Page 161

Unease breaks through my lust-filled haze. My mind trips to the day after our cancelled wedding. The confession I heard outside of Clarissa’s dorm room. The tears. The heart-breaking sobs.
My shoulders stiffen. I didn’t think this plan through.
“We don’t have to go,” I say, flicking my indicator.
“No.” Her hand is soft on my arm. I can feel her touch through the fabric of my suit. “It’s okay. I can do this.”
She pulls away and it feels like she’s ripping out an organ. I snatch her hand and slide my fingers through hers, settling our joined hands against my thigh.
“You’ll be the most beautiful woman in the room tonight,” I murmur.
Clarissa’s lips curl up in a smile, but if she was going for convincing, she failed.
Badly.
* * *
The glitzy ballroomlooks like a 1950’s speakeasy with low lights, garish chandeliers, and tabletops draped in velvet.
Darrel Hastings’ wife Sunny could have done a better job in thirty minutes.
There’s a dance floor beyond the stage, but it’ll take these stiff lawyers a few more rounds at the open bar before they have the courage to let loose and permanently embarrass themselves on the dance floor.
I feel Clarissa curling into herself with each step we take inside the ballroom. My fingers tighten on her. Maybe I should ignore her wishes and whisk her away. Does she really know what’s best for herself?
Control, Cody. Don’t be controlled.
I fight my mother’s words and keep my gait steady.
Clarissa’s a smart, capable woman. She said she wanted to attend. Knowing what happened ten years ago, the fact that she’s willing to be here is admirable. I’ll respect her choice, but the moment I think she’s had enough...
“Bolton.” Stanford Willis, CEO of Willis, Rodrick and Paulson sticks a hand out to me. “I haven’t been seeing you on the circuit.”
“My invitations have been getting lost in the mail,” I say with a straight face.
Willis bursts out laughing. “Playing coy. You’re just dodging the harem of women who flock you at these things.” His eyes land on Clarissa and glisten. “But I see you’ve brought a beautiful repellent.”
I stiffen.Repellent?“Willis, this is Clarissa Maura. Mydatefor tonight.”
“Right. Right. Let me guess,” he sticks a finger out and squeezes one eye shut, “lawyer? Bolton always struck me as the lawyer type.”
“No, I work at a non-profit.”
“You’re not here to solicit, are you? I left my wallet at home!” Willis lets out a blast of bawdy laughter.
My jaw clenches and I step forward. What part of Clarissa looks like she’s here to beg for anything?
A soft hand falls on my chest. Clarissa smiles calmly. “I’m attending as Cody’s friend tonight.” My eyes narrow when I hear the ‘friend’ term. “But if you’re really interested in collaborating with us, here’s my card.” She hands it over. “You can contact me when you locate your wallet.”
Willis’ laughter has a tinge of respect in it. “Where did you find her, Bolton? I like her.”
“What you like has nothing to do with me.” I steer Ris away. Bending low to whisper in her ear, I growl, “Why did you do that? He was being obnoxious.”
“Cody, he was harmless.”
“Should I have Doberman teach him a lesson?”
Doberman and his team are somewhere around here, keeping an eye on things. Clay insisted I bring the team tonight. The perp from the windshield incident is suspected to be someone connected to Winifred. Since that chump is still in the wind, Clay refuses to let up on security.