Page 58 of Saving Stella

Her lips quirked with the smallest smile. “I’m sure you do. But you probably didn’t bring anything to wear.”

“Is it formal? Black tie?”

“Cocktail attire. There’s a dinner and supposedly we have a couple of VIP tables at the nightclub afterward.” She winced. “Oh dear …”

“What’s wrong now.”

“It’s … on The Strip. At the Panorama Hotel. I know you don’t like?—”

“That’s fine. And I do have a suit.” It was SOP for agents to bring one wherever they went, in case they had a VIP client. “So, it’ll be okay.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you sure you want to go? Because, really, I could always tell them I’m sick.”

“It’s fine. Unless you don’t want to go.”

Her face faltered for a moment. “I … I should go. Everyone will be there, including Crestholm’s board members and other important people from other schools.”

“Then we’ll go. Come on, we should get you home.”

When they arrived back at her house, he expected her to bolt right out like he did yesterday. To his surprise, when she unbuckled her seat belt, she turned to face him. “Cliff … I don’t want things to be awkward between us. I mean, especially with Charley and Devon and the baby and all.”

“Of course.”

“We’re going to be running into each other for the next couple of years and maybe … well, we could forget about what happened yesterday and just act like adults. We can do that, right?”

Sure, he could act like an adult around her. But forgetting her taste and scent was an entirely different matter. “Sure.”

“Great. Now, please don’t sleep in the truck again, okay? I feel terrible that you’re avoiding me and making yourself suffer. It’s hot and cramped, and I bet you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. You don’t have to spend time with me, and I can stay in my room, just … don’t sleep out here.”

Cliff shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that she genuinely didn’t want him to be uncomfortable. But then again, that’s who she was. Sweet, generous, and kind Stella. “I won’t.”

“Great.” A smile lit up her face, making his stomach flip-flop. “I’m gonna have some of those leftovers. You’re welcome to join me if you want.”

“Sounds good.”

Despite his own feelings, he knew Stella was right. They were adults, and they could act like it. For Charley’s and her baby’s sake, he would make the effort to be normal around Stella. He would forget about his obsession with her, forget about how much he wanted her, if only to keep everything normal and back to the way it was. Perhaps over time, this craving for her would lessen and disappear altogether.

Yes, that was it. That was a good plan.

* * *

For the next twenty hours or so, Cliff reminded himself that this wasn’t a date, and he was doing his job, i.e., protecting her from crazy kidnappers who were still out there. Jacob would arrive any day now, and he would leave Vegas—and Stella—behind and forget everything that happened.

Yes, that was a good plan.

Of course, that plan went out the window the very next day when, as he waited for Stella in the living room, she walked out looking like a goddess. Her golden hair hung in sexy waves around her pretty face, while the short, off the shoulder blue dress she wore showed off her shapely legs and delectable cleavage. The spiked black heels on her feet made his temperature rise a few degrees.

His inner wolf yipped in delight.

“How do I look?” she asked as she twirled around, the skirt flying around her.

He swallowed, trying to moisten his dry throat. “G-great.”

“You look nice too.” A blush bloomed on her face as her eyes roved over him.

“Thanks.” Thankfully, the suit he had in his bag wasn’t too wrinkled, though his shoes didn’t quite match his outfit. Still, he preened under her appreciation. “Are you ready? We should leave soon or we’ll be late.”

“I just need to grab my purse and we can go.”

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