Latvis Security Services

by Lexie Ray

Mads was the first one to notice Willow’s arrival. She slowed her descent and threw him a look that asked pretty clearly if it was safe to come down. Most of the highly refined people she had met through Mads were often referred to as his ‘social friends.’ They didn’t really like her and, while Willow had never said anything, she was sure it was obvious that the feeling was mutual.

  The problem was that she had never actually been introduced to any of them. Not really. She and they sometimes just both happened to show up at Mads’ house at the same time. For her, it was always for a reason, mostly related to one of their businesses or an invitation for an evening drink. For them, it was pretty clear that they were hoping for something a little more personal. And without the proper information, each one of them saw Willow as a challenger to Mads’ affections. It was actually astonishing how many of his admirers were ruthless and territorial when it came to romance.

  Willow could see the allure. Mads was a catch in any social group. He was intelligent, talented, well read, handsome, and accomplished. He was also an honest-to-God count. And there was the added perk of him being very well off. Not to mention single. From the outside, he was pretty damn close to perfection. So no women believed Willow when she told them that she didn’t have any interest in him. It made things unbearably tense and passive aggressive. Not to mention sassy.

  Now halfway down the stairs and still without any hint of the situation from Mads, Willow decided to come to a stop and scowl at him. A hint of a smile curled the side of his mouth, a sure sign that he was amused and trying not to show it. All she could figure was that he wasn’t too happy with the woman’s presence and, if he had to suffer, he was going to take as many people with him as he could.

  In a heroic feat of self-control, Willow didn’t surrender to the urge to throw a rude hand gesture in Mads’ direction. Instead, she turned and headed back up to his bedroom. It was a nice safe place to wait this all out.

  “Willow,” Mads called after her, flooding as much warmth into her name as possible in polite society. “Please, join us. I would like to introduce you to someone.”

  You bastard, she thought as she turned back around. She now had everyone’s focus. Dwayne and Andrea were busy biting back smiles while the new addition looked scandalized. Willow had never actually seen that expression on a face before and, while it was oddly fascinating, it also proved that the woman was most definitely here for the sole purpose of flirting with Mads.

  “I’m not really dressed for it,” Willow said tersely.

  “Neither am I. But our guest does have an appointment to keep, and I am afraid that time is of the essence.”

  Willow tried to tell Mads through a look alone that she was going to make him pay for this. He smiled. It was enough for Willow to try and figure out a way she could tell him off without words. He held out his hand, as if she was a timid deer that needed to be coaxed forward.

  “Hi, Willow,” Dwayne beamed.

  His enthusiastic wave jolted Andrea across his shoulders, forcing the woman into a fit of giggles as she struggled not to slip off. For whatever reason, Dwayne had decided to join sides with Mads and, unlike Mads, the towering man wasn’t above making a scene if he didn’t get his own way. Willow smiled at him as she trudged down the stairs.

  When she was close enough, Mads placed his hand against her shoulder blades. With the other, he gestured to the woman currently struggling to keep her smile.

  “Miss Willow Miller.”

  The woman jerked at the slight. After knowing Mads for so long, a few things about manners had sunk in for Willow, such as the fact that, in proper introductions, the person of higher ranking came first.

  “May I introduce you to Lady Penelope Oxford? We often share a balcony at the opera. Lady Oxford, this is Miss Willow Miller, a dear friend.”

  Willow held out her hand and Penelope shook it with a small amount of resentment. She wanted to elbow Mads in the ribs for using her to provoke the woman.

  In an attempt to break the tension, Willow smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  “And you.” Penelope pulled her hand back at the first opportunity. “Is that Mads’ shirt?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “I must admit that it looks far more admirable on her than it ever did on me.”

  Willow was ready to shoot Mads a glare when his fingers spread out across her back. It was a warm, constant pressure as he trailed his fingertips along her spine. Her anger was derailed as she tried to suppress a shiver.

  “Mads got sick last night. I couldn’t leave him alone, so I borrowed something,” Willow dismissed.

