Once Upon Stilettos

Page 90

Help arrived, but from an unexpected quarter. Another guy appeared in front of me. This one looked more like a guy in a cologne ad, with perfect bone structure and mysterious eyes. “Is he bothering you?” he asked, indicating Rick.
“We were just discussing family planning,” I said, not sure whether to be worried or relieved. I wasn’t yet sure if Mr. Cologne was going to be an improvement. The bar wasn’t set all that high. As long as he didn’t immediately get into how he wanted to see me barefoot and pregnant, he’d be a better conversational partner.
Rick slunk off, and Mr. Cologne extended a hand to me. “Dance,” was all he said.
Normally I wasn’t big on dancing, but if I was on the dance floor with a man it would be hard for anyone else to hit on me. Besides, it looked like it could be fun. I wordlessly handed my pink drink to Ari and took Mr. Cologne’s hand.
He didn’t speak as he led me to the floor, then folded me into his arms. I decided that was definitely an improvement as we swayed together to the trance-like music. It felt good to be held like that, to be wanted. That feeling almost made the last of my worry about the attack earlier in the evening go away.
As that song faded into another song, another man came up, tapped Mr. Cologne on the shoulder, and held a hand to me. I took it. This was already the most dancing I’d done in one night in as long as I could remember, and definitely the most men I’d danced with in one night.
It went on like that for what felt like hours, with man after man asking me to dance. I was the belle of the ball, and with each new dance partner I felt a surge of power and confidence. That confidence only appeared to increase my appeal, so it was the best-looking men in the place who were waiting in line to dance with me, while a row of miffed blond beauties stood at the edge of the dance floor, glaring at me.
The latest suitor was possibly the most handsome of the evening. He looked like a taller, older version of Owen, with dark hair, blue eyes, and an amazing body. I could tell from the way he held me so tightly against him that he found me rather attractive, too. Normally, I’d have been a little freaked out by learning that kind of intimate detail about a total stranger, but I found it pleasantly arousing. I wasn’t a one-night-stand kind of girl, but maybe just this once…
I let myself melt against him. He tightened his hold on me, then leaned down to whisper in my ear, “My, my, does your boyfriend know what you’re up to tonight, Katie?”
I tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his hold on me. I looked up to see an all-too-familiar smile on the otherwise unfamiliar face, and once I knew it had to be there, I felt magic in use. The throbbing music and my alcohol consumption must have kept me from noticing that telltale tingle sooner. Not that I would have expected Phelan Idris to be disguising himself on the dance floor to attempt to seduce me.
“This is getting old,” I said, trying to sound totally cool even as fear chilled my guts. Where were my magical friends who could help protect me from him? “What do you want from me, anyway?”
He pulled me even closer against him. “I think that should be pretty obvious,” he said.
Ewwww. “Fat chance,” I replied. “And if that’s what you really want, you’re going about it the wrong way. Try reading a romance novel. They’re full of seduction techniques that are a lot more effective than this. So, come on, what are you trying to accomplish other than annoying me to death?”
“There’s a quick and easy way to get me totally out of your life.”
“Please, tell me more.”
“Quit your job. You’ll never see me again.”
Although I was still scared because a powerful wizard had me in his grasp and I was susceptible to his power—and he obviously knew that—I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding. You’re worried about a secretary? Get rid of me, and there are a number of other immunes who’d fight each other over the job.”
It was his turn to laugh. “And you’re supposed to be so smart. Maybe it’s not about you.”
Now I was nervous. There was something in his tone that went beyond his usual teasing banter. I’d never taken him all too seriously as a threat because he was so very ridiculous, but I sensed real menace. Whatever it was he was up to, me being at MSI was getting in his way. Or maybe me being away from MSI would make it easier. Either way, this went beyond taunting me or just stirring up trouble.
As if I were dealing with an angry dog, I tried to stifle my fear. If he sensed it, he’d jump at the weakness. “I can’t afford to quit my job without having something else lined up,” I said. “Do you have any leads?”