I blush harder, because… is my celebrity crushflirtingwith me? It’s ridiculous to even think it, but I can’t resist a small smirk as I reply, “I honestly didn’t know the human body could do some of the things you did with it.”
He chuckles, and the devilish sound makes something unfurl low in my stomach. It’s a whisper of heat I haven’t felt in a long time, and I watch, fascinated, as he rests his elbow on his knees and looks up at me through inky black lashes. “Wait until you see me in my current show. It’s contemporary, so it’s full of angsty pirouettes and tortured grand jetés.”
I feel a stab of visceral fury at Lee, who took our season tickets with him when he waltzed off into the arms of his boss. “Sounds amazing.”
“Mmm. It should be a good show.” He clicks his tongue as he probes his tender nose. “Of course, I didn’t think fainting in a bathroom was on the season’s program.”
The comment jolts me out of my starstruck haze. “Do you need me to call someone? A manager, or one of your mates?”
He stops poking at his nose and gives another devastating grin. “Tell me more about this mystery pack you think I have. How many mates is it again, and do you mind ranking them by hotness?” I roll my eyes at his gentle teasing, and he chuckles, nudging my knee with his. “I’m actually between managers right now, but there is someone you could call…” He pats his pocket and clicks his tongue again. “Damn. I think I’ve dropped my phone somewhere. I think it was in my jacket pocket.”
“I’ll check the bathroom. Just keep the ice pack on and stay still.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes twinkle, but he does as he’s told, and I quickly search the bathroom for both his jacket and phone. There’s a white shirt hanging over the side of the tub, spotted with blood, but nothing else to suggest the room has been used. In fact, I haven’t seen any sign of luggage in the suite, and I frown as I return to his side. “Nothing. Do you have bags somewhere I could check?”
“This is actually a serenity room,” he admits, looking a bit sheepish. “Whenever I have a big event like this, I book a suite just in case.” My eyes widen a little, and he laughs. “Not forthat. I don’t do well in crowded places, and sometimes I need to just get away and take a breather.”
“Ah, you’re here for the function in the ballroom.” It makes sense, since the hotel has been buzzing all night with glamorous guests and the paparazzi that follow in their wake like hungryshadows. “Is there someone down there who’ll be looking for you?”
“I told my dates I was going to the bathroom.” I’m not surprised by the use of the plural, since Dash no doubt has alphas flocking around him night and day, but his sheepish look is now accompanied by a worried frown. “I didn’t mention I’d booked a suite, so they’re probably…”
“Wondering where you are?” And no doubt fretting if the short bathroom break has turned into a half-hour disappearance. A quick glance at my watch reveals that I’m already twenty minutes past the end of my shift, and I wiggle my aching toes. I should just tell him to call reception, but I can’t in good conscience leave the greatest dancing sensation of our generation alone after falling and hitting his head. “Do you want me to try to get word to them?”
“Oh, I can’t ask you to do that…”
I shrug, going over to the cart to bring him the bowl of soup and bread roll that accompanied the dinner order. “Just try to eat a little something while I’m gone. Can you tell me a little bit about who I should be looking for?”
“Probably best if you ask for Corbus Janssen.” The name clearly means nothing to me, but he gives a happy little hum. “Six-foot something, platinum hair, ice blue eyes, and a killer accent. Basically, your walking alpha dream.”
I give him my politest smile, because ‘alpha’ and ‘nightmare’ make more sense in my world, but I’m not about to burden him with that. “Sounds like he’ll be easy to pick out of the crowd, then.”
There’s an elegant sign outside the Grand Ballroom that proclaims the 15thAnnual Spring Gala is underway, and that theco-hosts of the evening are the city’s mayor and the Paragon Institute. Butterflies twist in my belly as I stand at the door, the scent of wealth and privilege washing over me in a musky wave. At least two dozen tables fill the room, the guests either sitting and chatting over minuscule plates of food, or milling around the dancefloor, where a jazz singer is crooning in front of a six-piece band. Anyone else would probably look at the gleaming chandeliers and sparkling champagne flutes with either awe or envy, but all I can see are the diamonds flashing on Suzanna LaGrange’s hand as she lured Lee away from me.
Oh, God. Please don’t let them be here.
It’s a thought that didn’t even occur to me until just now, and I spend an anxious minute scanning the crowd for Suzanna’s eye-catching red mane. There are plenty of beautiful women in attendance, but none of them seem to be my ex’s new mate, and I sigh in relief. After nearly twelve hours on my feet, I’m dead tired, and a confrontation with the LaGrange Pack would probably finish me off.
Steeling my spine, I stride into the ballroom, my most professional smile pinned to my face. My housekeeping uniform is nothing like the servers in their black and white, but I doubt anyone will look close enough to notice. Hotel staff, for the most part, are invisible, and unless I step on someone’s foot or knock over a tray of champagne, I should be able to deliver my message without drawing any attention.
I just need to find a six-foot-something alpha who’s worthy of dating Dash Devereux…
A quick scan of the room suggests it isn’t going to be an easy task. There are alphaseverywhere, and many of them are tall with fair hair and eyes that could be either blue or green. I can’t exactly go up to each one and peer into his face, so I look around for the seating chart. It’s up near the band – closest to what I assume are the extra expensive tables – and I make my wayslowly through the crowd, my ears primed for Corbus Janssen’s name. I might not recognize Dash’s date, but I’m certain he’s important enough for the other guests to be gossiping about.
Other than being handed empty glasses that I pass off to the servers, no one seems to notice me as I scan the seating chart. As expected, C. Janssen is placed at a nearby table and to the left of the mayor. A quick glance tells me they’re not in their seats, and I look around anxiously.What if he’s gone off somewhere for whiskey and cigars? Or worse still, given up on Dash coming back to the table and left altogether?
I could run a masterclass in being abandoned by your alpha, but I’d hate for Dash to be in need of my wisdom.
“Is everything alright?”
I look up at the man beside me, stunned that such a huge alpha got so close without my hindbrain screaming a warning. I’m not afraid of alphas, exactly, but I’ve got good at listening to my instincts, and the man next to me is a walking red flag. Huge all over, with a dark crew cut, strong jaw, and the kind of flat, unimpressed stare that fixes on me with a little too much interest. “No, I’m fine.”
“You were just studying the seating chart.”
“Yes.” I look him over again, taking in the black suit that fits his massive body like armor. Not a tuxedo, like the majority of guests, but something more workmanlike. It doesn’t flatter him – too tight around the shoulders and boxy at the waist – but it does scream physical dominance. “Um, are you with Security?”
To be honest, he looks a lot more intimidating than the guys who work in the security room downstairs, but it would make sense that they’ve brought in a professional team for such a high-profile event. “I have a message for Mr. Janssen. Have you seen him?”
The question is barely out of my mouth when I feel a sharp pinch on my arm, and I whirl to face Mrs. Gladstone, the hotel’sGuest Services Supervisor and my boss. “Ms. Valentine, what are you doing in here?” Mrs. Gladstone lives by the motto that staff should be rarely seen and never heard, and my heart sinks at the outrage on her face. “Leaveimmediately.”
