Sins, Lies & Spies (Black Brothers #2)(38)

Knox wrapped his arm around my waist, molding me to the side of his body. “Don’t be nervous about meeting my brother or his fiancée. They don’t bite.”

“I’m not.” I laughed lightly, trying to cover the blatant lie.

“Then why were you fidgeting with the clasp on your bracelet the entire drive here?” Knox grinned as he pulled out a stool at a high round table near the bar and gestured to the seat.

I dropped my purse on the table and perched on the edge of the stool, being careful not to flash my panties to the entire bar. If I had more time to get ready, I would’ve insisted Knox stop at my townhome to get a different dress than the one he’d grabbed from my closet.

The red satin dress had a deep V neckline and a razor cut back that exposed the sides of my waist. The bottom flared into an A-line silhouette, but it stopped well above the middle of my thigh. Leslie talked me into buying it a couple of months ago, but I could never bring myself to wear it in public. Its lack of coverage made me decidedly uncomfortable.

“I don’t know.” I glanced over to the bar and raised my hand to catch Leslie’s attention. Her nearly white hair darted back and forth behind the bar as she moved from customer to customer. “Maybe I’m more worried about you meeting my friend.” I tugged on the front of his deep blue dress shirt and lowered my voice. “She might bite.”

One side of his mouth tilted upward in a dazzling grin, then he pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. My heart fluttered violently against my ribcage. Without fail, every time he directed his attention on me, I felt like a flimsy piece of paper caught up in the tornado that was Knox Black. “I trust you to keep me safe.”

“Well, hello,” Leslie said, her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed in disapproval.

“Hey, Leslie,” I said, reluctantly dropping my hand from Knox’s shirt.

Knox held out his hand. “I’m Knox Black. It’s good to finally meet Trinity’s best friend. I’ve heard so much about you.”

He exaggerated, but I didn’t call him on it. I’d mentioned a few things about Leslie on the car ride over, but nothing too revealing.

Leslie flipped her white blonde hair over her shoulder as she eyed Knox’s hand for a suspended second. “It’s nice to meet you, Knox Black.” She shook his offered hand. “Trinity hasn’t breathed a single word about you until an hour ago, but I won’t hold that against you…yet.”

Knox arched one eyebrow. “Good to know.”

“So, how did you two meet?” Leslie probed.

Knox smiled down at me, the front of his thighs brushing against my knees. My stomach clenched. “Why don’t you tell her about our first meeting?”

I rolled my eyes. “Knox is a business associate. We met at a party, and now we’re…” I licked my lower lip. “Hanging out.”

His lips twitched, but he quickly wiped his hand across his lower jaw to hide his amusement. “That sounds about right.”

Leslie planted her hands on her hips, a scowl scrunching up her dainty facial features. “Are you related to Archer Black?”

He folded his arms across his chest, and cocked an eyebrow. “Yes. He’s my brother. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” She shrugged. “I was just curious.”

“Trinity,” he said, focusing on me again. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Sure. I’d love a vodka on the rocks with two limes.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He brushed his fingertips down my arm. A simple feather-soft touch and warmth bloomed in my chest.

I watched him until he disappeared into the crowd. I shook my head. “We’re going to dinner with his brother and his fiancée tonight. How do you know Archer Black?”

Leslie sat on the stool adjacent to me. “I don’t know him personally, but everyone knows who Archer Black is.” Her brows scrunched together. “Don’t you?”

“The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.” Leslie’s eyebrows scaled her forehead. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to lecture me about something?”

“Archer Black is a self-made millionaire or billionaire. I don’t know which, but he has a shitload of money and connections. His fiancée is Langley Mayer, former stepdaughter to the now imprisoned Senator Wharton and if you read the tabloids—”

“I don’t,” I snapped, shifting in my seat. The long gold chain around my neck swung between my breasts like a pendulum. I didn’t want to know all of this background information. I was nervous enough without feeling socially and financially inferior.

“Well, she’s the next ‘It’ girl in Hollywood.” She lifted and dropped one shoulder nonchalantly. “Which isn’t surprising considering she is the daughter of Rick Mayer.”

“Great, so I’m going out to dinner with a man who could buy me a million times over and Hollywood royalty.”

She nodded. “Pretty much, but that’s not why I’m pissed at you.”

“What do you mean?”

She propped both of her elbows on the smooth metal tabletop and leaned forward. “Didn’t you learn your lesson with Miles?”

“Apparently not, but I have a feeling you’re about to enlighten me.”