CHAPTER TWENTY

 

 

“Know? About what?” Confusion washed over me. I felt like there was a whole layer of conversation I was missing. Just like with the councilwoman.

Warmth filled me and I knew Alex was near.

“Hi, Evie,” his voice came over my shoulder. I watched her eyes find him and then a curtain fell. She gave me a lovely, if fake, smile, and wished me well. She walked away from us, her short pink flapper dress swishing with her sashaying hips. I turned to Alex.

“What was that about?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t sidestep my question. I saw her look at you and then decide to leave.”

“She must sense the sexual tension between us.” He smiled his wolfish smile and all thoughts fled my brain. Dang it. He leaned in. “Where did he go?”

Although distracted by his breath against my ear, I followed the conversation change. “I don’t know. Do you think he left?”

“It would appear so.”

I looked at Alex in despair. “Now what?”

“Just because the plan went bust doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the rest of the evening,” he purred.

“Now that sounds like an excellent Plan B,” I concurred. “Before we do, did you see the two women I was talking to before?” He shook his head. “Robin Landon, another talent agent, and Barbara Knollman, city councilwoman. Do you know either of them?”

“Only by name. I don’t think I’ve spoken to them.”

“You never auditioned for Robin?”

“Nope. I got plenty of work through a couple of other agents. Before I signed with you, of course,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the sides when he smiled.

“Of course,” I agreed, matching his smile.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. There’s something off with both of them. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Did you try smelling them?”

I laughed aloud and then covered my mouth with my hands. “Careful. We don’t want to draw attention.”

“Sorry about that.” He clearly wasn’t sorry. I shook my head and led him back to the spacious living room-turned-dance floor.

Alex and I danced several more times, both of us surreptitiously keeping an eye out in case we were wrong about Michael having left. Neither one of us saw him again at the party.

Dancing with Alex and learning about his life before Vegas (originally from Florida, wanted to be a beach bum before finding himself in Vegas) captivated me. Staring into each other’s eyes, feeling his strong arms around my waist, and the heat of his breath as he whispered into my ears. The plan may have been a bust, but yeah, we definitely made the best of it.

At the end of the night, we walked together to the underground parking. I saw the worry in his eyes.

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Call me when you get home. So I know you’re safe. I know you can take care of yourself, but still.”

“I will. I appreciate the concern.” I smiled warmly at him, the concern he expressed demonstrating that our attraction was more than physical.

*****

The drive to the condo was blissfully uneventful. Once upstairs, I kicked off my heels and promptly removed my phone from my purse.

Autodialed Alex.

“You made it home?” More question than statement.

“Yep. I had fun tonight.” I hoped he heard my smile.

“I’m glad. I did too,” he responded, and I was certain I could hear a smile in his voice.

A knock on my door startled me. I walked toward it, turning on the kitchen light as I passed. “I see you tracked me again,” I told Alex flirtatiously and then disconnected the call, though a part of my brain registered that he was saying something.

Opening the door, I saw I was right. An incubus had followed me home.

The wrong one.