Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“I apologize for keeping you from your beautiful date, Aiden.” The gray-haired man, dressed in a black tuxedo with a black bow tie, says, offering a smile to me.
“I don’t mind at all,” I say, smiling back. “I’ve been enjoying the music.”
The man offers a slight bow. “Slate, you shouldn’t keep her waiting. Dance.”
Aiden turns to me with a lifted eyebrow. “Would you like to dance, Cassidy?”
No.
“Yes. I’d love to.”
He extends his hand to me, and I place mine in his.
I allow him to walk me to the center of the dance floor, all the while cursing myself for saying yes.
What was I supposed to say? I was caught off guard.
The truth is, I’m a shit dancer. I don’t know how to waltz, or whatever it is these people are currently doing as they move around us effortlessly.
“What’s wrong?”
I lean in so that others won’t overhear. “I…can’t dance. Not like that.”
He lets out a breath. “You’ll be fine. Just allow me to lead.”
When did Aiden Slate learn to dance?
The current song stops, and Aiden gets into position. As soon as the first note sounds, we’re off and moving.
I’m doing my best to keep up with Aiden’s effortless moves, and surprisingly, I find I’m not so bad as long as I follow him. He spins and twirls me all around the floor as people whiz by. I hardly notice them, though. My eyes are transfixed on Aiden.
He pulls me tighter into his chest, and my breath hitches. We’re so close. Our mouths are mere centimeters apart. If I leaned in just a touch, our lips would touch.
The want builds, and I see it in him too. His eyes have darkened to deep pools of black. His breathing has accelerated, his chest rising and falling quickly. The music comes to a halt and so do our feet. My eyes remain fixed on Aiden.
“Cassidy, I—”
Someone claps as they approach us. “I must say, you two look fantastic out there. The media is buzzing about it.”
I turn to see Mike, the man I know as Aiden’s agent.
Aiden’s focus on me shatters as he turns to address Mike.
“Nice to see you. Where have you been hiding out?”
Mike shrugs. “I just arrived. Hadley accosted me at the door.”
I have no idea who Hadley is, but Aiden seems to. His eyes widen, and he attempts to hide a smirk.
“Did she now?” Aiden says, mirth evident in his tone.
Mike purses his lips, bobbing his head. “Sure did. I’ll be hiding for the remainder of the evening.”
“Aiden, would you mind if I cut in for a dance with Cassidy?”
Aiden lifts an eyebrow but steps aside, waving a hand out to give his blessing.
“I must admit, I’m not very good. Aiden simply ensured I remained on my feet,” I say, eyes lowering to the floor.
“No problem. We’ll take it slow,” he says, grabbing my elbow and ushering me to the farther side of the room.
The music begins, and Mike takes my arms and places them where they need to be and we’re off. He’s not as skilled as Aiden, and it becomes evident quickly that our steps will be slower and shaky.
I’m concentrating on the moves when Mike speaks.
“Who are you?”
I stumble at his words, eyes flying to his. “Excuse me?”
He gets closer to me, and I have to stop myself from jerking away and making a scene.
“I know you’re not who you claim to be.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask. A boulder settling in my gut.
“We were expecting someone the night you showed up, but it wasn’t you. I spoke to my contact, and apparently, the girl who was supposed to meet Aiden had a minor car accident and never made it to the hotel.”
I try to continue to dance but instead step on his toes as I try to develop a story on the fly. “I was sent instead.”
He shakes his head. “Come on, Cassidy… that is your name, right?”
I stop, pulling out of his grasp while dancers call out in anger about our sudden move.
“Of course my name is Cassidy. I am who I say I am.”
“You might not be lying about your name, little girl, but I know you weren’t meant to be in the hotel that night.”
The gig’s up.
“What do you want from me?” I ask, my voice hard.
“The truth,” he says, eyes fixed on me.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
He shakes his head back and forth. “Not me. Aiden. You’ll come clean to him now, or I will.”
He turns to leave, and my hand juts out, grabbing him. Mike twists around, looking down at my hand around his arm, lifting a brow.
“Please. Not here. I don’t want Aiden’s image to be impacted by this. Allow me to talk to him in private so we can devise a plan that won’t come back on him.”
Mike’s eyes narrow in on me, and he sucks in his cheeks. After a few painstakingly quiet moments, his features soften.