There was a moment and then she responded. “No. And they’re never going to let me hear the end of it, either.”
He might be going to hell for it, but he was enjoying her discomfiture. “You’re acting as if this were prom and you were one of the teens that planned not to go.”
“I didn’t go to my prom.” She smoothed the layers of her skirt against her right thigh.
She had a small gun strapped high on her thigh. He was torn as to whether it was incredibly cliché or irresistibly hot.
For the time being, he’d go with the latter and figure the former was a cliché because it worked.
“Why not?” They worked their way past the coat check, and they were not the only ones without outerwear, then joined the line to get into the ballroom.
“I was one of those teens who decided it was fine if I didn’t go.” Her response was flippant.
“I was joking.” He regretted it too. Events like prom meant something to any teen growing up in the US, he thought, whether they went or not. It was iconic.
She shrugged, glanced at him, then smiled. “Hey, don’t feel too bad. I didn’t go because my brothers had a rule that anyone who wanted to take me had to ask them first. Only, they beat the sh—the bejesus out of anyone who got near me, so no one ever asked.”
“I see.”
“Your mouth is still twisted up in a frown. Let it go.” She gave his arm a squeeze.
Ah. That explained how she read him so easily even with his own half mask. Thinking about it now, he schooled his expression to what he considered his usual half smile. Polite. Not overly impressed. But inviting someone to surprise him.
It worked with most people.
“I’m going to need to walk around the perimeter.”
When she would have let go of his arm, he tightened his elbow against his side and covered her hand with his opposite one. “Going about things differently, right? You’re a guest. If you want to blend, then you mingle.”
She blinked. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m right.” He snagged a wineglass off the tray of a passing waiter and handed it to her, then procured one for himself. “This sort of social function is my element. You’re still thinking like security. Leave the security to someone else and enjoy the ambience instead. Even if someone is looking for me here, they’d have had to get past your own team. If I understand the situation correctly, this could be the safest we’ve been outside the hotel room.”
He couldn’t see her brows behind the mask but the corners of her mouth were drawn down in a frown.
“Blend. Yes?” He lifted his wineglass to her.
“I don’t know how you talked me into this.” Finally resigned, she lifted her glass to his and then joined him in taking a sip.
“It’s fun to go against what’s expected of you.” At least he thought so. “Perhaps I’m a bad influence on you.”
She huffed out a laugh. “I’d still be mad at myself because I’m the one who’s letting you affect me.”
They wandered the area for a few minutes and he greeted a few people. Ladies responded well to his compliments and men studied him, wondering if he was someone important.
In the past, he’d always been sure to have a lovely lady on his arm. He enjoyed the impression it presented. People were predictable and in these settings, he knew how to prompt the reactions he wanted. It was a mental exercise and an entertainment.
And people glanced at the lady he was with, just as they always did. The difference tonight was that everyone took a second look at Isabelle, and a third. For once, the lady at his side was more than an accessory.
Isabelle projected charisma and confidence even when she wasn’t entirely sure of herself. She was lovely and entirely uninterested in catching anyone’s notice. So of course they wanted her to notice them.
But her focus was still on the outer edges of the room and it was becoming obvious.
In a room full of people, she was the kind of person who drew the eye. Exactly what she didn’t want.
As far as he was concerned, there was only one thing to do.
“Dance with me.”
Dark eyes turned toward him. “Excuse me, what?”
He led her toward the dance floor. “You want your teammates to spot you and it’s drawing the attention of everyone here. It’s impossible for you to be inconspicuous, as gorgeous as you are right now. So everyone we talk to is wondering who you’re looking for. Anytime we move on to talk to somebody else, the people we just left keep watching you to see if you’ve found who you were looking for. I’m both impressed and wondering how I can acquire the same quality.”
“You’re kidding.” She sounded horrified.