Chapter 56

Sarah POV

“Zane, you’re hurting me.”

Zane instantly let go of my wrist, which wasn’t damaged, just a little sore, so when he apologized I told him it was fine.

“But may I ask just what is between you and Scott?”

“Old business.”

Well, that wasn’t helpful. I looked around at the party, checking that Chloe and Grace were doing fine in the play area. “I’m not trying to pry or pester you over things that aren’t my business, but Scott’s role in your life affects the girls.”

“Scott has no business interacting with the girls.” Zane looked at me, and his eyes were thunderous. “He’s been warned.”

I shrugged. Chloe and Grace were playing with several other children now in building a complex, somewhat lopsided tower with foam bricks. “Please tell me how I can help.”

The anger drained out of Zane’s face. “You can’t help. Scott is the way he is, always grasping, always wanting what he can’t have.”

I nodded.

“And he gets away with it because he can turn on his charming alpha persona. I’ve seen him ruin lives with a carefree smile.”

“Well, he’s not fooling me,” I said. “And I assure you said no to his job offer.”

Zane looked angry again. “He offered you a job?”

“Yes. It didn’t interest me.”

I looked out over the party again. People were having a good time, but there was that feeling again. Something was off, but I had no idea what.

“Zane, I would like you to understand just how much you’ve given me and how happy I am that you and Chloe have been reunited. I’m so grateful for the job and for being the girls’ goddess-mother.”

“We’re the grateful ones,” he said, his blue eyes regarding me with appreciation. “I can see the wonderful influence you and Chloe are having on Grace, and on me.”

The band segued into a tango then, and people surged happily onto the dance floor. Zane smiled and made a small bow, holding his hand out for mine.

“If you would do me the great pleasure,” he said.

“Of course.” I laughed and let him lead me out. In time, I believed he would fully explain about Scott, but it wouldn’t help for me to push. I decided to concentrate on the dance.

The tango was quite compelling, and when he took me into his arms I felt my pulse race. The wonderful thing about tangos is that the movements can be exaggerated, making it easy for me to follow.

So, two slow walks and then a tango close. Only a few moments into the dance, I realized it was different from the last time. He was neither the politely leading partner he was before nor the would-be dominant figure Scott was trying to make himself.

Zane squeezed my hand in warning we wanted to spin me, and I walked into it happily. Then two slow walks and a tango close, and I realized we were moving in perfect synchronicity. I admit a part of me hoped Scott was watching so he could see the difference a good dance partner made.

The music grew a little louder and a little more insistent. I felt the firm warmth of Zane’s hand on my waist, and when we pulled close once more, I found myself looking deeply into his eyes. They really were a glorious shade of blue, like an ocean I could dive into or gemstones I could set in a necklace.

He spun me again, and I noticed several other couples on the floor were doing quite intricate steps as they kept their gazes locked. The music was louder still, and my heart was pounding. I didn’t even think to resist as Zane dipped me, and then I laughed as we spun around together.

The tango reached its climax, and everyone else applauded the band while Zane whirled me off the floor and into a quiet corner.

“Sarah,” he whispered.

“Zane,” I said back, not knowing anything else to say.

His head lowered, and I almost panicked at the thought he was going to kiss me, but he bypassed my lips and lowered his teeth to my neck and bit me. It hurt a bit, but it also felt fantastic, and I just grabbed on to his shoulders and stared up at him in shock as he raised his head and nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s nice and visible,” he growled.

My heart sank. This wasn’t a love bite; of course, it wasn’t. Zane was marking me, doubtlessly to keep Scott away. I suppose I should be grateful he didn’t mark me in others ways.

I smiled even as I felt the bitterness of remembering my place, though it was a pallid reminder when my heart was beating so hard.

Zane tilted his head, watching me closely, when I took the conversational out every woman has relied upon at least once in her life.

“You’ll have to excuse me,” I said, pulling the neckline of my dress over the sore spot where he bit me. “I need to use the ladies.”

Zane nodded, looking over to the girls. “Of course. Then we should probably head home.”

“Yes, it’s getting quite late.”

I walked to a doorway that led into a short hallway and found the bathrooms. Thankfully, the ladies room was empty. I stood over the sink, took off my mask, and looked into the mirror. My pupils were blown wide, and my face was flushed. I took one of the bright white hand towels from a little basket, dampened it, and placed it on the back of my neck.

The bite was quite noticeable, but not too dramatic. He didn’t break the skin. I smoothed my hair down and refreshed my lipstick. Then there was no putting it off any longer, and I set my mask back into place,

Time to face the music, I thought, which made me smile. As I was reaching for the door, however, it swung open, and Mrs. Peacock (I really needed to make sure I didn’t call her that aloud) walked in.

“Hello there,” she said with a smile. “It’s our symbologist.”

The comment could have been snide, but she said it with nothing but friendliness, so I laughed. “A symbologist and a peacock in the ladies room. I wonder if that has a hidden meaning.”

It wasn’t much of a joke, but we laughed and I stood out of the way, but she shook her head. “Actually, I followed you in here. I’m afraid the Cavendish children are having a spot of trouble.”

“What?” I felt panic. I had thought they were having a good time. I moved around her to go out the door, but she put a hand on my arm.

“I don’t think they’re in danger, or anything, but, well, children can be cruel.” She smiled at me reassuringly. “I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle. Anyone who can put Mike Rodgers in his place can handle a few children spoiling for a fight.”

I nodded and put my shoulders back. It was time to earn my pay.