Only there was nothing out of place. Frowning, he glanced up at one of the boxes he’d insisted be kept during the refurbishment, and caught a flash of red hair, a glimpse of long leg and felt his chest tighten.
Addie! She was here.
He was shocked by how happy that made him feel—happy then stunned as he realised that she had been what was missing. Abruptly his elation faded as the woman turned and waved excitedly at a friend in the crowd. It was not Addie. And her hair wasn’t even red. He must have been hallucinating! Seeing what he wanted to see.
His words echoed inside his head and he felt a momentary flicker of unease. Did he really want to see her that badly?
Eyes narrowing, he gazed across the room. There were so many beautiful women here tonight. Why was he obsessing over Addie when he could just pluck one of them out from the crowd?
Because he didn’t want just any woman. He wanted Addie.
His heart began to thump. But it was inevitable really, he reassured himself. He’d been spending so much time with her that he’d got used to having her around. And with her glorious red hair and beautiful curving body she was there for a very specific reason. To stand out—to be seen by his side. Together they would be the most dazzling, the most desired couple in the room.
He frowned. But where the hell was she?
And then he saw her.
And this time there could be no mistake.
She was standing at the top of the wide, curving staircase that led down to the main casino floor, the two bodyguards he had assigned to protect her on either side of her.
Caught beneath a pool of light, she looked beautiful. More than beautiful, he thought dazedly. She looked like a goddess. Her heels were black and high but her dress was dark red and short, with long sleeves. It clung to her curves as though she had been sewn into it.
But as she stared down into the crowded casino he felt her hesitation, saw the uncertainty in her eyes. He was moving even before he realised he was doing so—striding across the room and up the stairs.
She saw him just as he reached her side, her ruby and diamond earrings catching the light as she turned to greet him.
He stared at her, his heart in his throat. Up close, she looked even more stunning. Her long hair was swept up, revealing her slim neck and flawless face, and suddenly he couldn’t stand it any more. He had to touch her. More than touch—he wanted to lay claim to her.
Reaching out, he took her hand and drew her slowly towards him. ‘You look beautiful, sweetheart. I think you should keep these.’ Gently he touched her earrings. ‘And that dress looks divine on you.’
She smiled then, her uncertainty fading, and it was as though they were alone; around them the swarming mass of people melted away.
‘Thank you. I wasn’t sure about the length. But I think covering my arms balances out my legs.’
He nodded. He had no idea what she was talking about. Just looking at her was throwing him off balance. ‘I agree. Or I would if I knew what you meant.’
She pinched his hand. ‘There are rules, you know. About clothing.’
His eyes gleamed. ‘Has this got something to do with the tie—?’
‘Malachi!’ She glanced nervously over her shoulder, her body twisting, and suddenly he was too jolted to breathe, let alone speak.
Cut low and draped at the back, whatever rules she had been talking about, that dress was breaking all of them. His eyes bumped down the curve of her spine, his blood thickening and slowing, his thoughts a heaving mass of yearning, unfocused desire.
Trying to bring order back to the chaotic disarray of his body and mind, he dragged his eyes away from the smooth, golden temptation of her bare skin and gestured at a passing waiter.
‘Here!’ Back in control once more, he handed her a fluted glass of champagne. ‘Let’s go and mingle. There are some people I want you to meet.’
* * *
The rest of the evening was a blur of people and names. Addie felt as if she was floating. Beside her, one of the bodyguards held up a protective arm as guests spilled past them and she glanced up at him dazedly.
Bodyguard! When had she become the sort of person who needed a bodyguard?
The thought made her head spin. But then it was spinning anyway. She was so nervous she had barely even registered the gorgeous over-the-top decor—in fact, she’d been aware of very little except the sidelong glances that had followed her and Malachi as they made their way around the room, his hand resting casually on her back.
‘They’re all looking at us,’ she’d whispered as he’d led her through the crowd.