Dirty Little Secrets (Dirty Little #1)(38)

Mmm. I’m looking forward to them all.





* * * * *





It’s surreal to me that I’m standing in the middle of a ballroom that is located in someone’s home. A ballroom. In someone’s home. What do they do when they have guests over, and someone asks to use the restroom? Do they say, “Out this door, take a left, and it’s the door just past the ballroom”? Sure, this is one of the most upscale buildings in the city, but I never thought there was this kind of real estate inside. I feel like I’m stuck in some grand musical from the fifties or something.

It’s not unpleasant, it’s just…surreal. Caleb is the only rich person I’ve ever known, and I thought he could be a little silly with his money, like when he hired a bodyguard to follow me around the city. No, that purchase was practical, and money well-spent. A ballroom? That’s just crazy.

Speaking of the bodyguard, Sam’s here with us tonight, although I can’t imagine why. I didn’t have the heart or the wherewithal to fight Caleb on it before we left the house. If it makes him feel better, then I’ll go along with it. Besides, there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of personal security here tonight, so maybe Caleb brought him along for that reason. Whatever the reasoning, I find that I don’t really care. Even though I teased Caleb about coming here, I’m actually having a great time.

Ben and Felicity are in attendance, like Caleb said they would be. Ben has a date that I’ve only seen once tonight; she seems to be a socialite in her own right, and Ben doesn’t seem to be all that interested, so I’m guessing it was a last-minute date. Felicity is here alone, and she’s off getting a drink.

Caleb is standing next to me, his hand settled on the small of my back, where it has been most of the night. I’m not sure if he wants everyone here to know that I’m here with him, or if he just wants to keep a connection with me, to keep me from getting too nervous. Regardless, I like the reassuring feel of his skin on mine. I’m not going to complain about it.

An incredibly attractive man with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes approaches Caleb and me. He’s gorgeous in a rugged way, and the unshaven stubble on his face contrasts with his pressed, polished tuxedo.

“Nice of you to show up,” Caleb says, smiling as he reaches out and shakes this man’s hand. Based on the pictures that I’ve seen of this man with Caleb and Ben, I’m assuming this is Oliver.

“Flight got in late,” he says with a smile. “You must be Mia.” He reaches out and takes my hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Caleb talks about you a lot.”

I get the feeling that Oliver is gently ribbing Caleb, but when I look over at Caleb I can see that he isn’t bothered by it in the least. “I do,” he says, grinning.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I reply, and give his hand a squeeze.

“I hear you two met at one of my properties.”

“We did,” I confirm. “It was lovely.”

Oliver grins at me, and wow. That grin is more than a little breathtaking. It makes him even more handsome, which I wasn’t sure was possible.

“Are you talking about the hotel, or meeting Caleb?” he asks, teasing.

“Both?”

Oliver laughs. “I’m going to take some matchmaking credit there,” he says lightly.

“Having fun without me?” Felicity says, before taking a sip of champagne.

Caleb replies, “Never,” while Oliver gives Felicity a long, loaded look.

“Hi,” she says to him, looking a little coy. Her voice is quiet and shy, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was blushing.

Oliver’s whole demeanor changes, and he gives her a soft, boyish grin. “Hi.”


Oh. Oh, there’s something between the two of them. Either that, or they desperately want something more. Hmm.

“Mia,” Ben says, as he walks up to our little group. “It’s good to see you again. You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you,” I reply with a smile. “And speaking of thank you’s, I owe you one. The system you built for me is magnificent.”

“I know.” He’s grinning, like any cocky programmer worth his salt would. That makes me like him even more. “I’m happy to do it. I know what it’s like to be without something. These three used to make fun of me for always having my laptop on me,” he says, motioning toward Caleb, Oliver, and Felicity. “I’d be enraged if someone stole it out from under me. I hope you set up some protocols.”

I give him this mock offended look. “Of course I did. The whole system overwrites itself when someone who isn’t me tries to log in.”

“A woman after my own heart.”

“Hey,” Caleb interrupts. “You’ve got your own date, not that you seem to be all that interested.”

“Cara called me, I didn’t call her,” Ben says, trying to defend himself. “This was strictly a business arrangement.”

“Oh, the depths she sank to, just so she wouldn’t have to walk the press line alone,” Oliver says.

“You’ve been there a time or two before,” Felicity teases.

Oliver winks at her, and I can practically see her swoon.

“Ignore them,” Ben says to me, pulling me to the side so the others can’t hear our conversation. “I know you said you have some projects you’re working on, but I meant what I said about wanting to see what you can do. My company has great benefits, and for someone with the kind of coding experience you have, I can surely make it worth your while.”