Chapter 1 #2
“I’d say ‘a penny for your thoughts,’ but with such a pretty smile, I’d be willing to pay a whole lot more.
” A middle-aged man who is way too tan for December grins at me slyly from behind a gawdy blue sequined mask as though he’s all too aware of his wicked charm, having zero clue how close he’s come to insinuating I’m a hooker.
I have to shake off my stunned disbelief, and as I do, all remnants of my kick-ass persona scatter right along with it.
What am I supposed to say to this guy? What if he’s the chief of police or the police commissioner? Does he know I don’t belong? Oh God. What am I doing here? Why on earth did I think this was a good idea?
Sachi, get a grip and answer the man!
“Um … I was just appreciating the party. They did a great job.”
Okay, not bad. Scrape yourself together. You got this.
“Yeah, they did good this year. The whole masquerade part is kinda fun, if you’re into that sort of thing.” His voice drops at the end with an icky insinuation like we’re wearing blindfolds and ball gags instead of festive carnival masks.
What a weirdo.
“Themed parties can be great when everyone participates,” I say merely to be polite.
His eyes spark hungrily. “Now you’re talking. My favorite kind of party is the one where everyone gets involved. You like that sort of thing, too?”
Oh dear God.
Does this man think I’m talking about orgies? What the hell is wrong with him?
I’m about to make an excuse and disappear when another man approaches on my other side, effectively caging me in.
“Danny, tell me you’re not torturing this beauty with your attempt at conversation.” He leans in conspiratorially, whiskey wafting heavily on his breath and burning my eyes. “Thinks he’s a player, but there’s a reason guys like him are always single.”
Then he winks, as though he’s any better. The beefy man with white-blond highlights in his intentionally messy hair screams of insecurity.
“I take it you’re not single, then?” I ask curiously.
“I am,” he quickly reassures me. “But not like him, you know?”
Riiight.
“Yeah, Levitt, you just collect ex-wives like trading cards,” the man named Danny jabs back.
“Sometimes things don’t pan out.” He shrugs, unbothered. “Means Mrs. Right is still out there somewhere, and when I find her, I’ll treasure her forever.” He holds my gaze with a hooded stare that I think he’s hoping is seductive.
That, or he’s trying to hold in a fart.
Could go either way.
This is not at all how I saw my evening going. I don’t know what exactly I expected, but this wasn’t it.
In fact, I’d say this is karmic retribution. The universe saw my antics and decided to put me in my place. I’m at a loss for how to describe the horrific misfortune of this situation.
“I should really…” I start to sidestep my way to an escape when an arm wraps around my waist and pulls me into a solid body.
“There you are. Thought I’d never find you in this crowd.” The masked man lifts my hand to his lips and places a chaste kiss on the back of my fingers.
Eyes wide, heart thudding in my chest, I gasp in a breath that fills my lungs with the heady scent of spiced aftershave.
It only lasts a second.
An eternal heartbeat that lingers like smoke from an extinguished candlewick. I don’t even have time to react. The touch is over before it began, and I have to quash an unnerving urge to grab his lapels and draw him in for a real kiss.
“Follow my lead,” the man murmurs before pulling back and giving me a peek at the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
He’s the most devastatingly handsome man I’ve ever come across, and I can’t even see his whole face behind the black domino mask.
Broad, muscled shoulders are outfitted in a tuxedo jacket cut to his athletic form, crafted from black velour that exudes confident elegance.
A chiseled jawline with a dusting of blond facial hair forms a five o’clock shadow.
And those lips—a rosy color full of life and hitched in a wry smirk.
I’d probably follow this man off a cliff if he asked me to.
He is utterly captivating and undoubtedly familiar. I’ve seen him before. He’s the man I saw with Sante. The detective the girls talked about days earlier. Malone—the man-dy cane.
Not only is he here but his large hand is curved around my waist, and his scent is melding its way into my DNA.
“Appreciate you guys entertaining my date, but I need to steal her away. Come on, kitten.”
“Yes, Daddy.” The words slip past my lips without an ounce of forethought, and I’m reminded of the myriad of times my mother told me I was too sassy for my own good.
I can’t believe I’ve just called this man Daddy in public, but what did he expect? He told me to follow his lead, right? And he called me kitten, after all.
Not only is he unfazed but I can tell Detective Malone doesn’t ruffle easily by the seductive rumble of laughter that tickles my ear as we walk away from my now speechless companions.
“Careful, or you’ll end up on the naughty list,” he murmurs under his breath.
“I’m not the one running around kissing random women I’ve never met before.”
“Touché. That part wasn’t necessary, but I can’t say I’m sorry.”
“You might when you meet my husband.”
He stops mid-step, eyes coming to mine, then flitting to my left hand. “You’re married?”
It’s my turn to smirk. “No, but you didn’t know that.”
A masculine sound of amusement resonates from his chest as his penetrating eyes bore into mine. “Let’s clear all that up right now. Are you here with someone?”
“No,” I say, transfixed by the ocean of aquamarine staring back at me.
“I suppose that still leaves the possibility that you have someone back home. Are you seeing anyone?”
“Why do you want to know?” My voice has gone breathy as my lungs forget how to function.
This gorgeous man leans in, his lips inches from my ear as he murmurs, “I’ve captured the attention of the most radiant woman in the room, and you want to know why I’d ask if she’s single?”
“Well, when you put it like that…”
He pulls back enough for our eyes to lock, then raises a brow. He wants an answer.
“No, I don’t have a date, nor am I seeing anyone.”
His chin dips in a single nod before he takes my hand and leads us toward the drink table. He selects a glass of champagne and lifts it to clink with mine.
“To a night of unexpected delights.”