Page 23 of Tis The Season for Secrets
Traitor,Juliet thought, but she couldn’t blame her.
“As for a wedding venue, what about the Bryce hotel? I think it would be romantic to end it where we started. I know the owner, so I could probably get us a good rate.” Will snaked his arm around her waist, leading her to the dance floor.
Of course he knows the owner. Who the hell is this guy?Juliet hushed him. “I’d keep what happened between us quiet,unless you want to be dragged to City Hall. Dad would make you a Frost by dawn.”
“I can’t blame him for being protective of his daughter,” Will said, taking her in his arms.
“More like protect his property.” The words flew out before she could stop them.
His hand brushed her lower back, making her heartbeat quicken and distracting her from her worries. “I have to say, I thought I’d receive a warmer welcome,” he said quietly, as she tried to follow his steps without treading on his toes. He had a way of throwing her off balance.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” She’d spent so many hours wanting and wishing to see him again, but knowing he knew her dad made her question his motives. She tried to keep her distance, but he pulled her close – close enough for others to notice and whisper.
“I don’t remember you being so quiet.” Will stared down at her as though trying to read her mind. Memories of the other night flooded back: his skin against hers, his lips tasting every inch of her. “You’ve gone red. Are you alright?”
“Just the champagne,” Juliet lied, unable to meet his heavy gaze. She glanced down, and his cufflinks caught her eye. The Christmas tree… the symbol looked familiar, but she couldn’t place it. So where?
The chest under my bed.Juliet froze in his arms, realising he’d turned up the very night she’d received the chest. She had so many questions, but no idea where to start, and she couldn’t leave the dance floor without causing a scene, since they’d been joined by other couples. She tried to picture the chest in her head, to figure out if it was truly the same symbol.
“Did you know who I was when you approached me at the hotel?” she blurted out, needing to know if what had happened between them had been some game.
“Yes.” Will didn’t even hesitate. “And I knew you’d be here tonight because Harvey, who is currently charming your friend in the silver dress, is part of the charity that helped arrange all this.”
“So, seducing me was all part of some twisted set-up?” Juliet felt the muscles in his shoulder tense at the question. She stared up at him, needing to know he was telling the truth.
“There was no set-up. I didn’t know you’d be in the bar that night. Is there a rule about not being allowed to approach a beautiful woman just because I know her last name?” Will asked, spinning her round so her back was flush against him.
She gritted her teeth, trying to ignore his charm. “How did you know what I looked like?” At least he was being upfront about it, and given that she hadn’t known she’d be at the Bryce that night, he couldn’t have planned it in advance.
“Society pages.” He sighed out the answer like it was obvious and turned her back to face him. “Can you stop looking at me like I’m some evil spy? I’m not planning on kidnapping you or becoming a Frost. I only met your father recently because when I saw my friend for drinks the other night, he was having a business dinner with Frost and his wife. I’m not scheming with your father, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He pulled her close again, forcing her to meet his eye, and she didn’t know if it was naivety or lust, but she trusted him.
“I’m choosing to believe you.”
“I’m glad I passed the interrogation,” Will teased, spinning her around again so they were chest to chest. He dipped his head, and she couldn’t take her eyes off his lips. “Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight? I might change my mind about stealing you away.”
His deep voice resonated through her, and she realised how much she missed his touch.How can a stranger make me feel so safe when my actual family sends me into fight or flight mode?She didn’t realise she’d settled so deeply into his embrace until the round of applause at the end of the song snapped her back to reality.
Juliet clapped for the band, but spotting Gillian and her father whispering to each other ruined the moment. The paranoia of being watched like a bug under a microscope got the better of her.
“Gotta go to the ladies’ room, if you’ll excuse me.” She hurried off before Will had a chance to stop her.
With some space,Juliet could finally breathe again. The salmon-pink ladies’ room startled her more than the guests who went silent when she entered. The white doors separating each cubicle broke up the bold pink shade, but not the tension her presence created.
Forcing a smile, Juliet passed the women touching up their already perfect make-up at the marble sinks. Once she’d run some cold water on her wrists, her heart rate started to return to normal, as did the surrounding conversation.
“Juliet?” Fiona Caldwell – the darling of society and editor of GlaMORE magazine – stood behind her in the mirror. It was the type of magazine filled with societal and celebrity gossip, along with ads for products very few could afford.
“Fiona! It’s good to see you,” Juliet lied, forcing a fake hug. Last year Fiona had written a two-page exclusive about how appalled she was by Juliet’s incident with the prince.
“We have to catch up soon! Maybe coffee?” Fiona beamed as they released each other.
“I’ll text you. If we survive the night,” Juliet said, referencing the article. It had ended by predicting that the charity event wouldn’t survive another year if Juliet Frost were to pull another such stunt.
Fiona patted her arm playfully. “I hope you weren’t offended by that little article. We live for the gossip you stir up; the event would be nothing without you.”
“I’m afraid there’ll be nothing to write about this year. I brought a friend to keep me in check.” Juliet wished she’d stayed with Will, even if she was suspicious of his intentions.
“A friend?” Fiona powdered her surgically perfected nose. “Would that be Will Duncan? We saw you dancing. He’s quite the catch – surprised you got to him first.” She giggled.
