She was wilier than I thought though, and she ducked under my arm and yanked open the back door. I chased after her, looping an arm around her waist before she could duck into the back hallway.
“What’s happening back there? What’s all the commotion?”
I dragged her back away from where she might see anything. “I see you don’t listen so well. Are you always so stubborn?”
Her brows furrowed. “What's going on back there? I heard groaning."
I forced my face to go completely neutral. Putting me undercover was difficult. Everything I felt, usually about someone being an idiot, was written all over my face. Saffron, Lachlan’s fiancée, liked to call it my resting asshole face. It kept me from lying effectively even when I had to.
“Look, we clearly got off on the wrong foot. But let me introduce myself again. Hi. I'm Jasper Saint. And you are?”
She pressed her lips firmly together, and I wondered if she would answer me. But then she squared her shoulders. “I’m Kaya Sinclair. But I don't care about niceties. I want to know what’s going on.”
“I just want to get to know you better.” My dick agreed wholeheartedly. “Why are you so pressed for Connor?”
“It's not your business.”
“We could make it my business.”
Stall better, you twat. The team still needs three minutes.
“Tell me what you need from him.”
She shook her head. “What is your deal anyway? Why do you want us to go on a date so bad?”
“Because you're a beautiful woman. And I just won a chance to make you smile.”
“Nice try. Not interested.”
“Pretty sure you are. Otherwise you wouldn't still be here.”
She threw her hands up. “Jesus Christ I did not—”
The publicist and the organizer of the event strolled in, both of them looking giddy. The organizer said, “There you are, Mr. Saint. Miss Sinclair, is it? We are so excited about your donation. The two of you certainly make a beautifully stunning couple.”
I grinned at Kaya, and she scowled at me. “What's the problem?” I asked. Given her reaction to me while she was on stage, shouldn’t she be happier she wasn’t stuck with Lohman?
“You're passable looking, but you are arrogant and a pain in my arse.”
The publicist looked around. “Excuse me? Is there a problem?”
Kaya turned to her. “Can I pull out of this date? I’d like to exchange this one for one who is less of a pain. Or maybe back out entirely?”
The publicist frowned and shook her head. “No. We’ve got photographers waiting. It’s good coverage for us. This event and the romance of it all really helps with donations.”
Damn her for pulling on my do-the-right-thing strings. But at least it would give my team time to secure Lohman. “Please make this quick. I’m sure Miss Sinclair has things she would rather be doing,” I said with a wry smile for Kaya.
The publicist clapped her hands. “Excellent, now if the two of you would just step this way.”
Kaya frowned, and we both said at the same time, “Why?”
The publicist widened her large hazel eyes. “Because the two of you are expected on the dance floor for a photo op. All our other couples I've already done theirs. Just you two remain.”
CHAPTER 4
KAYA
This was not part of the plan. Dancing in Jasper Saint’s arms was not why I was there.
I should be chasing Connor. He knew something. He had to.
Jasper bloody Saint. What kind of arsehole name was that? Dripping of old money, no skill set, and a lack of morals. Funny though, he didn't reek of nepotism and elitism.
He smelled good. Like sandalwood and vanilla with something a little woodsy. There was a very small part of me that wanted to lean in and inhale.
Inhale? What the hell is wrong with you?
Oh right, you know what's wrong with you. How long has it been since anyone has touched you? Held you? Kissed you?
Let's be real, those kisses were far and few between, not to mention lackluster and uninteresting.
Jasper Saint didn't look like his kisses would be uninteresting at all. I dared a look up at his face, just a quick glance. Once my gaze tipped up to do my surreptitious exploration, I realized that he was watching me with those intense eyes. Now that I was up close I could see they were a deep moss green. The sheer force of his attention made something low in my belly pulse and ache.
There was a challenge in his gaze. Like he was daring me to stare back. So I did. Why should he be the only one getting an eyeful? The way he held me, close but not too close, made me so aware of the heat of his body wrapping around me, caressing me. Not tight enough to scare me, but definitely a presence. Surrounded on all sides.
His level of intensity was intoxicating, thick and heavy, and it lulled you into complacency by making you feel warm and safe. But that was a lie. There was no place warm and safe. And that security certainly couldn't be found in the arms of someone else.
Even though I knew that, the temptation to lean in was so strong. And I couldn't help the long slow exhale as his fingertips gently traced along my spine, coaxing the calm into me. Letting the tension out. Giving me the cocoon of calm I craved.
I felt weak. I should not be enjoying this. I didn't know this bloke, but I knew he was keeping me from Connor.
His fingers trailed sensually over my back, just the soothing I needed. Also, with his height and the broad set of his shoulders, for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. Secure.
That's the complacency talking. And that's going to get you killed.
I quickly squared my shoulders and lifted my head. "Why are you so insistent on this date?”
He crooked his brow and gave me a sardonic smirk. “Think of me as a rule follower. I paid for the pleasure of your time. And you're a beautiful woman, so it should be obvious.”
I shook my head. “I don't believe you. Someone like you wouldn't be swayed by a harried publicist telling you to dance with a perfect stranger. So why? Is it the fact that I don't want you as my date that's making you all the more interested?”
His low chuckle rolled over me like warm whiskey on a cold night. “You think so little of me. You don't even know the first thing about me.”
Staring defiantly up at his impertinent gaze, I huffed out, “Don't I though? This is about your ego. You can't fathom that a woman doesn't want to date you. And to be fair, most of the women you run into are probably desperate to climb into bed with you for your fortune if the press release before the auction is to be believed. I'm sorry your ego was bruised, but I have zero desire to date you."
“Oh, really? You recognize that puts you in the minority, right?”
I had no doubt. Yeah, he definitely had the kind of looks that could make women push their best friend down the stairs to get to him. As in, ‘Sorry girl, there are no friends in love and war. He's mine now.’ And he was wealthy. I didn't know the contents of his bank accounts yet, but you could tell by the way he carried himself and the way he wore his suit like a second skin. He was comfortable in a tux. Comfortable in a way that said he’d selected this one specifically because of its expertly tailored fit. It made him look like a billion dollars even if it was a lie. “Your money and your wealth don't make you the least bit appealing to me.”