Cinderella Masquerade
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LaQuette
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HarlequinOne
“Absolutely not!” Zanai James shook her head and crossed her arms as she stared down her best friend in the whole world, Morgan Grandin. Considering the smile spreading on her friend’s lips, Zanai was doubtful Morgan was taking her objection seriously. She never did.
“Come on, Zanai,” Morgan fake whined as she stepped from behind the counter of her boutique, The Rancher’s Daughter, and stepped in front of Zanai. “This is the party of the year. Anyone who is anyone attends. People start ordering their costumes nearly a year in advance to make sure they’re prepared for the masquerade ball. You’ve spent years dodging this event, it’s time for you to stop hiding.”
Self-conscious about the truth her friend was hurling at her, Zanai looked down at the top of her very sensible Mary Jane–styled shoes.
“Morgan, I appreciate what you’re trying to do. But it won’t work. I don’t fit in to spaces like these. Books, science, research, those things all make sense to me. Small talk and flirting are foreign concepts. Hell, I can’t even bat my eyelashes properly. I look like I’m having some sort of seizure when I do.”
“Zanai,” Morgan huffed as she placed her hands on Zanai’s shoulders. “You’re beautiful and smart. People will love you if you just give them the chance to.”
Zanai shook her head. “People find me awkward and boring.”
“Hey, don’t talk about my best friend like that. You’re neither.”
Zanai smiled at Morgan, loving how protective she was. “I didn’t say I was awkward and boring. I said people find me to be so.”
When Morgan’s lifted eyebrow revealed she didn’t get the distinction, Zanai continued. “Morgan, that wasn’t a self-deprecating comment. I like the fact that I’m a nerd. I wear that badge proudly. It’s just I’m smart enough to know other people don’t appreciate that quality in me. So I stay away from them and live my best STEM life.”
Morgan gave her a sad smile. Zanai knew her friend didn’t pity her. Morgan just didn’t think it was healthy for anyone to spend so much time alone.
“Zanai, you promised your aunt you wouldn’t let your light be snuffed out by work and that pack of wolves masquerading as your family.”
Guilt and grief tugged at the edges of Zanai’s heart at the mention of the only loving influence she’d had in her life since her mother died when she was a child. Her mother’s sister Déjà was everything bright and beautiful in Zanai’s bleak little life. Losing her earlier in the year still weighed so heavily on her that she wondered if she’d ever truly recover from the loss.
“That’s a low blow, using my dead aunt to manipulate me. I see now why you and Ryan fight so much. You don’t let anything go.”
“Encourage, not manipulate,” Morgan corrected. “And Ryan is hardly a paragon of virtue. He’s a thickheaded neanderthal that I’d sooner...”
Zanai couldn’t hide the devilish grin blooming on her face. Morgan wasn’t the only one in the room who knew how to get a reaction out of her best friend.
Morgan was usually sunshine and rainbows hopped up on sugar on most days. However, the mere mention of Ryan Carter’s name and Morgan lost all her chill. Though her friend would never admit it, Zanai suspected Morgan’s dislike of the man had more to do with mutual attraction than anything else.
“We are not talking about Ryan or how infuriating he is. We’re talking about how wonderful you are and how you need to live a little.”
“I know.” She huffed and walked over to a nearby settee in the fitting area. “I just don’t know how to be at these things. I don’t fit in. While other girls were figuring out how to be sociable proper ladies, my nose was stuck in a book. I don’t know how to act or dress for these kinds of events. I’d be so out of place.”
Morgan sat down next to her, wrapping a protective, comforting arm around her shoulders. “Your nose being stuck in a book helped you become a stellar developmental psychologist for neurodivergent kids. The good news is you’re rich enough that you can pay for someone to do your hair and makeup. Also, your best friend in the whole world owns a boutique shop and has connections in the rag industry that also includes clothing fit for a queen. So, if you promise to let me have my wicked way with you, I’ll make sure you’re the prettiest girl at the ball.”
Zanai looked at her friend with a skeptical glare. Morgan had that same determined look in her eye that always seemed to be there when she was about to do something that would probably land Zanai in the middle of something she’d more than likely want to shake Morgan for later.
Zanai closed her eyes and gathered just enough strength to tell her friend no when her gaze landed on Morgan’s face practically glowing with excitement. Like always, she could never deny Morgan anything when it made her eyes light up like the star on a Christmas tree.
“Fine, Morgan. Do your worst.”
Three days later, Zanai stood in front of a mirror in Morgan’s closed shop in absolute awe of her reflection.
“Morgan, how on earth did you pull this off in only a few days?”
