A Dash of Temptation

She turned to Dash. Smiled. “Yes?”

“Where did you go?”

“Actually, I was thinking about Lacey Talbot.”

His expression hardened, which made Tess like him even more. “She’s an interesting young woman.”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

“Don’t pay any attention to her,” he said, as he leaned over to place his glass back in the bar. “She has issues.”

Tess couldn’t help but giggle. She hated to giggle. Hers was all girly, making her feel too young to handle her job let alone this date. Sort of date. Whatever.

“But I will warn you. The way you look tonight, you’re going to set her on edge.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. I told you before, you’re stunning.”

She held her breath for a moment, then let it out slowly. It didn’t mean anything. How could it? But she steadied her gaze and said, “Thank you,” just like her mother had taught her.

He looked at her quizzically, but said nothing, then his gaze moved forward and he nodded. “The palace.”

She turned to see lights. Lots of lights. The house, which did actually remind her of a palace, was bathed in white, and the long trail of parking lights from the limos in front of them reminded her of a red carpet.

She’d never seen a home like this. If it was even called a home. Estate, maybe. Or mansion. By any other name it was huge and she felt every year of her Tulip, Texas, education bite her in the ass. This was a mistake.

“If we get separated inside, just set off a flare. I should find you in two or three days.”

She smiled, although it didn’t seem like much of a joke. “I can’t imagine this. It’s like going to the moon.”

“Kay Nickleby has an eating disorder that’s sent four shrinks back to the minors. Her daughter, Phoebe, is a card-carrying kleptomaniac who once tried to steal one of Princess Diana’s tiaras. Not to mention William, who has been kicked out of every prep school on the east coast. Roger Nickleby is having his day with the SEC, and I expect he’ll be spending a large part of his fortune before he’s through.”

“So, you’re telling me it’s better to be poor?”

He frowned. “Hell no. I’m saying wackos come in every tax bracket.”

She had to smile. “What about you? Are you a wacko?”

He nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

The limo slowed to a stately crawl as they inched up the drive. Doormen stood at the ready, offering steady hands to extravagantly dressed women as they stepped out of their coaches.

Tess’s heart picked up its pace. She ran her fingers through her hair, then pulled her compact from her purse. After a brief dusting of translucent powder and a refresh with her lip gloss, she turned to Dash. “It’s show time.”

“Don’t worry. You’re going to knock ’em dead.”

“Frankly, I’m more worried about tripping on the stairs.”

He touched her hand. “I’ll be there. Don’t sweat it.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Then her door swung open, and a dark hand helped her to the curb. Dash was at her side a few seconds later, and when she felt his arm curl around her waist, she felt her shoulders relax.

All relaxation fled as they approached the steps. A small cadre of photographers spread around them, the flashbulbs making her squint.

“Dash, over here.”

“Who’s the babe?”

“Smile.”

The shouts were good-natured, but insistent, and she felt utterly out of her element. Dash’s arm tightened around her but his body felt loose and easy. This wasn’t a big deal to him, of course, and she tried to adopt his casual air. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out.

A photographer breached the tacit space agreement and popped up inches from her shoulder. “Hey, babe!”

When she turned, he snapped her picture, blinding her with the flash, and she stumbled on the step. Dash held on to her, although it was a near thing, and his hold tightened as he straightened her up. She couldn’t see his face, but she felt him tense like a bow string. Their pace changed into a quick march past the reporters and past the reception line until they were safely inside. He didn’t let her go, though.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded. The black dot that was her vision dimmed and his features came into focus. “That was interesting.”

“Whoever that jackass was, he’s not going to be around for long. I’m sorry that had to happen to you.”

“It’s okay. He just scared me a little. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.” He relaxed a bit as he smiled. “But you will be as soon as I can make my way to the bar. Another apple martini?”

“That would be nice.”

“Stay right here. I’ll return in a trice.”

His hand disappeared from the small of her back and took some measure of confidence with it. She watched him walk into the large room to her right, skimming past women in Versace and Prada and men in Armani tuxedos, all of them perfectly coifed, smiling with even white teeth, holding drinks with their manicured hands.

Dash caused a remarkable stir. Everyone looked at him and either smiled broadly or moistened red lips, depending on the gender. Conversations broke midsentence. Men stepped back, stood up straighter. It unsettled her. She’d realized she’d be on display, but her imagination hadn’t been up to the task. Being in the company of Dash Black had its price.

She didn’t envy him this. How difficult to always be at the center. It was as if he’d run a gauntlet of starving beggars, and he was a juicy steak. Even from this distance, perhaps because of the distance, she could feel the pull on him. They all wanted something.

Was she any different? Sure, he’d asked her to this shindig, but still, hadn’t she been doing the happy dance because she’d be with him? Didn’t she fully expect the world to react to her differently?

Man, she needed a drink after that sobering thought. She inhaled deeply, trying to dispel some of her nervousness. As she let the breath go, she realized the focus of the crowd in the foyer had switched from Dash to her. Her first instinct was to hide. If she’d known where the bathroom was, she would have run. But Dash would be back soon, and then things would be all right.

The stares wouldn’t quit. People were undoubtedly curious about who she was, but at least when Dash was next to her, he ran interference.

Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. Her jaw was starting to ache from holding her smile in place. Where was he?

A painting on the far wall caught her attention. She’d hardly registered her surroundings, which was astonishing considering the room. It was a foyer, and it was larger than her apartment. The floor was marble, the walls eggshell, and the décor screamed money.