CHAPTER TWO

Vaughn

The coffee shop bustled with caffeine-addicted people on Thursday night, wearing flip flops and thin shirts in the hot and muggy June air.

Not Vaughn.

He wore a full tux, complete with Knights’ signature black stone cufflinks, with a diamond chip off-centered. Waiting at a table in the back, the white rose was the signal for his new client to identify him. For a formal event a few blocks over.

Stares and smiles from the surrounding patrons didn’t unnerve him. On the contrary, it wasn’t a shocker he looked good. Better than good. That was part of his job requirement.

This new client would get the VIP treatment.

The barista had included her phone number on the cup with his water. The brunette had similar red highlights as Vaughn, but his were natural.

The job request came with no additional information, other than a formal charity event with a single woman. No phone contact, no preference sheet, just a name. Caroline.

Look for the gray dress.

The door opened, and a crowd of people walked in. An older couple arm-in-arm, a gaggle of teenagers, and two men in casual sport coats. Which meant the movie theater around the corner just let out.

Behind them entered a dark-haired woman, but she was blocked by the grouping. Through everyone’s legs, he made out super-high sparkly heels, strapped over her delicate feet and perfectly manicured toes.

Eventually, the crowd moved, revealing her dazzling gray dress, a one shoulder marvel of satin that skimmed just above her knees. More like shimmery pewter, hugging her body in delectable ways, with a built-in corset frame, lifting up her breasts in a tasteful cleavage leaving just enough to Vaughn’s imagination.

Her dark hair was pulled back into a braided French twist, with a gemstone covered clasp. Elegance defined.

That wasn’t what had Vaughn’s jaw on the floor.

“Cora?”

Her gaze met his from across the room, and her pleasant blush-colored smile vanished. Even her cheeks pinked over, and she paled in two seconds as she openly gawked with those hazel eyes.

“Vaughn?” She pulled her clutch to her stomach. The same color as her dress. A dress that deserved a spot among the natural wonders of the world.

He slowly approached. He could never forget Cora Castillo’s face. The awkward, raven-haired girl from high school had grown up into one drop-dead gorgeous goddess.

Her pink lips were parted, her gaze following him in an open gawk.

At least we have that in common.

Vaughn handed her the rose, and swallowed, just to regain his composure, slipping his other hand in his pocket. “This is one extremely pleasant surprise.”

“I didn’t know…you’re from the agency?”

He nodded. There was no force on Earth that could stop his emerging smile.

She bit her lip, and he was instantly jealous.

He wanted to bite that for her. Among other parts of her.

Get a grip. She’s a client.

“It’s been a very long time…” Her voice turned breathy, and the pink returned to her cheeks. “Weren’t you in Miami, doing something with cruise ships?”

His heart skipped. She’d kept tabs on him? “I moved here over a year ago. What brings you to Texas?”

Cora swallowed. “Work.”

“I can see you’re doing extremely well.” His gaze traveled down her body, and then back up.

The hair clip at her French twist was ivy leaves entwined around a small dagger. Simple diamond earrings finished off her glamorous look, with no necklace.

“What do you do?”

She blinked, and the vein in her neck ticked up in tempo. “Let’s…” She pressed her lips together. “Have a seat, and we’ll get started.”

Cora

Holy mother of hell.

Vaughn Ayers stood in front of Cora in the sexiest tux she’d ever seen, the man dripping with more magnetism than he’d possessed in high school. A feat she’d assumed impossible.

That wasn’t her biggest problem.

Her cover was blown.

So much for Caroline Lake.

The man had grown into his toned muscles and angular face too well. The hint of red stubble on his cheeks gave him a much older and refined presence than the juvenile she remembered. Those indigo eyes were exactly the same. Piercing, trusting, and completely irresistible.

So unfair.

They were glued to her, instead of the dozen other women hanging off his shoulder from junior year.

“Where’d you end up?” he asked.

“End up?”

“You moved senior year. Just up and vanished, not a word since.”

She took a deep breath. Wake up, woman. Figure out if I continue the con or not. “D.C. My father’s job.”

“Lawyer, right?”

“He was a lobbyist.”

His smile slipped. “Was?”

“He passed a few years ago.” Her throat went dry.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He adjusted his tux, and scraped his jaw. “What are you doing now?”

Cora’s heart fluttered, and she grabbed his water from the table. “Do you mind?” Before he answered, she gulped it down.

When did it become the freaking Sahara in here?

“I’m in antiquities,” she finally answered. Get back to the job. The cover. “Which is why I’m going to this event tonight.”

“For which you needed a date?”

She nodded, a lump growing at the base of her throat blocking off her voice.

“Please, don’t take this the wrong way, but why in the world do you have to hire me? You’re absolutely stunning, if I may say so.”

Heat flooded her face. “Thank you. I didn’t want any kind of romantic…entanglements. This is strictly business. It’s more appropriate if I bring along a date.”

Those eyes studied her a little too closely. “Appropriate for appearances, or another purpose?”

“Um…” Cora forced a deep breath. “I thought escorts were strictly appearances.”

“Knights. And there’s a hell of a lot more than appearances to my service.”

“Right. Obviously.” She licked her lip. “But, that’s not why I hired you. I just need a…a…”

Where the hell did my brain go?

“A wingman,” he finished for her, leaning forward.

“Exactly.” Focus on the job. She straightened her shoulders. “Portia Conway is the heiress to a large auction company, specializing in historical antiquities. They deal in high-valued artifacts and collectibles, and partner with a dozen foundations. Society’s elite attend these exclusive formal events, and she raises insane money.”

“And you want her as your benefactor, or client?”

“Both.” In a sense.

“Gotcha.” Vaughn sat up. “So, tell me what you need from me. Pose as the significant other, or associate?”

“Associate.”

“Do you want me to imply an interest?”

Damn, how I wish he would’ve asked that in high school. “I want you to imply availability.”

He tilted his head, his eyes playful.

She lowered her voice. “Ms. Conway is widowed, and is known for a seasonal boy-toy, if you will. With younger men.”

“A cougar.”

“Tastefully. The men aren’t college-aged or anything, but they’re never older than thirty-five.”

“You want me to flirt with her, make her assume the door is open, so she’ll be more willing to broach a professional relationship with you, and coincidentally have access to me.”

Cora blinked, a smile tugging at her lips. “You catch on quick.”

“Not my first rodeo.”

“That’s why I hired a professional.”

Something flickered across his face, too fast for her to identify. Perhaps disappointment, or just his business mode. It left her heart a little deflated.

“Ready to go?” She stood. Burying her guilt in her stomach over the oncoming deception was harder than she expected this time.

She’d need a few extra antacids by the end of this job.

“Last question.” Vaughn gently grabbed her hand. “Am I arriving with Caroline, tonight? Is Cora off-limits?”