“Fuck is such a fascinating word,” came a soft voice followed by a light coming on.
He swung around and saw her. A beautiful blonde standing near one of the bookshelves. She seemed like she’d taken a wrong turn into the library because her red sequined dress was fit for a ball. The material draped sensuously over her generous curves and the neckline dipped dangerously low on high, firm breasts. “I didn’t realize someone was in here.”
Like a dream, she seemed to float in the back lighting of the lamp “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.”
“No, I don’t think we have.” He made a mental rush through the guest list, wondering who she was.
“Shy.” She held out a slender hand decorated with large sparkling rings. The diamond bracelet on her slender wrist caught the dim light of the lamp. Shaking her hand, which seemed unusually soft against his callused knuckles, her laughter made him cringe. “Hands of a hard worker. I like that.” She let go and took several steps to a small, round table where books were stacked. The light was on her then and he could see that her eyes were surrounded by glittering make up, a thick fringe of lashes and her lips were plump and shiny.
“I was doing my checks, but I can come back.” He took a step toward the exit, but she cleared her throat, pausing him.
“No. Go ahead and do your checks. You won’t disturb me. I usually come here and relax before bed.” She sunk into a wide chair and crossed her legs. The deep slit of the dress parted, revealing the long, toned, tanned length of her leg. “You’re new, right?”
“Yeah.” He busied himself with examining the perimeter of the room. He’d been in there three other times so he guessed he wouldn’t learn anything new.
“Do you have a name?” She twirled a piece of her platinum hair around her middle finger. Her red painted nails reminded him of talons.
The neckline slipped down to reveal one breast and she didn’t seem the least bit bothered. He carried his attention back to her face. “Sorry, ma’am. I’m Egan Banks.” He reached into his pocket and took out the guest list, unfolding it to glance through the names. “You said your name is Shy? You’re not on the approved list for this weekend.” He was totally playing his role, and admittedly a bit thrown off kilter by the woman.
Laughter bubbled up in her throat, matching the humor he saw reflected in her eyes. “Is that one of my husband’s new rules? Leave it to Peter to expect me to get permission to visit Lake Jade,” she simpered.
“Wait. You’re ShyAnne Langley?”
“That’s me. Most people call me Shy, but as you can imagine it doesn’t describe my personality.” She covered her exposed breast, uncrossed her legs and pushed up from the chair. She smoothed her palms down her hips.
“I owe you another apology, ma’am. It appears I’m not up to par yet.” He returned the list to his pocket feeling a bit ridiculous.
“No worries. I forgive you. There are so many women coming and going it’s hard to keep track I’m sure. We can’t be too careful,” she slurred.
When he didn’t respond, she laughed, then sashayed her way over to a tall custom-built cabinet. “You’re not up to par yet if you don’t know of my husband’s indiscretions.” Leaning a flared hip, she glanced back at him, smoothing the tip of her tongue along the plump curve of her bottom lip. “You look like a whiskey man. Let me pour you one. A true lady of society never drinks alone.” She opened the doors, revealing a variety of expensive whiskey bottles and glass decanters.
“I’m still on duty, Mrs. Langley,” he answered.
“I won’t tell anyone. I swear.” She poured a small amount of liquor from a crystal carafe.
“I’m fine.”
“Okay then. I’ve never been considered classy any way.” She took a long sip from a tumbler.
He pointed to a painted portrait of a woman that covered most of the wall. There was another of the woman in the lobby. “Is that Jade Langley?”
Shy traced her finger around the rim of the glass. “Yes, that’s Jade, the Langley matriarch.” There was a notable stiffness to her voice.
“Some portrait.”
“Yeah, right? She’s the broad that set the bar high for the rest of us.” She sniffed and swayed over to the damask settee and stretched out on the cushion. The slit of her dress swept open, exposing her legs all the way up to a scrap of red lace. She slipped off her strapless heels and stretched her legs out, bending one knee. “It would seem that not all women are created equally in the eyes of my husband.” She laid her head against her hand.
Realizing things were turning awkward fast, he decided he needed to politely exit the library and leave the woman alone. He was grateful when his radio buzzed. Dragging it out of his pocket, he pressed the button. “Banks here.”
“Are you finished with the library wing? We need you in security,” came Banner’s voice.
He compressed the button again. “On my way.” gave Mrs. Langley a shrug. “Duty calls.”
“Come here for a sec.” She wriggled her finger and didn’t wait for him before getting up and parading across the room.
He caught a whiff of her strong perfume, making his throat itch. What the hell was it? Poison?
“Here. Your tie is a bit crooked.” She straightened it, brushing against him in the innocent enough act. Her breasts brushed his chest and he felt a tug behind his fly, but the sensation was squelched when an image of Novah flashed through his mind. He
