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She blows me a kiss and I let out a laugh before opening the front door. My entire world stills for a moment as I take in the man in front of me. My knees almost go weak at the three-piece suit Cullen is sporting, something about the vest causing my ovaries to go into overdrive. He’s even gone so far as to wear a suit that complements the midnight blue of my dress.

His stubble is perfectly cut, highlighting his strong facial features. His hair is parted and styled to the side, the long strands on top making it look like he rolled out of a meeting of the British aristocracy.

Cullen’s hazel gaze travels slowly up and down my body as he takes a step forward, looping his hand around my waist and tugging me close. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

I suppress a shiver, toes curling in my heels.

“Thank you, you don’t look half bad yourself.”

He presses in even closer. “Mm, is that right?” The side of his nose grazes against my own, lips ghosting my skin as his gravelly tone scrapes against my soul in the most delicious way.

My thighs squeeze together, my mind already melting under his hypnosis.

Our breaths mingle, dancing to a silent, seductive tune before he catches me in a kiss. All my hesitations and reservations about tonight fade away. I smile against his lips, my soul happy to just be with him again.

The slow, tantalizing taste morphs into a feast. His grip on my waist tightens and his other hand comes up to cup my jaw, drawing me into him. I become dizzy, totally lost to his spell.

I think I could make out with Cullen until the world burned down around us, and even then, I wouldn’t stop until we were sitting among the charred remains.

“I know I said I was all for exhibitionism, but I highly advise against fucking in our doorway, because Randy put up security cameras in the stairwell the other week after Ms. Warble slipped down the steps and blamed it on poor management.”

Hannah’s drawling commentary interrupts our rhythm, slicing the mood in half. Cullen pulls away, slowly looking over my shoulder at where my roommate must be.

“Thanks for the advice.”

“You’re welcome,” she taunts, ignoring his deadpan.

I finally calm my heart rate, clearing the fuzz in my brain from his kisses. But just when I think I’m back on solid ground, he throws me off-kilter.

Cullen swipes his thumb under my bottom lip with a smirk. “Come on, angel. We’ve got a show to put on.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

CULLEN

Verity holds my hand with an iron grip, eyes bouncing around the large event space. The gala is being held inside a converted music hall. I’ve come here for functions before, but the event planners have clearly gone all out with the Western theme.

Even if I hadn’t known the charity of the night was a bison conservation organization, the haybales and servers dressed in chaps would’ve given it away. It is a little odd to be wearing black tie when the overall ambience makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a small western town. Up on stage, there are four entertainers swirling around lassos, performing perfectly timed routines to the country music the live band plays.

Aside from the main bar handing out champagne flutes and specialty cocktails, there is a dedicated whiskey bar set up on the side, with some of the most expensive top-shelf liquor one could hope to find. I order myself a glass of whiskey on the rocks, but Verity opts for one of the signature cocktails that comes in a special crystal glass shaped like a cowboy boot. She relinquishes her iron grip on me to accept the glass and takes a sip, surveying the floor.

“Have you seen your guy yet?”

I give her a small shake of my head. “No.”

Clifton will turn up; it is just a matter of when.

After Alonso’s tip, I did a dive into the charity myself and confirmed it is a side passion of the old man. Why he is so taken by saving bison, I have no clue.

The event space quickly fills up, more than I anticipated. This gala isn’t my usual crowd, but I recognize a few people milling about whom I’ve met previously, including some brokers and agents in the city. I don’t see Powers anywhere, but a few other realtors from Vanguard are here. Not a great sign, knowing that Clifton will be showing up. I’ll need to intercept him before they do.

“Who are you looking at?”

Verity tilts her head, almost resting on my shoulder. One hand is wrapped around my bicep, holding me close, while the other balances her cocktail. She takes another sip of her drink, her body much more relaxed than when we first arrived.

“Some other agents are here.”

“Think they’re here for your guy?”