Page 40 of Tempt My Heart

Her shoes were pinchingher feet, but she'd never felt more beautiful. Friday had come around quicker than she could have imagined and Freya had insisted on helping with her hair and make-up that night. Ali had acquiesced fairly easily, Freya was much better with that sort of thing than she was. The only item of makeup she'd mastered was the winged liner she wore nearly every day—she could have her eyes done in under five minutes and matching wings to boot.

But for Rose and David's engagement party, she wanted a more understated look and Freya had done an amazing job, adding some kind of shimmer to her face that highlighted her cheekbones and made her look pleasantly sun-kissed.

Christopher had knocked on her door at ten-to-eight and her friends had watched them leave, peering around the corner of the door like overeager parents.

David was hosting the party at his manor house—which was really just a civilized way of saying mansion—that sat out of town and on a private patch of land. The gates had opened for Christopher's car automatically and gravel had crunched under her feet when she'd stepped out and wobbled, catching herself against the warm chest of her date with a gasp of surprise.

Christopher shot her a smile full of dry humor. "I was coming around to help you out of the car."

She laughed nervously as she stared past him and up at the property. Twinkling lights were wrapped around an archway of roses just before the front door and their sweet fragrance settled her nerves as she inhaled deeply and let out a long breath.

"Okay, I'm ready." They passed through the archway and a tall man behind the door, visible through the glass on either side, opened it for them.

He gave a cursory look inside their bags and nodded for them to go in. It would have seemed extreme if not for the very-real stalker who had shot and nearly killed both David and Rose just about a year ago. She had to imagine that the man on the door was also checking for known members of the press too as this event, much like the upcoming wedding retreat, was a media blackout zone.

The unmistakable sound of chatter, music and laughter was coming from straight ahead of them as they made their way deeper into the house and, despite the horrors that had occurred there not so long ago, she couldn't help but admire the woodwork and art that made up David Blake's home.

Christopher led them into a ballroom where a band was set up and several heads turned as they moved through the door, but Ali was too busy musing over the fact that David had an actualballroomin his house to notice whether the stares were curious, appreciative, or openly hostile.

More sparkly lights hung from the walls, cascading in sheets that made the bride-to-be glow as she swayed her way over to them with her fiance on her arm.

"Christopher!" she pressed a kiss to his cheek and then pulled back to look at Ali.

"Alison! It’s good to see you again."

"You too," she said and Rose smiled, looking like an angel in her shimmery silver dress.

"You work atHorizons,right?"

"I'm Christopher's assistant," she confirmed and was surprised by the teasing look Rose shot her boss.

"Very naughty of you Christopher. Can you believe it, Blake? Our goody-two-shoes breaking the rules?"

Christopher shrugged. "It's not against the rules. I checked."

David snorted as he reached out and shook his best friend and business partner's hand. "Of course you did. Nice to see you again, Ali."

"It's gorgeous in here," she said, which earned her a pleased look from David and a beaming smile from Rose.

"Thank you! My friend Maia helped us decorate. Anyway, go and get a drink, dance, we'll catch up with you later."

Christopher pressed a kiss to Rose's cheek as they passed and Ali glanced back to see David folding Rose into a slow dance despite the up-tempo song.

"They're sweet together."

Christopher snorted. "You might be the only person to ever say that—though it's true that they've mellowed out a lot."

Ali raised an eyebrow but didn't question him further as he passed a flute of champagne to her and she took a sip.

"You look stunning, by the way," he said, leaning down to murmur into her ear and she smiled as she sipped her drink. “I may have to fight one or two guys tonight to keep you.”

"You clean up well yourself," she teased, though truthfully he looked similar to the way he always did, with the addition of a little more gel in his hair and a suit that probably cost more than her entire apartment.

Her smile faded as she remembered what they were there to do, and that it would mean betraying the couple who had greeted them with open arms just moments ago.

Christopher seemed to sense the change in her mood, grabbing her glass out of her hand as he caught her eye. "Dance with me."

She didn't have the chance to accept or decline before he was sweeping her into his arms and every line of her body was set perfectly against his. Unlike David and Rose, Christopher didn't slow dance with her. No, he maneuvered her body expertly, waltzing her around like it was effortless as she did her best not to step on his feet.

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