Chance Encounter (12 page)

She knew she could go back to the Internet and probably find the truth behind the lies that had been spewed about him. But if he didn’t want her to know, what right did she have to find it out for herself?

 
She started with something easy. “You said you live close to Glens Falls. How’d you end up there?”

“I did some training at a facility there. It’s a camp run by former special ops guys. After my training, they asked me to stay on as an instructor.”

“Wow. You must be pretty good at it.”

“I enjoyed the challenge. When they started a security and rescue operation, I went onboard as an operative.”

She propped up on her elbow so she could see him better. “You’ve worked as a rescuer already? Why change over to LCR?”

“They’re the best.”

“Is that the only reason?”

Again, silence.
 

“Sharing is really hard for you, isn’t it?”

“I’m sure you already know what happened, so I’d think you would understand why I’d want to work for an organization like Last Chance Rescue.”

“I actually don’t know what happened. I’m sorry…it must be horrific to have lost both your wife and son.”

“You don’t know?” His laugh was jagged…humorless. “You’re about the only person on the planet who doesn’t.”

“Well,” she said reasonably, even a little cheerfully, “others might not know if they were going through their own trauma at the same time.”

“Ah, Kacie…shit.” He blew out a harsh breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I just thought…I don’t know. I thought it might help to share.”

“Maybe someday. Not tonight.”

“Okay, no problem.”

“You’re sounding a little weary. Think you can get some sleep?”

She knew he wanted to get away from her, from any more questions. She could understand that. Having others ask for details about her ordeal had always made the nightmares worse. Did Brennan have nightmares, too? Probably.

“Yes, I think I can sleep now. Thanks for staying with me.”

“No problem.”

He moved the chair back to its place beside the window, said a soft, growling good night and closed the door behind him.

Kacie settled back into her pillow and thought about the little she’d learned about Brennan Sinclair. Noah McCall trusted him. Even if she didn’t know more than that, it would be enough for her to trust him, too. But in the two days he’d been here, he had shown her more with his actions than he ever could have with words.

He had defended her against her mother. He had prepared breakfast for her. Today, with the phone call and texts she’d received, he had been furious on her behalf. He also noticed small things about her—like how she took her coffee. He’d bought groceries and even helped her clean up in the kitchen after dinner.

In two days’ time, he’d done more for her than all her former boyfriends combined. Well, except the physical part.

Kacie rolled over and put her head under her pillow. That was something she hadn’t thought about in so long, she barely acknowledged its existence. She could look at a man and see certain characteristics she found attractive, but since her assault, the thought of a man touching her in any kind of sexual way sent shivers of revulsion through her. Her therapist had told her that her need for physical intimacy would return at some point. And now…with Brennan…maybe she was getting closer to believing it.

She fell asleep wondering how it would feel to have Brennan’s lips on hers.

Chapter Thirteen

Tonight, they would make it official—their first public appearance as a couple. The news that beautiful model Kacie Dane was dating former Jets player Brennan Sinclair would finally be revealed. Brennan had looked forward to tonight’s event as much as he would a root canal without Novocain.

Except for the lunch with her agent the day he arrived, they hadn’t been seen together in a social setting. They’d been out almost every day, but no one would have recognized them. Maybe because they had so many secrets, they were both excellent at disguising themselves.

With Kacie’s shoot next week in Barbados, it was bound to come out. Revealing their new relationship at a time and place of their choosing was not only expedient but would look natural. Kacie had claimed this was a low-key event and the perfect forum to reveal their relationship to the public.
 

It had been several days since the freaky phone call and the texts, and nothing since. They were both feeling the tension of waiting for something without having any idea what they were waiting for. If nothing else, he hoped this event would take her mind off the worry.

“Just wow,” a soft voice whispered behind him.

He looked over his shoulder, and while his mind repeated the same exclamation, it also added a few extra superlatives. He’d seen her look beautiful before but never like this.

Turning slowly to face her, he took in the beauty of Kacie Dane. Standing about five-eleven in her bare feet, the heels she wore put her well over six feet tall. He hadn’t given much thought to his own height since his football career ended, but tonight he was glad of his six-foot-six frame. Her head would fit perfectly beneath his chin if they danced. And just how bizarre was it that he even thought about dancing?

But Kacie made him think of things he had never considered before.
 

The gown she wore, an eye-popping red, flowed around her like a rippling river of scarlet. It had some kind of shimmering jewels sewn into the material, and when she moved the slightest, even breathed, she glimmered. Her pale, creamy skin glowed, and the golden-blond waves of her hair were caught up in some kind of intricate knot, revealing a long, slender neck and elegant shoulders.

Without a doubt, she was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. And having been around hundreds of attractive women, he considered himself an expert.

His eyes roamed over her body before he caught the wary expression on her face. Hell, here he was salivating like a starving man at a smorgasbord. She saw lust in men’s eyes every damn day, she sure as hell didn’t need to see it in the man who was protecting her.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Nice dress.” He winced. Not only was it a lame compliment, but his voice sounded more like a predatory growl.

“Thanks. It’s a Montague. Even though we’re not announcing until next week that I’ll be their new model, Mr. Montague wanted me to wear it for speculation purposes. It’ll set the busybodies of the fashion world all a twitter, wondering if I’m wearing it as a statement of intent or something else.”

They would definitely be talking about her and the dress. And, hopefully, the fact that she was now dating the infamous Brennan Sinclair would be secondary.
 

