Counting On Cole (Wilde Ways #8) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,32
an ex, huh, Evie?”
She blinked. Her gaze had been unfocused, dazed, but at Leo’s words, her stare sharpened. Her lips were red and swollen from Cole’s mouth.
Cole really, really wanted to kiss her again.
“What was…?” Evie’s voice trailed away. She shook her head. Stared at Cole. “Why?”
“I’ll explain everything soon.” He backed away, but reached down to thread his fingers with hers as he carefully held her hand. “For now, just follow my lead.”
Her head moved in a jerky nod.
Play the lover? Play the “besotted” boyfriend? Sure, he could do that. He could play that role forever.
Chapter Six
I knew what “besotted” meant. I was just messing with Chase. Man is an ass. And maybe…maybe I *am* besotted with Evie. So what?
“So it was an act.” Evie sat in the back of the limo. Cole had just slid in right next to her, and the man was already taking up far too much room.
The driver slammed the door and headed to the front of the vehicle.
“I couldn’t exactly explain when we had an audience.”
There was no audience any longer. Just her. Him. Then again, there hadn’t been an audience in her home, either, but he’d only had time to give her the briefest of explanations before they had to rush and get ready for the charity gala. She’d committed to the event months ago, mostly because her brother’s business had organized it.
“Chase thinks we needed to mix things up. If you’re being watched—and, honestly, I’m sure that you are—then we want those watching to think I’m your boyfriend, not just a bodyguard who is dodging your steps.”
Her gaze slid over him. He was wearing a tux, and frankly, it should be illegal for a man to look as hot as he did. When she’d come out of her bedroom and seen him standing in her den, wearing the tux that fit him perfectly…
“You okay with this plan?”
She cleared her throat. “That’s why you kissed me at the studio—because you wanted the dancers to think we were involved.”
“I want everyone to think it. A possessive boyfriend who can’t let his gorgeous girlfriend out of his sight—that kind of guy is much easier for the bad guys to take out.”
“As…opposed to you. The kick ass bodyguard.”
The driver had started the car. He pulled away and began heading toward the charity gala. The vehicle drove slowly down the busy New York streets.
The driver was another Wilde agent. Those guys seemed to be everywhere.
“I’m glad you think I’m kick ass,” Cole murmured. “I do try.”
She peered out of the window. “To make sure I’m clear on things, you’re going to act all obsessed with me tonight?”
“The way you look in that dress, trust me, it won’t be hard.”
Her head whipped around toward him.
“You look beautiful.” His voice was low. “The blue is perfect against your skin, and the silk hugs your body like…” He cleared his throat. “Well, it does a very good job.”
“You look, um, good, too.”
“I feel like an idiot.”
His words surprised her.
“Tuxes aren’t exactly my thing. I’m much more comfortable in the shadows.”
“So am I,” Evie confessed.
But he laughed. “You work on Broadway, Evie. You live in the city that never sleeps. You’re surrounded by energy and light and—”
“I work as a choreographer. That means I’m not on stage. I’m not dancing for the crowds.”
“You could be on stage. You’re a phenomenal dancer.”
Her chest warmed. “Thank you.”
“You’re such a great dancer.” A pause. “Do you sing, too? Are you secretly a double threat?”
A little laugh escaped. “No, I’m not. Trust me, Broadway does not want to hear the madness that is my singing voice.”
“You sure about that? I think your voice is sexy as hell.”
He…oh. Her laughter died away. “My singing voice is different than my speaking voice.” The limo was still driving slowly down the street. “And even if I could sing, I wouldn’t want to be on the stage. I like being in the background. Too much attention has always made me nervous.” That was why she was so comfortable doing the choreography work. She had the opportunity to orchestrate all of the wonderful dance sequences that she could imagine in her head, she got to bring those moments to life with the performers, but she didn’t have to step into the spotlight.
The limo slowed down.
She nervously tapped her index finger against the seat. “What’s the plan for when we go inside?”