“She sends her regards,” Rafe answers lightly, tucking the card into his jacket.
“And this one is…?” Alexei asks, looking at me. “I never got her name.”
“This is Isabella.” Rafe’s arm slides around my waist, firm and possessive. “My wife and I have an understanding. I’m permitted certain indulgences when business demands it.” His hand squeezes my ass without hesitation. Heat floods my cheeks, but I lift my chin at him with a knowing smile, playing my role.
Jude’s gaze shifts to me. And for one terrible, fragile second, everything stills. It’s not recognition, but it’s notnothing,either. His eyes lock on mine, and I’ve stopped breathing.
Fear spikes through me, but Rafe doesn’t allow the chance for recognition. He cups my jaw and kisses me suddenly. His mouth claims mine with confidence, parting my lips just enough to make it real and undeniable. The kiss is warm and controlled, his dominance evident even in the way he angles my head and slides his tongue over mine.
Holy shit. Oh my fuck.
When he pulls back, he smiles down at me.
Jude looks away.
Thank god.
Alexei chuckles. “I’m jealous. She’s a beautiful distraction.”
Rafe’s arm tightens around me. “I have excellent taste.”
They exchange one final handshake, the air between them filled with this dark energy I need to get away from. Now.
“Until next week,” Rafe says. We turn and walk. I don’t look back immediately; instead, I keep my posture steady and my breathing even. Only when we near the exit do I risk it. Jude stands beside Alexei, listening, mask gleaming under gold light. Just minutes ago, I was close enough to feel the warmth of him.
Feet away.
The man I love.
The man who looked at me and nearly recognized me. My heart is beating so violently, I’m afraid it will bruise my ribs.
In the quiet corridor beyond the ballroom, Rafe glances down at me. “Are you steady?”
I nod, still tasting him on my tongue.
“Sorry about that,” he mutters, putting his hands in his pockets as we reach the door. “He almost recognized you. He was close, I think. I did what needed to be done.”
“That’s fine,” I say, realizing that I’ve started trembling a little bit.
He stops when we reach his black McLaren. His head tilts as he studies me. “We did it.”
I suck in a sharp breath. He’s right. Oh, god. “We did.”
His smile is radiant when he slides in and rips the mask off. “We need to go mingle for a little while longer. Then, in an hour or so, we'll get back.”
The cabin door swings open before we even knock. Heather barrels into me first. Her arms wrap tightly around my shoulders, squeezing hard enough to draw a pathetic squeak out of me.
“You didsowell,” she breathes against my ear. “We could see you the whole time. Cameras were crystal clear. You were incredible.”
My heart stutters at that. They saw it.All of it.
Yikes.
Rafe chuckles as he brushes past me and into the house.
Micah steps forward next. “How was he? Did he say anything to you? We couldn’t really hear what they were saying over the background noise.”
“He didn’t really talk much. He seems very lost, Micah. He almost recognized me,” I admit, my voice softer than I intend. “That’s why Rafe kissed me.”