Page 8 of Enthrall Climax

Panoramic views of the city seen from expansive windows, and the modern plush décor, provided a great setting—and from the fun everyone seemed to be having tonight it was clear this function was a hit. We’d thrown the event to thank our staff for a remarkable first quarter.

All moments led my gaze back to Mia. It was hard to keep my attention away from my fiancée—she was captivating.

With my brother Henry sitting beside her it gave me an excuse to glance their way without arousing too much suspicion. I wasn’t the only man in the room gazing in the direction of the blonde, sassy bombshell. With her cascading golden locks, blue eyes and sweet smile, she enchanted everyone around her.

Making Mia happy was my priority, though it had been a rough few months going along with her scheme to keep us a secret. We’d managed to dodge the photographers for now, but it wouldn’t be long before one of them snapped a shot of us together.

I set my glass down on the bar and strolled toward her table, recognizing some of her colleagues from the marketing department where Mia currently worked.

Her transition from secretary at Enthrall to serving as one of three marketing executive assistants here in our New York office had been exemplary. She’d wanted to start in a position that eased her into corporate life. My concern for her safety was ever present. On the top floor of the executive suite we were locked down when it came to security. Her floor was just slightly more accessible.

When I reached the round table I gave a friendly nod to Mia and her five friends who were deep in conversation. Concerned gazes rose to meet mine, revealing their feelings of unease that I might threaten their fun. Even though I had arranged this soirée and was footing the bill.

Henry’s expression was filled with sympathy. “Come join us.”

Even Mia looked nervous, as if afraid I’d out us.

I went with, “Who’d like to dance?”

“I would.” The twenty-something with a short blue bob who sat on Mia’s left shot out of her chair and rounded the table.

I gave her a warm smile. “What’s your name?”

“Kelly.” She beamed a smile back at me, obviously intrigued.

My gaze drifted over to reassure Mia as I led Kelly over to the dance floor. This was not how I’d imagined my invitation going.

Within twenty minutes I was again standing before Mia’s table with all the boxes ticked for political correctness—this was just another chance for me to connect with an employee and take the temperature of my staff’s moral.

It felt like shit.

I held my hand out. “Ms. Lauren.”

She blinked at me. “And what did I do to earn such a privilege, Mr. Cole?”

I ignored Henry’s amused smirk and continued to hold out my hand as I held her stare.

This round was mine to win.

Mia melted before me. “I’d love to.”

She pushed to her feet and I led her across the floor, pulling her into a hug just a little too fast. We slow danced in a circle to Ed Sheeran’s “How Would You Feel?”

She eased back a little to look at me. “I didn’t know you could dance.”

“We’ve danced before.”

“You know what I mean. You don’t dance. That’s what you told me and yet you were impressing everyone with your sexy moves.”

Yes, I didn’t like to dance but that didn’t mean I couldn’t. Her enjoying more than one whirl around the floor with Henry had stirred my jealousy, even though I trusted them both with my life. I had assumed showing off my sexy moves would inspire her to join me. Instead, she’d obviously enjoyed the floorshow.

Mia’s body brushed against mine, closing the torturous distance between us, her curves fitting against me perfectly. With her in my arms, the world righted on its axis, this inner warring dimming.

I squeezed her tightly. “I’ll have Ed do all my talking, as I’m forbidden to express myself,” I said, referring to the music.

She gave a sigh of contentment. “Thank you for understanding.”

“That’s one word for it.”