The satisfied gleam in Morgan’s eyes revealed the obvious pride she had in her creation.
“I told you I’d make you the prettiest girl at the ball.”
Zanai stared at herself in front of the mirrored wall, barely recognizing the reflection shining back at her.
Her dress was a strapless ball gown with a scoop neckline bodice that accented her shapely torso and cinched her waist. The floor-length skirt was made of layers of chiffon falling into perfect folds. The dress was gorgeous, but the bright red color is what took Zanai’s breath away.
“Morgan, I don’t recognize myself.”
Her friend clapped beside her as she let out an excited squeal.
“It’s a masquerade ball, silly. You’re not supposed to recognize yourself. Let me get your accessories and we’ll be ready to leave.”
Morgan handed her a small silver clutch then draped the matching cape over Zanai’s shoulders. Although the cape was made of a single layer of sheer chiffon, it made Zanai feel less exposed. Once again, her friend knew just what she needed.
Morgan swept Zanai’s long dark curls over one shoulder before securing a sparkling crown on her head then sliding a red masquerade mask onto her face.
Zanai had to admit, she was stunning. She definitely looked like she belonged at the ball. Now, all she had to do was keep her mouth shut, and maybe folks at the Texas Cattleman’s Club wouldn’t recognize what an outsider she truly was.
Jayden Lattimore sipped his glass of champagne as he leaned on the bar looking out at the sea of people in the large ballroom. As always, it looked as if most of the elite in Royal had shown up for this annual ball.
Even with some portions of their faces being covered with a mask, Jayden could make out almost everyone milling around the room. With boredom clawing at him, he looked around to see if there was anything for him to get into before he made his exit.
Coming from one of the wealthiest families in Royal, he’d fulfilled his duty by showing up. But he wasn’t about to spend his entire night bored to death at this excuse for grown rich folks to play dress up.
He was about to take another sip from his glass when a vision filled his gaze. A queen dripping in red stood at the entryway. He couldn’t tell if she was purposely pausing for dramatic effect, or if she was just getting her bearings as she entered the room. Either way, more than a few heads turned to take in the elegant, yet sexy monarch gracing the rest of them with her presence.
Jayden was about to make his way over to where she stood when she stepped inside of the room and headed in his direction.
That suited him just fine. Usually, he was too easygoing to chase a woman. The truth was, coming from old money while standing at more than six feet with good looks meant he didn’t have to chase anyone. Women came to him, not the other way around.
But even though she was literally approaching him, there was something about her air of mystery that intrigued Jayden enough that his interest in talking to her went beyond the usual cursory notice he had in the women he encountered.
“At the risk of sounding cliché, may I get you a drink?”
The masked queen glanced up at him with sultry deep brown eyes, and something akin to a sledgehammer slapped him in the center of his chest, forcing him to fight against the urge to take in a gasping breath.
“No, thank you.” She answered quickly as she leaned into the bar and looked around the room. “I’m waiting for someone.”
Disappointment flooded him. It would figure this alluring creature was attached.
“My friend needed to speak to someone out in the hall. She’s going to meet me here shortly.”
Jayden could feel a smile burgeoning on his face. She was here with her friend. Well, that changed everything, didn’t it?
“Seems your friend’s delay is my good fortune. Spending a few moments in the presence of the loveliest woman at the ball is no hardship at all.”
He waited for the practiced dip in her head, the expected response ingrained in most of the women from the upper class of Royal. Feigned humility was something that was taught from the cradle. But not this woman. She stared at him openly as if she were trying to figure out what was going on in his head.
“Thank you for the compliment. But half my face is covered in a mask, how on earth can you tell if I’m beautiful or not?”
Her question was so blunt it amused him. She was definitely not using the normal script for an encounter like this.
“Wow,” he laughed before taking a sip from his glass. “You don’t hold back, do you?”
She blinked, then tucked an errant strand of hair behind an ear, making the ruby and diamond earrings dangling from her ears sway back and forth. When she tipped her head to the side and looked up at him, her eyes softened to a warm brown. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Small talk just isn’t my strong suit.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “No apologies necessary. It’s actually quite refreshing to have a woman speak her mind to me. It levels the playing field if I know what she’s thinking.” He extended his hand, hoping against hope she would accept it. When she did, a spark of something unrecognizable but potent burned through his palm spreading like wildfire through his system.
“I’m Jayden Lattimore.” He pointed a finger from the hand still holding his glass. “Otherwise known as the Phantom.”
“I kind of figured that from the white mask that covers half your face.”
He shrugged. “Well, when you’ve been to enough of these, you eventually run out of interesting costumes. A classic is easy to put together yet acceptable in these rarefied circles.”
