by Lisa Lace
“Maybe the mask simply gives me the confidence to tell you how beautiful you are.”
My cheeks flush. Are my knees weak? It seems I’m easily swept off my feet. But how could I not be? The whole evening is a dream come true. After all the hard work and rejection it’s taken to get this far, I deserve a perfect night. I deserve Prince Charming. I don’t care if this stranger in the mask is a janitor or a superstar—he’s making this night even more wondrous, and I want to have my Disney moment.
I blink my eyes to snap myself out of my daydreams. Jane is here somewhere, and I should probably find her. I look around trying to spot that stunning blue gown.
“Is everything alright?”
“I’m looking for my partner. Jane.”
The stranger sweeps his gaze around the room then pulls me closer to him. It’s the second time he’s done that, and the second time I haven’t resisted. I like the way he leads me with confidence. It adds to the fantasy of being whisked off into a fairy-tale night.
“She’s more likely to notice you if you’re dancing.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m sure you look incredible when you dance.”
I look around again and spot Jane talking enthusiastically with two men by the bar. She’s smiling widely, waving her hands around as she talks, and laughing after every other word. There are two glasses of champagne in her hands, although she’s almost emptied one of those. Her face is flushed a pretty pink. She’s having the time of her life.
And I’m having the time of mine.
“It looks like my partner got distracted, anyway.”
“Let’s dance, then.”
“I’d like that.”
There’s a new artist onstage, a band, playing some ethereal, haunting love song that’s slow and beautiful. The lead singer has an almost operatic voice, enchanting, but the lyrics are hard to discern. I can’t even tell if she’s singing in English. It doesn’t matter—the sound she’s making is heavenly.
My mystery man takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. He places his hand on the small of my back and pulls me toward him so fast I almost stumble, but he is holding me tight. I know I won’t fall. He takes my hand in his. He stands straight and tall, his head held high. It’s like he’s danced a thousand dances—just like a fairy-tale prince. When he starts spinning me, I feel like I’ve danced a thousand dances, too. He’s practically lifting me off my feet as he turns with me in his arms. My step catches up to match his, and we turn in circles together, effortlessly.
We talk as we dance.
“Were you born in LA?” he asks me.
“West Hollywood. You?”
“Beverly Hills.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You weren’t kidding when you said you had a reputation. I doubt anyone who lives in Beverly Hills doesn’t.”
He chuckles. “We’re all people at the end of the day. We all tick the same way.”
“I’m sure you’d tick differently if you lived in Skid Row.”
“Is it as bad as they say?”
“You’ve never been?”
“I can’t say I have.”
I let out a long breath. “How can I explain it? It’s rough, sometimes frightening, dirty, cramped, poor…but, it’s home, and it’s given me a hell of a lot to write about. Life isn’t fair. There is injustice even in America, even down the street from Beverly Hills. I want to share that story.”
“Are you a singer or an activist?”
I laugh. “Maybe both. Music talks to people. That’s all I know.”
“With you singing, I know they’d listen.”
“And Jane, too.”
He doesn’t respond, he only draws me closer. The music is even slower now. I rest my head against his chest and let him spin me in slow circles. I can’t remember the last time I felt so content and at ease. In this very moment, I could die happy.
“Tell me, Ivy,” he whispers in my ear when our heads are close, “is this feeling only the excitement of being here, or is it chemistry? All I know is I don’t want to stop dancing with you.”
My heart flutters in my chest, and my breath catches in my throat. I lift my eyes to gaze at him. I can’t make out any features of his face. I can only see he has dark hair and feel that he has a toned, athletic body with strong arms and broad shoulders. Arms I could easily fall into.
“Whatever it is, it’s making me want to kiss you,” I answer.
They’re not words I would usually say, but I’m glad I said them. I want to make this moment last forever and soak up every possible second of wonder, so if this ends up being the only night of my life where all my dreams come true, at least I’ll know I didn’t let a single bit of it slip away.
He reaches for the bottom of his mask. I close my eyes and raise myself on my tiptoes, lifting my chin and preparing for a kiss.
He presses his mouth down over mine. His lips are both soft and rough at the same time. His tongue, when it presses into my mouth for just a moment, is warm. He tastes of champagne. I let my lips part to allow my tongue to trail over his.
My heart is thumping so hard I could faint. I’m dizzy. The kiss lingers, and I’m on cloud nine.
I’ve never been this happy.
Lucas
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ivy’s voice is a high-pitched scream. She presses both hands against my chest and pushes me away.
“What’s wrong?”
She widens her eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you serious, Lucas? You tricked me.”
“How did I trick you?”
I follow her as she weaves her way through the crowd and exits the main room into a quieter room near the bathrooms. Her face is flushed and her breathing heavy. She tears off her mask and comes to a stop, leaning against the wall.
She glares up at me. “I wouldn’t have kissed you if I had known it was you.”
“Because your father doesn’t like mine?” I raise my eyebrows and reach out for her hand. “That’s no reason to deny chemistry.”
