Free Wrapped In Shadows by Lisa Eugene

Before I could formulate a thought, my heart started pounding hard, as if already knowing the evolution of thoughts in my brain. It was the sight of the pink smudge on the cuff that fueled the motor in my chest. With hesitant steps I drew closer, feeling the heavy throb of my erratic pulse. The sight of a round button set in a royal crest stopped my heart entirely. There was no mistaking this coat, and my head whipped around, my eyes growing wide with shock and fear.
    Oh my God, he was here! And that scent I’d convinced myself I’d imagined at Michelle’s office…had been real. How? How was it possible? He worked for Sensations . He’d been doing his job. How could he be associated with Davenport Advertising? And would he recognize me? Confusion weaved a tangled web with my thoughts, causing my breath to come fast and shallow.
    Michelle, oblivious to my inner turmoil, motioned me to the other room and my feet obeyed like lead weights. Overhead lights illuminated the room and lively guests socialized in chattering groups, drinking and laughing. A beautiful woman in a Kimono and Japanese headdress approached us, introduced herself as Mr. Kotobuki’s assistant, and drew us further into the room. There was a bar and a row of Hibachi grills set up on one side of the large space with chefs cooking and tossing food into the air in an impressive display. Josh spotted me immediately and wove his way through the crowd toward me.
    “You look amazing. Thanks for coming,” he whispered, leaning close to my ear.
    I tried to smile, but all I could hear was the rushing of blood in my ears. My gaze flitted around the room, seeking some clue, some form of recognition. Anything .
    “Are you okay?” Josh inquired. I nodded, but he scanned my face, frowning. “You’re pale. Let me get you a drink.”
    He bent down to kiss my lips and I turned my head, so his lips instead connected with my cheek. I didn’t want him to think that my presence here meant I was taking him back. I was still conflicted about our relationship, still trying to piece together what I’d seen in his apartment.
    I scanned the room again, trying to keep my hands from shaking. Where was he? Who was he? Was he staring at me now? Did he know who I was? That room had been pitch black. There was no way he would be able to recognize me.
    “Relax, beautiful…” The voice came from behind me and I swiveled so quickly I almost fell over.
    Bruce was staring down at me, a tilted grin on his lips. He reached a hand out to steady my elbow.
    I stared up at the tall muscular figure, my eyes taking inventory and my heart slamming hard against my bosom.
    “Wh—what did you say?” I couldn’t shake the quiver from my voice.
    “I said relax. You look like you are about to pass out. Are you okay?”
    I peered into his intensely blue eyes. Oh, God, was it him? Had I had sex with this man? I didn’t recognize the voice, but almost every word that night had been whispered. He was staring at me, his eyes slowly absorbing my face in a way that made me uncomfortable. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but my hands kept shaking and my stomach was doing somersaults. The pungent scents coming from the Hibachi grills were filling my lungs, making me nauseous. I had to get out of there.
    Just then Josh emerged from the crowd carrying two martinis. A dark scowl moved over his face as he approached.
    “Step the fuck off, Bruce. She’s mine.”
    The taller man dropped his hand from my elbow, but his lips turned up in an irreverent grin.
    “I don’t see a sign on her.”
    His words seems to irritate Josh further and Josh’s lips thinned with a surge of anger. I recognized the storm coming and took a step back.
    “I said step off, douchebag! ” Josh pulled back his shoulders, arching to his full height.
    “Josh…he was just making sure I was okay. It’s no big deal.” I grabbed his arm and nudged him aside, but he continued to track Bruce with a menacing