Elaina’s link to the money clip increased when Alex’s fingers closed around her and spread warmth through her body. Of course. She should have thought of that.
She’d had the idea of getting the clip out of his possession to weaken his connection to it, but hadn’t considered how to strengthen hers. Just as holding Mrs. Boyce’s hand had allowed her to acquire the necklace, Alex’s touch increased her ability to claim his treasure in his territory.
With the added boost, she concentrated again on her summons. The clip disappeared from Alex’s desktop and materialized in her palm. She exhaled with relief at the same time Alex released her and staggered back.
“Holy shit.”
She stifled a roll of her eyes. “What did you think was going to happen?”
He stared at his trembling fingers. As though they’d gone numb, he shook out his wrist.
“I don’t know. It’d fly through the air or something. I hadn’t thought about it.”
She slid the clip down the bodice of her dress, where it bonded to her skin with a heady rush of energy. Her hand slipped from her neckline, and she braced herself on the desk. Maybe becoming inebriated in front of Alex wasn’t the smartest idea.
As though he’d read her mind, he leaned forward, checking out the current location of the clip. Her body wanted him even closer.
Bad idea. Really bad idea.
She distracted them both by giving him the necklace. Discarding the pendant removed her claim—and some of her energy—settling the buzzing in her brain.
“If you want me to try to replace these”—she jangled the bracelet on her wrist—“I’ll need to leave them on for the time being.”
“Uh, sure.” He still sounded stunned.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on recreating her human appearance.
Warm air floated across her cheek, and his deep voice rumbled at her ear. “What are you doing?”
Her eyes shot open, and she tottered back from his invasion of her personal space. “If you expect me to go out there again, shouldn’t I look human?”
“You’re beautiful the way you are. Leave your hair.”
Her fingers instinctively stretched and curled. Of course he’d have instructions on how to fulfill her duties as his arm decoration. As though treasure had value only as property.
“First of all, you know this ‘arm trophy’ thing doesn’t work because no one else sees me as you do. My human projection is plain and unremarkable by design. And secondly, you can’t control me the way you do everyone else. I’ll leave the colors, but not the swirling.”
He waved, as though equally unconcerned about others’ impressions of her looks and others’ right to see the shifting colors. As if that was even an option.
If people recognized she wasn’t a pure blonde anymore, she’d make him deal with their confusion. Would serve him right. She subdued her skin and eye differences and froze the changeling shades of her hair into a fixed pattern.
He opened the office door, revealing one of the brutes standing in the hallway.
Alex hitched his thumb down the hall. “Tell Baxter to have the ballroom team complete another low-key search for the necklace.”
After the guard acknowledged, Alex led her to the ballroom. Before the guests noticed their arrival, he discreetly dropped the necklace behind a potted tree beside the entrance.
The jewelry’s sense of abandonment called to her. Back when she’d had the chance, she should have reassured the pendant that it was on its way home. Too late now.
Alex linked her hand over his left elbow and had her point out the women missing the other pieces. As they crossed the ballroom, the bleached and spackled one she’d taken the earrings from motioned in their direction.
“Alex! I was wondering where you’d gone off to.” She sidled closer in a cloud of heavy perfume and air-kissed his cheek. “I was about to feel neglected.”
The woman turned alongside him and backed up a step. Elaina had to slip out of Alex’s arm to avoid being run over. The woman then had the nerve to reach for Alex’s now-empty forearm.
He smoothly shuffled Elaina to his other side and pivoted away from the woman’s advance. “Mrs. Reid, have you met Ms. Drake yet?”
The temptation to give the bitch a few nasty dragon claw scars faded at his emphasis of the woman’s married status, especially when he focused his dazzling grin on Elaina. He brushed his knuckles along her neck down to where the pendant had lain on her collarbone.
“We were unavoidably detained.”
She blinked. Yeah, that would quell the rumor mill.
Mrs. Reid pulled her mouth into something between a smile and a sneer—although that could have been the Botox. “Ms. Drake, is it? I hadn’t realized you were here with Alex.”
Elaina shook the woman’s hand and concentrated on sending the earrings back into the woman’s earlobes, maybe with a tad more force than required. But she had to make sure this untested technique worked, right?
Mrs. Reid squeaked and yanked her arm away. She rubbed her earlobes and was unsurprised at finding her earrings there. One disappearance fixed and unnoticed.
The elegant older woman she’d taken the bracelet from joined their conversation. “How do you know Mr. Wyatt?”
