Sound of Silence(82)

Ali points across the room and growls. Growls. I'd laugh, but at the same time as she rumbles next to me, the equally blond beauty looks up and stares. He stares in what appears to be a thoughtful gaze, but as his eyes focus and the crowd parts, there is nothing cool in the depths of his gray eyes. He wants Ali.

"Evan is Chief of Staff and Colin's best friend. What made you think he wouldn't be here?"

"Because you love me." Ali thrusts out her bottom lip and crosses her arms over the plunging neckline of her bronze gown in the best petulant teenager move I've seen in ages. "More than him. You're supposed to pick me over that beast. But God, he's a gorgeous beast. What am I going to do?"

Charlie rolls her eyes. "Get over yourself and whatever you think he's done wrong, or I'll spank you myself."

"That's no fun." She turns my way and her face lights up like a Christmas tree. "But I'd be mighty happy if this prime specimen of man meat would like a go at it."

A shiver runs up my spine even as Ali tilts her head, and I know what mountain of maleness she's checking out. I twist around as the pads of Caden's fingers glance across my lower back.

"Hi," I whisper. The need to touch him simmers under my skin, but a roomful of diplomats isn't the place for indecent exposure.

"Caden Lawless," he says, holding out a hand as if we've never met. My lids flutter closed for a second and when they open, my fingers find his and his lips part. "Dance with me."

"There's no music."

He smiles. "We'll make our own."

Ali nudges my kidney. "I think he likes you."

"You're a super sleuth, Sherlock. Come on" Charlie takes Ali's hand and tugs. "Let's get some coffee in your belly. You can chew out Chef Rene at the same time."

"Lead the way, Sister. I've got a lot on my mind, and he's about to hear it."

I shake my head and smile, watching the pair slip out a door. Their departure allows for a reprieve from prying eyes as the crowd disperses, yet I feel the heavy weight of Caden's stare tingle across my shoulders. Butterflies erupt in my stomach.

"Lockman is here," he growls. "I saw him. I saw him touch you."

"He's harmless. And he looks like a washed up Brad Pitt-definitely not my type."

We glance at each other at the same time. "What is your type, sunshine?"

"You." I catch my bottom lip between my teeth and he tracks the pull and release with his darkening gaze.

"I can't stand it. Not a minute more."

My hand finds his next to his thigh and I hold on tight. "A little while longer and we'll be together. Just a few more hours."

He groans. "Do you know what it's like? Wanting and waiting, to linger like dry timber with a wick beneath it. I ache for you Piper, all the time-every minute it's worse than the last. And to see you but not be able to touch you is torture. I need to parade you around and shout that you're mine. Because you are. Tell me I'm not alone."

His begging nearly crumbles my resolve, to forfeit whatever tidbit of information, if any, we can glean from Lockman and go to the hotel. But I can't. If there is any way I can prove Caden's father is good, to save him from this one burden, I'll do it.

"I want you, Caden. All of the time. Every minute it's worse than the last. Tonight you'll have me, but not now. Now we wait and play the part that could help us find your dad."



       
         
       
        

"Jesus, sunshine." He tugs me to his chest, leaning in to presses his mouth to my forehead, breathing heavy. "I just . . . want. I want so fucking bad."

"Hold me for a little while more. It'll be worth it in the end. We'll be worth it."

"Fuck yes we are."

But we don't have time to relax because we're summoned for dinner. Caden sits on one side of the room with his Commanding Officer, and I'm at a table with Lockman whose eyes are on mine more than the prime rib and asparagus, or the General sitting to his right. I sip wine and listen.

The General casts his clear gaze on Lockman. "I've seen the proposal you put together. Lockman-Schultz's turnaround after only twelve months with you at the helm is impressive. Your grandfather must be proud."

Morgan clears his throat, wiping his mouth with a napkin from his lap before answering. "He is." Lockman glances at me and back to the General. "After he stepped down, I had a plan ready for execution as soon as I was named Chief Operating Officer. The strategy worked well."

Lockman doesn't mention my father in the agreement and I find that odd. It's as if Stevens International isn't playing a part in this monumental deal. Then again, my mother didn't indicate Lockman-Schultz was involved either. Lockman secured funds last year to strengthen his financial statement but in the end, it didn't matter. In the end it didn't matter.