Page 21 of Before I Knew

“Is that going to be a problem?” he asked.

“Is what going to be a problem?” I asked, purposely obtuse. It wasn’t as if we were making promises to each other or doing anything. I was just standing and speaking to a man at a gala, with a respectable distance between us. That’s all that needed to be said.

“Well then, I’m glad that I’m the one who came, and not James.”

“Which one was James on the text?” I asked, teasing.

“Probably the one trying to order us all.”

“Wouldn’t that be you?” I asked.

“That’s what James would say,” he replied, laughter in his gaze. Then a small pause. “Dance with me, Blakely,” he whispered.

I shook my head. “I really shouldn’t.”

“There’s many people on the dance floor, you can say you are schmoozing me.”

“I don’t think my boss would like that.”

“Well, you should dance with me anyway. Please? I don’t want to wait for a dinner date.”

I couldn’t see my boss anywhere, but I knew that this would probably get out. Because everything with the Cages did.

I set down my champagne flute on the table next to me anyway and placed my now free hand in his open one.

“Okay.”

“Good.” He clasped his hand over mine, and I was lost.

Chapter Four

ASTON

Gettinghard in the middle of a ballroom while standing near many of my trustees, backers, and business rivals probably wasn’t the best idea. But as soon as I saw Blakely across the dance floor, everything in me shifted.

And it wasn’t just her beauty—those sharp cheekbones, those light eyes that shone underneath the soft lighting of the room. She’d even put her hair up in a half-do thing, so it framed her face, but still looked elegant. I used to be better about knowing what those were called, or even what kind of dress she wore. It had been a long time since I had been with anyone for that matter.

But no, it wasn’t any of what she looked like, it was the aura that seemed to surround her and others could feel it too. She may not have even realized they did. They stopped what they were doing to glance over at her, as if they wanted to know her. She’d catch everyone’s attention, whether it be to judge her or to admire her.

Or in my case, to barely hold back from falling down on my knees in front of her.

And now she was mine. If only for this dance.

“So, I didn’t realize this is what you would be doing this weekend,” she said softly as we glided across the dance floor. She had her hand on my arm, her other clasping my own, and I smiled down at her.

I hadn’t done this much smiling since my brother’s wedding when they had all danced and partied and looked as if they actually were going to have a great time.

It was a little odd to think I was doing so now.

“We try to represent the family.”

“Are you the only one here?”

I shook my head before I looked over hers to see both of my brothers raising their brows. Flynn and James had curious expressions on their faces, nearly identical even though neither one of them were the twins.

It must be odd to see me dancing with someone since I usually did not dance at these things. I smiled, spoke to those I needed to, did a speech if required, and wrote a check. I never got out on the dance floor when I came alone.

And yet here I was, with Blakely, losing my mind.

---