by Mia Dymond
He only hoped he could make it out alive.
CHAPTER FIVE
The next evening, Carley stood with her friends in what Ace referred to as the fishbowl of the Westminster Hotel and crossed her fingers and toes that the Senators’ Reception would escape sabotage. She raised her gaze to the top of the hundreds of stairs. Hopefully the security alone would dissuade any kind of nonsense. Dressed in dark suits with transmitters discreetly poked in their ears, bodyguards crawled all over the area, diligently securing the area where senators and other political figures rubbed elbows for the evening.
She’d worked hard, past the slight paranoia that threatened to intervene, to put the past behind her and focus solely on the success of this party. And from what she’d seen so far, everything was A-OK.
From her position at a side table near the kitchen and beneath the stairs, she gazed around the room to assure herself the event progressed as planned. Her staff moved around the crowd, refreshing or delivering cocktails while chefs in tall white hats kept the buffet tables stocked with steaming warmers full of barbequed pork, several green vegetables, baked potatoes, and buttered rolls. A wide selection of brightly-frosted king cakes and powdered beignets decorated the nearby dessert table.
Although the Mardi Gras theme of the occasion called for bright colors, she’d opted to dress her male wait staff in black suits – partly to blend in with security and partly because Ace, Thunder and Chaos had put their feet down at the mention of a green or purple suit. They did, however, agree to wear brightly colored dress shirts and ties. And she had to admit, they blended very well.
She, Kat, Liv and Sophie followed the same dress code as the female wait staff – another of Alpha Four’s suggestions – dressed in brightly-colored mini skirts with a bustle of orange, yellow, green, and purple tulle attached to the waistband and flowing behind. A matching sparkling, sequined bikini top complimented the skirt. On their heads, a gold crown with a fan of colored feathers completed the costume. The one major difference was the beaded masks worn by the staff. The men of Alpha Four insisted the subtle difference would make keeping an eye on each of them easier.
She released a soft sigh. So far, so good.
“I don’t know about this,” she mumbled as she pulled on the left strap of her top. “I feel naked.”
“You look great.” Kat grinned. “Ace hasn’t taken his eyes off of you all evening.”
She glanced down at her chest, impressed by the cleavage created by the garment, and then looked up and returned her friend’s grin. “Who knew these could be so powerful, huh?”
“I did.” Liv smirked. “Believe me, they’ve been known to work miracles.”
Kat rolled her eyes. “Yes, and your stunning blue eyes and long, blonde hair compliment your C-cups perfectly.”
Carley agreed; Liv was a shockingly beautiful woman – one who stopped men in their tracks with a single look. And, it seemed as if Thunder had responded accordingly.
She moved her gaze around the room, relieved to see guests dressed in party garb dancing in the middle of the room while a band played a multi-generational selection of music. Ace, Chaos, and Thunder moved smoothly in and out of the crowd while they balanced trays of wine or champagne on their palms. She grinned. They were definitely men of many talents.
She moved her gaze back to Sophie. “Where’s Rebel?”
“With my parents.” Her friend gestured with her head to Senator Graystone’s table. “He’s probably getting quite an earful.”
“Incoming,” Kat mumbled.
Carley moved her gaze from Sophie’s father and back to the immediate area, puzzled by Kat’s warning. As soon as she saw Christopher Remington walking toward them with a bright smile, she almost groaned out loud. Undoubtedly, he wouldn’t settle for casual conversation.
“If he mentions that stupid port one more time, I may just vomit,” Sophie said under her breath.
Kat shrugged and turned to leave. “I’ll get a bucket.”
“Nice try.” Carley grabbed the other woman’s elbow. “If we have to endure, so do you.”
“Good evening, Ladies.” Christopher nodded to each of them as he stopped beside Carley.
She painted on a smile and played the part of gracious hostess. “Hello, Christopher. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Of course! Once again, you’ve outdone yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“I saw your parents taking a stroll around the dance floor but I haven’t seen your grandparents.”
