The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 63

63 A Dance, A Drink, and a Dark Glare

## Hazel’s POV

The beat of the salsa music pulsed through my body as I swayed my hips. The bar’s dim lighting cast everyone in a flattering glow. I felt free-freer than I had in weeks.

“You need this,” Chloe had insisted earlier when she practically dragged me out of my apartment. “One night without worrying about Leo or work or especially your boss.”

She was right. The vibrant atmosphere of Havana Nights was exactly what I needed.

“Another mojito, ladies?” The waitress appeared at our high-top table.

“Absolutely!” Chloe beamed, tossing her blonde hair. “And keep them coming.”

I laughed, taking in the bar’s tropical decor. “This place is incredible. How have I never been here before?”

“Because you’ve been too busy working yourself to death for Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody,” Chloe replied, rolling her eyes.

Before I could defend myself-or Liam-Chloe squealed and waved frantically across the room. “Scarlett! Over here!”

A stunning redhead made her way toward us, followed by a tall man with the same copper-colored hair and dazzling smile.

“Hazel, this is my college roommate Scarlett and her brother Levi,” Chloe introduced. “Guys, this is my best friend Hazel, the one I’ve told you all about.”

Levi extended his hand. “The famous single mom who tames corporate tyrants for a living? It’s a pleasure.”

His hand was warm as it closed around mine, and his green eyes sparkled

mischievously. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks.

“Chloe exaggerates,” I said. “I just type really fast.”

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The four of us settled in, and conversation flowed easily. Levi kept finding reasons to touch my arm or lean close when he spoke. It had been so long since a man had shown interest in me that I almost forgot how to respond.

When the music changed to a faster salsa beat, Levi stood and extended his hand.

“Dance with me?”

I hesitated. “I don’t really know how-”

“I’ll teach you,” he promised, pulling me gently to my feet.

On the dance floor, Levi’s hands guided my hips. “Just feel the rhythm,” he whispered

near my ear.

Soon I was moving with confidence, laughing as he twirled me. For those few minutes,

I wasn’t Hazel the exhausted mom or Hazel the overworked assistant. I was just a woman having fun.

When the song ended, Levi pulled me a little closer than necessary. “You’re a natural,”

he murmured.

“You’re a good teacher,” I replied, still catching my breath.

As Levi escorted me back to our table, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back, I froze. Two new figures had joined our group-Damian Knight’s familiar face broke into a wide grin when he saw me, but it was the man beside him who made my heart

stutter.

Liam Sterling sat rigidly in his chair, those violet-blue eyes burning into me like lasers. His jaw was clenched so tight I could almost hear his teeth grinding from here.

“Look who we ran into!” Chloe called out cheerfully, though the gleam in her eye told

me this was no coincidence.

“Ms. Vance,” Liam acknowledged stiffly, his gaze flicking between me and Levi’s hand, which still rested on my back.

Levi guided me to the only available seat-directly next to Liam. The temperature around me seemed to drop ten degrees despite the crowded bar.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Damian grinned, clearly enjoying the tension. “Hazel, you look stunning tonight. That dress should be illegal in at least forty-eight states.”

I smiled weakly, painfully aware of the short, emerald cocktail dress Chloe had convinced me to wear. Liam’s eyes hadn’t left my face, but I could feel the weight of his attention like a physical touch. 1

“Tequila shots!” Scarlett announced, waving to the waitress. “We need to celebrate this… unexpected reunion.”

Six shot glasses appeared before us, filled with golden liquid. I reached for mine gratefully, needing something to steady my nerves.

“To new friends and old bosses,” Chloe toasted with a wicked smile, clinking her glass against mine.

The tequila burned down my throat, providing a welcome distraction from Liam’s intensity. He knocked his back in one smooth motion, not even flinching.

“So, Levi,” Chloe began innocently, “what did you think of Hazel’s dancing? Pretty hot, right?”

Levi’s eyes crinkled as he smiled at me. “Definitely the best partner I’ve had all night.”

I felt rather than saw Liam stiffen beside me.

