Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Tonight shouldn’t be any different. I’m in a ballroom I’ve been in hundreds of times before. The same powerful people are here, and the same overly posh appetizers will be passed around by the same bored waiters.
I’m wearing a long blush dress with a high lace collar and a high thigh slit. I always look forward to these events, but this time…this time, my stomach is flipping.
Tonight I make my entrance, carefully timed for optimal attention, not with my usual utterly charming date, but with two devastatingly handsome men.
My head is still spinning a little with the plans for tonight. I’m thrilled that everyone pitched in and made sure they’re schedule worked with all our clients―and with me.
I’m so lucky I hired these guys for Scarlet. Business is booming, and I have ten dates to replace one flaky one.
I’m walking down a grand staircase flanked by Robin and Gustav. They look amazing in their tuxedos.
I appreciate that even though they look exactly the same, there are differences in their suits. Robin wears a mandarin collar, and Gustav is rocking that thin lapel. But their outfits are not what are drawing the whispers, even from the fashion designer off to the left.
Everyone is looking at us. I smile to myself, thinking about our reflection as we walk in.
I like seeing myself look small and precious between these two, and I’m excited to get to know all my new employees better over the course of the evening. Since the interviews, I’ve seen them work, but I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to any of the guys.
Robin and Gustav take the whispering very well. I imagine they’re used to people staring at them. Being gorgeous identical twins tends to have that effect.
The crowd parts as we walk across the dance floor to our table, just below the main table. A wave of silence greets us and breaks into murmuring conversations as we pass.
Robin puts his hand low on my back. His eyes shine when I look up at him sharply.
“Just making sure you keep up with us,” he whispers in my ear. “My brother has long legs.”
Gustav smiles at Robin’s teasing. He pulls out a chair at our table for me and calls over a white-clad waiter. “The lady needs a glass of champagne, and please bring two club sodas in flutes as well.” Gustav’s tone is commanding, and the waiter rushes off to do his bidding.
“We’re working later,” Gustav says pointedly to Robin before he can object to the soft drinks. “But it wouldn’t do for you to drink alone, Evelynn.” He smiles at me again, reaching out to run a finger across my cheek.
“Eyelash,” he explains. “Make a wish.” He holds out his hand, one tiny hair on the pad of his finger.
I purse my lips and blow softly. I wish to myself that I can have more evenings like this.
“Shall we dance?” Robin’s question breaks into my thoughts. “Since Gustav won’t let me drink, at least I can have a spin on the floor with the sexiest woman in the room.”
Gustav laughs.
I hold out my hand and let Robin lead me to the floor. The band is playing a quick waltz. I wonder for a moment if Robin will know how to ballroom dance.
It didn’t exactly come up in his interview, but the moment he takes me in his arms, I am swept away in his strong lead. I guess I should have expected a dom to be able to lead just about anywhere.
I barely have time to wonder what other talents I will learn about the guys tonight when Robin starts a series of twirls and spins. He expertly guides me around the dance floor, now empty as we have gained quite an audience.
He pulls me close to him and runs his hand firmly from the top of my shoulder and down my spine to just above my ass, pulling me close, then directing me to arch my back in a backward dip.
There is scattered applause. We move again across the floor at a more sedate pace, the frantic showy twirling ending.
“I wanted to make sure they all saw you sparkle,” Robin whispers in my ear.
The music ends, and Robin twirls me one last time, spinning me away from him and landing me right on Gustav’s lap.
I fall onto Gustav laughing. He wraps one arm around my waist to stabilize me. “I’m always glad when Robin shares,” he whispers in my ear.
I blush and take my seat again. Robin sits to my other side, very close. I take a sip of champagne.
“Evelynn, what a pleasure to see you,” a voice from behind me says.
The governor has joined us. This is the first time I have seen him since taking over Scarlet―it’s also me making my first impression as a woman with her own power, not just my mother’s. I turn and gesture for him to take the empty seats across from me without getting up.