Vivian Arend - High Risk

“Oh, you naughty girl.” Erin lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned forward across the distance between the seats. “Did you just leave Devon stranded?”

Alisha pulled out a mirror and checked her makeup. “Well, I might have mentioned something to the driver about only needing to make two stops.”

“Alisha . . .”

Blonde curls swung as Alisha flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Payback is a bitch. He dropped me from the interview and photo shoot. He can take his bicycle to the gala.”

Becki hid her grin as best she could. “I thought you said you didn’t care about the interview.”

“I didn’t, especially after I overheard the guys talking about what a dog the reporter is and his possible plans to simply play up the fact that I’m female. I’m definitely not interested in being exploited as the sex symbol of Lifeline.”

Erin frowned. “Then why the revenge on Devon?”

Alisha raised a brow. “It should have been my decision, not his. If he’d told me about what he’d learned, we could have discussed it. Taking the upper hand and tricking me out of being there? Jerk. That’s why he can find his own way to the fund-raiser.”

“Bossy guys suck,” Erin agreed. “Here’s to making our own decisions and being in charge.”

Even as Becki joined in the toast, there was a part inside her that had to qualify the toast. When it came to her life, definitely, she wanted control. Maybe she was a little twisted, but she didn’t mind having Marcus take charge in the bedroom. At least at times.

More often than she wanted to admit.

She stared at the hotel as it came into view, the fairy-tale castlelike structure looming large even against the backdrop of the mountains. She had a vast amount of memories tied up in the place. “So gorgeous.”

“All that rockwork makes my fingers inch,” Alisha admitted. “I get the urge to pick a corner and see how far I can climb.”

Becki swallowed her urge to answer Pretty far. If they hadn’t already heard about it, these two didn’t need to know about her foray into illegal excursions. “Do you know where we’re going inside?”

Erin nodded. “Same as last year. The ballroom is easy to get to.”

The limo door opened, and Alisha stepped out far more gracefully than Becki was able to. There was no long skirt to get in her way, but she hadn’t expected Marcus to be right there waiting for her, and the sight of him in a formal tux made her jerk to a stop. One leg out of the vehicle, one still in, she stared in surprise.

The creamy white of his collar only highlighted his dark good looks, a faint hint of shadow already colouring his freshly shaved jawline.

“Wow.” It was the only word in her mind that seemed safe to say. She didn’t think delicious would go over as well.

His gaze trailed over her as she managed to at least bring her feet together and accept his extended hand. “You look pretty nice yourself.”

He steadied her as she balanced on her unfamiliar heels, his left arm coming around her body as he kept hold of her hand. The other women waited on the platform for them to cross, cars coming up behind and dropping off passengers.

“Take the side entrance,” Marcus instructed Alisha. “We don’t need to traipse across the hotel lobby to get there.”

“Got it. Come on, Erin, race you to the finger foods.”

Erin gave Becki and Marcus a sly grin before grabbing Alisha’s hand and turning her toward the doors. “You want to make me crazy again. I am not eating jalapeño poppers all night like last year.”

Becki watched the other women hurry off. “How can Alisha move so fast in those heels?” she wondered. “They’ve got to be four, five inches. I’d break my bloody neck.”

Marcus shrugged. “Don’t ask me how she does it, but she’s got a gift, that’s for sure. Someone dared her to climb in a pair once and it barely slowed her down.”

Incredible. “Give me climbing soles any day. The two inches I’ve got on are enough of a challenge.”

Marcus squeezed her, and she realized she’d naturally cuddled in under his arm as he led her not toward the doors where Alisha and Erin had disappeared, but in the direction of the lookout. Mount Rundle filled most of their view, Tunnel Mountain occupying the left. The narrow valley between the two peaks filled with the green of spruce forest and the shimmering waters of the Bow River.

She drew in a deep breath, enjoying the peace and quiet before the noise of the evening began. “I can hear the wind in the trees. That’s always such a huge part of what makes me feel as if I’m in the right place—the sounds.”

“What’s the sound associated with this place?” he asked. “With the Banff Springs?”

She turned and smiled. “Lots and lots of panting moans and gasps.”

Marcus chuckled, losing his hold on her waist and leaning his hip on the stonework of the railing. “You’re not planning on climbing the outside of her again to get to the gala, are you?”

She turned to look at the wall where she’d managed to make it to the three-quarter point before crawling over a balcony. “It was a crazy thing I did back then.”

“On a dare, right?”

Becki nodded. “First year at the school, and there was nothing I wouldn’t try. Still, I’m not sorry I did it.”

Marcus raised a brow. “You’re not sorry you free-climbed the outside of the hotel? Because you didn’t get caught?”

“But I did—you caught me,” Becki pointed out. “And I know it was a long time ago, but I don’t know that I ever thanked you.”

This time he outright laughed, a big hearty sound that filled her with happiness. He lifted her chin with his fingers. “Thanking me for the three days that followed where we holed up in one of the rooms and fooled around sounds kinky.”

“Thanks for sharing your philosophies with me. The sex? Was bonus.”

“Bonus is good. . . .” Marcus leaned forward slowly, giving her plenty of time to say no.

She didn’t want him to stop. Their lips met, and all the sights and sounds vanished while her senses became totally occupied by the man before her. The way he touched her so perfectly. Soft at times, rougher at others.

