“I . . . well,” she stuttered out. “Why would you want that?”
“You’re the first thing in a long time that’s made sense to me. You’re the first thing that feels good.”
“It’s a temporary feeling,” she argued, her body getting rigid. “You’ll figure things out; whatever I’m doing for you right now, you won’t need anymore.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “I won’t need you, but I’ll still want you.”
“I’m not a good person Nolan,” she admitted, pulling her robe tighter as she stood. “We should get ready for the party. You made a commitment to your sister, and I know you’re going to keep it.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because you are a good person. You keep your word. You worry about how people feel. You pay attention. You ask questions to try to figure out who I am.”
“You’re a good person too, Holly. I wouldn’t even be considering going to Texas if it wasn’t for you. You’re right. It’s time for me to meet my sister where she is. A good person knows that.”
“No,” she laughed. “A smart person knows that. A good person does it. I’ve missed all the opportunities to do that in my own life.”
“Tell me,” Nolan pleaded, reaching a hand up and touching Holly’s fingertips as she walked away.
“I’m going to take a shower and get ready,” she said flatly, unable to look at him. “You’re going to do great tonight. Libby is going to be proud she asked you to represent her and James.”
When the bathroom door closed Nolan sat staring at the fire, trying to make sense of the disjointed puzzle that was Holly and her explanations. The only thing that did resonate with him was the pain in her eyes that he recognized, having walked around with that heaviness himself.
The ringing room phone startled him and he considered ignoring it, except that he remembered his cell phone was dead, and he hadn’t bothered to charge it, too busy indulging in Holly to care.
Nolan rose and grabbed the phone, ready to tell whoever it was to go to hell. He was in no mood for an event update or a dinner reminder.
“What?” he barked.
“You’re starting to sound like me,” James said coolly. “I’m afraid what I’m calling for isn’t going to put you in any better mood.”
“James,” Nolan said, a bit of apology in his voice. The man had done a lot for him, and he forced himself to remember that.
“I know you’re pissed your sister isn’t there to spend the day with you tomorrow. I get how much shit has changed and you keep getting the raw end of the deal. I wanted you to know this coming year Libby and I are going to make sure we coordinate better and have more time with you. Plus you know there is a job here at West Oil any time you want it.”
“Okay,” Nolan said, his head still in a fog from great sex and expensive champagne, mixed with the emotions Holly’s words had stirred in him.
“That’s not why I was calling,” James said, seeming uncomfortable having to extend the niceties required of family. “I got a call from Russell Spicer. He saw you checking in this morning with your date.”
“Holly,” Nolan said, feeling defensive. “What about her?”
“Russell knows her. Well, he knows of her. She is a con artist. She has a reputation for taking advantage of very wealthy people and then bailing.”
“Are you saying she’s a criminal?” Nolan asked, looking over at the bathroom and keeping his voice low.
“She has a record,” James said. “But no open warrants or anything. Apparently she’s found ways now to make sure no one presses charges against her. Probably blackmail and extortion to keep people from turning her in. You can’t take her to the party tonight.”
“This doesn’t make sense,” Nolan said, trying to imagine how Holly could be capable of what James was describing. “What exactly has she done?”
“I don’t know the details. I just know she’s trouble. She can’t be downstairs treading on my good reputation to find her next mark. I don’t need her associated with our family in any way. Do you understand?”
“I, I . . .” Nolan stuttered out, far from understanding anything James was saying. “I think it’s a mistaken identity or something.”
“What did she tell you she does for a living? What do you know about her?” James asked arrogantly. “It doesn’t matter really. It would have all been a lie. Just tell me you won’t take her to the party. If people ask, tell them your date is sick, resting in the room. Then in the morning if the roads are safe to pass, get her the hell out of there.”
“But,” Nolan said, his eyes still fixed on the bathroom.
“No,” James boomed. “This is not negotiable. I get that you’re pissed at me or the situation, but this is bigger than any problems between us. This is business. She doesn’t go downstairs.”
“Okay,” Nolan said. “I’ve got to get ready. Tell Libby I’ll call her tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry kid,” James said, the bite gone from his voice now. “I’m sure you’re having a good time. She probably seems like a nice girl. It’s part of her game.”
“Happy New Year,” Nolan said, dropping the phone down and clicking the line dead.
Holly emerged from the bathroom with a towel twisted up in her hair and her robe pulled tightly. “Who was that?” she asked, her cheeks pink from the heat of the steaming shower.
“The front desk,” Nolan lied. “Just reminding us we should be downstairs in an hour.”
“I better hurry.” She smiled. “Sorry I was being weird earlier. Let’s just do what we said and make this an amazing night okay?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, “it’s going to be amazing.”
Chapter Seven
The tux was tight around his muscles when he bent his arms, but Holly had assured him that it was fitted perfectly for him.
“Will you zip me?” Holly asked as she stepped out of the bathroom. His breath caught in his chest as the light over her head glowed down around her like an angel.
