Page 28 of Jackson
She hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. “Lincoln, congratulations.” She smiled, shifting the wine bottle. “And Henry, you, too.”
Lincoln turned to her, his expression warming as he extended a hand. “Paula, thank you. I appreciate it.”
Henry’s eyes twinkled with something close to amusement. “A very well-earned milestone,” he said, resting a hand on Lincoln’s back. “And you brought wine, I see.”
Paula held it out. “It’s from a vineyard in California—small, family-owned. I thought you might like it.”
Lincoln took the bottle and studied the label, his mouth curling slightly in appreciation. “Ah. I’ve been to this one before. They do excellent work, especially with their reds. This will pair well with dinner tonight.” He met her gaze, tilting his head slightly. “Good choice.”
Paula’s lips twitched. “I’ll admit I had help picking it out, but I’ll take the credit.”
Lincoln chuckled. Before he could say more, another small group of well-wishers moved toward them.
Henry gave her a knowing look. “Go check out the buffet table and enjoy yourself.”
Paula took the hint and excused herself, heading toward the long dining table laden with an assortment of dishes.
She hovered for a moment, trying to decipher what she was looking at. There were things she recognized—cheese platters, roasted meats, some kind of pasta—but plenty that she didn’t that included fancy little appetizers balanced on crisp crackers, skewers of something that looked suspiciously like calamari, a glistening bowl of caviar she was hesitant to get anywhere near.
She bit her lip.I’m definitely more of a burger-and-fries girl.
As she debated between something safe and something adventurous, a woman stepped up beside her.
“Don’t let the fancy setup fool you,” the woman said lightly. “Most of it tastes better than it looks.”
Paula turned her head and immediately recognized her. The dark-skinned woman was striking, poised, and familiar, but it took Paula a second to place her. Then it clicked.
She’d seen her at Club Indigo.
Paula straightened slightly. “We haven’t met, but I saw you at the—uh—the bar last Saturday.” She extended a hand. “Paula Stone.”
“Yes, that was me.” The woman shook her hand, her grip confident and sure. “I’m Sonja Madden, by the way. You were with Jackson, right?”
“Yes, I was.” Paula felt a flicker of unease. What was the etiquette when meeting kinky people outside the club? Was it supposed to be acknowledged? Ignored?
Sonja, apparently, had no such reservations. She gave a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, it’s not like we all wear badges or something. Most people here wouldn’t have the faintest clue we know each other from somewhereelse.”
That earned a small laugh from Paula and eased some of her tension.
Sonja picked up a small skewer of meat, inspecting it before popping it into her mouth. “So, you’re new to all this?”
“The food or the lifestyle?”
Sonja threw back her head and laughed, which earned them a few glances. “I was referring to the lifestyle.”
Paula hesitated. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only because I was, too, once,” Sonja said. Then, with a curious tilt of her head, she asked, “You know my Daddy?”
Paula blinked.Daddyin this context wasn’t exactly a family thing. “Your—oh.” Movement behind Sonja, drew her attention. “Derek Kiriakis?”
Sonja nodded, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement. “That’s the one.”
“I know him,” Paula said, relaxing somewhat. “We’ve worked on some cases together before.”
Sonja grinned. “Well, we all have our private lives, but Derek’s great. Strict as hell, but great.”
Derek joined them and hugged Sonja from behind. “Hey, Paula.”