“They’re here somewhere,” she said, purposely vague. “In fact, I was just about to find them. Did you bring a date?”
He shook his head. “Not tonight. I can’t stay too long; I’ve got some business to take care of at the port.”
Sophie groaned and Kat giggled.
Big on social grace, Liv thankfully took control of the conversation. “If it’s simply companionship you need, Christopher, I could provide a few suggestions.”
Christopher raised both eyebrows and Carley bit her lip to keep from grinning. Although she knew Liv was simply tactfully changing the subject, he didn’t.
“Uh, no, thank you. That’s not the case at all. As I said, I just don’t plan to stay long.”
“Seriously,” Liv persisted, “don’t be embarrassed; many busy professionals hire an escort for these occasions.”
He fidgeted from side to side, obviously uneasy. “Thank you, Liv. I’ll keep that in mind.” He turned to give Carley a quick hug. “I just wanted to congratulate you on another successful event. I really have to go.”
“Thank you,” she said, relieved to have avoided the dreaded port discussion.
She waited until he was out of earshot before she released a whoosh of air from her lungs. “Olivia Blackwell, you are my hero.”
“Not a problem. You’re welcome.”
Kat straightened her skirt and grinned. “Do you mind if Sergeant Taylor takes a short break? He owes me a dance.”
“Not at all.” Carley giggled. “Those three waiters are only for looks anyway.”
“Yes, they are,” Liv mumbled.
She fully agreed. Her gaze had pretty much been glued to Ace most of the night, and not to assure he catered to the guests.
“I really am going to check on my grandparents. You guys have fun and enjoy yourselves.”
Carley crossed the room and approached the table assigned to both her parents and grandparents and took the chair next to her grandmother.
“You look lovely.” The elder woman covered Carley’s hand with her own.
She gave her grandmother a bright smile. Charlotte Kensworth was a beautiful woman as well, one that she had worked hard to imitate her whole life. With her silver-gray hair pulled back and fastened into a usual bun, she looked appropriately festive with several green feathers tucked into the pocket of hair. Her knee-length, purple, sequined dress sparkled in the bright light as it hugged her still-thin, petite frame. Not only intelligent and severely business minded, Nana had the grace of a swan and Carley had learned at a very young age that grace carried one further in life than almost anything.
“Thanks, Nana. Are you having a good time?”
“Oh, yes. Your grandfather has taken me for a few spins around the dance floor and your young man has been very attentive.”
“He’s not mine,” she mumbled. “He’s only here to prevent trouble.”
The other woman released an unusual snort. “Oh please, Carley. His tongue may as well be stuck to the floor; he watches your every move and he likes what he sees.”
“Nana! I told you, he’s only here –“
“Don’t argue with Nana, darling.” Her grandfather peeked around his wife. “We may be old, but we’re very observant.”
Her eyes widened impossibly further and her mouth fell open. Since when did her grandparents know so much about romance? Especially when it involved her?
“Close your mouth, dear.” Nana patted her hand. “We’ve been married ove
r fifty years. Besides, he’s on his way back to our table.”
Carley didn’t have to turn around to know the minute he stood behind her; her body sensed his arrival. Her breasts tightened. Her stomach muscles fluttered. A wave of heat crossed her chest, covering her skin in a nice red blush.
She turned to find a sexy smirk directed right at her. She worked hard to keep her own tongue in her mouth, grateful when he extended a hand and spoke first.
“May I have this dance, Miss Kensworth?”
She paused for a brief moment to listen to the music and her heartbeat quickened when she heard the slow, sexy beat. Suddenly she couldn’t wait to press her body against his.
She slid her hand into his and stood while she shot her grandmother a you-were-exactly-right smirk.
“Of course,” she told him.
As soon as he held her in his arms and they swayed gently in time to the music, all her stress and tension seemed to melt away. Wrapped in the strength of his hold, she was content to stay there – music or not.
