The VIP Room(169)

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure, miss.” He winked at her. “Enjoy your evening.”

She smiled, then turned toward the museum, gasping in surprise. The white marble portico was lit up with colors that changed every few seconds, creating a kaleidoscope out of the building. Well-dressed couples climbed the stairs, the multicolored lights picking out jewels and the shimmer of expensive gowns.

The realization that she didn’t belong here had her backing up. Right into Marcus.

“You’re going the wrong way, Leah.” He laid his hand on the small of her back and she jumped as his fingers spread over her bare skin. Swallowing, she clutched her small bag and let him guide her to the wide staircase. “This is where being the boss comes in handy.”

He led her up past the long line. The man checking invitations glanced up, and immediately stepped aside. “Welcome, Mr. Hawkins.”

“Thank you, Neill. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself once everyone’s inside.”

A smile flashed across Neill’s face. “You bet.” His gaze moved to Leah. He wasn’t more than a few inches taller than her own five foot two. “Who’s this? I have Miss Deveaux on the list as your companion tonight.”

Leah smothered a groan. Cassie Deveaux—the most stunning cover model in the business. She was the type Marcus Hawkins usually had on his arm. Not a nobody like her.

“This is Leah Frane. She graciously stepped in when Cassie cancelled on me.”

Neill raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment. Instead, he turned his attention, and his dark, kind eyes on Leah. “A pleasure, Miss Frane.”

“This is Neill, my head of security.” Marcus laughed at her surprised glance. “Don’t let his stature fool you. I’d trust him with my life. I have, more times than I can count. If you need anything and I’m not close by, find Neill.”

Marcus looked so serious she nodded, managing a smile. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Neill.”

“Enjoy the festivities, boss.” To her surprise, Neill took her hand and kissed it. “The pleasure was all mine, Leah.”

Marcus let out a low growl, and Neill dropped her hand. Before she could ask what the hell that was all about, Marcus practically dragged her into the museum. She grabbed her skirt and lifted it to keep from tripping and making a bigger fool of herself. Marcus was already doing a fine job of that, pulling her after him like she was a disobedient child.

“Mr. Hawkins—” Leah could barely keep up with his long strides—and she was seriously afraid her breasts might just bounce out of the halter if he didn’t slow down.

She got her wish. He stopped, so fast she ran into him. After she checked to make sure she was still in the halter, she heard the muttering—or more precisely, the swearing. When she stepped to his side she saw the reason.

Cassie Deveaux stood in the center of a group of men, laughing, her long, perfect blonde hair flying around her bare shoulders. She froze when she saw Marcus.

He reached over and grabbed Leah’s hand, twining their fingers together when she tried to extricate herself. Cassie flashed a smile at her admirers before she strode over to them.

“Marcus. What a lovely—”

“I thought you were on your way to Paris. That’s what your assistant told my brother.”

She frowned. “I received a message from your assistant, stating that you would not be attending.”

The muscles in his jaw twitched. “You’re standing in front of my assistant. Why don’t you ask her if she gave you that message?”

Cassie raised one elegant blonde eyebrow. “Since the message was from a male, I am going with the theory that we were both…” Her voice faded, clear green eyes narrowing. “Graham.”

“I’ll deal with this,” Marcus said. His deep voice sounded dangerous. Leah started to ease back, but he tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her after him. “Keep up, Miss Frane. I need a witness so I don’t strangle him.”





* * *



Marcus fought with his temper all the way across the huge foyer of the museum. He almost had it under control, and Leah’s warm hand clasped in his certainly helped. It also surprised him, that just her touch calmed him like this. No woman had ever—

Do not go there.

This was a whim, a single evening with his employee. Not a date, no matter what he told her. It was an evening. One evening. He had to stop thinking of her as his date. Had to stop fantasizing about kissing those soft, full lips, bare except for a hint of gloss. God, he didn’t know bare lips could be so damn sexy. All the women he dated wore lipstick like they owned stock in it.

He enjoyed the way she ran to keep up with him, lifting her full skirt, showing him just enough of her shapely legs to have his cock standing at attention. Not that he was going to do anything about it. Damn—she was his assistant, for God’s sake. Off limits. He made rules for a reason—and he did not want to lose her calm, organized presence because he needed to get off.

Plain Frane, everyone at the office called her. Marcus had figured out why she covered herself so completely at work, after overhearing two of his employees gossiping about her last disastrous relationship. Not just a relationship—the ass left her standing at the altar, ran off with another woman. Because of that, Marcus was determined to take care with her.