Eye Candy

“Amalie!” Armstrong’s father stops me with a hand on my arm. “Come meet some of my associates. I’m so sorry Armstrong couldn’t be here tonight to see you in this dress. Has anyone sent him a picture so he knows what he’s missing?”

Fredrick’s breath is sharp with scotch and I think I might catch a hint of slur in his words. He puts an arm around my shoulder and turns me to the group of men, all holding glasses of amber liquid. He issues introductions, the last names familiar, and I try to be attentive and gracious while I panic internally. I want this evening to go as smoothly as possible to avoid anything negative from Gwendolyn. I need all the help I can get with her. Our missing bachelor is an issue I’d like to rectify, otherwise I need to find someone else to stand in for Lex and that’s not going to be easy with less than an hour before the auction begins.

Fredrick’s arm is still slung casually over my shoulder. “Isn’t she a catch? Armstrong has great taste in women, just like his father, isn’t that right?” The question seems to be directed at me.

I’m really not sure what to say to that. Gwendolyn is an insufferable bitch. Although, I’ve seen pictures of her when she was younger and hadn’t been subjected to years of Botox and surgery. She was once very pretty. I just nod and smile and blush appropriately before I excuse myself and slip out from under Fredrick’s arm.

I finally reach Bane, who’s drinking imported beer, chatting with his other brother, Griffin, and someone dressed as a gladiator. His back is to me. I fight an eye roll. Clearly whoever it is wanted a reason to be shirtless. As I get closer I notice he’s at least attempted to complete the look with some fake scars. Two thick lines run down his back. His incredibly muscular back. I assume it’s supposed to mimic whip or sword marks. He has a shield propped against his leg. Which is also muscular. A helmet, shoulder armor, and an authentic-looking skirt-type thing complete the costume. He can definitely pull the costume off with a back like that. Actually, the whole package is quite nice.

“Bane.” I put my hand on his forearm to get his attention. It’s loud with the music and the conversation.

“Amie.” His white teeth flash in the chandelier light. “Hey! How’s it going? Have you seen my girlfriend? She’s been missing for a while.”

“I’m actually looking for her. And do you know if Lexington has arrived yet? The bachelor auction starts soon and I haven’t seen him. I need to make sure he knows what’s going on.”

“I’m right here.” The deep male voice is close and yet muffled.

I jump and spin around. The voice is coming from under the gladiator helmet.

“Oh! I didn’t realize it was you.”

I try to keep my eyes above his neck, but they dart down anyway. It’s supposed to be the quickest of glimpses. He looks like an airbrushed model. Ridges defining each and every contour.

Washboard abs flex and ripple as he raises his arms, thickly corded with muscle, his full sleeve tattoo on display, and lifts his helmet. His hair is a mess, damp from being contained. He runs a hand through it, sending it into further disarray. Usually it’s tamed with a perfect part to the left making him authentically the businessman he is. But right now he looks very much the part of the untamed gladiator.

“Excellent costume choice, Lexington.” I place a hand on his forearm. “You’re perfect.”

His brow arches. And I blink a few times. Reviewing what I’ve just said, I rush to complete that thought. “For the auction. You’re perfect for the auction.”

That panty-dropping smile widens. “Anything for charity, Cinderella. Where’s Prince Charming?”

“I’m sorry? What?”

“You’re Cinderella, right? Where’s my cousin? I assume he’s playing at being Charming tonight.”

“Oh! Right. He had a business thing to take care of. Very last minute, so he’s unable to attend.”

“That’s unfortunate.” He sounds very much like he doesn’t mean that in the slightest. He takes my hand and bows, his lips pressing against my knuckle for the briefest moment. It’s completely disarming, exactly like it was a year ago when I met him at a Moorehead function. Incidentally, it was the same night I met Armstrong, who warned me off his too-smooth cousin.

I snatch my hand away and laugh, a little disconcerted. “Have you been practicing that move all day? You should definitely do that when you’re being auctioned, you’ll have women throwing their checkbooks at you. Anyway, once I’ve found Ruby I’ll give you a rundown of how the auction is going to work.”

“I’ve done a bunch of these, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.” He winks.

I turn away from Lexington so I don’t succumb to the urge to look at his abs again.

Bane appears annoyed with his brother. I’m not sure why. His costume is genius. He’s going to garner lots of attention at the auction.

I glance around the room, searching for Ruby, but it’s difficult with the low lighting and all the people. “When was the last time you saw Ruby?” I ask Bane.

“It’s been a while. She mentioned changing her costume, but then she went to get a drink and hasn’t come back yet. To be honest, it’s fine with me if she just stays in that dress so I don’t have to change out of this suit.”

“Have you seen her in the other costume?” She sent me selfies yesterday. It’s amazing how a costume that covers so much skin can still be so scandalously sexy.

“She wanted it to be a surprise. You know how she is.”

I give him a sly smile. “I’m pretty sure once you see it you’ll feel differently.”

Lexington taps me on the shoulder. “Uh. What’s Ruby’s costume again?”

I maintain actual eye contact this time. “She’s supposed to be Catwoman.”

“I think she’s changed then.” He points across the room.

Bane and I follow his finger. I smile as his mouth drops open.

“Sweet fucking Christ.”

“It’s a really great costume, isn’t it?” Ruby is talented with a sewing machine.

The V neckline plunges teasingly low, but stops before it reveals cleavage. Her long hair is pulled up in a ponytail and a simple mask covers her eyes. Her lips are painted a deep, glittery red. The bodysuit clings to her like a second skin, showcasing every curvy inch. Black stilettos complete the look. And of course, a pair of cat ears. She also has a whip. Because why the hell not?

She’s grinning as she slips between guests, drawing attention from all sides. “She needs to put that damn dress back on.” Bane’s hands are in his pockets. I try not to think about what I accidentally got a glimpse of the other day when I was there. Or how Armstrong fails to stack up, even a little.





Chapter 10: Panty Eater


Ruby

Bane looks like he wants to commit several murders as I move through the crowd, which is the exact reason I refused to let him see the costume before this moment. I have a plan for later tonight. And it includes costumes. His and mine. And sex. Hot superhero sex.

Once I’m close enough, I do a little spin and curtsey. “Do you like it?”