  Penelope wasn’t about to let it go so easily. “And you’re still wearing it. It must be very comfortable.”

  “We spent the day in bed,” Mads cut in before Willow could respond. “It was very relaxing.”

  “I hope you’re feeling better now,” Penelope said.

  “Much.”

  Mads’ fingers toyed along Willow’s spine, drawing invisible patterns, a constant motion to ensure that she couldn’t get it out of her mind.

  “Willow has proven to be an accomplished nurse.”

  Dwayne’s snicker drew everyone’s attention and Willow was quick to exploit it. If anyone had proven himself to be a fantastic distraction, it was Dwayne.

  “Why are you carrying Andrea?”

  “Cute story,” Dwayne grinned. “We were supposed hit the gym today. But when we woke up, Sleepyhead over here didn’t want to go. So I suggested we just jog some stairs.”

  “You wanted us to take the stairs to the top of the Oasis building,” Andrea cut in.

  “So?”

  “It has 77 floors,” she snapped.

  Dwayne didn’t seem fazed. “It’s nature’s Stairmaster.”

  “What part of a skyscraper is natural?” Andrea said, only to be ignored.

  “So, being super lazy, she made me a counter offer,” Dwayne continued. “Vigorous morning sex, followed by me carrying her around for weights training.”

  With one hand under her arm and the other on her thigh, Dwayne lifted Andrea cleanly off his shoulders and actually managed to shoulder press her without a hint of strain. It was impressive, but not enough to distract from the way-too-personal confession. Andrea squealed, caught between scrambling for a better grip and staying absolutely still so he didn’t drop her.

  “I would not have assumed that she would be equal to the weight usual for your training,” Mads noted.

  Willow’s eyebrow rose as she shifted her gaze to Mads. It was not the follow-up question she had expected him to ask. But he didn’t seem at all concerned with Dwayne’s blatant mention of his sex life.

  “Oh, no. She’s tiny. Which is why I have to carry her. I’m hoping muscle fatigue will help me out.”

  “How singular,” Penelope mumbled. “Now, Mads. I do hope you are well enough for an outing. The performance tonight is said to be divine.”

  Before Mads could respond, Andrea cut in. “That’s great. We really didn’t know how to tell a good one from a bad one.”

  It was Mads’ turned to look taken off guard. “You have managed to convince Dwayne to attend the opera?”

  “Oh, hell, no,” Andrea laugh. “Could you imagine?”

  “I would be so irritating,” Dwayne said with pride. He reached into his jacket pocket and whipped out two tickets. “Surprise!”

  Mads looked between them silently as a soft, flurry-drenched breeze blew in through the door. Willow could only marvel at how he didn’t seem to notice the cold. She was freezing. With a bewildered smile, his eyes softening, he took the tickets.

  “That is very kind, but completely unnecessary.”

  Insecurity was something so alien to Dwayne that it took Willow a few moments to actually place it. He restlessly shifted his weight and shrugged a hulking shoulder.

  “I just thought you should do something fun, you know, during your holiday.” The words came out awkwardly and, for a moment, he looked little. He carried his wor
ry like a raw wound he didn’t know how to hide.

  “I think it’s just what I need,” Mads said with warmth. “Thank you.”

  Dwayne beamed. “And you’ve got two tickets. So Willow can go with you.”

  “I’m sorry,” Willow cut in. “What was that?”

  “Well, shouldn’t he do something nice for you? After all, he made you close your shop to look after him. And on a Friday, no less. You missed out on all the people buying last minute gifts for dates they forgot they had.”

  “Not to mention your entire Saturday,” Andrea smirked.

  “That shouldn’t be necessary,” Penelope hurriedly said. “After all, friends do such things for each other with no desire for compensation.”

  “Exactly.”

  Penelope looked honestly shocked to have Willow agree with her.

  “You don’t have to do anything,” Willow continued. “I’m good.”

  “But I would like to,” Mads said.

