Free Exception to the Rules by Stephanie Morris Page B

going wonderfully.”
    “I have to make sure it continues.”
    “It will. Look around.”
    She did, with a slow spin, turning around until she’d see the entire room.
    “See? These people know how to have fun on their own.”
    She nodded, but appeared to be preoccupied by something in a dark corner. He followed her gaze to find Kallie standing with Dax Kavanagh. The two were huddled close as Dax talked to her.
    “Is something wrong?”
    Gaea shook her head. “No, everything’s okay. It’s just that Kallie has a—”
    He lost the tail end of her sentence. “What?”
    She stood up on tiptoe and cupped her mouth. “Kallie has a huge crush on him. I’m happy for her.”
    “Ah. Good for her.”
    The fast song ended and another fast number took its place. “Is there something quiet around here?”
    “The only place I know of is the bathroom.”
    He arched a brow in her direction. “No good.”
    “Oh,” she said. “There’s the V.I.P. room.”
    “Perfect. Where’s the entrance?”
    She pointed toward the bar. “Over there where security is standing guard.”
    He chuckled. “No need to show me. You’re coming with me.”
    “No, I don’t have time.”
    “Yes, you do.” He took her hand and led her through the throng of people. It took a while, but they made it off the dance floor. He even managed to grab a glass of champagne as they neared the bar.
    The bar area bustled with activity, but Bas didn’t allow her to stop to investigate. He just kept leading her toward the V.I.P. area. When they reach the entrance, the security guard nodded at her and stepped aside. Gaea dug her heels in.
    “Bas, really, I can’t.”
    “Just a few minutes. We’ll get away from the crowd, have a drink, relax. Then we can come back and you can work as hard as you want.”
    “I don’t think you understand,” she stated, unfortunately not ready to concede to his request. Thankfully Arnold Pratt made his appearance, giving Bas the perfect excuse. He was on the other side of the bar, but he’d spotted them. His voice, calling out Gaea’s name, but he could barely be heard over the music.
    “Don’t look now,” Bas said. “Arnold has spotted us.”
    “Crap!”
    “Let’s go in before he gets over here.”
    She allowed him to lead her into the dimly lit room. The ambiance was even more steamy and sensual than inside the main part of the club. Perfect.
    He tugged her toward a dark corner that would offer them privacy.
    “See there,” he said. “This isn’t as bad as you thought it would be.”
    “Actually, it is—”
    “Much better than you though it would be.” He handed her the glass of champagne. “I won’t ask you to sit because I know you’ll resist. However, I do insist you take at least one sip of that. Then relax. At least that will give us enough time to make Arnold wonder what we are doing in here.”
    Gaea looked at the glass, then back at him. “Okay. Just a couple minutes.”
    “Sheesh! Is that is? Man, you don’t expect much from me, do you?”
    She appeared puzzled for a few heartbeats, then she gasped. “You really think Arnold will think we’re in here having sex?”
    “People have done it.”
    Gaea arched a dark brow in his direction. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
    Bas returned her disbelieving expression. “You seriously doubt it would be the first thing he’d attempt to do if he had the opportunity?”
    She sighed. “With the way Arnold has been acting, you’re probably right.”
    He stepped closer to her, took her hand into his. “You don’t think it’s the first thing any man here tonight would do if given half the chance?”
    “You need to stop with the compliments. I just might start to believe you.”
    Bas tugged her closer, resting her hands against his chest. “You have no idea how enticing you are, do you?”
    She averted her gaze. “Arnold isn’t here.”
    “And you can’t imagine how happy that makes me.”
    She looked back at him. He didn’t hide his innermost