing between us. There can’t be.
She needed me tonight — that’s all.
Tori glances over and my mouth dries, heat creeping up my neck. The elevator dings and the doors slide open. She steps out and I put one foot in front of the other.
Act normal.
She hesitates outside her door, and I shove a hand in my pocket. This is the moment I’d lean in, kiss my date, invite her inside.
But this isn’t a date.
I loosen my tie slowly, holding her gaze. “Careful, Sunshine. If you keep stalling, I’ll think you want me to do something I shouldn’t.”
Her breath catches — so softly I barely hear it — but it’s there.
“Just checking you make curfew, Steele.” Her hand lingers on the key in the lock, and I’ve never wanted to cross a line more than I do right now.
But I can’t. This is messy enough.
“Copy that, Boss.” I step back slowly. “Have a good night.”
I wait until she slips inside her condo before unlocking my place and going in. I unbutton my jacket and toss it onto the sofa, pull out my phone. My fingers hover over her name.
Bennett: In for the night
She thumbs-ups the message, then blue dots appear.
My heart rate picks up. Stupid.
Ice Queen: Get some sleep. I know it took a lot out of you to be civil to me for an entire evening
She’s wrong.
It was surprisingly easy. Having Tori by my side, holding her in my arms and spinning her around the dance floor, wasn’t hard at all.
The hardest part of the night was letting her go inside without me.
Clicking into her contact info, I change the name from Ice Queen to Sunshine, then plug my phone in for the night.