Chapter 10
Natalie
Abuzz of anticipation made my stomach tingle and my heart race. Jensen had actually scored tickets to the Snowflake Ball, which meant we were on.
Fortunately, I’d been able to dig a black cocktail dress out of the depths of my closet. Even more fortunately, it still fit.
I paused in front of the mirror in my bathroom. Was that me? I hardly recognized the woman in the reflection. No dark circles, nice makeup, red lipstick. The sleeveless sheath dress hugged my curves, and my hair was up in a simple but pretty style that left my neck and shoulders bare.
That woman looked nothing like the sleep-deprived hot mess in scrubs with a bedraggled ponytail I was used to seeing.
Jensen Lakes was certainly an interesting side story in the usual monotony of my life.
Annabel had dance that afternoon, saving me the need to explain my outfit or sneak out of the house without being seen. I might have to sneak in when I got home, but I’d cross that bridge when it came.
There was a knock on the door, so I grabbed the little clutch I couldn’t remember ever using and went downstairs to answer it.
I’d seen Jensen morph from sophisticated in a suit to charming in a flannel and jeans. But nothing could have prepared me for Jensen Lakes in a tux.
It fit him perfectly, the sleek lines hinting at the toned body underneath.
But it wasn’t the tux, it was the way he wore it—comfortable and confident, as if he could network with the rich and powerful before blowing up a building and making a daring escape by helicopter, all without getting his tux dirty.
Looking at him made me wonder if he had ever blown up a building. Or made a daring escape by helicopter. It wouldn’t have surprised me.
His eyes swept up and down, and the corner of his mouth lifted. “Darling, you look absolutely gorgeous.”
My cheeks warmed, and I ran my hands down my hips. “I’ve had this dress forever. I can’t even remember the last time I wore it. It’s amazing it even fits.”
He met my gaze. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Deflect my compliment. I mean it. You look good enough to eat. Don’t try to explain it away.”
Hesitating, I pressed my lips together. “All right. Thank you.”
“Much better. Shall we?”
I grabbed a trench coat I also hadn’t worn in ages, and Jensen helped me slip it on. His proximity made my skin prickle. And how did he smell so good? I couldn’t have named the scent if I’d tried, but it woke up my hormones and made them take notice.
We left and went to his car. He opened the passenger door, and I got another whiff of him as I got in. It was hard not to imagine what it would be like to get closer—to feel the warmth of his body pressed against mine, that masculine scent surrounding me.
He got in, and I resisted the urge to fan myself. This was getting ridiculous. We weren’t on a date. We had a job to do.
“This should be a date,” he said, turning on the engine.
“What? No. It’s not a date. It’s a… mission.”
He grinned. “Indeed. But we should behave as if we’re on a date.”
“Oh, for cover. That actually makes sense.”
He glanced at me again, and those intense dark eyes smoldered. “Don’t worry. I’ll behave.”
The flush of heat crept from my cheeks and raced downward to burst between my legs. That man could probably give a woman an orgasm from across the room.
When we arrived at the Grand Peak Hotel, he parked in the outer lot, far from the entrance. I didn’t mind walking, but it seemed like an odd choice. What if we had to make a quick getaway?
Besides, Jensen seemed like a valet parking sort of guy.
Before I could ask any questions, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black case. He opened it and handed me what looked like a very small earbud.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“We’ll be able to hear and talk to each other through these.”
Pinching it between my thumb and forefinger, I held it up. “It’s so tiny.”
“Strictly speaking, we’re not supposed to have these.”
“Where did you get them?”
“The less you know, the better. It fits right into your ear.”
I pushed it in, and although I could feel it, it was surprisingly comfortable. “Am I going to be able to get it out?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. And they’re almost invisible.”
He put one in his ear, and he was right. It was almost totally hidden.
“Can you hear me through the earpiece?” he asked.
His voice was soft in my ear. “Yes. Can you hear me?”
He smiled. “I can, and I daresay I’m going to enjoy having your voice in my ear tonight.”
“What’s the plan?”
“I don’t suppose there’s much need for an elaborate cover story. You’re my beautiful date, and we’re here to have a good time. Once we get in, we’ll wander a bit, see what—and who—we see. When I have a feel for the room, we’ll probably split up. Make conversation and get names.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“And remember, Julian Myers is a possibility, and I certainly want to get a look at him if he’s there. But anyone could be involved.”