Ivy rips her hand away and folds her arms over her chest. “I was caught up in the moment. I thought you were…”
“A random stranger?” I guess. “You’d rather dance with anyone but me, is that it?” I frown. “You know, I’m really not the devil you think I am. I asked my father about his relationship with yours. He has quite a different story.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m sure he does.”
Ivy picks her dress up at the knee to raise the hem above her ankles, and her eyes dart side to side as she searches for an exit. “I have to go.”
“Why? What’s the hurry?”
“The party’s over.”
“The night is young.”
Ivy’s face creases in distress. “What do you want from me, Lucas? You think flirting with me is going to win me over to your label? You think if you make me swoon, I’ll do whatever you want?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why go to all that effort to pretend you were someone else?”
“Because I think you’re very beautiful, and you don’t have the slightest idea how talented you are. I think your lyrics are poignant, and your humility is refreshing. All in all, you seem like someone I’d really like to get to know.”
“You don’t have to butter me up.”
“It’s not like that. You intrigue me, that’s all.”
“Well, I don’t know how things are usually done by you big shots up here in Hollywood, but in the real world, you don’t always get what you want, and tricking someone to get it isn’t okay. You don’t get a free pass because you’re Lucas Fox.”
“And you don’t get a free pass because you’re Ivy Evans. When I meet someone who stands out from the endless parade of shallow, selfish women I spend my working life with, I pursue her.”
She examines my face with sharp, suspicious eyes. She taps her clutch purse against her rib cage as she thinks and glances longingly back toward the dance floor before returning her gaze to min
e.
“I don’t trust you.”
I shake my head. “I’m not my father, and I resent the presumption. You have no reason to distrust me.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Really? First, you stalk me to a wedding you weren’t invited to. Then, you put on a mask to try and trick me into whatever it is you were hoping this would lead to. You’re not exactly being forthcoming with your intentions.”
“That’s fair. To be forthcoming, Miss Evans, I would very much like to take you back to my place this evening, share a few drinks, and get to know you without any kind of business talk involved.” She looks so damned sexy in that dress, even sexier with her eyes so fierce. When the anger fades, her blonde hair frames a face wearing a torn expression.
“I’m not looking for a hookup,” she says.
“Are you sure? Because you didn’t hesitate to kiss the man in the mask.”
Ivy turns away. “I didn’t know it was you.”
“So the only thing holding you back is the fact I’m Lucas Fox and not Lucas Anybody-Else? Believe it or not, I have a life, and a personality, that extends beyond my job. Maybe you’d enjoy getting to know me as much as I’d enjoy getting to know you. You certainly seemed to enjoy getting to know me on the dance floor.”
“Enough. I’m going to find Jane.”
Ivy steps past me and doesn’t look back as she walks briskly back to the party.
I watch her leave, frustrated, embarrassed, and feeling like a fool. Her rejection only makes me want her more. It’s clearer than ever that she’s not another wannabe who’ll sleep her way to the top but a genuine and dedicated person with real talent and strong principles. I admire that.
Not to mention the way she looks in that dress with her golden hair and bright eyes.
I don’t follow Ivy. The last thing I want is to come across as a predator. As much as I want nothing more than to take her back to my place and fuck her, I’d never use my position to force myself on anybody.
I can only hope my attempt to hit on her hasn’t damaged my chances of signing her to the label.
An hour or so later, I head outside to wait for my limo. The last of the guests are outside, waiting for their rides. The stragglers seem to be those who have made the most of the open bar, so there is a lot of hysterical laughter and loud, drunken banter. Masks have now come off, fallen lopsided, or been swapped around with other guests. Everyone looks slightly less refined than when they arrived.
Among those left standing around is Ivy. I’m surprised to see her still here. I assumed she would have left after our conversation. Instead, she’s standing at the top of the steps, looking around desperately.
I approach her. “Are you alright?”
She flicks her gaze up to me and forces a smile. “Yes. I’ve lost Jane, that’s all.”
“I see. I can wait with you if you like.”
Ivy bites down on her lip then nods. “Thanks.”
“Are you cold?”
“A little.”
I take off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders. She pulls it tighter and lifts her face to smile at me. Any anger has vanished. She’s calmed down after her initial shock and is now looking at me with her own intrigue.
“You know, you’d have got much further acting like this, like a gentleman, than trying to go undercover.” She laughs. “What were you thinking?”
I chuckle and shrug. “I don’t know. I guess it was the desperate attempt of a man not used to rejection. You really do look beautiful tonight, you know.”
She blushes and bows her head. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
I put my hands in my pockets and lean back against the wall. “Could you see yourself living this life?”
Ivy looks around then nods slowly. “I think so. I mean, God, it’s just so glamorous, isn’t it? So exciting.”
“It is. It can also be draining, and frustrating, and really hard work.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” Her smile lights up her eyes even more.
“You were the most talented person in there tonight.”
That’s kind of you to say.”
I shake my head. “I’m not being kind. It’s true. You must have seen how they swarmed toward you.”
“Jane and I have been waiting for a chance like this.” She lifts her gaze to mine, looking up at me from under her soft, pale lashes. “We both owe you for bringing us here.”
