The Agent

by Ellen Lane

  At least, that was the plan until he saw her.

  For a moment, Russell was too stunned to move. He merely stared at the woman in a skintight golden dress directly across from him as she laughed with Regina before toasting her with a glass of bubbly.

  There was no doubting it: Alice Tate was here. In the flesh.

  Dimly Russell tried to recall seeing her name on the guest list. It wasn’t as if he’d gone over it with a fine-toothed comb, but surely he would have noticed her.

  Apparently not.

  Like a moth drawn to a flame, he straightened from the wall, downing the rest of his drink in one swallow. In the back of his mind, he felt it- the niggling inkling of doubt that was always there – always pressing. But for once, Russell decided to ignore it.

  He was sure that Alice had worn that dress to get attention – it wouldn’t hurt to simply welcome her to the party, would it?

  **

  It had been next to nothing to get herself invited to Regina Alderman’s thirty-first birthday party. She was a close friend of Amelia’s besides sharing the same agent, and so Alice secured her invitation within the week. Of course, making excuses for why she was jaunting off to America was harder.

  Alice wondered why she had never considered that her brother, in his own way, might be as overprotective as Elias was of Cat. He always wanted to know where she was going and what she was doing.

  The last time she checked her phone she had two missed calls from the man. She was tempted to call his bride-to-be and tell her to reign in her fiancé. Rose might very well sympathize with her – she had to live with the man.

  But Alice would worry about Michael later. Right now, she was busy pretending to enjoy a party she was pretty sure was liquid opulence.

  Not exactly her style.

  But then again, she hadn’t come for the festivities. If she was lucky, she might run into the one person who’d been plaguing her since the day she met him.

  Of course, Alice’s plan was completely self-servicing. The moment she decided she was coming to America, she decided that, instead of pursuing the man, she was going to prove that she could overcome him. Once she saw him and realized that he didn’t even begin to live up to what she had imagined, she would be able to go back to London and get on with her life.

  Alice was confident that she was being silly in her slight obsession- that this little jaunt across the pond would settle things permanently.

  And she remained firm in that conviction until the moment she laid eyes on Russell.

  Alice was on her way to get a spinach puff from the tempting array on the far wall when he came striding out of seemingly nowhere. She was suddenly very glad she was in a crowded ballroom. If not for that, she was certain someone would see her standing stark still, gaping like an absolute loon.

  For a woman who loved fashion, Russell Darwell was an absolute dream. The man was impeccably well-dressed in a pair of dark khaki slacks, a crisp button up, blue blazer and amazing shoes she recognized to be the work of a very exclusive Italian designer. And around his neck, tucked very jauntily, was what she knew to be a scarf from her own fall collection.

  Alice didn’t know whether to be pleased, shocked or even further intrigued. Did the man know he was wearing her line? Did he do it on purpose? Or did he just have an impeccably good taste? As much as she’d like to believe the latter, the former was far more interesting.

  He didn’t pretend to be interested in anyone else. Rather, the man sidled right up to her with a charming smile that set off his roguish good looks. “Alice Tate. Fancy running into you here.”

  She wanted to rappel up the man like a bloody tree, but Alice quickly reminded herself that he had rejected her. It wouldn’t look too flattering to seem overly interested. “Mr. Darwell.” Despite these intentions, however, she couldn’t keep the genuine warmth from her smile. “I assume that your Regina’s agent?”

  She did so love playing coy.

  “That I am.” When he took her hand to kiss it, Alice held her breath. His lips against her skin sent a spark racing up her arm that made her knees weak, and she swallowed thickly. Evidently, this wasn’t going to be as easy as she had hoped.

  “Are you in a habit of kissing the hands of every woman you meet?” She inquired breathlessly. Russell merely smiled as he straightened.

  “Only the exceptionally striking ones.” He was flirting with her. Right off the bloody bat. What a three sixty! First, he couldn’t wait to get away from her and now she was striking.

  “How was your business in Scotland?” She changed the subject abruptly, gazing up at him. In truth, she was hoping to catch him in a lie. It would explain a lot if the man had never really had an engagement outside London in the first place. But she was woefully disappointed.

  “Exhausting.” He returned promptly. “A morning of scheduling film shoots and promising things I only hope I can deliver.”

  “Sounds like a perfectly workaholic getaway, then.” He laughed at her assessment, shaking his head slowly at her sarcasm.

  “I might have enjoyed an evening spent with you more.”

  Alice did her best to hide her shock. “I suppose you might have. Now we’ll never know.” Alice resisted the urge to imply he should ask her out again. She made a habit of turning her back on men who scorned her – even if they were few and far between.

  That being her policy, she was still standing before Russell Darwell. And she didn’t think she had any intention of moving anytime soon.

  “Miss Tate, might I say that you have a supreme talent for leaving a man wanting.” The words were uttered with the utmost respect, but Alice couldn’t mistake the gleam of interest in Russell’s eye. She merely batted her lashes at him, for once, giving into the reputation that preceded her.

  “Not intentionally, I assure you.”

  The flashed raised his drink to take a sip, his gaze never leaving hers over the edge of the glass. “Of course not.”

