Page 1 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

Chapter One

WAS THIS WHAT CINDERELLAfelt like?

Rachel was used to working undercover, but this time, she ironed the nonexistent wrinkles on her stunning lavender-hued dress with her sweaty palms, feeling ill at ease.

It didn’t help that she’d had to leave her trusted gun at home to attend this charity ball and masquerade. Of course, there was no way to conceal the weapon, but still... Maybe she should’ve tried harder to work it into her masquerade costume.

The high updo decorated with semiprecious stones instead of her usual ponytail felt weird. The high heels were uncomfortable, and impractical if she had to give chase. No wonder Cinderella lost her shoe. Rachel would love to lose both of hers and change into familiar comfy sneakers or, even better, combat boots. Also a big plus for combat boots—one could hide a knife in their ankle shaft.

She lifted her head, channeling back her confidence. Nobody knew her here or could guess she didn’t belong among the upper-crust society. The diamond-studded mask over her eyes, a nice match to her gown, covered the upper half of her face, which was useful for her purpose. When her gaze fell on the floor-to-ceiling mirrors, she could barely recognize herself.

Her client had spared no expense or effort, including loaning Rachel a diamond necklace. People here might not spot a fake smile immediately, but they could discern fake diamonds. The invitation screening was strict, so she’d gone under the guise of being her client.

Then her gaze followed the subject of her investigation, Tex Lawrence. The only Lawrence sibling who didn’t remain on the family ranch and become a cowboy. Now, the founder and CEO of a large company, he seemed far more at ease in these surroundings than she could ever be.

She suppressed a scowl. She’d first seen him at his brother’s wedding to a local heiress when said heiress had hired Rachel to provide the security. Thankfully, except for a ruined cake, nothing untoward had happened at the wedding. Well, Rachel had caught the bridal bouquet by accident, but she’d rather not think aboutthat. She wasn’t in the market for romance whatsoever.

She’d disliked Tex Lawrence immediately. Engrossed in his phone, he’d barely paid attention to his family. He certainly hadn’t noticed her as she’d worked undercover as a waitress. Her eyes narrowed. She’d met plenty of snobs, though. Her stepmother and two stepsisters were like that.

He was different today, of course, schmoozing with influential people. Again, like her stepsisters, though they’d never reached this level of success. She let out a rush of breath. At least, she’d escaped this kind of life.

Coming from a family of cowboys, Tex wasn’t a prince. But he wascharming, and any woman he bestowed his attention on seemed to melt in his presence. Yes, he was handsome, and he carried the dashing tailored tuxedo well. But—go ahead, call her prejudiced—she had an instant dislike of people who looked down on others less fortunate. She doubled the smile to cover how he nauseated her.

Now, Kennedy was different from other heiresses Rachel had met. Kennedy was sweet and hardworking and a little shy—a trait someone could presume standoffish if they didn’t know better. But Rachel had known better. They could even become friends. That was, if Rachel allowed it.

Nope, Tex Lawrence hadn’t noticed her as a waitress, but he noticed her now as their gazes met and held across the room, and a sense of satisfaction sizzled through her. As well as a weird jolt to her heart, but she dismissed that one. Unlike many other ladies here, and she suspected her client too, she was immune to his great looks and status. Besides, she’d never break one of her profession’s most important rules—never fall for the subject of your investigation. A few people had broken that rule, and it never ended well.

Then her heart skipped a beat.

With a confident swagger, he strode across the dance floor—straight towardher—as the music started playing. Her lips widened on their own this time. Approaching him and talking to him was her goal. But she’d much rather the mouse came to the trap voluntarily, all the time considering himself not just a cat, but a tiger.

She held his gaze and readjusted the cheese—ahem, her stylish hairdo and ridiculously expensive dress—and lowered her head to infuse a flirty expression in her eyes.

But first, she had to make him work even to get close to said cheese. He’d had too many conquests already and would get bored. She’d caught his interest, but she needed to keep it, at least for some time.

She turned around as if ready to leave and made a few steps, but not so fast he’d lose her in the crowd. She nearly stumbled. Well, she couldn’t walk too fast in these treacherous shoes, anyway. Then she glanced back.

Just like she’d expected, his hand was extended to her. “May I have this dance?”

“I was about to leave.” Her smile turned coy, conveying she could be persuaded to stay.

“Please?” So simple yet elegant. He grinned as if understanding the rules of the game he’d undoubtedly played many times.

While she was a novice at it. She considered stalling longer. No, best not to. “I’d love to.”

She placed her hand in his, and his fingers tightened around hers as he led her to the dance floor. Her eyes widened when his touch sent a delicious current through her blood. She steeled herself against the weird reaction and placed her other hand on his shoulder. This was a work assignment.

Nothing else.

Nothing less.

Nothing more.

“Masquerade or not, I know most people here. But I can’t guess who you are.” His gaze unnerved her.

And now she couldn’t escape.

Huh. She’d been the one to lay out the cheese, but now, she felt trapped in his arms. At the same time, she didn’twantto leave.

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