“In other words, be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”
“Absolutely anything. You never know where the smallest hint will lead.”
He backed out of the parking spot and drove around to the front of the hotel. He got out and held up a hand so the attendant wouldn’t open my door for me. As he came around the front, I shrugged my coat off, deciding it would be easier to leave it in the car.
Opening the door, he offered his hand. I took it and noticed it wasn’t smooth like his tux. Even with his gentle touch, I could feel his strength, and his skin was calloused.
Full of surprises.
The intensity of his gaze as I stood sent a pleasant shiver down my spine, and I hoped he couldn’t hear my heart racing in his earpiece.
He offered me his arm, and I slipped my hand in the crook of his elbow as we walked inside.
The lobby was decked out in a beautiful array of lights and decorations. A huge tree stood in the center, covered in red and green ornaments and white lights. A sign pointed to the Snowflake Ball in the ballroom.
“We’re going to cause a stir when we walk in,” Jensen said, pitching his voice low so I could hear him through the earpiece.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to attract their attention on purpose. I want every person in that room to want to talk to me or be seen with me.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“You’ll see. It’s all part of the game. Just play along.”
I took a deep breath as we entered.
The entire room seemed to sparkle with twinkling lights. At least a dozen Christmas trees decorated the perimeter, and lit snowflakes dangled from the ceiling. Icy-blue linens and silver centerpieces adorned the tables. And a pianist in a white suit played Christmas music on a shiny grand piano.
Heads turned the moment we walked in. The man beside me seemed to morph into someone else. I couldn’t explain how he did it—how the subtle shift in the way he moved had such a dramatic effect. But suddenly, nearly everyone was looking at him.
Some eyed him with interest or curiosity. Others gaped openly, their eyes wide and mouths hanging open. Women licked their lips, men furrowed their brows, and whispers swept through the room.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding,” I said.
He flexed his bicep, subtly squeezing my hand, and kept strolling into the ballroom. A server brought a tray of champagne. Jensen handed a glass to me before taking one for himself.
Watching the crowd, I sipped my drink. Most men wore dark tuxes, and several had opted for white or silver bow ties. The women, however, seemed to have all known something I didn’t—the dress code.
Every woman—at least that I could see—wore pale blue, silver, or white. Apparently, it was expected to dress to the snowflake theme.
“I’m wearing the wrong color,” I whispered.
“No, you’re not.” Jensen sipped his champagne.
“Yes, I am. They’re all wearing winter colors.”
He turned and met my eyes. “You look amazing. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
His gaze flicked to my mouth, and for a second, I thought he might lean in and kiss me. My lips parted, and my heart raced. What would I do if he did?
Kiss him back and enjoy every second of it—that’s what I’d do.
But he didn’t. His eyes lifted, and he moved his hand to the small of my back.
He approached a man with salt-and-pepper hair and said good evening. The way the other man’s back straightened and his chest lifted made it obvious he was pleased to be the first to garner Jensen’s attention.
I played the part of arm candy for a while as Jensen worked the room, moving from person to person. He’d introduce himself, obviously to get the other person’s name, and engage in small talk before offering a nod and moving on.
His ability to make it all seem so natural was impressive. He held eye contact in such a way that everyone he talked to probably felt—for a moment, at least—like the only other person in the room. And no one seemed to suspect he was anything other than a guest.
After a while, he glanced at me with a look that seemed to say, go ahead. With a little thrill running through me, I moved away and set my empty champagne glass on a table.
“Just talk to a few people,” Jensen said softly in my ear. “Make it natural.”
A pair of women probably in their sixties stood nearby, and although they were talking, they didn’t seem too engrossed in conversation. Smiling, I made eye contact and complimented their dresses.
It took a minute of chatting with them to get used to tuning out Jensen’s conversation heard through the earpiece and concentrate on the people in front of me.
But as I moved around the room, introducing myself and greeting people, I found it easier to focus, letting his voice pass in the background.
I glanced back at him. Several young women surrounded him, and he was clearly enjoying the attention. Jealousy flared hot, and I had to stop myself from glaring daggers at them.
As if he could feel me looking, his eyes flicked toward me. He lifted his drink to his lips and spoke just before taking a sip. “Easy, darling. It’s all part of the game.”