He didn’t let go of her hand and he wasn’t ignorant to the fact that she hadn’t taken hers away.
“And you are?”
She formed her lips into the perfect O that made him contemplate how much he’d love to see her sultry mouth take that shape under an entirely different set of circumstances.
“It’s a masquerade party, the point is to conceal one’s identity.”
Jayden couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Whoever she was underneath that mask, she had a quick mind and a sharp tongue. Two characteristics he suddenly decided were his absolute favorite in a woman.
“Don’t be that way, darlin’. How are we ever going to get to know each other if you don’t tell me who you are? I’m at this party every year and I can tell you I’ve never seen you here or at the Texas Cattleman’s Club, period. So, forgive me for being so taken by your breathtaking beauty that I’m clamoring to know your name.”
She looked away briefly before bringing her gaze back to his. When she did, there was a twinkle of something mischievous in it that made his heart race and his blood run hot.
“But if I told you, I’d miss out on the fun of watching you try to figure out who I am. I’m not sure I can willingly give that up just to satisfy your curiosity.”
“Trust me, my queen. My curiosity isn’t what I want satisfied.”
He waited a beat to see if his words offended her. He wasn’t trying to be a smart-ass. Well, okay, he was definitely trying to be a smart-ass, but he wasn’t attempting to offend her. Any worry he had about disrespecting her slipped away when her smile broadened.
“Seriously,” he continued. “I’d love to find out who that lovely mask is concealing.”
“Why?”
He narrowed his gaze as he contemplated his answer to her question. She was gorgeous in all that red. The way the fitted bodice clung to and lifted her small breasts definitely played a role in him wanting to know her better. But it was more than that. The way she looked at him, he could tell she wasn’t the average socialite that attended these sorts of parties. There was something deeper and brighter shining through that drew him in.
“I want to know who you are because I want to know what to call you when we leave here and spend a little time together.”
“Presumptuous, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “Confident. You’ve been here for a few minutes and you haven’t attempted to get away from me yet. If I was getting on your nerves, something tells me you’d have found a way to shut me down by now. Besides that, I don’t chase women. If a woman tells me she’s not interested, I move on to the next. If you’re not interested, all you have to do is say so.”
There, he’d thrown down the gauntlet, placing the ball firmly in her court. Whatever happened next would be her decision, and more than anything he hoped her desires were aligned with his.
“There you are.” Jayden’s attention was pulled away by the intrusion. He felt the red queen’s hand slip from his, leaving him with a strange sense of loss he couldn’t understand.
He shook his head before looking at the woman interrupting them. Even with her face covered by a lace half mask and her red hair covered by a white-blond wig, he could recognize Morgan Grandin no matter her disguise. She was his best friend’s sister and they’d spent enough time together as kids that he could pick her out of a crowd anywhere.
He glanced over Morgan’s shoulder and saw Vic following closely behind.
“Two of the Grandin siblings, as always, your timing is perfect.” Jayden hoped his words sounded as sarcastic as he’d meant them to.
“Jayden, can I speak to you for a minute?”
Apparently, Vic hadn’t picked up on the bite he’d intended his greeting to have.
“I’m kind of in the middle of something, Vic. We can meet up later.”
His friend placed a hand on his shoulder, pulling his attention from his red queen in front of him.
“This is important, Jay. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
Jayden cut sharp eyes at Vic before returning his gaze in the red queen’s direction. Unfortunately, by the time he did, his mystery woman was quickly walking away with Morgan.
“Thanks for the cockblock, my friend.”
“In that outfit, you’ll easily locate her once I’m done talking.” When Jayden groaned, Victor held up a hand to quiet him. “Just hear me out so you can get back to your mystery lady and I can get back to Aubrey.”
At the mention of Vic’s fiancée’s name, Jayden could see the bright spark of joy flooding the man’s gaze. Who could be mad at him when he looked that damn happy?
“Speak your piece so I can get back to what I was doing before you so rudely interrupted me.”
“Someone’s in a pissy mood.” Vic raised a brow as he watched Jayden carefully.
A strip of red caught his eye and he quickly turned to see if it was the intriguing woman who’d held his attention, who was still holding his attention even now.
It wasn’t her, and that realization brought him more disappointment than it should have. Considering they hadn’t spent more than five minutes in each other’s presence, he truly shouldn’t care. Apparently his brain hadn’t gotten the memo, though, because here he was trying to look around Vic to see if he could get her in his sights.
“I can see your focus is elsewhere.” When Jayden didn’t answer, Vic smiled because he’d known Jayden so long, he didn’t need a verbal response to know what was going on in Jayden’s head.