Before Elaina could shoot Alex a questioning look, he easily answered, “She’s a jewelry appraiser. We met when I needed several items examined.”
Impressive. That was a good line.
“Elaina Drake.” She held the woman’s hand and sent the bracelet to her wrist. “It’s nice to meet you again.”
The long sleeves of the woman’s gown had probably prevented her from realizing the loss of her jewelry either. Alex squeezed Elaina’s hand against him. She took that as a thank you.
Mrs. Reid dropped her fingers from her earlobes. “A jewelry appraiser, huh?”
“Yes,” Alex answered for her. He met Elaina’s gaze with raised brows, a reminder for her to play along. “I’d say she’s the best in the world.”
Between the intensity of his stare and the compliment, she didn’t mind her obligation.
Mrs. Reid huffed. “That’s quite a recommendation. I should have you do an appraisal of my wedding ring. I keep asking Henry for the paperwork so I can update our insurance, but he’s so busy, you know.”
Elaina didn’t even glance at the lifeless rock on the woman’s finger. “You don’t need an appraisal.”
“You sound like Henry. It’s three carats. I need it insured.”
Elaina widened her eyes in faked innocence. “Your insurance covers cubic zirconia?”
“Cubic—?” Mouth agape, the woman stormed off across the ballroom. “Henry!”
The crowd that had gathered around them during the exchange snickered at the outburst. Before Elaina could check Alex’s reaction to the insult of his guest, a feedback squeal broke over loudspeakers. Everyone jostled for a view of the other end of the ballroom, where a thin, dark-haired man—Alex’s assistant—stood on a low platform. He adjusted the microphone.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. If I could have your attention for a moment, we’re about to start the presentation.”
Alex leaned close and whispered, “Ready for the spotlight?”
The taste of dirty coal rose up her throat, and she choked. He began walking toward the dais, and she yanked him back. “Spotlight?”
“A short speech and a few pictures. Not a big deal.”
“No.” Her voice hissed despite the lack of sibilant consonants. “No pictures.”
His shoulders jerked. “No—?”
“No cameras, nothing like that.” She didn’t try to hide that the idea terrified her. For good measure, she even added a “please.”
He took in her expression and then looked away and nodded with an odd tilt of his head. “Stay here.”
After that firm instruction, he maneuvered through the crowd, accepting their enthusiastic greetings on his way. Once he was out of sight and her heartbeat stopped fluttering at his absence, she scoped out her escape options around the room. Sure, she’d promised to stay through the evening, but she’d returned the other jewelry pieces already. Letting photographers document her location wasn’t part of the job description.
Up ahead, Alex climbed the platform and took the microphone. She retreated a few steps for a clear view of the ballroom entrance. A hand pressed against her back, halting her movement.
Baxter, Alex’s security guy, prowled closer. “I’m glad you’ll be remaining with us for the evening.”
The message came through clearly. He’d prevent her from leaving unless she wanted to use up all the energy she’d gained tonight. And making any kind of scene would bring out every camera phone in the place. So much for that idea.
Alex’s voice from the stage intensified, recapturing her awareness. “No children should have to experience violence in their home. To that end, I’m establishing the Safe Home, Safe Child Foundation, which will work to prevent child abuse and assist children in dangerous situations. Because of your generosity, we’ll be able to establish and maintain shelters throughout Chicagoland. And if I can count on your ongoing support and cooperation, we’ll be able to expand our efforts across the state, providing safety to those most vulnerable.”
She found herself nodding along with the crowd. Protecting the young was a good cause in any society.
“As promised, rather than match your donation, I’ve added a zero to the amount donated tonight.” He chuckled. “I suspect some of you opened your wallets extra wide because you knew how much it would cost me.” He glanced at his assistant and jokingly grumbled, “Remind me to pack a bag lunch for the rest of my life.”
A wave of laughter rippled over the audience.
“Thanks to all of you, I’m pleased to present this check for fifty-seven million dollars to the Safe Home, Safe Child Foundation.”
She echoed the crowd’s gasp. Fifty-seven million dollars?
Applause burst through the ballroom. Beside her, guests compared their shock at the number. Apparently, matching the total was his usual approach for encouraging donations at his annual fundraising party. But for whatever reason, this year he’d drastically changed the rules.
After the presentation and official pictures, Alex descended the platform and was quickly mobbed. Elaina edged away, hoping to escape in the chaos. Baxter seized her arm and jostled through the throng toward Alex. The man was too good at his job.
