feet on the pavers.
“Declan, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be with someone. Sex is a part of the human condition. It’s not wanting and needing that’s the problem, it’s how people go about meeting those needs that screws up things. What happens between two consenting adults is perfectly fine.”
He looked at her. She had no idea what he was thinking, but that was okay. Just looking at him made her happy.
“You’re holding out for love?” he asked.
She sighed. “At this point I would be thrilled to have someone to take me seriously, but that seems to be a losing battle.”
She picked up her glass and stood at the same time he got to his feet. The sun had slipped below the horizon and the air was rapidly cooling. The night was still and she could hear the sound of their breathing.
His dark gaze locked with hers. Something crackled between them—something hot and dangerous and yet full of promise. She knew that if she leaned toward him, he would touch her. He might even kiss her and she found herself longing for the feel of his mouth on hers. Only... Only...
And then what? After they kissed, what was next? Sex? So they did it and she walked from his bed to hers and then in the morning, what did they say to each other? More important, what did she say to herself? If she was ever going to be more than she was, she had to break the cycle of giving in because it felt good. Dammit, she wanted to be a person with a moral compass and a spine.
“I can’t,” she whispered, before bolting into the house. She ran into her bedroom and closed the door behind her. She didn’t lock it—she didn’t have to. Declan would never walk in without being invited.
She put down her glass and then flopped on the bed. Later she would be all proud and smug but right now she was lonely, tired and sad. She knew she’d done the right thing, but man, did it suck.
Chapter Sixteen
“Margot, stop frowning. Seriously, you’re giving yourself wrinkles and I’m not sure you’re the type who would allow yourself the thrill of Botox.”
“I’m not sure anyone thinks of Botox as a thrill.”
Bianca smiled. “Only those who haven’t tried it, my dear. And I know what I’m talking about.”
Margot did her best to relax her expression. Worrying wouldn’t help. They were committed now.
She looked past her client to the guests entering the ballroom for the political fund-raiser. They were all well dressed and moneyed. Tickets had been at a thousand-dollar minimum.
Margot returned her attention to Bianca. “You remember our game plan?”
“Of course. Polite conversation about anything innocuous. Avoid politics, which is totally ridiculous when you consider where we are. I’m to look for people standing alone, preferably women. Five minutes with someone, then move on. If I feel nervous, I will excuse myself and come find you. If I can’t, I’ll head to the bathroom and text you.”
Bianca patted her arm. “Don’t worry. We had a bit of a stumble at the beginning, but we’re working well together now. I’m feeling really good about tonight.”
“You look good.”
Bianca smiled. “Yes, I do, don’t I?”
Bianca was wearing a fairly conservative dark red dress that went to just below her knees. Her hair was loose and curly, her makeup subtle. She looked confident, beautiful and just a little sexy.
Margot linked arms with her. “All right. You’re ready. Let’s go.”
They joined the crowd milling toward the open double doors.
“I hope there aren’t going to be a lot of tech guys here tonight,” Bianca murmured. “I still remember when Steve and I were seeing each other. He was so fun at first, but after a while all he would talk about was Apple, Apple, Apple.”
Margot nearly stumbled. “You don’t mean...Steve Jobs?”
“What? Yes. It was years ago. He was so young, but then so was I.” She flashed a smile, before handing over her ticket to the person at the door.
Margot did the same and they moved into the ballroom. Before she could offer any last-minute advice, she found herself abandoned by her client.
“Good luck,” she said to Bianca’s back. She was about to survey the room and figure out her next move when she spotted Alec, a glass of champagne in each hand.
“Good evening,” he said, handing her one. “You two made it.”
“We did.”
She had driven over with Bianca while Alec had come separately. The plan was that Bianca would leave alone