Page 58 of The Twilight Theft

“Therewillbe food.”

“Cute little canapés aren’t my jam.” I peeled open the wrapper and snapped off a piece, tossing it into my mouth.

“So we’re good?”

I’d said nothing of the sort. I held the rest of the bar between my teeth to free up my hands. Closing my eyes, I opened the far-too-small clutch and felt for each item. I spoke around the bar as my fingers navigated the contents. “Got my phone, my earpiece, the tracker, ID, room card, lock picks, gloves, zip ties, and some cash.”

“Don’t I feel inadequate? All I’ve got is a phone, keys, and my wallet.” Drew walked deeper into the room. “Craig’s distributing earpieces when we arrive.”

I opened my eyes to ensure I didn’t get cornered again. With my clutch under my arm, I took another bite of the bar.

He glanced at everything as he moved—the bathroom, the closet, the desk, the television. He was observant, no doubt an important skill in both his prior and current jobs. “Can you move in the dress?”

“It has lacing built in, so I can adjust it.” I stuck out a leg, so the thigh-high split fell to either side. With a few twists and strategic ties, I hiked the dress up and reconfigured it into a short jumpsuit.

“That’s brilliant.”

I hastily undid the skirt so the dress was again floor length. “You didn’t mention the invite. You have it?”

He patted his breast pocket, sending another flurry of images through my head. How his pecs and shoulders had flexed as I stripped off his shirt. His firm abs. How I’d run my fingers over the soft hair now hidden under the tuxedo shirt.

Brushing off Wyatt’s advances would have been a lot easier than forgetting what Drew and I had almost done.

I needed more chocolate. I’d already devoured the existential crisis bar. “Did Liana give you a menu?”

“Do we need to stop for a cheeseburger on the way?”

“Nah.” With my luck, I’d drop it on the dress and screw up the entire plan for the night. “May as well get my money’s worth with the Tremaines’ food.”

“You’re not paying to go to the gala.”

“We’re undercover. We’re pretending to pay.” I pointed to the door and he took the hint, leading the way, so I could take in the cut of his tux from behind. “It’s only right I pretend to enjoy the expensive food.”

“For the record.” Drew gripped the door handle, turning it, but not opening the door. He glanced at me over his shoulder. “I also discussed with Emmett that I’m point on this mission. My word goes. Can you manage that?”

“And here I thought we were getting along so well.” I put my hand on his—so warm and strong and big.Don’t think about all the places it was Thursday night.Why did I do that? Why were the ants skittering up my legs at physicality level one? Why did I want to skip past two and three and stay in the room with him? I pulled the door open. “For the record, I’m the subject matter expert, so you need to trust my judgment.”

“Speaking of interesting ideas.” Drew brushed his fingers across the small of my back as we left. It was nothing more than a gesture to keep me going, but my body paused—regardless of what my brain wanted—to enjoy it for a moment.

Our escapade Thursday night was the first time a man had touched me like that in years. I’d been fine without it—proud of my restraint, even. One-night stands and sleeping with men who didn’t care about the real me were part of my dark phase. The one that saw me stealing anything and everything, getting as many dopamine hits from the theft as from the words of praise afterward.

The sex had barely mattered.

Even with Tanner, it was about little more than…

I stepped into the hallway with Drew right behind me and sighed deep inside.

Even with Tanner, it had been about getting it out of our systems so we could focus on our training and our routines.

I didn’t need more of that in my life. Didn’t want it.

The door across the hall opened and Emmett paused before joining us in the hallway. His gaze flitted between Drew and me, and he pushed the door open wider to reveal Rav right behind him. “You know, Rav, Drewdoeslook better with Jayce than he would have with you.”

Rav grunted in assent as he straightened his bow tie, not appearing to be the least bit surprised by this turn of events. He and Emmett also wore tuxes, looking just a hair less gorgeous than Drew.

I pointed an accusing finger at each of them. “I’m going to have words with you after this.”

The door next to mine opened, and Scarlett joined us. She was stunning in a floor-length silver dress with a neckline that plunged far too low. She wore two-sided tape underneath to keep it in place, but most men wouldn’t realize she had a face with all that cleavage on display.

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