  His fingers continued to play across her skin. A constant reminder that his hand, the hand he knew got a reaction from her, was there. When, after ensuring that no one present could see it, he began to twist his fingertips around the ends of Willow’s hair, she was sure that he was messing with her.

  “And the tickets are for tonight,” Dwayne said. “So if you don’t use them, I just blew a whole heap of money.”

  “Perish the thought,” Mads said, his fingers brushing against Willow’s spine, tugging just slightly enough at her hair to make her skull tingle.

  “I’ve never been to an opera.”

  She meant to say it in a strong, unwavering tone. But Mads’ hand drifted over her as she began, and her sentence came out instead like a broken stammer.

  “Then allow me the honor of introducing you to something new.” Mads’ voice grew softer as he leaned closer to her ear. “I am sure you will find it quite pleasurable.”

  Chapter Six

  The entrance foyer of the opera hall was a sight to behold. Finely gilded and dressed with the taste that the art form demanded, it never failed to give Mads a certain state of nostalgia. His mother had been a fine musician, skilled and highly sought after. She had worked with orchestras for ballets and operas and musicals. It was during a performance that his parents had first met.

  Some of his most cherished childhood memories had taken place in a balcony seat, watching the absolute devotion her mother created with her performances. Not to mention that his first kiss had been in an opera house, bestowed by a stagehand’s boisterous daughter. It had been short and followed by her pushing Mads’ off of his feet, but sweet nonetheless.

  The open area was the place to meet and be seen. Which, of course, meant that there was an endless stream of people that wanted to be seen with Mads. They filed through, one after the other, brimming with compliments for both him and Willow. It offered him the perfect opportunity to toy with her a little more.

  He rested his hand against the curve of her spine, pulled her out of the way of passing guests by gripping her hip, and ran his fingertips along her bare shoulders to draw her attention. Her breath caught with every caress. It wasn’t blatant, but he was paying very close attention, eager to see the effects of his actions. Of course, it also provoked Willow’s resentment. She kept casting him sidelong glares even as she struggled to maintain her pleasant smile.

  Finally, the lights dimmed to coax everyone to their seats, and Mads was able to lead her through the familiar hallways to their box. He would have to remember to thank Dwayne and Andrea with more than words. The gift was overly generous and proof that he might have been misguided in just how much concern he had been generating.

  “Why are you so popular?” Willow asked as they passed through a scarcely populated hall, lined with the doors to the private boxes.

  “My personality?”

  The lights dimmed to the strength of candles.

  “Seriously.”

  “Should I be offended that you so easily dismiss the idea that I would have people who are drawn to my personality?”

  “Probably,” she shrugged.

  Her hands instantly fluttered up to press the bodice of her dress to her chest. The mermaid dress hugged her figure to an exquisite degree. Tiny golden beads created patterns on the silky black bodice, trickling down like a stunning gilded snowstorm.

  “Well, as I am sure I have informed you before, there is a certain type of person that likes to socialize with someone with a title.”

  “Penelope has a title. She didn’t seem as popular as you.”

  “She bought her title,” he smirked.

  “You can do that?”

  “It is actually a remarkably simple process. We can purchase one for you later this evening if you like.”

  Willow laughed. “Lady Miller. That sounds a little weird, don’t you think?”

  “Perhaps it is your last name that needs the change.”

  She playfully smacked his arm, cursed, and began to adjust her dress again.

  “I believe you must maintain your posture in such a gown,” he said as she adjusted the material.

  She glared at him. “I’m used to my dresses having straps.”

  “And what a pity that is.”

  Her narrowed eyes lost their edge as her checks grew rosy with a blush.

  “Should I ask why you just so happened to have a dress my size in your closet? How many people have worn this?”

  “Merely you and the store model.”

  “Store model?”

  They came to the door of their balcony and he opened it, allowing Willow to enter before him. It provided him with a tempting opportunity for him to observe the dress from behind. It really was remarkable craftsmanship, and she made it all the more marvelous.

