Her Accidental Boyfriend(7)
Him?
Before he could question what she was talking about, her sea glass green eyes focused on his with such quiet intensity that he pretty much forgot his own name. “So tomorrow night,” she said softly. “What time should I be ready?”
Her about-face confused him, and the guy across the room wouldn’t stop scowling, but he’d go with it.
“Seven o’clock.”
“Sounds perfect.” She leaned into him, her chest brushing his, and damn if he didn’t like the way that felt.
The guy cleared his throat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Shane, this is Brett. Brett, this is Shane…my boyfriend.”
Chapter Three
Kagan walked into The Duchess on Shane’s arm and immediately regretted her decision to attend the event with him.
Actually, that wasn’t true. She’d regretted it the moment he picked her up, looking impossibly handsome in his black tux. Her heart had kickboxed her ribs at the sight of him. Perfectly combed dark brown hair, twinkling blue-gray eyes that shouted heartbreaker, and a light, cool, minty scent that had her wanting to crawl inside his jacket. The triple threat knocked her completely off balance.
His gift, though, plowed into the barrier she hid behind to stay safe from…feelings. “Happy birthday,” he’d said and handed her a large clear bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans tied with a curly pink ribbon.
The sentiment was the nicest thing anyone besides Charlotte had done for her in a very long time.
Shane had been speechless last night when she’d said he was her boyfriend. Being tongue-tied had worked in her favor, and she’d quickly asked Brett to leave. Once she’d explained—with fingers crossed for lying—to Shane that Brett was an ex who wanted her back and she’d just needed to say something to get rid of him, Shane had relaxed. And she guessed her boyfriend fabrication had worked, since Brett hadn’t made further contact. Kagan knew she’d have to deal with him eventually, but it would be on her terms and not until she was back in New York.
The least she could do after Shane had helped her out was actually be his date tonight.
He wove her through a hotel lobby decorated in gorgeous hues of brown and gold, where chandeliers glittered, and memories of a life she left behind bombarded her.
At the insistence of her father, she’d been to dozens of black tie affairs. God forbid Fred Donaldson’s daughter miss any of his social promotions. And that’s what they were—marketing blitzes to keep him at the top of the billionaire food chain.
She stumbled, remembering the fake smiles and insincere conversations that always made her tense. You’re here for Shane, Kay. Relax.
Shane slowed his pace. “Sorry. I’m walking too fast.” Muscles in his arm went rigid underneath her hands.
“You’re nervous,” she said. On the drive over he’d shared details about his work on The Duchess and filled her in on a few of the bigwigs who would be in attendance.
“No.”
“Shane.” She tugged him to a stop. “It’s okay if you are. This is a big night and the culmination of all your hard work.”
He regarded her, his focus touching her eyes, her hairline, the tiny chicken pox scar on her cheek. Her mouth. “A little,” he admitted with a nod.
Seeing this side of him, this more serious and genuine side, smoothed the nervous energy humming inside her. She wasn’t on display tonight. He was. And she wanted to make the evening as perfect for him as possible.
“Well you’re in luck because I know exactly how to calm your nerves.”
An untamable smile lifted the corners of his mouth and Kagan shivered. This time his gaze slid unhurriedly down her body and back up, and in a sexy, raspy voice he said, “There is absolutely nothing about you calming my nerves. Have I told you how gorgeous you look this evening?”
She bit her bottom lip. She felt his perusal and compliment like he’d traced a finger along every slope and angle of her body. “You did. But I’m speaking strictly as a professional.”
His eyebrows lifted as he leaned closer.
“I know exactly what type of drink to order for you. One Kamikaze and everything inside you will mellow.” She slid her hands down the long skirt of her white formfitting halter dress and stepped around him.
He mumbled something she couldn’t make out and fell in step beside her, leading them to the elevator. They rode in electric silence to the third floor, their bodies a safe distance apart. She reminded herself Shane may have looked at her appreciatively, but they had a platonic relationship, nothing more. She hated to admit she was curious about him, though. One night a few weeks ago his sister Sela had come into the bar and stayed after closing to chat. She’d told Kagan that Shane had had a serious girlfriend once, but that something had happened he wouldn’t talk about. Ever since then he’d gone back to playing the field, not the least bit interested in anything exclusive.