“I doubt I’ll be seen as anything other than a backdrop for your beauty.”

She laughed softly and shook her head. “You apparently haven’t looked in the mirror then. You look stunning.”

He glanced down at the black tuxedo and grimaced. He hadn’t worn one of these in years. The designer wasn’t one he’d ever heard of, but when Kacie had handed it to him, she promised that it would not only be a perfect fit but would look fabulous on him. He wasn’t quite sure about the fabulous part, but he had to admit the suit fit as if it’d been made for him.

“So how does this thing work? You said it’s a birthday party?”

She nodded. “For Eleanor San de Voy.”
 

“And she would be?”

“One of the oldest living designers. Her dresses once graced the elite of Hollywood actresses. It’s her ninety-fifth birthday, so it’s a relatively small affair.”

“A three-hundred-fifty-person party is a small affair?”

“Comparatively speaking, yes. However, there will be between fifty and a hundred photographers there, too. They wanted to use a nostalgia theme, so it’ll be like the Academy Awards. We’ll arrive in a limo, walk down the red carpet, pose for a few shots, and then head inside.”

“Interviews?”

“No. Photographers only. This is Eleanor’s party, and she insisted that her guests were not to be harangued by reporters.”

“I like this woman already. Do you know her well?”

“In a way, but not really. Remember how I told you that a lot of people have helped me? Well, she’s one of them. She saw a group shot of me and a dozen other models for a sportswear event a couple of years ago. She called a friend of hers, who knew Edy. And in turn, Edy called me. That’s how I managed to get her as an agent.”

“But you’ve never met Eleanor?”

“Actually, I did meet her once, but it was before—” Her eyes went dark, and she lost her smile. “I went to an event with Skylar and was introduced to her. I’m sure she doesn’t remember me. I’ve changed a lot since then, but I’m incredibly thankful for her help.”

 
The buzzer at the door sounded, and a young male voice announced, “Ms. Dane, your car is here.”

Drawing in a deep breath that made her dress shimmer like a million diamonds, she held out her hand to him. “Let’s go announce to the world that Kacie Dane has caught herself a really big one.”

Laughter burst from him, and he took her hand. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Realizing what one might infer from her words, she blushed a pretty shade of light rose and cleared her throat. “On that embarrassing note, let’s go.”

Kacie was grateful she’d learned to smile even when her nerves were frazzled. This wasn’t the first time she’d attended a high-profile function with a man at her side. Convenience dates were her specialty. But never had she attended a function with a man who both fascinated her and scared her into a breathless dither.

They’d talked little on the way to the party, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts. The instant the limo driver opened the door, she felt Brennan’s body go rigid. Had she made a mistake in announcing their relationship this way? Even though there would be a lot of people in attendance, this party would be a much more laidback affair than any other upcoming events she would be attending.

Once they were out of the car, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze, letting him know she was right beside him. The bemused look he gave her almost made her laugh. Yes, she knew he was here to protect her, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t shield him, too.

As promised, a red carpet had been laid out, leading up the stairs and stopping at giant glass doors. Photographers lined both sides of the carpet, and lights flashed like manic fireflies as they competed for the best shots of the night.

An odd, palpable silence descended the moment she and Brennan were spotted, and then, like a massive lightning storm, cameras flashed in a frenzy of clicks. Even though questions had been prohibited, several people were bold enough to shout some out.
 

With a smile of confidence and serenity, she waved as if she were the happiest person on the planet. Brennan didn’t bother with a smile, but that was okay. No smile was better than a fake one. She had been trained to make even her fake ones look real. Brennan hadn’t. Besides, that seething, sexual energy he exuded didn’t call for anything else.

They made it inside without the least blunder. Once the doors closed, she turned to him. “See, now wasn’t that fun?”

“You ever have a root canal?”

She laughed, getting his meaning. “I promise, the rest will be much less painful.”

She glanced around. The glitter of thousands of diamonds gracing the necks of New York’s wealthiest women competed with the brilliance of giant chandeliers. Everything sparkled and dazzled. It was the perfect ambience for the grand dame of classic Hollywood fashion.

“Let’s grab some champagne and go wish Eleanor a happy birthday.”

Kacie was used to stares and whispers, so she wasn’t put off by the small groups of people who were blatantly gossiping about her chosen companion. Still, the moment she spotted Eleanor in the middle of the room, she zeroed in on her target. She hadn’t realized her grasp on Brennan’s arm had gotten increasingly tighter until she felt him grip her hand and squeeze it gently.

She threw him an apologetic look. “Sorry. Guess I’m a little more tense than I thought.”

He gave her a small smile, his first since they’d left her apartment. Though it was clearly forced, she appreciated the effort. Feeling somewhat better, she slowed to a stop and accepted a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter.

She took a small sip and sniffed delicately.

“Why do you drink champagne if you don’t like it?”

“How do you know I don’t like it?”

Surprising her, he gently touched a spot between her eyes. “When something displeases you, a tiny little line appears right here.”

Kacie stood frozen, mesmerized by the touch, by the dark, penetrating eyes that seemed to see inside her the way no one else ever had before. This man who both fascinated and frightened her made her more aware of herself than she’d ever been. Even as heat flooded through her, goose bumps sent shivers up her spine.

Someone burst out singing
Happy Birthday
and jerked Kacie from her trance. She looked around the room, almost shocked that she was in the middle of a large group of people. She’d been so lost in Brennan’s eyes she had completely forgotten her surroundings.