Emma tried to ignore the waspish conversation between her best friend and her sister. And she was so absorbed in watching him she didn’t notice when Maddison had joined them.
‘Emma!’ Lauren said impatiently.
That tore her attention back to her present company. ‘I’m sorry—what?’
‘Honestly! I asked you what made you come tonight? I thought you were staying home with the furball.’ Lauren pinned an accusatory glare on Emma.
‘I changed my mind. I had an invitation—just like you, Lauren.’ Emma could feel the night plunging into a nightmare. Clearly it was a mistake to have come.
‘Yes, well...just rememberI’mhere representing the company.’
Emma let out a breath of a laugh. ‘I know that, Lauren. I’d never dream of stealing your thunder—especially when I can enjoy my Friday night while you have to work the room.’
‘Guys, maybe we should go somewhere quieter,’ Maddison interrupted, casting an apologetic gaze at Emma.
‘There’s no need, Maddie. We’re just talking.’ Lauren flicked her hair back, raising her flute of champagne to her lips.
The vast room was still humming with the sound of conversation. People everywhere were chatting and laughing and smiling. It seemed no one had even noticed her. Except one person, and he frowned as he watched the beaming smile vanish from Emma’s face. She thought she caught his eye as she watched him walk away from the group of people he had been talking to.
‘I think we should go and mingle,’ Emma suggested, trying to defuse the tension. All she needed was time with Hannah and her mood would lift once again.
Unfortunately Lauren took Emma’s arm and dragged her away. She must have noticed Emma staring at Alexander Hastings and decided she was going to do something about it.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ she said.
CHAPTER TWO
ALEXSAWTHEtwo women approach out of the corner of his eye as he nursed his whisky, and had to swallow down his disappointment that the intriguing brunette was not alone. He silently chastised himself for feeling anything—after all, he’d barely interacted with her. It was ridiculous to feel anything.
But feel something he did. Whenever she set those blue-grey eyes on him. And every time he caught her staring...every time he’d seen her fidget. She was beguiling him and he had no idea why. Why should she hold any more appeal than the other mask-adorned women present?
When the two women finally reached him, he was rather put out that it wasn’t she who spoke first.
‘Mind if we join you?’ the stunning blonde asked, in an overly flirtatious manner that set his teeth on edge. He had dealt with too many women like her in the past.
‘Feel free.’ He gestured to the single free chair which she sank onto, the slit in her dress falling open seductively. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he offered up his own seat to the brunette, but before she could thank him the blonde interrupted.
‘Lauren Brown,’ she said, extending her hand. ‘And this is my sister Emma.’
‘Pleasure to meet you both.’
‘Mmm...an English accent.’ Lauren touched his arm. ‘Are you new in town?’ she continued.
‘Fairly,’ Alex replied with a forced smile.
‘Well, why don’t you ask me to dance and we can get better acquainted?’
Alex saw a muscle twitch in Emma’s jaw and watched with fascination as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them he could tell she was visibly calmer. That was interesting.
‘I think a dance is a lovely idea,’ Alex replied. ‘Emma, would you like to join me?’ He fixed her with his penetrating stare, his hand outstretched, waiting.
Appearing to be completely shocked, she placed her hand in his. ‘I would love to.’
Emma linked her arm with his as he led her to the dance floor. The last thing she noticed was the very sour look on her sister’s face. There was nothing Emma could want that Lauren wouldn’t have first.
She had no idea what music played as he swept her into his arms—she still could not believe that anyone would choose her over Lauren. That was definitely a first.
As his warm hand came to rest on her back she couldn’t hold back the shiver that ran through her body. She moved effortlessly with him, almost as if she was magnetised to move with him. This was certainly an attraction she had never experienced before.