Page 102 of Wild Blades

I drop my voice, ensuring no one is listening. “We should try naked yoga.”

“Great, I’ll invite the neighbors.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Evening, Wade.” A sickly sweet voice interrupts our flirty banter.

“Amelia.” With his voice indifferent, Wade greets his ex politely.

His arm is still around my shoulders and his thumb never stops moving over my skin. It’s oddly hypnotic, easing any doubts I had about his feelings for her. He’s not tense, or awkward, unlike Amelia appears to be as she fiddles with her fingers and nibbles on her bottom lip.

The silence between them feels difficult for a heartbeat too long before she finally says, “Can we talk?”

“About?”

Drawing everyone’s attention around the table, conversations drop to a low murmur, as if they are waiting for her reply.

“In private?” Her gaze bounces around the table of guests.

“I’m more than happy to stay here and have everyone witness your apology for not coming to Gretchen’s funeral, and for cheating on me. Thanks for the invitation, but I decline. Have a good night.” Wade pushes his chair back. “Would you like to dance?” Holding his hand out for me to take, I accept his offerand take it. “You look beautiful this evening, Ms. Roth,” he says, smiling, and it’s a genuine smile that has my insides melting.

“Thank you.” I feel shy for some stupid reason. The soft tenderness this big lump of a man has for me might very well be my undoing.

I acknowledge Amelia with a quick nod and pull the skirt of my trailing fishtail dress up slightly to weave my way between the tables in the ballroom.

His hand on my back, I whisper, “I need to use the ladies’ room.”

“Be quick. You owe me a dance. I’ll wait for you at the bar.”

“If I’m not back in five minutes, come look for me. Your ex may have pushed my head down the toilet.”

“I’ll come looking for you regardless. Your ass looks killer in that dress tonight. I might need a better look.” He smiles like a Cheshire cat. “Five minutes. I’m counting.” The way he swaggers toward our meeting point in his hotter than hell tux has my heart fluttering.

That man makes me feel electric. He has my whole body singing.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Kali

Finishing up in the restrooms, hands washed, I reapply my lipstick in the mirror.

Satisfied, I clip my clutch shut, then exit the restroom, desperate to get back to Wade so I can press myself against his strong body. He makes me feel safe. I’d happily stay in those arms for as long as he’d let me.

Walking along the empty hallway, the muffled sounds of the jazz band plays off in the distance from the ballroom, when an unfamiliar voice from behind me penetrates the air. “Hey.”

I stop walking and turn around to be met by Wade’s nemesis.

Zane.

Great.

“Having a good night?” I ask, pretending to give a shit, when in fact, I don’t care.

“I was until you arrived.”

Looks like I’ve made an enemy. He’s not exactly one of my favorite people, but his father pays me well. Very well.

I should apologize.

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