  Though Alice might have liked to pursue the matter further – she had Darwell right where she wanted him – at that precise moment, their little bubble burst.

  “Russell! Took some time off to come to your own party!” A burly arm came from behind to wrap around Russell’s shoulder, and Alice looked over in surprise to see none other than David Wright – one of the most popular American film stars of the past decade. Alice had just gone to see one of his dramas the previous week with Rose, and, despite having met a number of important, influential people in her life, she found herself momentarily star-struck. David was joined by another film star she recognized, Juliet Marigold. According to tabloids, the two may or may not be dating.

  “It’s not explicitly my party.” Russell’s profession only made David grin as he patted the man on the back.

  “Don’t think Regina’s organized enough to plan all of this, even if she is the birthday girl.”

  “It’s fabulous, Russell.” Juliet was known for her striking gray eyes and her fashionable blonde pixie cut. “I’m sure she’s having a great time!”

  “Russell.” At that precise moment, David seemed to realize he’d interrupted a conversation as his eyes slid to Alice. She gave the man a cheeky little grin, waggling her fingers. Though quite good looking, she had the impression that movie stars weren’t often as intelligent as they were made out to be. “Who is this lovely creature, I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”

  Seeing as how Juliet didn’t throw a fit when David issued the compliment, Alice thought it safe to assume that the tabloids were wrong about their relationship status. “Ah, David, Juliet.” Russell chuckled, gesturing to Alice grandly. “May I have the pleasure of presenting Alice Tate.”

  Juliet, to her merit, immediately began to gush. “Not the Alice Tate. The designer? You’re fucking gorgeous, look at that dress! I love your work! I have nearly every piece from your fall collection.”

  “You flatter me.” Alice grinned, shaking the blonde woman’s hand in greeting. As appreciative as she wa
s, she really wished this pair would bugger off so she could continue conversing with Russell.

  “Do you design for men?” David was immediately front and center, his gaze only an iota away from sexual deviancy and Alice swallowed her laugh. Well, at least the American was very frank with his interests.

  “Not presently,” She answered truthfully. “Though,” her gaze slid to Russell’s, who was eying her with an oddly possessive look in his eye. “You’re not the first to ask.”

  “Alice is actually in town for the party, I assume.” Russell butted in, looking to her for confirmation, and Alice had to wonder if it wasn’t the smallest iota of jealousy she was witnessing.

  How delicious. “That’s right. I’m leaving the city in another day or two.”

  “What, before we can show you around?” Russell’s gaze flickered from the film star to her and then back again, and this time, he was definitely territorial.

  “Hey, David…isn’t the film you and Regina are starting in a few months still in the market for a costume designer?”

  The slightly shorter man looked to Russell in surprise when he spoke quickly, arching a brow.

  “That’s right.” Juliet’s face lit up as she looked back to Alice, clearly excited. “The guy they had on board bailed at the last minute to do some indie flick. Alice, you should definitely meet with the director. The movie is a gothic horror piece, I’m sure your design would be amazing…”

  Alice’s eyes widened in complete surprise.

  Dear Lord, how had this happened? In the space of an hour, she’d gone from telling herself she’d be rid of Russell, to being enthralled by him, to being…offered a job? People truly did move fast in The States.

  “Well…I’ll see if I can get in contact with him, perhaps…assess his needs…”

  “I can set up a meeting.” Russell interjected politely, his expression earnest. “If, indeed, you are interested.”

  What was this man? Alice had never before met his like.

  Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she gazed up at him – and right past David, so there was no mistaking to whom she was speaking. “I’ll take some time to think it over and get back to you.”

  “Great.’ David had a thousand kilowatt smile that Alice was sure had felled many a woman – but she wasn’t going to be entrapped by it. Not when there were bigger fish to be had.

  Since David and Juliet had come to join them, it was only polite that they entertain the two. For about half an hour, they talked about film and ridiculous shooting schedules in exotic locales, and when Juliet finally claimed to need a drink refill, Russell managed to persuade David that he should be the one to go.

  It was astounding, Alice realized, that the man could be such a complete gentleman and still covertly get people to do what he wanted them to.

  “I was beginning to think they’d never leave.” She sighed the moment they were gone, refilling her own drink from a passing attendant.

  Russell mimicked shock. “You mean you weren’t veritably star-struck by the man trying to see through your clothes.”

  Alice grimaced before laughing. He had noticed. “So, I wasn’t just imagining it. He was staring unabashedly at my chest.”

  “Even though I’m not his agent, I hope you’ll allow me to apologize for him.” Russell stepped close to her, and for one fleeting moment, Alice thought the man might kiss her. Instead, he merely brushed past her as he reached over her shoulder to usurp a shrimp from a tray.

  As his scent filtered through her senses, Alice resisted the urge to lean against him – to wrap her arms around him and see if he was really anywhere near as interested in her as she was in him.

  “I won’t. Perhaps if I work on his film, he’ll get to make his own apologies.”

  Russell didn’t seem to find that particular idea as entertaining as she did. His mouth twitched into what was unmistakably a frown before he spoke again. “I’d be wary of him if I were you. He’s got a string of broken hearts a mile long behind him.”

