Page 82 of Mistletoe and Malice
She walked away, and he again started his scan from one point of the room around to the opposite, always keeping a covert eye on Riley and the people surrounding her. But his focus always came back to her, and lingered too long.
Riley and her doctor dance partner walked off the floor, her hand pulled through his arm until they rejoined their group of friends. After another visual pass around the room, his gaze met hers from several yards away. She excused herself and headed his direction, leaving young Dr. Bellows to watch her with a disappointed frown.
She came to a stop beside him. “How are you holding up?”
“Fine. You?”
“Great. I enjoy seeing people around the holidays. Everybody’s so jovial and lighthearted.” She sighed and crossed her arms over her midsection. “I can’t help thinking what a waste this is, though. All these obscenely wealthy people under one roof and not a charitable donation in sight. I spoke with the social committee a couple of years ago about making this a fundraising opportunity by sponsoring a charity every year, but they shot me down.”
“Why’s that?”
“They want this to be an event for their club members, to saythanks for your membership, we appreciate you.”
“Understandable.”
He panned the room, stopping at a waiter staring at Riley from several feet away. Squinting, he finally ID’d the young man as one of the staff vetted by their team. Riley being Riley did,indeed, make their job harder, because she caught the attention of men regularly. Yet always seemed utterly oblivious to it.
“At least the club hosts several other events during the year that benefit charities. No, thank you,” she said as an aside to another waiter who walked up with a tray of champagne. “Have you had anything to drink or eat?”
“Not why I’m here.”
“I know that. But you three should try the buffet. It’s fabulous. Take turns. I’m very safe here.”
“Did you know that guy?”
“What guy?”
“The waiter who just walked by.”
“No.”
“And the musicians. You know all of them?”
“No.”
“I see.” He let his eyes wander over several guests coming in the door from the lobby. “Do you know the caterer? All the servers, photographers, hotel personnel?”
“Okay, you’ve made your point. You still need to eat. What if I stay with you?”
“Riley, we already had dinner back at the house. We’re fine.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, no, what?” His eyes snapped around the room but noticed nothing of concern.
“Cal Gentry. Two o’clock and approaching fast.”
Colton glanced to his right. A tall, dark-haired man walked toward them, his smoldering gaze fixed on Riley.
She spun to face him. “Dance with me.”
“Riley—”
“Colton, please. You’re supposed to protect me, right? Well, protect me.”
He sighed. Not exactly standard protocol, but with her looking at him all desperate-like, what could he say? “All right. Come on.”
He led her onto the dance floor by the hand and took her in his arms. They swayed together in silence for a moment, and he couldn’t miss the glare the man still standing at the tables shot their way.
