She eyed him, knowing what he wanted to hear. “I don’t suppose you’re coming to the masquerade party tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Pierce hadn’t bought a ticket yet but he’d do whatever Jacquie wanted at this point. “Even the man of steel gets a night off once in a while.”
Jacquie laughed. “Save a dance for me?”
“I’ll save more than that,” Pierce vowed, then she backed him into the wall. He dropped the empty box, his eyes darkening with intent. The gloves were crushed between them and his hands were on her waist.
“How much more?” she whispered.
“Depends how spontaneous you feel like being.”
“That sounds mysterious.”
He shook his head with mock regret. “It’s supposed to sound tempting. Obviously I need more practice.”
Jacquie smiled. “Maybe it’s both.”
“Maybe that’s perfect,” Pierce said.
“You’ll have to find me first. Masks, you know.”
“Oh, I think I’ll manage,” he assured her.
“How?”
Pierce’s hands slid up her back then to her waist again in a possessive caress. Jacquie shivered and moved a little closer. “Perfect figure. Gorgeous legs.” He raised one hand to spear his fingers through her hair. “And a redhead.”
“There could be dozens of redheads.”
He bent and touched his lips to her cheek, then deliberately inhaled. “But that scent. It’s unique to you.”
“I could change perfumes.”
“You won’t. It’s not your style.” He kissed her earlobe and she leaned against him. “This is you. Feminine but not fussy. Oh-so-very seductive.”
Jacquie pulled back a little and smiled at him. “No one’s called me that before.”
“Good. Less competition. I need the odds to turn in my favor.”
“No Farah?”
“No Farah.”
“No Rodrigo?”
“No Rodrigo.”
“Any other secret admirers who will interrupt?”
“Not one.”
She smiled at his conviction, then ran the tips of her fingers over his cheek, reassuring herself that he was there. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried.”
“I thought you’d be angry.”
“Maybe that, too.”
“For whatever it’s worth, I was worried, too.”
She held his gaze. “But it’s done.”
He spoke with finality. “It’s done.”
“No regrets?” It was hard to believe that he could just close the book on something he’d done so long and apparently so well.
Pierce shook his head with finality. “No.”
She had to ask. “Why did you do it for so long if you didn’t like it?”
Pierce averted his gaze, thinking about the question. She wondered for a moment whether he’d answer or not and was pleased when he did. “I liked parts of what I did. The organizing. The planning and execution. I loved thinking of all the things that could go wrong.” His gaze collided with hers, clear and green, and she admired his sincerity. “I liked building a team and working with them. It’s good to be surrounded by good people.” Jacquie smiled at that, feeling the same way. “But I hated getting jerked around or compelled to follow someone else’s plans.”
She had to tease him. “And yet you’re still fond of Farah.”
He chuckled, his affection for the princess clear. “It defies the odds.”
Jacquie looked down at the box. “Do you ever talk to your former team?”
Pierce was visibly startled. “No. They’ve moved on to new challenges.”
She smiled at him. “But if you liked working with them so much, they probably liked working with you. I’ll bet they’re fond of you, like you’re fond of Farah. You should keep in touch.”
“I never have.”
“Maybe they’d be glad to hear from you, Mr. Lone Wolf.” His lips curved a little at that, but he didn’t make any promises. “It’s too bad you can’t do just the parts you liked from your old job.”
“Life goes on. I’ll find a new challenge.” He lifted a brow, inviting her decision.
Jacquie had made it as soon as he’d apologize. “I’d like to try again, Pierce.”
His smile was filled with satisfaction and made her sizzle to her toes. He leaned closer as if he’d kiss her, then snapped his fingers as if recalling something. Jacquie wasn’t fooled. “I almost forgot.”
“You did not,” she charged and he chuckled.
“Look what I have.” He pulled a hotel room key out of his pocket. It was a card key and still in the little paper envelope from the hotel. He showed her the side with the hotel logo.
She widened her eyes, impressed. “Lucky you,” she said. “It’s supposed to be a fabulous place. Every luxury.” What was he up to?
Pierce turned over the envelope, showing her what was written on the other side.
She laughed. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Are you staying there incognito?”
Pierce didn’t smile. “No one is going to find me and interrupt anything tonight.”
Jacquie was relieved. He was going to deliver on his promise to give her a perfect Valentine’s Day.
“It’s a penthouse suite,” he said, then moved his thumb to reveal the second key card behind the first.
Jacquie had to tease him. “What will Mrs. Smith think about you telling me about your secret refuge?”
“Only one way to find out. What do you think, Mrs. Smith?” Pierce offered her the second key, but Jacquie hesitated instead of taking it. “No?”
“Yes,” she said with an emphatic nod. “But I don’t want the key now. That feels planned, not spontaneous. I’m already thinking I should go home and pack an overnight bag, then drop it off at the hotel, but no.” She looked him in the eye. “Tonight is about impulse and living in the moment.”
“Maybe there’s a middle ground. Something like planned spontaneity.”
Jacquie laughed again. “A step in the right direction.”
“Leopards don’t change their spots, especially not overnight.”
“And this is the perfect compromise. Thanks for telling me your plan. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to be whisked away at midnight.”
“I have to wait that long?”
She laughed and leaned against him. “Depends how persuasive you are, Mr. Smith.” Her eyes danced, filled with welcome and challenge, and Pierce felt a tidal wave of relief.
“Lucky for you, I’m feeling persuasive,” he murmured.
“Very lucky for me,” Jacquie agreed before he slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her to silence. He tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her closer, and Jacquie opened her mouth to him as
