Page 3 of Treasured
Now I had visions of that sexy stranger as some hero in an action movie. Hell, he could star in my fantasy. I know the nice lady at the table wanted to go back to speaking with her husband, but I had to ask: “Security?”
She blinked and stared at me like I should know already, but she said, “Military-type security. The company does well on the market.”
That dark hair of his was in one of those just-woke-up-from-bed styles that made me wonder who he was with, but I shook my head and picked up the water glass at my seat. “Thank you,” I said.
She smiled at me and said, “I don’t see a ring. If you want us to bring him over to you, we’ll help.”
“It’s okay.” My face heated. I gulped the rest of my water but still ached in a way I hadn’t for any man in years. I kept that to myself. “Thank you anyhow.”
I probably should have asked her name. I forced myself to ignore the man across the room. I took the opportunity before the party began to slip away to the ladies’ room.
The music switched to a happy beat, and couples headed to the dance floor. I zigzagged around and glanced at the walls for restroom signs to point me in the right direction.
However, a couple flew past me, and I swirled to get out of the way.
Warm hands pressed against me and held my waist. It was like I was protected in a wall of muscles, but I turned around and saw the brown-eyed sexy stranger I had sized up earlier.
Confidence oozed off him like an aphrodisiac. I didn’t move when he said, “I got you.”
And he could have me. Fuck. I wasn’t here looking for a man. The last one I’d had in my life had caused enough damage, but maybe one night might be nice. For once, I was free. And he would never be in my world permanently. I was a single mom with loads of responsibilities, but my lips curved up in a smile as I said, “Yes… yes, you do. Now, let me go.”
He winked but did what he was told. “Of course, ma’am.”
A string brushed against me fast, but I had no right to feel upset he’d called me “ma’am.” I put my hand on my hips and said, “I’m not a ma’am.”
He showed off his dimples and asked, “Should I call you Sexy or My Angel?”
A flirt. Nice. I shrugged and said, “I’m neither. Just plain Mary.”
He looked me up and down, and the heat in my body followed his glance. Then he met my gaze and said, “There is nothing plain about you.”
Now that was a line. I pressed my hand to his chest and realized how dense those muscles of his were. “That’s hilarious, but thank you.”
His face grew serious. “Hmm, I’m usually better at this.”
This man would never be mine. I wasn’t in his league, and I came with baggage. It was better to cut my fantasy life in pieces right now, so I said, “I’m not sexy or an angel. I’m just a mom, and I’m not used to smiling much.”
His eyes widened. “That can’t be true. Children can be hysterically funny.”
“He’s not quite old enough yet.” This wasn’t a lie. I took out my phone from my bra, which probably wasn’t the classiest place to have it, but it was all I had. I pulled up my photo reel and showed him. “But I’ll show you my angel.”
He swiped the screen and looked at a few pictures, then I took my phone back and said, “Nice meeting you.”
I pivoted to leave and head to the bathroom, but his hand brushed against my wrist, and he said, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Cute, but no single man like him would want to be saddled. I gave him a shrug and took my hand back as I said, “The good ones always leave. That’s life.”
“Easy to prove you wrong on that one.”
I sashayed toward the door. I knew he was watching. My hair stood on its ends, but he would soon find for himself a woman more his speed, one without my life. But it was nice that for one moment in time, he had noticed me.
To be treasured by that man would be an experience of a lifetime but not mine.
Chapter Two
Dwayne
I had assumed going to the party would mostly just show my “business partner” I was serious. I would show my face to Wanda and dig up personal details about Arthur Waterstone from Mary Steel, his ex. But the mission clearly had gone up a notch.