“You should see her when she really lets loose,” Scarlett chimed in, winking at me. “Remember that time in college, Chloe? When she danced on the-”

“Another round!” I interrupted hastily, my cheeks flaming. Liam’s hand gripped his empty shot glass so tightly I feared it might shatter.

Damian leaned forward, elbows on the table. “So, Sterling, I thought you had that big conference call with Tokyo tonight? What happened to that?”

Liam’s voice was low, controlled. “Rescheduled.”

“How convenient,” Chloe murmured, earning herself a dark look from my boss.

Our second round of shots arrived, and I welcomed the burning distraction. The music shifted to something slower, more sensual. Couples began moving to the dance floor.

“Shall we?” Levi asked Scarlett, who nodded and followed him.

Chloe stood abruptly. “Damian, I love this song. Dance with me.”

Before he could respond, she had pulled him to his feet. The pair moved toward the dance floor, Chloe throwing me a significant look over her shoulder.

And just like that, I was alone with Liam Sterling.

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The silence between us felt electric. I stared at my empty shot glass, hyperaware of his presence beside me. His cologne-that familiar mix of sandalwood and something uniquely him-wrapped around me.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” he finally said, his deep voice barely audible over

the music.

I risked a glance at him. “It’s been a good night.”

“Clearly.” His eyes darkened. “Your new friend seems very… attentive.”

“Levi? He’s just being friendly.”

Liam made a noncommittal sound, drumming his fingers against the table. His shoulders were tense beneath his crisp black button-down shirt. He’d loosened his tie and undone the top button, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his throat.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I said, attempting to break the tension.

“Evidently.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Damian dragged me out. Said I needed to ‘remember what fun feels like.””

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “And are you? Having fun, I

mean.”

Liam’s gaze traveled slowly from my face down to where my fingers nervously played with the edge of my dress, then back up. Something flashed in his eyes-something

hungry.

“I was just about to find out,” he murmured.

On the dance floor, our friends moved in perfect coordination to the slow, sensual beat. They kept stealing glances at our table, not even trying to be subtle.

“They planned this,” I realized aloud.

Liam’s mouth quirked in a humorless smile. “Of course they did. Damian has been insufferable lately about-” He stopped abruptly.

“About?” I prompted.

He shook his head, reaching for the tequila bottle the waitress had left on our table. He refilled our shot glasses.

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63 A Dance, A Drink, and a Dark Glare

“To meddling friends,” he said, raising his glass.

I clinked mine against his. “And unexpected encounters.”

As I tipped the liquid into my mouth, I caught his eyes following the movement of my throat. The air between us seemed to crackle with unspoken tension.

From the dance floor, Chloe caught my eye and made an exaggerated gesture that clearly meant “dance with him.” I quickly looked away.

“Your son,” Liam said suddenly. “Who’s watching him tonight?”

The mention of Leo caught me off guard. “My neighbor, Mrs. Rodriguez. She loves spending time with him.”

Liam nodded, his expression softening slightly. “He’s an exceptional child.”

“You’ve met him once,” I pointed out, surprised.

“I’m a good judge of character,” he replied simply.

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Our eyes locked, and for a moment, everything else in the crowded bar faded away. The music pulsed around us, the bass echoing the rapid beating of my heart.

Then Liam leaned closer, so close I could feel his breath against my ear. “Dance with me, Hazel.”

Not a request. Not quite a command. Something in between that made my stomach flip.

Before I could answer, our friends returned to the table, breathless and laughing.

“You two look serious,” Damian observed, eyes dancing with mischief. “Discussing quarterly reports on a Friday night?”

“Actually,” Chloe interjected, grabbing Scarlett’s hand, “we need to hit the ladies’ room. Hazel, join us?”

I started to stand, but Chloe shook her head. “No, no. You stay. We’ll be quick.”

Damian checked his watch. “Oh, and Levi, wasn’t there that thing you wanted to show me by the bar? That… thing?”

Levi, clearly confused but game, nodded. “Right. That thing. Let’s go check it out.”

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And just like that, they were gone again, leaving me alone with a visibly stressed Liam Sterling, the slow, sultry music beckoning all around us.