“I see Remington made an appearance tonight.”
She smiled, not surprised by his knowledge. Obviously, Nana’s observation was accurate. “Yes, he’s still working on votes for the port.”
“Think he’s made any progress?”
“Hard to tell.” She shrugged. “Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between honest interest and a polite brush-off.”
“Especially with this crowd,” he agreed as he pulled her closer against him and then whispered against the shell of her ear. “You look stunning.”
For once she appreciated the stilettos that wrapped her feet. Although they weren’t the most practical or comfortable footwear, at least they boosted her enough to whisper into his ear.
“You too.”
“I had a personal shopper.”
She grinned. Although his suit coat accented the impressive bulge of muscles beneath and the cut of his slacks revealed the strength of his thighs and legs as he moved, she would make only one change. She’d ditch the tie and unbutton his shirt to the third – maybe fourth – button. She knew from experience that would increase donations ten-fold. Unfortunately, this dinner was not a fundraiser and it would only cause a female riot.
Darn.
“What are you thinking?”
“How to get you naked.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth to keep from laughing out loud as he stumbled in mid-step and then gently eased her back until his heated gaze met hers.
“You’re a beautiful tease.”
“Who says I’m teasing?”
She tilted her head to one side and waited for his response to her totally spontaneous offer while several other couples danced around them. Intense heat built in the small space between them and she wondered how long it would take for either of them to combust.
He finally smashed her back against him and tightened his hold on her hips. “Later,” he mumbled.
“Pity.” She released an exaggerated sigh. “There’s an empty closet just behind the kitchen.”
His hands moved to the small of her back and his fingers began to knead the muscles beneath the bare skin there. Seconds seemed like hours while she waited for him to accept or reject her not-so-subtle offer.
“Carley,” he said finally in a soft, low tone. “Are you serious?”
A slow smile split her lips as she took a step back and captured his gaze. “Absolutely.”
“Go.” He released her abruptly. “Doubletime. I’ll only be a few minutes behind.”
Aroused out of her mind, she turned and headed for the kitchen as quickly as her high heels would allow. Tempted to peel them off and sprint, she kept a tight reign on her movement – no sense in alerting everyone in the room to the fact that she was headed for a decadent dessert before the main course.
She gave the chef a three-fingered wave as she negotiated the busy kitchen and then exited through a back door. Just a few steps away, she entered the closet and waited with her heart hammering in anticipation.
Ace waited until Carley entered the kitchen before he left his position and followed. He stopped only to let Chaos know he’d be outside the perimeter.
“I’m going to check out the kitchen,” he told his teammate.
Chaos stopped dancing and moved Kat to one side. “You have action?”
Not yet. “No, I just thought I’d nose around.”
“You need back-up?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Carley’s there,” Kat drawled.
Chaos smirked. “Do us a favor, unhook your microphone.”
Ace simply shook his head and covered the distance to the kitchen in long steps, working his tie loose from his collar on the way. Without a second thought, he crammed it into his suit pocket. Once he stood in front of the closet, he reached under his collar and disconnected the tiny, black wire. He reached for the doorknob, amused to see his hand shook with a case of nerves he hadn’t had in a very long time. He gave the knob a twist, opened the door, and stepped inside.
In the dimly lit nook, Carley stood with her back braced against one wall with a clothes rod just above her head. He reached to take one of her hands in his and gently urged her forward until she was once again in his arms.
“I’m too tall to dodge the rod.” He shrugged free of his suit coat, tossed it in one corner, but left his shoulder holster in place. “Sorry, it has to stay.”
She nodded. “Lock the door.”
Without releasing her completely, he leaned to one side and pressed a button on the edge of the knob and the ping in the silence was like the bell signaling the start of a boxing match. In seconds, he grasped her hips, lowered his head, and covered her lips with his.