Holly’s hair was curled into tight ringlets and pulled up and away from her face. Her makeup sparkled and shimmered, matching her vibrant smile. But what he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off of was her body, hugged perfectly in her dress. Strapless and gold, it looked as though it had been designed with her shoulders and long neck in mind. Tight against her chest and flat stomach, it grew full at her waist. Nolan was sure there were names for the type of the dress, the style, but all he could call it was stunning. Her heels matched and were at least three inches high, peeking out from the bottom of the dress.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” he said sheepishly. “You were made for tonight.”
“You look great too,” she complimented, gesturing to his tuxedo. “We’ll make a very convincing couple.”
There was still an ache, a hesitation in her voice that tugged at him. James’s words were ringing in his ears, but standing in front of Holly, he had to believe there was more to the story. “I need you to tell me something before we go downstairs. I need you to be perfectly honest with me.”
“Nolan,” she said, furrowing her brows and dropping her eyes down to the ground in what he now read as guilt.
“Please,” he said, cutting the distance between them and tipping her chin back up where it belonged, their eyes locked on each other. He’d know now if it were the truth. “Why did you get in the car with me?”
She sucked her lip in and nibbled on it as she seemed to be either mustering the courage or conjuring up a story, he couldn’t yet tell. “I needed a break,” she whispered, her voice growing some as she spoke. “Haven’t you ever just been so tired of yourself, of who you are, that you need a break? I couldn’t spend another minute where I was, being who I was. Getting in the car with you, I was running away from that.”
His eyes raked over her face, watching every flutter of her eyelids, the way her brows knit together with emotion.
“Okay,” he said simply. Leaning down he brushed his lips agai
nst hers, his hand resting on her shimmering cheek. “Let’s go downstairs.”
“Are you sure you want me down there?” she asked, drawing in a deep breath. “You’ll do a great job; you don’t need me.”
“You’re right about that,” he said, his thumb sweeping across her plump lips. “I don’t need you. I want you with me.”
Chapter Eight
The long curved staircase they walked down was trimmed with pine, holly berries, and twinkling white lights. Just like the thoughtful detail that had been put into preparing their hotel room, the event venue had been equally prepared. The long tables were lined with flickering candles perched in glass pillars of varied heights. White orchids were laced into distressed wood that practically made a canopy over the length of the table. Everywhere Holly turned there was gold, glass, and wood perfectly paired and artfully assembled.
The room was alive with chatter and mingling guests. Sequined dresses caught the candlelight and looked like disco balls gliding around.
“This is amazing,” she whispered, squeezing Nolan’s arm. She’d been to equally exquisite events with plenty of rich people, but there was something about holding on to Nolan that made this one different. It was the look of awe in his eyes as he continued to carefully map out every inch of her and commit it to memory.
“Poker face,” he reminded her, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “We rich people aren’t impressed by anything.”
“Then I must be poor as dirt,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder, “because I’m impressed by you.”
“Nolan,” someone said as they planted a hearty slap on his back, sending Holly jumping forward. “You’re James West’s brother-in-law, right? He married your sister, that Lacey girl?” The man’s breath was layered with the smell of stale cigar smoke and whiskey.
“My sister’s name is Liberty,” Nolan corrected, looking annoyed by the man. “And you are?”
“Russell,” the man slurred. “A very good friend of James.”
“Really?” Nolan asked, perfecting the look of being unimpressed. “He mentioned you earlier and didn’t seem to have much to say about you. Didn’t sound like a good friend to me.”
The sloppy smile dropped from Russell’s face as Holly tried to play catch-up and figure out why even-tempered Nolan was being so aggressive.
“This is your date?” Russell asked with a bite in his voice, leering at Holly, his eyes landing on the curve of her breasts as he licked his lips.
“Holly McNamara,” she announced with a sweet smile, extending her hand, but Nolan spun her around before she could shake Russell’s hand.
“Let’s dance,” Nolan asserted, beginning to step away from Russell.
“I’ve got a phone call to make anyway,” Russell snarled, and it stopped Nolan in his tracks. He let Holly go and instead grabbed Russell’s arm.
“I wouldn’t make that call,” he threatened, and Holly’s heart was thudding nervously in her chest. What had she walked into? “If I were you, and I wanted to walk out of here tonight in one piece, I’d mind my damn business.”
When Russell didn’t answer Nolan tugged harder on his arm. “Are we clear?”
“You don’t know who you’re threatening here,” Russell finally stuttered out through a look of sheer disbelief.
“Wrong,” Nolan corrected. “I don’t care. I’m not rich. I have no need for you at all. No power plays, no deals. I have nothing, which means I have nothing to lose. That makes me very dangerous.” He released Russell’s arm and straightened his bow tie as he looped his arm for Holly to take hold. “That dance?”
Holly tentatively followed him out on the floor. His arms were around her, his mouth hovering over her ear as the music played. “What the hell was that?” she asked, unable to dam the words up any longer.
“A troublemaker,” Nolan answered dismissively.
“I didn’t think you knew anyone here. What are you not telling me?” She pulled away slightly to get a better look at his face.
