If I Only Knew(29)

Maybe he’s not as uninterested as I thought.





“This was your brilliant plan?” I ask Milo as I pull my dress a little lower, only to have the back drop lower which means the top of my butt is showing. I can’t win with this damn dress.

We’re standing in the club, waiting to see if the girlfriend of the city inspector shows up. Apparently, Milo didn’t actually have a dinner planned. No, he just found out where the guy would be and plans to crash his date. So, we’re at the country club that Nicole hates more than life itself because this is where he frequents.

I had to come here a few times with Peter and once with Nicole. This place is where the rich, snobby self-proclaimed society hang out.

A girl passes by, gives me a smirk and I remind myself never to let Ava help me pick out a dress again. She vetoed everything I came out wearing until this one. She demanded I not take it off and that I let her use her “mad skills” on my face. Tonight has been like living in an alternate reality.

“Stop squirming,” he tells me.

“I feel ridiculous. What if he doesn’t even come here?”

“Just relax, he’ll be here.”

That’s not why I feel ridiculous. It’s because I look like a very expensive hooker. Not to mention this is some I Love Lucy type scheme he’s concocted. I’m not sure if I’m Ricky or Ethel in this role.

“Milo, I think this is a mistake.”

“What is? This is exactly what we need to do. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.”

“Okay?” I snort laugh at his choice of words. “They’re panties, but sure.”

He looks at me with one eyebrow raised. “Knickers is much more dignified.”

“Nothing about this is dignified.”

“Trust me, this is all going according to plan. I have everything the way I need it to secure the permits he’s been dragging his feet on.”

Everything the way he needs what? That makes no sense. All the plan consists of is a possible “friend” from the gym is going to be having dinner with Darren, the inspector. What kind of plan is that exactly?

“You needed me to look like this?” I hiss.

In the car he informed me that my role was to help entertain his friend while he worked his magic. If that didn’t work, he wanted me to look alluring and help him find a way to manipulate the inspector. Little does he know I have zero plans of either of those. I’m the boss and I’m going to get shit done the right way. I just needed him to set up the meet.

“You do look rather delicious,” he grins, eyeing me up and down. This is the first time he’s said anything about what I look like. Not that I haven’t caught him looking. In the car, when I sat down, the dress barely covers . . . anything . . . and I saw his eyes flash and he shifted in his seat. Then, when he helped me out of the car, Milo did his best to keep his eyes on his feet when I know he had a view of my boobs. And a few moments ago, I saw his eyes go from my feet to my waist before he cleared his throat and looked away, but still not a word.

“You think?” I ask and twirl around.

I’m toying with him a little. It’s only fair since he’s made it his mission to catch me looking at him.

“Yes, the back on that dress is divine.”

“There is no back,” I remind him.

“I’m aware, and it’s definitely working for you.” Milo wiggles his brows.

And by the looks of the man who stopped with a grin, he agrees as well.

Milo steps closer, putting his arm around my back, fingers grazing the skin on my back and making me shiver.

“Cold?” he asks.

“A little.”

I’m full of shit. It’s never cold in Tampa. It borders on hotter than hell and roasting in a fire pit.

“I would offer you my jacket, but then we’d be covering your back and that’s what our secret weapon is,” he mutters conspiratorially.

“What?”

“Your dress, Danielle. It’s going to knock him on his arse.”

He’s insane. I can’t do this. “This is such a bad idea,” I tell him. “You know what? I changed my mind on this plan. We’ll get the permits because we have the paperwork in order, not because we flirted with him at the club. I’m a grown ass woman with a good head on my shoulders.” I step out of his hold, but he grips my wrist to stop me.

Being that I don’t normally wear four-inch heels, I teeter and almost fall.

Milo’s arms wrap around my waist, holding me steady. “Look.” His front is to my back, and I fight from closing my eyes and leaning back. His lips graze my ear as he whispers. “You are all those things. You’re more than that, but this is our chance to play him. It’s time to show him who you are, but it requires a little finesse. Do you see that man?”

I nod.

“Good. He’s here and ready to find out exactly who is in charge at Dovetail.”

Thankfully, that snaps me out of it enough to see the inspector who’s been dicking us around standing right there.

The bottom line is that I need to get this done and we have an opportunity to do that. I can walk out this door with my dignity or I can walk out after doing what I need to do to get my job done.

Milo’s fingers slide against my bare arm and take my hand, and I move with him.