is this a test? He certainly hasn’t asked anything like this to the other girls.
I’m not sure to be honest and the uncertainty makes my heart race. Actually, I think he is making my heart pound, not the questions he asked. His powerful command and sexy appearance are playing tricks on me. I’m certainly no innocent virgin, but I’ve never felt a primal pull to someone the way I do right this moment, as if the two feet separating us are way too much and I need to do something to get closer to him. Though I wonder if the excitement of the ruse and at potentially getting caught isn’t a part of the tingling delight I’m feeling.
Deciding flirtiness is warranted in the situation, I play back, tapping my red lip with an equally red fingernail. “I do, though I prefer to use them for midnight back scratches.”
I curl my fingers, scratching at the air between us and knowing that he’ll see my slight cleavage as he looks at my fingers. “Though I have been known to be less than friendly with them a time or two.”
I make a tiny hissing noise befitting a pissed-off kitten.
He chuckles slightly. “Very well. I’ll keep that in mind. Would you do me the honor of escorting me this evening?”
I don’t let the shock show, but somehow, I think he knows. “I would love that, sir.”
He offers his bent elbow, and I slip my hand through, resting it lightly on his forearm where I can feel the corded muscles there. Even through the British tailoring, I can feel enough strength there to know he could crush walnuts if he wanted. Or me. He could crush me with barely any effort.
As he speaks to the rest of the room, I find Maritziana’s eyes. She no longer looks quite so friendly, unfortunately, and I assume I’ve scored some sort of prime position that she had her eyes on.
“Ladies, have a lovely evening. Grant, please see them into the ballroom.”
The butler opens the door, and the group follows him out, disappearing in the distance and leaving me alone with Nathan and Caleb.
Claire’s warnings war in my mind with joy over having completed step one of the mission, getting close to Nathan. Being his escort is bound to get me some intel, I think triumphantly.
But I need to be careful, I remind myself, picturing Anna’s face, frozen in death. Death that might have been ordered by the man at my side. Oh, God, what have I gotten myself into?
A small shudder runs through me, and Nathan peers down at me, patting my hand politely. “Are you okay, Kitty?”
I nod, but any answer I might have been about to give is interrupted by Caleb’s jovial outburst. “What the fuck, Nathan? You cockblock me with Red but then just claim one of the other girls for your own?” I’m thankful for the blasé tone of his words, because if he’d been serious, I’d have been even more nervous.
Nathan smiles, and I can get another read on their relationship. It’s one that Claire and I have had for most of our lives . . . maybe all siblings do.
“Because I’m not worried about my restraint and control, but I am always worried about yours, Mr. Impulsive. Tell me I’m wrong.”
Caleb’s arrogant smirk says that Nathan isn’t wrong. “Can’t help it, man. I’ve got what the girls want. A good, fat—”
Nathan cuts him off, sliding his eyes to me. “Wallet.”
Caleb laughs and points at Nathan. “Yep, you know it.” He throws up a two-fingered wave. “Later, man. Gonna go get tidied up. Much less fun now that Red won’t be invited to my shower. See you at the party. Try not to piss off the Russian or get yourself killed.”
I flinch, and Nathan pats my hand serenely again, noticing my concern. “No worries. He’s just mouthing. You’re perfectly safe with me, as are the rest of my guests.”
Even though I know that’s not remotely true, hearing his reassurances calms me somewhat and I let him lead me down the hall to the party.
It’s already in full swing when we enter, though it’s not a rip-roaring house-smasher to begin with. The other hostesses are scattered throughout the room, partnered off with small groups of men and women who are talking casually, just enough to balance out the gender see-saw and making sure there isn’t too much testosterone in the air. Music is playing in the background, but no one is dancing considering it’s