Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Trey offers his hand, palm up. “In that case, let’s keep you entertained while he’s busy. Care to dance?”
I open my mouth to decline—I’d rather wait for Lincoln—but then I remember I’m supposed to fit in. A refusal might come off as shy or standoffish. So I nod, letting out a small laugh. “Sure, why not?”
Vera’s gaze sparkles with approval. She and Trey lead me onto the makeshift dance floor, which is more of a softly lit lounge space than a typical ballroom. A new track plays—low and rhythmic, the bass pulsing at a seductive tempo. Couples sway under the tinted lights, some pressed tight together in ways that make my cheeks warm. I swallow hard, reminding myself that I have to play the part of someone used to this kind of environment.
“Just follow our lead,” Vera says, placing a light hand on my shoulder.
Trey steps behind me, resting his hands gently at my waist. My nerves spike; I’ve never been sandwiched like this before, especially not with two near-strangers. But Vera’s smile is warm, and Trey’s hold remains polite, so I force my muscles to relax and let the music guide me.
We start swaying together, a slow, rocking motion that feels oddly intimate despite our formal clothes. Vera’s in front of me, her gold gown reflecting the lights as she moves her hips in time with the music. Trey’s solid presence at my back keeps me anchored, and I can feel the subtle press of his thighs as he matches my rhythm. It’s a careful dance, a little daring, and entirely out of my comfort zone.
But maybe that’s why I lean into it—why I let myself close my eyes for just a moment and pretend I belong here, in this hush of whispered desire. A hint of spice from Vera’s perfume mingles with Trey’s cologne, a heady mix that sets my heart fluttering. My pulse thrums in my ears, and for a split second, I forget about Morris Rolfe, about Dean’s call, about the entire mission. All I feel is the music, the soft slide of fabric, and the swirl of excitement that I’m doing something so completely new.
Vera steps closer, her lips curving in a sultry smile. “Not so bad, is it?” she murmurs over the pulsing beat.
I let out a shaky laugh. “No. Definitely… interesting.”
Behind me, Trey’s fingers shift slightly on my waist, spreading warmth through the thin material of my dress. He leans in, breath ghosting over my ear. “You’re a natural, and so fucking sexy.”
I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or just part of the play, but I try to accept it with grace. We sway a little more, the music taking on a deeper, bass-heavy undercurrent that seems to resonate in my chest. Vera’s gaze drops to my lips, and my stomach twists with a strange blend of nerves and thrill. I wonder if she’s going to kiss me—if that’s the next step in this seductive dance. Part of me is tempted to see how far I can go, to push my boundaries, but I also can’t shake the knowledge that Lincoln’s somewhere in the background, probably finishing up his call with Dean.
He’ll be looking for me, I realize.
The thought makes me open my eyes—and that’s when I spot Lincoln, leaning against a column at the edge of the dance floor. He’s off the phone, arms folded, and his gaze is locked on me like a laser. My heart kicks. Even from a distance, I can see the clench of his jaw, the set of his shoulders, the way his eyes darken as he watches me. It’s such a fierce look that a hot flush crawls up my neck.
Is he… jealous? Or maybe just worried?
Either way, I feel the weight of his stare thrumming through me, heightening my awareness of Trey’s hands on my waist and Vera’s body swaying so close to mine. A flicker of heat lights in my core, an electric surge that’s half performance, half genuine rush of adrenaline. Does he like watching me? Is he turned on seeing me like this?
I can’t deny that the thought excites me. There’s a part of me that wants to show him I can handle this world, that I can be just as daring as he’s asked me to be. So I let myself lean in a bit more. Vera slides a hand up my arm, and I feel Trey’s grip tighten slightly on my waist, pulling me back against his chest. My dress shifts, revealing a bit more thigh. The intimate press of two bodies sandwiches me in place, and my breath hitches.
Vera’s lips curve in approval, and she flicks her gaze over my shoulder to where Lincoln stands. “Your husband’s watching,” she murmurs, voice laced with amusement.
A tremor of excitement courses through me. “I know,” I whisper, resisting the urge to turn my head and look at him again. Instead, I focus on the sensation of the slow grind, the hush of silk and suit fabric, the pulse of the music that makes every movement feel almost hypnotic.