Instead, I rubbed her lock of hair, curled it around my finger, and pushed it back over her shoulder. I let my fingers linger on her shoulder a moment longer than would be considered polite, then drew my arm back. My fingertips, my whole hand, felt like they were on fire. Somehow, I managed not to look at them.

“You know, I’m here this evening to service the guests any way they’d like,” I said in a breathy tone. “And since this is your party, I’d be more than happy to make myself available to you, Miz Monroe. For however long you’d like. Any way you’d like.”

For the first time, something like amusement sparked in Mab’s eyes. “You’re very bold, aren’t you?”

I gave her a delicate shrug and a lascivious grin, making sure to wet my lips with my tongue again. “You have to be, in this line of work.”

Mab’s black gaze moved down my body again, this time with more prurient interest. She gave a regretful shake of her head. “As tempting as your offer is, Candy, I’m afraid I don’t indulge like that at my own functions. I always keep my business and pleasure separate.”

I stuck my lower lip out and pouted. “Too bad. Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be around. All night long.”

I batted my eyes at her. Mab raised an eyebrow, but the corners of her lips turned up into what I assumed was a smile. I couldn’t tell if I’d amused her or if she was just mocking me, but I didn’t care to stick around and find out.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I really do need to get back to work,” I said. “Mix and mingle and all that.”

“Of course,” Mab murmured.

I made a move to step around her. But Mab Monroe shifted ever so slightly, so that my body brushed up against hers on my way to the door. Again, her magic washed over me, so hot it seemed as if my dress had burst into flames. But evidently Mab liked what she felt because her smile widened. I gave her another lascivious wink and kept going, even though my stomach clenched at the feel of her magic pricking my skin, even harder and hotter this time, as if I’d aroused her.

I’d just made it to the door when Mab called out to me again.

“Have we met before, Candy?” she asked. “For some reason, you look familiar.”

I turned and shook my head. “I don’t think so, and I surely would have remembered meeting you, Miz Monroe.

You’re a legend in this town.”

I gave her another smile before I ducked out into the hallway.

———