As soon as they neared, Alex hooked her hand over his elbow. “Thank you for seeing to her, Baxter.”
The men shared a look that held too much understanding of her intentions. She wanted to be upset at the thwarting of her plans, but the warmth settling around her heart wouldn’t let her.
She leaned close, pressing more of her body against Alex. “That check was rather generous of you.”
His chin dipped. “It’s for a good cause.”
She did a double take. Since when was he humble?
As the night wore on, his behavior continued to conflict with her expectations of how a guy like him would act with an “arm ornament.” He treated her with respect, was attentive, and had Baxter take her aside every time someone brought out a camera for a picture with him. Was he just putting on a show? And if so, for what purpose?
His line for introducing her added to her confusion. “She’s going to be my special advisor for tangible assets and unique investments.”
An ongoing arrangement? That wasn’t part of their deal. She didn’t fit in with humans.
Yet Baxter’s constant presence proved Alex wanted to keep her around. How far would he go? Would he expose her secrets if she didn’t go along with his demands? Skimming the cover headlines of Cosmo hadn’t prepared her for this situation.
She fell quiet and swallowed, conflict playing out in her mind. No matter what a part of her might wish for, it was pointless to hope for more than simple blackmail between them. Dragons weren’t capable of more. Period. End of discussion.
Once the crowd around them thinned, he steered her close. “I do believe it’s time for a dance.”
His husky voice vibrated through her body. She refused to look up at him and place her nose closer to his neck. As it was, his scent invaded her senses, inviting her to breathe deeper.
Distracting herself from the idea, she listened for the music’s deep, repetitive thumps, but heard only soft vibratos. That was dance music? The sounds produced by the stringed instruments in the alcove were nothing like those resonating through her apartment walls every night. Others seemed to agree with her. Only a few couples swayed together on the wood floor near the musicians.
“Won’t that make us the center of attention?”
He motioned to Baxter, and she recognized the signal as his directive to keep cameras away. Then he led her to the dance floor. “It’s too late to worry about that now.”
True. He’d already given the gossipmongers plenty of material.
“Why’d you do it?” She suppressed a shudder as his arm slid over her bare back and set her skin on fire.
He gave her a blank look. “Do what?”
His graceful movements impressed her. Even though she didn’t know the first thing about this dance, he effortlessly guided her through the rhythm of the music.
“You know.” She squeezed him, attempting to shake an answer out of him, but it only resulted in them dancing closer. “If you were worried about your reputation, why’d you encourage the rumors?”
“Rumors were going to happen whether I said anything or not. Just showing up with a woman on my arm for the first time in three ye—” He cut himself off and tilted his head away.
“Three years?”
He didn’t deny it, and he didn’t face her. His hold on her body tensed, yet their smooth sweeps of the dance floor continued, hiding the nature of their conversation from observers.
“Alex”—she lowered her volume—“what happened three years ago?”
His gaze snapped back to hers. “How do you do that?”
At his accusing tone, she almost stumbled. “Do what?”
“Any other person would ask why. Why haven’t I been with a woman lately? And I could make up something, like how I hadn’t met the right person. But you get to the root of the issue, asking what happened to cause the change.”
His fingers caressed her back, as though she were a stringed instrument for him to play. Mild shocks zipped through her body.
He gave her a rueful smile. “And that’s a harder question to duck.”
Her mouth twitched into a curve. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
She stiffened. Had she upset him?
His expression unwound until it revealed nothing. “My father died three years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice held only sincerity this time.
“Don’t be.” His eyes sharpened, glinting with ferocity. “My father was a miserable, arrogant, controlling bastard.” He grunted. “He was everything you think I am.”
She flinched, although she couldn’t say why. “I don’t think all that of you.”
His severe look softened, his irises melting to liquid silver.
The glimpse of his vulnerability turned her thoughts to goo. Before she did something she’d regret, she attempted to change the mood. “I certainly don’t think you’re miserable.”
He laughed, just as she’d hoped. “What am I going to do with you?”
Her yearning for his touch broke through every defensive wall of safety around her. Surrender was a valid option if he would give her what she wanted. What she suddenly needed.
“Kiss me.”
His incredulous expression matched her reaction to the impulsive words. He leaned closer, and her heartbeat quickened in response.
Her plans forgotten, she wasn’t going to take back her request.