A soft, feminine groan left her throat as she wrapped her arms around his middle and molded her curves to him. Through his shirt, her breasts rubbed his abdominals, the sequins on her top providing an added electrical sensation.
Suddenly, her fingers worked his shirt buttons loose until she opened the flaps of his shirt and laid her palms flat against the bare, taut muscles. “Skin,” she breathed against his lips.
Skin, indeed. Determined not to be outdone, he moved both hands to her back and unhooked the glittery barrier that hid her from him all evening. He slid his hands back to the front, catching her beautiful breasts as they spilled from the tight restraint. She moaned again. He took the cue and moved his fingers to caress both nipples, taking extra care to tweak each stiff peak while he played.
While he continued to move his lips over hers in a heated dance, his cock stretched and cursed behind his zipper, desperate to participate. He took a deep breath and willed the beast to behave; he would not take her in this closet no matter how strong the desperation. He would allow things to progress as far as his willpower would allow and then take a time-out. At least that was his plan until Carley reached between them and took his aching cock in hand.
His hips bucked forward, strengthening her hold, and suddenly he lost all rational thought. Willpower? Was there such a thing?
When his fingers tightened around her nipples, she sucked in a hard breath and then molded her hand around his cock. Adrenaline sent blood straight to the muscle and he hardened to the point of pain in her grasp.
He rocked gently against her in an effort to make her just as desperate as he, again thrown off guard when she loosened the glide on his pants and lowered the zipper. He damn near cried like a baby when she held him, skin on skin. Very slowly, she slid her grip up, down, and then up again. His knees weakened and he locked them, determined to stay upright while she continued her erotic assault.
With his cock happy for the moment, he lowered one hand, slipped it beneath her short skirt and moved it over the hidden treasure between her legs. The slick material covering her – silk, he assumed – did little to prevent his intrusion. In one easy movement, he pushed the barrier to one side and slid two fingers through her slick, warm heat.
Her mouth opene
d under his and tongues tangled in the sheer ecstasy of the moment. Her hand wrapped him in a tight squeeze, his fingers had discovered a delicate pleasure point, and in the very near future they’d both find complete satisfaction.
That is, until something annoying intruded on the tender moment.
He groaned, closed the kiss, and lifted his lips. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Her breathy whisper aroused him impossibly further, urging his brain to ignore the interruption and concentrate on her body.
Except, this time he heard the sound loud and clear. The blood-curdling screams were unmistakable for anything other than several terrified females.
“That.”
With his body in agony, he quickly slid his hands from her body and extricated himself from her hold. Her eyes widened as she reached behind and fumbled with the hook on her top.
“I heard it.”
He reached to reconnect the wire under his collar, crammed his hard-on into his pants, zipped, and then fastened the glide at his fly.
“Are you online, Ace?” Chaos crackled in his ear.
“Affirmative.” He quickly buttoned his shirt.
“Get the hell out here. We’ve got action.”
“Ten-four.” He glanced at Carley who still fought with her top. “Turn around, Baby.” He quickly hooked her top and then unsnapped his weapon from his shoulder holster. “Stay here.”
“Nuh-huh. My family and friends are out there.”
He reached and opened the door, deeming himself certifiably crazy for allowing her to accompany him. Yet, crazy or not, he knew she wouldn’t stay behind even if her ordered her to. “Then stay behind me. I have no idea what we’re walking into.”
“Ace,” Thunder growled in his earpiece, “what’s your ETA?”
“Right now,” he answered as they ran through the kitchen and skidded to a screeching halt just outside the double doors.
Pandemonium ensued as chairs scraped the concrete floor and guests stood, focused on the floor. Most of the women and some of the men stood on chairs and tables. A sea of gray and brown fur, slick tails, and beady eyes swarmed the area. Rats. And they were big ass rats who seemed to be extremely hungry. Normally good at remaining unseen, these critters didn’t seem to care that they caused such a ruckus.