“It doesn’t matter,” he assured her. “Tonight is all that matters, right?”
“Right,” she nodded, pained at the idea that tomorrow would be the end for them. Her screwed-up life would be waiting on the other side of the sunrise, and the prospect of a man like Nolan would be nothing but a memory. But that was how it had to be. A man like him, a good honest man who valued family, would never understand her and the things she’d done. “Just tonight.”
Resting her head on his shoulder, she tried to fight the warm tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. His cologne was filling her nose, and she clutched at him, never wanting to let go. The hours ticked by too quickly for her liking.
When the music stopped, someone tapped Nolan on the shoulder and Holly held her breath, wondering what this new stranger might want from him. “Mr. Saint-Jane, it’s time to present the check on behalf of the West family. Will you come with me?”
“Of course,” Nolan said, finally releasing Holly and leaving her feeling completely exposed to the world, away from the shelter of his arms. When he disappeared into the crowd she tried to make her way off the dance floor that was clearing as the charity business began to take center stage.
Russell appeared out of nowhere, clamping down on her elbow. “Sneaky girl,” he hissed. “You think you can come here and find a new person to destroy? I know your game.”
“Let me go,” she said, pulling her arm back.
“I don’t know how you got that kid up there to ignore the warning I made sure he got about you, but no one else around here is going to fall for it. I’m going to make sure everyone knows who you are and your association with the West family.”
The twinkling lights and flickering candles began to spin as her world was shoved off its axis. The thought of being recognized hadn’t occurred to her. The idea that Nolan had been warned about who she was didn’t register either. But the idea that her presence would hurt his family, would tarnish their reputation and possibly his relationship with them crushed her.
“Don’t,” she begged. “I’ll go. Just don’t say anything to anyone.”
“What do I get?” he asked, closing in oppressively on her personal space. Trapped between the wall and his body, she felt a wave of panic set in. The only way out of this might be to make a scene, the one thing she didn’t want to do, for Nolan’s sake.
“On behalf of James West I’d like to present this check to the Barrington family. We are in awe of Sophie Barrington’s selfless efforts to do more than her part in this world. James and Libby apologize for their absence tonight and wanted me to wish everyone a Happy New Year.”
Nolan’s voice was crisp and confident as it drew the eye of everyone in the room. She wished she could part the crowd and see him on the stage, the spotlight on him. “I’ll go,” she whispered, trying to move past Russell, but he held her in place.
A thunderous round of clapping began as Nolan finished his speech and Holly used the opportunity to break free. She kicked her knee up into Russell’s groin and shoved past him as he bent in half from the pain.
“Don’t you dare ruin this for him,” she said as she fled out the large mahogany double doors that led to the lobby. She didn’t have a plan but that had never stopped Holly before when it was time to run. She’d race to her room. Change, gather her things, and be on the road before Nolan could realize she wasn’t floating around the party looking for him.
Chapter Nine
Nolan circled the room twice, wondering where Holly had disappeared to. The room buzzed as plates began being served and people settled into their seats. Holly wasn’t at their assigned table either. A prickly heat rose up his back as his eyes fixed on Russell.
The pudgy faced man was leaning in, grumbling some kind of drunken message to the man next to him. A hearty laugh boomed from the two of them, and Nolan heard him call out his words. “I tossed her the hell out of here.”
Never in his life had Nolan wished to be two people more than right this
minute. If he were capable of it, he’d split in half and leave a part of himself here to demolish Russell while the rest of him ran off to find Holly. He eyed Russell one more time before realizing the man wouldn’t be that hard to find in the future if he wanted to hand out a beating. But Holly could be gone for good if he didn’t catch her now.
Darting out the door of the event and back toward their room he fished out the key. If she was there, standing in their room, he wasn’t sure he’d bother trying to talk to her. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to do much besides kiss her. Pushing his way in, it only took a moment to realize she wasn’t. The beautiful dress hung in the doorway of the bathroom. Holly’s bag was gone. The room was silent.
Remembering the car keys he’d tossed on the dresser he was certain he’d find they were gone. Of course she’d take the car. How else would she get down the mountain, especially in this weather?
His cash, the watch Libby had sent him for his birthday, and his expensive blazer were exactly where he’d left them. Anything of value a con artist would probably take was right where he’d left it. But the most important thing she hadn’t taken were his car keys. Holly’s only conceivable exit strategy.
Dialing her number he balled his hands into fists as it went straight to voice mail. The sensation of being choked started to overtake his body forcing him to start yanking at the tuxedo frantically, ripping seams and popping buttons, not caring how much it had cost. Slipping into his jeans, a T-shirt, and his winter coat, he headed toward the lobby.
Just as he’d said, Toby was still manning the front desk, busy on a call when Nolan rushed toward him.
“Toby,” he asked breathlessly, “have you seen Holly?” Maybe it was the urgency in Nolan’s face or the worry in his voice, but Toby quickly turned the call over to the person next to him.
“Is everything all right?” Toby asked in a hushed voice, looking nervous about upsetting other guests passing by.