Page 6 of Wilde and Untamed
“Absolutely,” Rue said, giving her best interested nod while scanning the room over the woman’s shoulder. “But that’s part of the adventure.”
The woman leaned closer, diamonds glittering at her throat like ice crystals. “And I imagine you have plans in place to secure any discoveries made while there?”
“I’m just the ride in and out,” she deflected. “For specifics about the research, you’ll have to ask the lead scientist.” She nodded toward a tall, lanky man with wire-frame glasses. “Dr. Keene.”
Before Emerald Lady could press further, the elevator doors slid open and Elliot stepped into the room, looking like he’d walked straight out of one of her more inappropriate dreams. Her stomach fluttered.
God, he was handsome.
She’d always thought so, but until recently, he’d always just been… Elliot. Their parents were friends, and they’d been around each other often enough as kids that he was practically a cousin.
So why were her hormones suddenly firing on all cylinders whenever he was near?
Duh. She knew exactly why. It had started at a family barbecue last summer when she’d caught him staring at her mouth.
At first, she wondered if she had something in her teeth and he was just too polite to say anything, but a check in the bathroom mirror had proved that wasn’t the case. Then, when she licked barbecue sauce off her finger and his nostrils had flared before he looked away quickly, she realized he was fantasizing about her. And that was all it took. She’d spent an embarrassing number of nights with her vibrator fantasizing about what those careful, controlled hands would feel like tangled in her hair.
Now here he was, looking like sin in a suit that had definitely been tailored to those broad shoulders. His light brown hair was slightly tousled—probably from a pass of his hand, knowing Elliot—and those sharp blue eyes were already scanning the room.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said, already stepping away from Emerald Lady. “I see my fiancé has arrived.”
The word “fiancé” felt foreign on her tongue, but she didn’t hate it like she should. She’d never pictured herself getting married. Sure, her parents were happily married, but that was them. They were so perfect for each other—her dad with his gruff, demanding ways, and her mom with her free-wheeling, laughing, creative ways. They made sense together. Rue wasn’t sure she’d ever make sense with anyone. She was too restless,too hungry for the next adventure, too unwilling to be pinned down.
But for some reason, using the word “fiancé” in reference to Elliot didn’t make her want to break out in hives.
Which was concerning, honestly.
Three days since she’d convinced him to join the expedition, and already the lines between real and pretend were blurring.
She weaved through the crowd and saw the exact moment he spotted her—his shoulders relaxed a fraction, his gaze sharpened, and that tiny furrow appeared between his brows. The one that meant he was already cataloging potential threats.
“Hey there, handsome. I was beginning to think you’d stood me up,” she said as she reached him, sliding an arm around his waist. She stood on her toes to kiss him lightly.
For show, she told herself. Not because she’d spent months wondering what his lips felt like.
To his credit, he didn’t stiffen at the surprise kiss like she half expected him to. His hand came up to rest at the small of her back, fingers spreading across the silk of her dress, and the warmth of his palm burned through the thin fabric.
For a moment, she forgot they were performing for an audience.
“Sorry I’m late,” he murmured against her ear, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “Got held up at the office. Having fun?”
The brush of his breath against her skin made her shiver, and she had to remind herself this was an act.
Just. An. Act.
Get it together, Rue.
“Oh, tons.” She pulled back to look at him, keeping her voice light despite the way her pulse had kicked into overdrive. “Nothing quite like being interrogated by people who think Antarctica is a luxury cruise destination.” She took another sip ofher energy drink, watching him process that information and the room with one sweep of his gaze.
Thiswas why she’d called him. Elliot’s brain worked like a computer.
“Should I be concerned?”
“No.” She scoffed and handed him her champagne flute. “Relax. It’s a party.”
Elliot looked down at the glass like it might bite him. “Somehow I doubt this is actually champagne.” He sniffed the contents, then scowled at her. “You actually put this rocket fuel in your body?”
Rue rolled her eyes. “It’s not rocket fuel. It’s all natural with vitamins and caffeine.”