“You did the legwork. Getting into Alibis is no easy feat.”
“It was a nightmare,” Ivy agrees. “There were auditions, and then a ridiculous waiting list…”
“Just as well,” I say.
“What do you mean?”
“If you’d been there any earlier, I might have missed you.”
“You know, I haven’t decided yet whether I can work with Fox Records.”
“What about Jane? This isn’t just your decision, you know.”
“You’re trying to guilt trip me now, is that it?” She raises her eyebrows in surprise, but she isn’t offended. In fact, she seems amused by my persistence.
“It’s no secret, Ivy—I want to be the one who discovers you.”
“We’ll see.”
“You should give me a chance to prove I’m a better man than my father. I would work hard for you. And…if you ever thought you might want to get to know me, in the nonbusiness sense, I would treat you with respect. I admire what you and Jane have done on your own, and I know that it takes a very creative and soulful person to write lyrics like yours. I’m seeing more than dollar signs, Ivy. I think you’re someone I’d really like to know.”
“Ivy!”
The call comes from behind us where Jane is standing with a group of guests from the party. She breaks away from them and runs over to us. Her hair is wild and frizzy after a night of dancing, and her smile can’t be contained. She grabs at Ivy’s hand and plays with her fingers as she tells her excitedly about her night.
“You wouldn’t believe all the people I’ve been talking to, Ivy. Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!”
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Jane waves a hand in the air. “It doesn’t matter.” She pulls Ivy toward her and lowers her voice confidentially. She turns around and points at a young man in the group, whom I know to be Tobias Braye, an on-air personality and DJ. “We haven’t been able to stop talking all night. He’s invited me home with him.”
Ivy widens her eyes, gripping Jane’s arm protectively. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Don’t be a killjoy. Look at him. He’s gorgeous.”
“Sure, but you’ve had a lot to drink. Maybe get his number and meet up with him another time? We’re supposed to be at work, after all.”
Jane throws back her head and laughs loudly. “I’m networking.”
“He hasn’t made you any promises, has he?”
“Only to blow my mind in the bedroom.”
“The limo is waiting for us.”
“It’s okay. Toby’s giving me a ride. He’s got a limo, too. This whole place is flooded with them!” She grins. “It’s amazing.”
“I know. Just be careful not to get carried away. Keep yourself safe.”
Jane rolls her eyes. “I’m fine. I’m a grown woman.” She pauses and casts Ivy a playful look. “And so are you. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for you to go home with a man.” She looks across to me, back to Ivy, then winks. “How about Lucas?”
Ivy ignores her last remark and continues to mother Jane. “Is your cell charged? Call me if you need anything.”
“I will, Mom.”
“See you when I see you then, I guess…”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jane lifts herself onto her tiptoes to plant a friendly kiss on Ivy’s cheek. “This night has been incredible. Bye.”
“Bye.”
After Jane walks back to the group then into the limo with Toby, Ivy looks deflated. Her shoulders slump, and she
clutches her purse mournfully.
“There she goes.” She sighs. “I thought this night was going to be about us, together.”
“She’s just letting loose a little, that’s all.”
“The limo seems less exciting when you’re on your own.”
“You don’t have to go home alone. My offer still stands.”
Ivy hesitates a moment, looking from me to the empty limo then nods. “You’ve convinced me. Let’s go to your place. I want to find out about the man behind the mask.”
Ivy
The truth is I don’t want this night to end, and I don’t want to go home alone.
Everything about this night has been extraordinary, from the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood stars to the sheer joy I felt when those spotlights were on me, and I was singing to an audience of industry professionals.
More than anything, dancing with Lucas felt wonderful. I can’t remember the last time I danced with a man, kissed someone, had a boyfriend, or even looked twice at a guy. But tonight, I let someone sweep me onto the dance floor and felt my troubles melt away. I felt right in his arms.
When I saw Lucas’s face and realized I’d been dancing with the one man I should stay far away from, my automatic reaction was to flee. But as soon as I stepped into a different room, I immediately missed the excitement and contentment I’d felt throughout the night with him. Once the shock wore off, I was left with this strange feeling of curiosity and longing.
Plain and simple: Lucas surprised me. Talking to him tonight, I saw another side to him.
And now here we are. Sitting beside him in his limo, I don’t know where to look. I’m not sure what Lucas’s hoping for this evening, and I’m not sure what I’m hoping for, either. All I know is that when I look at him, my whole body aches with desire, and it’s an effort to tamp down the fire and remember what he represents: opportunity, hope, a real career.
Keep your wits about you, Ivy. Don’t do anything you can’t take back.
I sneak a glance at Lucas. He looks more attractive than ever. He’s wearing a formal black suit with a bow tie he’s just loosened, and he’s undone the top button of his shirt. His hair is slightly ruffled at the front from wearing his mask, which makes him look less perfect and more real somehow. As we drive under streetlamps and past store lights, his face flickers. The shadows catch the long, straight lines of his face, with its strong cheekbones, perfect nose, and chiseled jaw.