‘I’ve watched you, Hallie.’ There was a serious note in his voice. ‘I’ve seen the enthusiasm and the energy you bring to everything you do and I know without a doubt that when you do decide on a career, be it in the art world or somewhere else, you’re going to be a huge success. Don’t ever doubt it.’
‘Thank you,’ she said quietly. For all his faults, and, yes, not falling helplessly in love with her was one of them, Nicholas Cooper believed in her. Hallie felt her heart falter, felt it stumble before righting itself, and when it did it wasn’t altogether hers any more. Some of it was Nick’s. Not that she was inclined to let him know that.
So she pinned on a smile, a smile that became more genuine as she was introduced to friends and acquaintances of John and of Jasmine. She nodded to husbands and mingled with wives as they ogled the diamonds around her neck overtly, Nick covertly, and made laughing conversation with her.
Partnering Nick to a ball was easy. He was gorgeous, charming, and knew exactly when to leave her to her own devices and when to stay by her side. ‘You’re a very good escort, you know that, don’t you?’ she said as he whisked her half-finished glass of champagne from her hand, handed it to a passing waiter, and snagged a cool glass of water as a replacement. It was exactly what she wanted. ‘How did you know I wanted water?’
‘I didn’t,’ said Nick. ‘But you hadn’t touched your champagne in over an hour and it’s getting warm in here so I figured it was worth a shot.’
‘Gorgeous, generous and attentive,’ said Hallie dryly. ‘Is there anything you’re not good at?’
‘Rules,’ he said, his eyes darkening. ‘I’m not real good with rules. Dance with me.’
Hallie took a quick sip of her water, felt it slide, wet and cool, down her suddenly dry throat. ‘I’m not sure dancing’s a good idea for us.’ Dancing meant touching, touching meant wanting, and when touching, wanting and Nick came together she was inclined to forget the rules herself. ‘I’m thinking we should forgo the dancing.’
‘No. This is a ball. There has to be dancing.’ And with a crooked smile, ‘We’re in a public place. We have an audience of thousands. I’m not going to break any rules here.’
This was reassuring. ‘Okay, but if we dance, so do others,’ she said as she spotted Jasmine and Kai peel away from a large group of people and head towards an unoccupied seating area. ‘Kai needs to dance with Jasmine.’
‘Why?’
‘I’ll explain later.’ They’d reached the younger couple. Hallie smiled brightly. ‘Anyone for dancing over by the balcony? I’m thinking it’s probably the coolest place in the ballroom.’
Jasmine shrugged, glancing at Kai through lowered lashes. C’mon, Jasmine, Hallie willed the younger girl, this is the age of equality, ask him. But Jasmine stayed silent. And so did Kai.
‘Smell me,’ she said to Nick. ‘How do I smell?’
Nick sighed, bent his head to her neck and sniffed. ‘You smell divine.’
‘Now you smell Jasmine,’ she ordered Kai. ‘Everything okay there?’
Jasmine lifted her chin. Kai nodded, a small smile playing around his lips.
‘Excellent. And do I look beautiful?’ she asked Nick.
‘Extremely,’ he said dryly.
‘What about Jasmine?’
‘She looks exquisite,’ Nick assured her gravely, his eyes alight with laughter.
‘So there’s no problem in that direction either. Of course, I’m assuming that everyone here can dance. You can dance, can’t you?’ she asked Kai pointedly.
Kai knew when to give in gracefully. He gave Nick a man-to-man stare that was strangely sympathetic and then turned to bow gracefully to Jasmine before offering his arm. She took it, and together they moved off towards the dance floor.
‘Your brothers have a lot to answer for,’ said Nick with a rueful shake of his head. ‘They’ve taught you man-handling skills a woman your age really shouldn’t have. I shudder to think what you’ll be like when you’re older.’
‘More subtle, I hope,’ said Hallie, following Jasmine and Kai’s progress though the throng of people with a frown. ‘Look at them! He’s not even touching her. Anyone would think he doesn’t want to dance with her!’
‘That would be my call,’ said Nick. He was guiding her towards the dance floor as they spoke.
‘Not that I have anything against you being right in general, but in this particular case I really hope you’re wrong.’ Matchmaking really wasn’t her forte. What if Kai wasn’t in love with the younger girl? What if she’d given Jasmine the wrong idea altogether? ‘I can’t watch.’ She turned abruptly and came nose to chest with Nick’s shirt. ‘Out of my way. I’m going to go and shoot myself for interfering.’