Ispend every minute of the flight either snuggled up toJaceor pushing my face against the window.Mostlysnuggled up toJace.What’soutside the window is pretty amazing, even in the dark, but the beautiful man in the tux next to me wins out most of the time.
ButIdo look out the window as we descend and get a good overhead view of the mansion where the gala is, andI’mcaptivated by the sprawling location.It’shuge and lit by hundreds of lights on the building and on the expansive grounds.Thelandscaping is all immaculately manicured and filled with beds of vibrant flowers, perfectly trimmed emerald lawns, trees with broad canopies or stately or graceful shapes, beautiful ponds that reflect all the lighting, and meandering cobbled pathways.Thegrounds look likeMotherNaturewent to beauty school, aced her finals, and this is her showpiece.
Thehelicopter pilot sets us down remarkably gently on a helipad on the roof of the mansion.Idon’t know how he even found this place from the air because it’s getting dark andIdoubt the pilot can just askSiriorAlexahow to get somewhere by helicopter.
Heshuts down the engines pretty quickly, whichI’mgrateful for.I’veseen the movies, andIdon’t think my hairstyle would make it through that kind of wind.
Milesgets out of the helicopter first, and thenJacesteps down and holds a hand out to me.Iduck just a bit while also using one hand to hold up my dress enough thatIwon’t step on it, then takeJace’shand and step out.
Jaceis looking at me in a way that tells meIam adored, and it trips me up enough thatIdon’t move an inch for fear thatI’llactually trip.Thenhe reaches a hand up and slowly tucks a curl back into its spot, letting the backs of his knuckles skim my cheek just in front of my ear and down to my jaw on his way back.Thelightheadedness tells meIhaven’t been breathing.
Then, like he’s 007 or something standing in the light of the moon,Jaceadjusts his cufflinks and buttons his jacket, and even thoughI’mbreathing now,I’mstill getting more light-headed.Heruns his hands down the front of his jacket to straighten it, then asks, “Ready?”
Inod, and he entwines his fingers with mine and we walk withMilestoward the roof access door.
CHAPTER23
WHEN CINDERELLA TANGOS
MACKENZIE
“Sowhat is this gala for?”Iask as we walk. “Iassume it isn’t just for people you work with, like a work party, or it would’ve been a lot closer to home.Orthere would’ve been a lot more helicopters leaving.”
Hechuckles. “Verytrue.It’sfor…”Heglances atMiles, like maybe it’s not easy to explain to someone not in their line of work, “people in our industry who it’s good to have contact with.Thereare a lot of people here who make our jobs not only possible but necessary.”
Milessmiles at the description, then nods. “Peoplehere tend to put focus on amassing the greatest number of assets possible with the least expenditure.”
Ilaugh, partly because of their vagueness and partly because it’s just funny. “Haveyou seen those posts on social media where people describe their job badly?Youcould use that same description for either a businessman or a criminal.”
Mileschuckles. “Atplaces like this, sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference.”
Jaceopens the door of the small building on the roof that leads to an even smaller lobby with access to an elevator and a flight of stairs, and then he presses the call button on the elevator. “Speakingof which, the reason our work sentMilesand me here is because there’s one contact in particular that we need to have a quick meeting with.”
Theway he says “one contact” sounds like he’s proud of himself that there’s only one.Thelook onMiles’sface tells me he is, too.Maybethey usually meet with so many contacts that they can’t enjoy the gala and this time they held back.
Asthe elevator doors open and we step on,Jacesays, “SoImay need to leave you alone for a few minutes for that meeting.Isthat okay?”
“Oh, yes, of course.Thisis a work thing and work things have to happen.Iget it.”
Theelevator ride is quick, and the doors open to an expansive ballroom bathed in soft, warm light.Chandelierscascade from the ornate ceiling, gold-trimmed white pillars rim the outer edge, and a few dozen people in tuxes and beautiful gowns dance, gather at the circular bar in the middle of the floor, or chat in groups.Iam mesmerized.
Is“business solutions” a lucrative business to be in?Oris it similar to being a lawyer or an actor, where some people make bank and others make peanuts?Becausewhoever owns this mansion is definitely on the making bank end of the spectrum.
Itry to take all of it in as we step onto the ballroom floor.Thewindows are covered in lush, velvet drapes except in an area that looks like it leads to a balcony with a fountain.Oilpaintings hang between each of the windows, andI’mpretty sure the floor is made of actual marble.Themusic is provided by a real, live orchestra that plays in one corner of the ballroom.Hushedconversations and quiet laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the soft rustle of silk and satin blend with the classical music, andIfeel myself getting lightheaded again. “Thisplace is incredible,”Ibreathe toJace.
Hesmiles and kisses my temple.
“I’mgoing to go socialize,”Milessays and heads off toward a group of three women standing near a pillar.
Jaceholds out a hand. “Wouldyou like to dance?”
Why, yes, yesIwould.Iam here, dressed likeCinderella, at an actual ball, and a very stunningPrinceCharmingis asking me to dance.Youbetter believeI’mgoing to dance.
ButIam not leaving a shoe behind.Idon’t care how big of a hurryCinderellawas in— if she’d had shoes as fabulous as mine and one fell off while she was running, she would’ve gone back for it no matter what.
Jaceclasps one of his hands in mine, holding it at shoulder height, the other hand on my upper back.Ilay my arm on his, my hand on his shoulder.Ithas been a good long while sinceI’vedanced with someone like this.
Thisis nothing like dancing with him on stage atBeatin theStreetlast night.Here, he is confident, commanding, and so incredibly smooth.Combinethat with how he looks in that tux he’s wearing, and, well, let’s just sayI’mluckyIhaven’t taken us both down from any knee-buckling incidents.