She wasn’t sure why, but every time she was around him she became nothing but a big bundle of emotions. He brought out the most in her. Made her feel fully alive again.

They broke the kiss but stayed wrapped around each other for a moment.

“I enjoy spending time with you,” she admitted. “I’m sorry if it seemed as if I were pulling away.”

Marcus stared in silence. Looking her over carefully. “I’m afraid I’m pretty obsessive about things when I get an idea into my head.”

That wasn’t a bad thing. “I’m used to taking care of myself. It seems odd to have someone who wants to do more for me than I expect.”

“Nice. Now I’m being called odd.” They smiled at each other. “I’m trying to give you space, Becki, but it’s a part of who I am. You’ve become important to me, and while I don’t want to smother you, caring means you don’t have to do things on your own.”

“I know. I mean, I know in my head.” She squeezed him. “I’m still figuring out what that looks like on a practical level.”

* * *

Fighting to keep from saying You could start by moving in with me was amazingly difficult. Even after reading himself the riot act, the urge to take over was nearly stronger than he could control.

“How has it been lately? Sleeping, I mean.”

Becki stared over the view. “The sleeping part is fine, it’s the waking-up bits that are driving me crazy.”

“Still?” He swore lightly when she confirmed it. “New things?”

Becki twisted. “I don’t want to talk about it now. We should go in.”

Damn this fighting against doing what he needed to do. “Later, though?”

She nodded slowly. “I would like that. In the meantime, distract me?”

He kissed her again because he’d missed it so damn much the past few days, then tucked her fingers over his arm and led her into the building.

The room was filled with black and white attire and the soft sounds of sophisticated music, and the entire place smelled like money.

Marcus had to admit that David knew his way around organizing a fund-raiser.

He sauntered in with Becki on his elbow, smiling and nodding as needed but itching under the collar for the night to be over. The only reason he was there was the woman at his side. His own memories of black-tie affairs were far too twisted to be pleasant.

David turned from where he was chatting with a couple and caught sight of Marcus and Becki. He excused himself, grin growing as he headed across the room toward them.

Great. Marcus leaned over and grabbed Becki a glass from the tray going past. “Here, you’ll want one of these as a bracer before things get going.”

She met his gaze as she lifted the delicate flute in a salute. “To bossy, forceful people, and the ones who care.”

“Now are we going to argue about which one of us is which?”

“No arguing. Not tonight.”

They touched glasses just before David stepped to their side. “If it isn’t my favourite brother and the most talented instructor in the school.”

“Lay it on a little thicker,” Marcus muttered. “The answer is still no.”

David widened his eyes. “Whatever do you think I’m going to ask you to do? I’m in shock that you actually showed up.”

Becki glanced around the room. “Nice turnout. Typical?”

“About. There’re a few new people I hope to amaze, but don’t you worry about schmoozing with them. Alisha will be impressive enough.”

“Good, then we’ll talk later.” Marcus tugged Becki away, heading to the side of the room where they could see everyone but have some space.

“You don’t usually come to these events, do you?” Becki asked, her lips close to his ear as she leaned in.

“Never.”

Her lips brushed his cheek lightly. “Thank you for coming to be here with me.”

“Who said it was for your sake?” he grumbled.

She snuck her hand under his dress jacket, tucking her strong fingers into the waistline of his slacks. “A little birdie told me.”

“Little birdies need to keep their mouths shut.” She tugged at his shirt until it came loose, and her palm rested against his bare back. “What are you doing?”

Other than making his body react like crazy.

She twisted, turning her back on the room and slipping in front of him. Her light blue dress was soft under his fingers, and he wanted very badly to stroke every inch of her. Becki gazed over his face, his torso. Examining him. The heat in her eyes making him hopeful and making him insane.

When she licked her lips, he was a goner. “Becki?”

“You know, there’s a great view of this room from up high. I’d love to see how it looks from there.”

Mischief and heat mingled in her expression as she tugged him toward the side exit door. He went willingly enough. He was no fool.

She held his arm as they paced along the main corridor. “Not that I want to change your plans, but what are your plans?”

Becki glanced up and down the hall, then pushed open an EMPLOYEES ONLY door. “I told you. I want a pretty view of the room.”

“Brilliant woman.” It was the most logical explanation for trespassing possible.

She’d found the correct door. The stairwell rose and she laughed softly, racing the stairs in her high heels with a lot less difficulty than she’d claimed.

They exited into a narrow corridor with doors off the right-hand wall.

“You have any idea where we’re going?” Marcus asked.

Becki paused. “I thought I did, but now . . .”

“Good.” Because he knew just the spot. “Follow me.”

The third door revealed his target. What would probably be called a theater box anywhere else, but here, it was a damn fine view overlooking the main dance floor and the grand ballroom.

Becki slipped beside him, resting her hands lightly on the railing as she peered down. “Whoa, that’s sweet.”

Shit. “No problem with the height?” Because having her freeze would totally make all the other plans winging through his brain impossible.

Becki looked again, then shook her head. “Not sure why, but this is okay.”

“Solid footing beneath you might make a difference.”

Then she stood and faced him. The powdery blue of her dress glistened with the fine threads of silver shot through the fabric. She’d twisted her hair into a fancy do, small bits hanging beside her face to frame her smile. A faint blush coloured her cheeks, her eyes outlined with thin blue that made her pupils look bigger. Or maybe that was because of the way she was looking him over, like he was on the menu.