“I can see why you’re so taken, but I really need you to bring it in. I need your help.”
“With what?”
“I think I’ve figured out a way to get Ryan and Morgan together.”
“Ryan and Morgan? Really?”
Ryan was a good friend of Jayden’s. Although he knew Ryan was a decent man, he had really strong opinions and an authoritarian personality. Jayden wasn’t completely convinced pairing him with Morgan, a woman who walked her own path despite what anyone else thought, was the best idea Victor had ever come up with.
“Come on, Jayden, it’s obvious the two of them are seriously into each other. And if my sister is going to be with anyone, I’d rather it be a man I know actually cares about her.”
Jayden agreed. He loved Morgan like a sister and Ryan was his friend. And although Jayden knew Vic wanted what was best for his sister, he had his suspicions about his motives.
“He does care about her, but I feel like your motivation is also grounded in the fact that you’re so deliriously happy with Aubrey you’re trying to match up everyone around you.”
Vic didn’t outright deny Jayden’s claim, he just continued on as if Jayden hadn’t said anything.
“They fight like alley cats.” Vic’s observation was an accurate one. Morgan and Ryan couldn’t be in each other’s presence more than two seconds before they started arguing about something. It was oddly entertaining, yet somewhat exhausting, to watch. “I’m just tired of their bickering. Besides, what’s wrong with wanting the people around me to be as happy as I am?”
“Nothing,” Jayden replied. “Just keep your busybody matchmaking focused on your sister and leave my love life alone. I have no intention of being the next one on your list.”
Having laid down the law, Jayden huffed loudly hoping to move this conversation along so he could find his red queen.
“What do you want to do, Vic?”
“I’m gonna send Morgan a message she’ll assume was meant for Ryan. When she texts back, I’ll tell her to disregard the message, it wasn’t meant for her. She’ll never be able to resist coming back over to try to force an explanation out of me. She’ll no doubt come back over here to make me clarify my meaning. When she’s within earshot, we let her overhear us talking about how much Ryan is into her.”
Jayden tapped his finger against his champagne glass before speaking. “You really think that’ll work?”
“It will work.” Vic didn’t give Jayden a chance to respond before he was pulling his phone from his pocket and tapping out a quick text.
Jayden glanced over Vic’s shoulder, watching Morgan make her way back to the bar sans the red queen. He noted his disappointment at the stranger’s absence and sighed.
He could pretend it was just his curiosity that allowed him to care this much about the mystery woman’s absence, but he knew it wasn’t. There was something in the depths of her dark eyes that had taken hold of Jayden. And he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied until he was able to explore it.
“All right, man. She’s almost in position,” Jayden noted quickly. “Let’s get this done so I can get on with my evening.”
“And back to that exquisite woman in red?”
His friend’s penchant for being a pain in the ass was beginning to grate on Jayden’s nerves.
“Do you want my help or not?”
Vic threw up his hands in surrender. Satisfied the subject had been dropped, Jayden swallowed the last of his champagne in one gulp.
“Good. Let’s get this over with before Aubrey comes looking for you.”
Vic waited until Morgan was safely within earshot before he began.
“It’s such a shame that Ryan would never admit his true feelings to Morgan. It’s obvious he’s into her, and if she was actually paying attention, she would realize it too.”
“Attraction that powerful can be hard to admit.” Jayden saw Morgan stop from the corner of his eye. His words had definitely caught her attention. “Especially if you’re afraid the other person will reject you.”
Vic gave Jayden a knowing nod before continuing. “You’re right. But they’re both going to end up miserable for no reason at all. It’s such a waste.”
“You can’t force people to do what’s in their own best interest, Vic. Ryan and Morgan will either figure this out, or they won’t. There’s nothing you or anyone else can do about it.”
Morgan stopped before turning on her heel and heading back in the direction she’d come. When she was far enough away, Vic smiled, happy his plan appeared to be working.
“I’m glad you’re pleased. Now get out of my way so I can get back to what I was doing before you rudely interrupted me.”
Jayden’s body was thrumming with the anticipation of finding his mystery woman in red.
“Don’t worry, friend. We’re almost there. We just gotta do one more thing to get this plan underway.”
Jayden sat his empty glass on the bar top then narrowed his gaze at his friend.
“What more do you want from me?”
“We gotta go find Ryan and tell him the same thing.”
“I feel like we’re back in elementary school passing notes between these two in class. All that’s missing is the ‘check yes if you like Ryan’ box.”
“Don’t be so cynical, Jayden. Love is in the air. We’re just helping it along.”
