Days later, Connie stood in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the wall near her walk-in closet. She almost didn’t recognize herself. For the first time in days, she felt physically good. No aches. No swelling. No stinging from scraped skin.
It was the night of the celebrity fashion show, and Connie had just slipped into her dress, which Trinity had talked her into buying a few weeks ago when they’d gone shopping. She twisted and turned in front of the mirror, loving the way the lightweight, flowy material moved. The pearl-white, backless outfit had a plunging neckline and hit just above her knees. It was definitely bolder than she would normally wear, but now that she was planning to attend with Trace, she was glad she had purchased it.
She turned one more time, glancing over her shoulder. “Damn, I look hot.” She giggled, unable to help herself. The squats and lunges that she had incorporated into her workout were definitely paying off. Her butt looked incredible, if she did say so herself. Trace’s eyes were going to fall out of his head when he saw her in the dress.
The thought made her grin harder, but it probably wasn’t a good idea to tempt her bodyguard. As she double-checked her makeup, Connie thought about how much she was really enjoying having Trace by her side. It didn’t feel like he was there to protect her. It was more like they were dating, which was fine with her. She was getting tired of skirting her attraction to him. It was time to let down her guard and allow their relationship to progress organically. She knew there’d be moments when her nerves would get the best of her. Not because of her feelings for Trace, but because the bank robbery and the subsequent murder were still plaguing her mind.
Trinity’s brother, Maxwell, had looked into the case and found out that Janel had been planning to turn herself in to authorities. According to her, one of the robbers was an ex-boyfriend who’d been blackmailing her into helping him. She had two semesters of nursing school left, and he had threatened to send a sex tape that she hadn’t known he’d made to the dean of her college.
According to Maxwell, Janel had never expected anyone to get hurt during the robbery. She panicked and ran when she learned that law enforcement knew of her involvement. Afraid her ex would find her before the cops, she agreed to turn herself in. Unfortunately, it seemed the criminals got to her before she could give the detectives on the case any names.
After leaving Trinity and Gunner’s house the other night, Trace had stopped home and packed a bag. He’d stayed with Connie every night since then, and she was glad that he didn’t seem to mind. They’d gotten into a good rhythm while sorta-kinda living together. They hadn’t shared a bed since that first night at his place, but they’d shared plenty of kisses.
Connie glanced at the clock on the nightstand and gasped. They needed to head out; she didn’t want to miss the preshow cocktail party and dancing before the fashion show.
She slipped into her four-inch strappy sandals, grabbed her small, bejeweled purse and wrap, then left the bedroom. The house was quiet, but she knew Trace was there somewhere.
Connie made her way to the living room and pulled up short. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.
“Wow” was all she could say when her gaze landed on Trace leaning against the fireplace mantel. He looked like a GQ cover model ready for his next photo shoot. The man was already gorgeous on any given day, but seeing him in a black, satin-lapel tuxedo was like looking at a Nubian prince.
Her gaze traveled back up his body and took in every detail of her date for the evening. The cut of the tuxedo emphasized his broad shoulders and the way his body tapered down to a narrow waist. He was over six feet tall, but his legs seemed even longer in the tuxedo pants with satin stripes down the sides. Trace might’ve had confidence issues back in high school, but right now, he appeared poised and in charge.
“You are absolute perfection,” Connie finally said.
Trace straightened and was checking her out the way she had just done to him. “And you’re sexy as hell. Damn, girl. I’m going to be spending all my time tonight fighting off brothas who’ll be trying to step to you.”
Connie waved him off. “Oh, please. With the gorgeous models on center stage strutting their stuff, ain’t nobody gon’ be thinking about me.”
“I disagree.” Trace walked in a circle around her and cursed under his breath when he saw the back of the dress. “You’re absolutely stunning, but this dress, though...”
Connie tried to fight the smile that was threatening to burst free, but she couldn’t. She loved his reaction.
“Are you ready to go?” she asked.
“Yeah, the car should be here in a few minutes.” Trace checked his phone.
They were using a car service to get to the event. There had been a recall on the power-steering package on his car, so his Camaro was in the shop. And since they planned to have a couple of drinks, it was better that they didn’t drive, anyway.
In the morning, she was going to pack a few clothes to take to his place. Trace wanted her to stay with him until the bank robbers were caught, and Connie had agreed. She loved his condo. The security was great, and the weekend she’d stayed with him felt like being at a retreat of sorts.
Now that she had decided to break her rule about not dating coworkers, Connie was looking forward to her and Trace getting even closer. She was tired of trying to keep their relationship platonic when what she really wanted was him naked and in her bed again. Her sex-starved body hummed with anticipation of the night to come.
“The car will be here in three minutes. Do you have everything?” he asked.
“Yes. Before we go, we should probably talk about Indie. You’re not going to make a scene tonight, are you?” Connie asked, knowing she sounded like someone’s mother instead of a date.
Technically, this wasn’t a date. Trace was just escorting her to the event, but in Connie’s heart, this was going to be their first date. And she wanted to make sure it was perfect.
“I promise I won’t make a scene, and I won’t embarrass you. Hopefully, I’ll see Indie and get a chance to apologize for the other day.”
“As long as that’s all you do,” Connie said as she straightened his tie. “Don’t forget—tonight you’re mine.”
Trace’s tempting lips twisted into a sexy grin, and he looped his arm around her waist. “You know I love it when you talk dirty.”
