Free Exception to the Rules by Stephanie Morris Page A

ready to allow me into more private areas. Gaea hadn’t let anyone into her personal space in years, and she wondered if she’d been on a date with Bas, would she have cringed? Or would she have welcomed his touch?
      As things were now, she couldn’t shake his touch off. He was simply doing his job. Making it clear to everyone that they were a couple. She didn’t dare to tell him to back off in case Arnold was in sight, because Arnold could be anywhere at any time, watching for just this kind of thing.
    In fact, she slowed her pace, looked up to meet Bas’s gaze, and slipped her hand around his waist.
    “Hey there,” he murmured.
    “You’re good at this,” she whispered.
    “I’ve been on dates before.”
    “This isn’t one.”
    “Not technically, no. But why let a little thing like a perverted, pesky boss get in the way? I’m going to enjoy every minute of tonight, and I hope you are, too.”
    “It’s irrelevant whether I enjoy myself or not. I can’t afford to forget I’m working.”
    “Who said the two have to be exclusive? You can be attentive, take care of business, and still have some fun.”
    She stopped him before he could get carried away. “What planet are you from?”
    He shook his head, his expression perplexed. “Why on earth would you strive for a career that you don’t find enjoyable?”
    “Enjoyable? Enjoyable isn’t the issue.”
    “It isn’t? Are there better criteria?”
    “Of course! Money, power. You know, the things that make the world go round?”
    “So you get off on money and power, do you?”
    “Who doesn’t?”
    “You say that like it’s a given.”
    “It is. Money and power is what it’s all about.”
    “Why?”
    “Come on, Bas. Look around you. Those who have the most money and power win.”
    “Win what? What’s the prize?”
    Gaea looked over at the front door. More people were arriving, and she shouldn’t leave Kallie to greet the crowd on her own. “Can we talk about prizes later? I need to be over there.”
    “Sure. But I’m not going to forget where we were.”
    “I’m positive you won’t.”
    They reached the entrance and Kallie stepped to her side. “Owen Wilson is here, and so is Jessica Simpson. The limos are starting to stack up.”
    “Wonderful. Now do me a favor. Go ask Zoey to start serving the hor d’oeuvres and champagne. Have you seen Arnold?”
    “He arrived some time ago. He asked me where you were.”
    “I’m sure he’s around.”
    Kallie gave Bas a big smile, then headed off for the kitchen. Gaea turned to find Jamie Foxx at the door with his latest girlfriend. She settled in for a long hour of greetings, the entire time aware that Bas was close by.
     
    * * * *
     
    Once the bulk of the guests had arrived, Bas lead Gaea away from the door into the heart of the party. The music, a body thumping mix by one of the most popular DJs in the city, was just loud enough to make conversation difficult. Drinks and food flowed freely courtesy of the ever attentive staff, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. He hoped to make that the case for Gaea as well.
    She handled the introductions like a pro, but when he touched her, he could feel the tension in her muscles. Arnold had come by briefly, pretty much ignoring Bas, but the crowd had been such that he had to leave Gaea alone. Now that they were out in the open, so to speak, Bas felt certain Arnold would make his move.
    They were in the middle of a dance floor when an upbeat song with a strong beat came on. Bas grabbed Gaea’s hand and spun her around to face him. “Let’s dance,” he shouted.
    She shook her head no, and tried to turn away, but he stopped her.
    “Come on, one dance. It will help you relax.”
    She closed the distance between them and he bent at the waist so his ear was near her mouth. “I don’t know how.”
    “Ah,” he said. “Then I’ll wait for a slow song.”
    “Bas, I have a lot of work to do.”
    “What work would that be? Everything’s