Chapter 351
Madison
Once we were safely out of earshot, Jackson leaned close to my ear. “You’re a lifesaver. I now know more about yacht maintenance costs than any human should.”
I laughed, genuinely this time. “Happy to help. How’s the rest of your evening going?”
“Besides yacht guy? Pretty surreal. I just ate an expensive canapé.” He shook his head in amazement. “This party is unreal, Madison. Is this what your work events are always like?”
“Only the important ones,” I admitted, accepting a fresh glass of champagne from a passing server. “Alexander Knight doesn’t do anything halfway.”
“Speaking of your boss,” Jackson nodded discreetly toward where Alexander stood with Katherine, “is that him with the blonde? He looks exactly like his photos, only more…”
“Intimidating?” I supplied.
“I was going to say ‘smug,‘ but intimidating works too.” Jackson studied them for a moment. “Is that his girlfriend? They look like they belong on a magazine cover.”
“That’s Katherine,” I said, the name still tasting strange on my tongue. “They have… history.”
“Ah,” Jackson nodded knowingly. “The ex.”
“Something like that.” I took a larger sip of champagne than intended.
Jackson’s gaze sharpened. “Something tells me there’s more to that story.”
Before I could respond, a wave of whispers rippled through the crowd as the music shifted. The dance floor in the center of the ballroom cleared slightly, and Alexander led Katherine to its center with practiced ease.
“Looks like the birthday boy is going to dance,” Jackson observed.
I watched, unable to look away as Alexander placed one hand on Katherine’s waist, the other clasping hers with familiar intimacy. They moved together with the fluid grace of longtime partners, her gold dress shimmering under the chandeliers as they turned.
“They’re good,” Jackson murmured.
“They’ve had practice,” I replied, hating the note of bitterness in my voice.
Alexander guided Katherine across the floor with confident steps, their bodies moving in perfect
synchronization. It was like watching a scene from a movie: beautiful, polished, and completely inaccessible to ordinary people.
“Madison,” Jackson’s voice pulled me back. “Would you like to dance?”
I turned to him in surprise. “Here? Now?”
“Why not?” He smiled, setting his glass down.
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I hesitated, glancing back at Alexander and Katherine. Other couples had joined them now, and the dance floor was filled with elegant pairs moving to the orchestral music.
“I don’t think I can compete with that,” I admitted.
“Who’s competing?” Jackson shrugged. “It’s just a dance at a fancy party. No pressure.” He extended his hand.” Come on, Madison. Live a little.”
Something in his easy confidence and the genuine warmth in his eyes made me set down my champagne glass and place my hand in his.
As we joined the other couples on the floor, I felt a strange mix of nervousness and exhilaration. Jackson placed his hand respectfully at my waist, his touch light, and took my other hand in his.
“Ready?” he asked with a reassuring smile.
I nodded, and we began to move with the music. Jackson wasn’t a professional dancer by any means, but he was competent, guiding me with subtle pressure and uncomplicated steps.
“See? Not so bad,” he said as we completed a simple turn.
I laughed softly. “We haven’t crashed into anyone yet. I’d call that a win.”
As we moved around the floor, I caught glimpses of Alexander and Katherine. They were still dancing, his hand now resting on her lower back, drawing her closer than before. She said something that made him smile, not his public smile, but the real one that rarely appeared in business settings.
I looked away, focusing instead on Jackson’s face. He was handsome in a friendly, approachable way, his eyes warm and his smile genuine.
“You’re staring,” he teased.
“Just making sure I don’t step on your toes,” I countered.
“Liar,” he grinned. “You’re a natural. Must be all that practice standing up to corporate executives.”
I smiled despite myself. “That requires an entirely different set of skills.”
“I bet.” He guided me into another turn. “For what it’s worth, you’re the most striking woman in this room tonight.”
The compliment caught me off guard. “Thank you,” I said, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.
“I mean it,” Jackson continued, his voice sincere. “That dress is incredible, but it’s you who makes it work. You’ve got this quiet confidence that stands out in a room full of people trying too hard.”
I laughed softly. “Now you’re just flattering me.”
“Is it working?” he asked with a playful smile.
“Maybe a little,” I admitted.
As the music shifted to a slightly faster tempo, Jackson adjusted seamlessly, his hand firm at my waist. “So,
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project manager. That’s impressive.”
“It’s challenging,” I replied, “but I enjoy it.”
“I always knew you’d do something amazing,” he said. “Even back in college, you had this drive that the rest of us lacked.”
“You’re doing pretty well yourself.”
We danced in comfortable silence for a moment, moving through the crowd with increasing confidence.
“I’m glad you invited me tonight,” Jackson said suddenly. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“I wasn’t sure I would either,” I admitted.
“What changed your mind?”
I thought about Alexander and Katherine and about our ended arrangement.
“I decided it was time to start living my life instead of just watching it happen,” I said finally.
Jackson’s smile widened. “I like this new Madison.”
“She’s still figuring things out,” I replied honestly.
“Aren’t we all?” He executed another turn, this one smoother than before. “That’s what makes life interesting.”
As we continued dancing, I felt some of the tension leaving my shoulders. The weight of Alexander’s gaze, of Katherine’s presence, of Caroline’s pointed remarks, all of it seemed less important as Jackson and I moved together, talking and laughing like old friends.
When the music ended, we stepped apart, and Jackson bowed slightly with exaggerated formality that made me laugh.
“Thirsty?” he asked. “I could use another drink after all that sophisticated dancing.”
“Definitely,” I agreed.
As we made our way back toward the bar, I couldn’t help glancing around for Alexander and Katherine. They had left the dance floor and were now surrounded by a small group of people near one of the large windows.
Alexander looked up just as I turned, our eyes meeting across the crowded room. Something unreadable flickered across his face before he returned his attention to whoever was speaking.
“What’s your poison?” Jackson asked as we reached the bar. “More champagne?”
“Water, actually,” I replied. “I should pace myself.”
“Smart woman.” He ordered water for both of us. “Wouldn’t want to embarrass ourselves in front of all these important people.”
I accepted the glass gratefully, taking a long sip. “Thanks for the dance. It was fun.”
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“We should do it again sometime,” he suggested. “Maybe somewhere with less yacht enthusiasts.”
I laughed. “I’d like that.”
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We found a relatively quiet spot near one of the elaborate floral arrangements. Jackson leaned against the wall, looking surprisingly at ease despite being out of his element.
“So, what’s the story with you and the birthday boy?” he asked suddenly.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
