CHAPTER TWO
Dorian
Dorian splashed after-shave on his neck, allowing the burn to wake him from his day’s rest. He’d left his face unshaven, letting the five o’clock shadow grow into a short beard. Only a few spots needed a trim. When the sting faded, he patted dry and slipped on a fresh white dress shirt.
Another appointment on the books with a repeat client, this one for a company’s fundraiser. Black tie events were Dorian’s specialty.
Marathon weekends like this were always a bit brutal, adjusting to the temporary vampire schedule, and multiple formal or business-formal events. Clients paid extremely well for things like this.
For him.
He draped the bowtie around his collar, and adjusted the black-stone cuff links. A gift from his boss, Duane Wilkes, when he’d started in the business a year ago. They matched well with the tuxedo he’d bought a few months before.
A wardrobe necessity, after all, his schedule was flooded with formal events. All of the Knights in their agency received the same pair of cufflinks. The official welcome into the Knights of Texas Agency.
When the smoldering image was complete, he locked his condo and entered the elevator. He was so grateful when the building manager had agreed to get rid of the ridiculous elevator music. Why have such a cliché in a grand elevator made for the residents in the opulent high-rise. In the lobby, the doors parted, and there she stood. Glancing at her smartphone again, but this time flushed and her hair wispy. Like she was running late for something.
Dorian inwardly groaned. Desire to lock his lips to that out-of-breath look hit him in the gut…or maybe lower. Like she’d been good and kissed, among other things.
She looked up again, and the flush deepened, spreading to her ears. She swallowed.
“Grace.” Her name came out like the finish to a prayer. Soft and ethereal.
The object of his burn pressed her lips together again. “Mr. West.” Her voice was low, almost scratchy.
He loved the way it sounded.
She cleared her throat. “Another date? How do you keep all their names straight?”
He smirked. “I write them on my hand.”
The corner of her mouth lifted, but Grace coughed, and wiped it away. “Your tie is crooked.”
Dorian grinned. “I love your pick up lines. Care to fix it for me?” He raised a playful brow, and leaned forward a little.
“I’m sure you can manage.”
“Yes. I can. Very well.” He winked.
“Grace!” A man walked through the lobby doors, in his sixties, gray-haired with thin glasses and a teddy bear smile. “I’m so glad I caught you.”
“Tom. I got held up in the office. I’m on my way to go change.”
Dorian held his breath, trying to keep from revealing his shock.
She’s dating this guy?
Tom touched her shoulder, with a sad look. “I can’t make it this evening.”
The disappointment on her face seemed genuine. “What’s wrong?”
“My daughter just called. She has the flu, and I need to babysit my granddaughter.”
Dorian bit his tongue hard.
Granddaughter. What more proof does she need?
“Oh, no. Poor Clairie.”
“Please give my apologies to the rest of the board. I know you’ve been planning this fundraiser for months.”
Dorian shook his head and chuckled to himself. Thank God! But the sound had accidentally come through his mouth. The noise echoed across the marble floors.
Grace glared at him, while Tom openly gawked.
“Is something wrong?” the man asked.
He shook his head, and let feigned pity cross his face. “No, it’s truly awful. I’m so sorry to hear about Clairie. Please tell her I hope she feels better soon.”
Tom smiled through a confused stare. “I will. Thank you.” He looked at Grace. “How’re you doing?” His voice sounded extremely concerned. “Are you all settled in now?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Keeping busy.”
The older guy glanced at Dorian, and his eyes widened. “Is he…he’s your date?”
Grace gave him a stunned glance, open mouthed and flustered.
Before she had a chance to respond, Tom’s face beamed. “Oh, I’m so happy for you, Grace! This is fantastic!” He extended his hand, to which Dorian’s muscle memory took over and shook. “I’m Tom Ernest, her colleague. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
“Dorian West.”
“Tom,” Grace cut in. “No, this isn’t—”
“It’s about time.” His eyes nearly glittered with excitement. “I thought you would never…and you certainly surprised us all, didn’t you?”
“Please, Tom. Listen.”
Tom shook Dorian’s hand again. “You treat this woman like a queen, you hear me? She’s more than deserving of it.”
He couldn’t help his silly grin. “I certainly will.” It took everything he had not to keep chuckling. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and squeezed. “Only the best for my Grace.”
She glared.
“Absolutely!” Her colleague beamed again.
“Don’t go try stealing her away from me at the office.”
Tom laughed, and his phone buzzed in his pocket. “Oh, shoot! That’s my daughter. I have to run.” He patted Grace’s shoulder. “I’ll be honest. I was truly worried about you for a while. Congratulations!” The man darted out of the lobby.
Grace stood perfectly still, staring at something on the floor. A mixture of shock, disgust, and disbelief covered her beautiful face.
“Well, he’s a delight!” Dorian smiled. “But why would a guy like that be worried about a woman like you?”
She scowled. “What is wrong with you?”
“I was just having some fun.”
“This is my life! I don’t go messing with your career. What the hell were you thinking?”
“He thought you would never what?”
“Excuse me?” Her voice was more accusing with every syllable.
“He said he thought you would never, and stopped. Just trying to figure out the clues to the puzzle.”
With a heavy sigh, Grace closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is beyond mortifying.”
“You’re way too young to be a spinster. So what’s up, buttercup?”
She rolled her eyes, then looked him straight in the eye. “Enough playing. Please, leave me alone.” She punched the elevator’s button, and the doors immediately opened.
“So, you admit to playing with me before?” Dorian smirked.
Grace entered the elevator, gripping her purse tighter. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you incapable of anything serious?”
He closed his mouth, but kept his amused demeanor. “Would you like a serious statement?”
“Please.”
He put his hand in his pocket, and stopped the elevators from closing with the other. “What’s your fundraiser benefitting tonight?”
She blinked. It took a second for her to answer. “Pediatric transplant services.”
Dorian swallowed. Wow. “Seriously, I’m extremely impressed. I wish you the very best of luck at your fundraiser tonight.”
Her lips parted, and finally she murmured, “Thank you.”
He let the doors close, and shoved both his hands in his pockets. He blew a breath between his lips, long and slow.
She’s even more intimidating than I thought.