  “Yes. The model from the store who wears the outfit so the customer can make an informed decision.”

  “Where do you shop?” she asked. “Never mind. I don’t care. Let’s get back to why you have it.”

  “It was for you.”

  She turned to face him. The balcony was small, with only two rows consisting of four seats each. Below them, the ocean of seats was steadily filling and the orchestra had started its warm up.

  “For me?” she asked in the dim light.

  “Your birthday is approaching.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You remember when my birthday is?”

  “Yours is not that difficult to recall. December 24th. Christmas Eve tends to stick in one’s mind.”

  “Actually, it’s kind of the reason it gets forgotten,” she said. Fanning her hands out, she no longer seemed to know how she should stand. “Sorry, why the dress?”

  He leaned forward, smiled, and whispered, “It would ruin the surprise.”

  With one hand, he motioned for her to select her seat.

  “Oh, no. You first. I insist,” Willow said, her lips tipping down into a scowl as Mads continued to smile.

  He selected a seat in the first row, undid the buttons of his jacket, and sat down with a contented sigh. She was still glaring, irked by his silence. It took her only a few moments to position herself comfortably in the chair next to him.

  “You needed it.”

  She turned to him. “What?”

  “For where I was going to take you. A fine restaurant deserves a fine dress.”

  “Which restaurant serves dinner on Christmas Eve?”

  He sighed playfully. “You are so difficult. There is a wonderful hotel within Banff National Park. You seemed to have enjoyed our last trip to Canada, and I hear there is a vast amount of beautiful wildlife in the area. There is also a natural hot spring.”

  “You were going to take me on a holiday for my birthday?”

  “I still intend to.”

  Her brow crinkled. “Wouldn’t you have somewhere else to be?”

  “You have met my family. Natalie is the only one that I care to spend the holiday with, and she is destined for England.”

  “She’s meeting Jai’s family?�
��

  “Yes. The relationship seems to be developing quite nicely.”

  “You’re really proud of yourself, aren’t you?” she smiled teasingly.

  “I believe I made a good match.”

  “They did a lot of the work,” she noted.

  “They believe they did. Honestly, they slowed the whole process down quite a bit. If they had simply listened to me, they would most probably be married by now.”

  “What about me?”

  He arched an eyebrow and looked over to her. “If you recall, I made an offer.”

  “Okay, I’m stopping you right there,” she laughed. “I said that as a joke. I used it to taunt you. You don’t get to jump on that.”

  “I am sure I have no idea what you mean,” he said dismissively.

  Willow huffed a laugh, shook her head, and pressed on. “What if I had plans over Christmas?”

  “You never appear all that interested in visiting with family. I naturally assumed that there was a measure of stress within that relationship and that you might be free.”

  “Well, thank you,” she said with a slight edge of awkwardness. “That’s really nice of you.”

  “I have been told that the hotel also has a wonderful wedding department. There is a balcony that overlooks a snow-capped mountain range.”

  Closing her eyes, Willow took a second to try and suppress her smile. She didn’t fully manage, but did put in a rather solid effort.

  “You’re getting rather insufferable.”

  “You do speak in the oddest of riddles sometimes.”

  He had never before been one to playfully torment another. Although, he had always found it amusing to find people’s buttons, poking them just to see what outcome he could provoke. But it was growing rather enjoyable to play this game with her. So, as the lights dulled and the curtain rose, Mads reached across the armrest between them and cupped his hand over her own.

  It was harder to see her face now, but he could hear Willow’s chuckle under the beginning strings of the melody. She pulled her hand back, throwing her elbow against his arms as she did. In retaliation, he dragged her hand back and pressed it tightly against his thigh.

  ***

  The performance, while not Willow’s usual nightly entertainment, was actually pretty fun. The music was incredible and made all the more real when seen live. Not merely because she could lean forward and watch each note be played, but because she felt it. The sound rattled through her chest, the beat thumping along her veins, a constant presence that settled into the pit of her stomach with a soothing but enthralling warmth.