Connie burst out laughing. “Only you would consider that talking dirty.”
“Maybe, but still, I liked the way it sounded, and don’t worry. I’m all yours and not just for tonight.” He lowered his head and covered her mouth with his, and Connie’s toes curled inside her high heels as she gave herself freely to the slow, drugging kiss. She would never get enough of this strong, sexy man who had her panting even after their lip-lock ended. “Now, let’s get out of here so that I can go and show you off looking all sexy in that dress.”
Connie couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “All right, if you insist.”
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the convention center. The event had been advertised as being one of the premier shows of the year. From what Connie could see so far, it was going to be spectacular.
While Trace talked to a couple of the security guys on duty who worked for LEPA, Connie glanced around. This was her first celebrity fashion show, and she took in every detail. The beautifully decorated ballroom was large and had black-and-gold gossamer fabric draped from the ceiling, giving the space a whimsical ambience.
The oversize room was playing double duty. On one side, a long, elevated runway covered in red carpet. Large gold stars, like those on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, ran down the center of it and took up much of the space. Clear, twinkling lights going around the outer edge lit the space. Hundreds of chairs were set up on both sides of the platform, but the area was roped off, since the show didn’t start until eight o’clock. The show’s theme was Old Hollywood, and not only would the models be dressed accordingly, but the decor was befitting with oversize movie reels, old-fashioned film strips and vintage spotlights strategically placed in the area.
On the other side of the ballroom were four cash bars and at least forty tall cocktail tables. They were strategically placed around the large dance floor in the center of the space. Waiters, dressed in tuxedos, carried trays of bite-size hors d’oeuvres and floated about seamlessly. And a live band, set up on the side of the room, played soft jazz and added to the magical atmosphere.
Though Trinity and Gunner called to say that they wouldn’t be able to attend, Connie was glad she and Trace were there. He approached her from behind and slid an arm around her waist.
“How about we get a drink? Or would you like to dance first?”
Connie couldn’t wait to dance with him but opted for a drink first. “What do you think so far?” Trace asked when he handed Connie a glass of white wine. “It looks like no expense was spared in pulling all of this together.”
“I agree. I’m already impressed with what I’ve seen. I can only imagine how great the show will be.”
For the next few minutes, they talked, laughed and mingled with others. What she was enjoying most, though, was her time with Trace. Being with him reminded Connie of how long it had been since she’d been out with a man. She could honestly admit that no other compared to Trace. He was attentive, funny and sociable. It amazed her how many people he knew in attendance. Even with that, he hadn’t left her side and treated her as if she was a precious gift.
Would it always be like that with him? Connie imagined it would be, and that only made her look forward to their relationship growing.
“Dance with me,” Trace said and took her almost empty wineglass from her hand, setting it on a nearby table. “I don’t want this evening to end without having you in my arms.”
Connie smiled, and her pulse quickened at the idea of being hugged up against him. “I’d love to dance with you.”
Trace grasped her hand, and they wove around small groups of people and tables as he guided her to the dance floor. Once they were there, the band started playing Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” There were two lead singers, but only the man was currently performing. Connie felt each note deep in her soul. He crooned the words with such passion and power, it was as if he was singing directly to his lover.
Trace gently pulled Connie into his arms and against his hard body. He held one of her hands to his chest, while his other arm slid around her waist. He rested that hand on the bare skin of her back just above her butt. Every nerve inside her body came alive, and a shiver scurried across her heated skin.
Being hugged up against him had an effect on her that defied all understanding, and man, he smelled amazing. Connie inhaled deeply, savoring Trace’s hypnotic fragrance. Then she released the breath slowly as their bodies swayed to the smooth melody.
“Our first dance,” Trace whispered close to her ear. His warm breath sent heat shooting across her skin.
Connie leaned her head back slightly and gazed into his eyes. “I’m never going to forget this dance. Or the song that we’re dancing to.”
“Good, because I’m thinking that it’ll be the song we use for the first dance at our wedding reception.”
Connie sputtered a laugh. “Aren’t you being a little presumptuous? How do you know I’d ever agree to marry you?”
“Oh, I know. One day, baby. It’s going to be me and you. I don’t know when, but it’s going to happen. You’ll see.”
“You sound awfully sure of yourself.”
“I am. You’re it for me.”
Trace lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. His demanding lips caressed hers in a slow, heady kiss that sang through her veins. This man. God, this sweet, endearing, sexy man set her body on fire and stoked the flames with each lap of his tongue. He crushed her to him, deepening their lip-lock, and Connie savored him and the moment they were creating.
This wasn’t just any kiss. This was a kiss from a man who was claiming her as his own. There was a time that would have scared her, but not now. Joy soared through Connie’s veins and danced inside her at the thought of her and Trace together. For real together. Not just hanging out and going way past just a friendship.
It wasn’t until the kiss ended that she remembered that they were in the middle of a dance floor. She didn’t care. All she cared about in that moment was that she was with a man she absolutely adored. That wall that she had carefully constructed around her heart—gone. She was his.
Connie laid her head against Trace’s shoulder as they continued swaying, now to a different song. A smile covered her lips, and her imagination took her down that road of...what if. What if their relationship grew to the point of marriage? What if they were able to build the life—together—that she had always dreamed of having?
It was way too soon to think along those lines, but right now, there was no other man she could imagine herself being with.