  “Does he?” Alice arched a brow in inquiry. “And what about you, Russell? No skeletons in your closet? I dare say you’re the perfect man.”

  He merely winked winningly at her, giving nothing away. “No such thing, my darling. None at all.”

  Though Alice had promised herself that she would eventually greet the birthday girl and pretend to be enjoying the party at hand, she spent the majority of the evening enjoying Russell’s company. The party was a clichéd mash up of celebrities getting drunk and trying to outdo one another while conversing with Russell was almost the exact opposite. He drank very slowly, and whether he was truly interested in what she had to say or not, he very duly played the part.

  Alice learned that he would be spending the next six months on the west coast of the States during the filming of Regina’s movie. As luck would have it, Amelia also had a play opening in San Diego during the winter as well, so he’d be able to kill two birds with one stone. It seemed to Alice that the man was forever travelling – yet he didn’t give the air of someone who was world weary at all. In fact, Russell seemed to be enchanted by the world he lived in – and why wouldn’t he be? He was unquestionably a king in his domain.

  And Alice found it incredibly sexy.

  She didn’t think she had ever encountered a man with as much casual confidence as Russell Darwell. He was attractive, intelligent, fashionable and interesting without any apparent effort – and despite her best intentions, Alice couldn’t help but like him. He was also unique in the fact that she had no idea whether or not he was similarly interested in her. He thought her attractive, yes, but entire slews of men thought she was attractive.

  She wanted Russell to want her – to need her…it was a foreign feeling for her, a woman thoroughly convinced that she would never need a man at all. Indeed, she’d flown three thousand miles in hopes that she might see him, and in that evening.

  At the same time, seeing just how much power Russell wielded in the American film industry gave her a bit of pause. Though Alice had never before had any reservations about courting powerful men, for the first time, she wondered exactly how much of her overinflated reputation had reached Russell’s ears.

  And how people might look at her for cozying up to him.

  Though Alice had been in tabloids that several times proclaimed her a woman who slept with others to get ahead, the gossip and scandal had never really bothered her.

  At least not until now.

  “So, I assume that with all the work you’re wrapped up in, your schedule is virtually packed.” After lamenting over two particularly difficult clients, Alice found she couldn’t help herself. As impressive as he was, the man must be exhausted. Certainly, he could take a break – they could finagle both of their schedules and maybe, just maybe…

  Just then, a table near the back of the ballroom went toppling over and they both turned to look. Alice grimaced to see that it was the birthday girl herself – careening into a champagne tower. Luckily, one of her friends grabbed her before she ruined her dress but the table was absolutely finished.

  And the commotion was immense.

  In the two or three minutes it took for everyone to laugh things off, Russell went into work mode. “Oh, bloody hell. Regina’s started early.”

  Damn. Double damn. One look at the man’s stern expression was enough to let Alice know she’d lost his attention for the evening. She forced a smile onto her face. “Maybe you should go check on her.”

  “I think I will.” The man stroked his goatee, his expression worried – and then, all at once, his eyes swung back to the woman standing before him. “But don’t think it means I’ll forget you, Alice. You will call me about the film, won’t you?”

  He took her shoulders in a firm but gentle grip before tipping up her chin so they could see eye to eye. “I’m sure you’d be a perfect fit.”

  Bloody Christ when he looked at her like that, Alice could swear they were the only two people in the world that existed. At t
hat particular moment, she hated Regina. She hoped the actress was laid out in a coma the next day for the trouble she’d caused.

  Perhaps Russell would call her to tell her about it.

  The man withdrew a card from his breast pocket with two dexterous fingers. “My direct number, darling. For when you make your decision.” With that, he bent down for what Alice was sure was meant to be a very proprietary, friendly kiss.

  Instead, the man’s mouth brushed the corner of hers in a gesture both surprisingly intimate and sensual. His whiskers scratched ever so slightly against her skin, making her shiver, and Alice fancied she could taste him – the bitter tang of the bourbon he drank and a fresh, alluring flavor that was just the surface of the man who plagued her every waking moment. “I’ll talk to you soon.” The words were murmured softly against her ear a moment before Russell straightened, headed for his inebriated client.

  Alice could only watch him go, her heart racing inordinately. As it hammered against her ribs, she wondered what on earth had gotten into her, that a completely unintimate kiss had so aroused her?

  It was clear that Russell was poisoning her mind.

  The problem was, she couldn’t decide whether she abhorred or adored him for it.

  **

  True to her word, Alice returned to England two days after the party, Russell’s card firmly in hand. Once she was back in her London penthouse, however, faced with real life and the enormity of the choice before her, she realized that she had no idea what to do with it.

  Alice stewed over a few hours in her studio before heading to see her brother. After all, he’d been calling her almost nonstop for the past week so she supposed she wouldn’t be entirely uninvited if she showed up at his flat after his hospital shift.

  As she had a key, she intended to let herself in and raid his liquor cabinet, but she was surprised to find the man home at two in the afternoon. He answered the door in only a pair of flannel bottoms and a t-shirt, and his sister arched a brow at his haggard appearance.