At the moment, however, Suz was the last person she wanted to see. The damn woman had dragged Emma to a party where Dean Colter was in attendance, so it stood to reason Suz might know Dean. Or know someone who knew Dean.
She flew onto the sidewalk in front of the warehouse, her costume instantly clinging to her as the torrential rain caught her in its grip. She’d never been happier to see a line of available taxis parked at the curb. In New York, finding a cab on a Friday night was like searching for the Holy Grail, but clearly Suz’s friends had thought of everything.
Without so much as a backward glance, Emma slid into the backseat of a waiting cab and slammed the door.
Colby
Returning from the electrical panel was far easier than his initial mission to reach it in the blackout. Now that he’d triggered the emergency backup system, Colby had plenty of light to guide his return trip to the staging area, where he discovered that the rest of the DreamMakers team had vanished. The sound of laughter and partiers echoed loudly from the rooms around him, and he once again found himself considering his job situation with bemused satisfaction.
Helping run Halloween parties and doing recon for dates was a million miles away from being in combat. And hell, he wasn’t complaining one bit. Especially since a lot of the time he was also surrounded by beautiful women.
One in particular who’d gotten under his skin, although there was nothing between them.
Yet.
“Hey, Cap. I thought you’d be out there leading the exodus.” Suz strolled into the office area where he’d expected to find the others, and he wondered if daydreaming about her had summoned his temptress. She pointed to the front door. “They went thataway, Mr. America, sir.”
“Heading out now.” He stole an admiring glance as he offered his arm. “Can I escort you?”
“Aren’t you a darling.” She curled her fingers around his biceps and tucked herself against his side like a contented cat. Colby tried not to read too much into her actions—the woman was affectionate and flirtatious with nearly everyone.
At least that’s what he told his body, thankful Pepper had given him a Captain America costume with more than spandex covering his groin, because otherwise Suz would see exactly what caliber gun he carried while fully loaded.
Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing, though. Maybe he’d been too subtle about letting her know how interested he was in her.
Damn, she was one fine woman. The low-cut neckline of her Loki costume emphasized her curves, tight-fitting leather encasing her rounded hips in a way that made him feel damn jealous he wasn’t the one hugging her tight.
He tore his gaze away, trying to focus on something other than the violent urge to take her and make some serious mischief. “Too bad Pepper’s test run of the party site didn’t go without a hitch.”
Suz waved a hand in dismissal. “This was exactly why she suggested a pre-party. Now they’ll prep for disasters, and the big night will be smooth sailing. Oh, and I’ve got another article coming out in the Bay City Press on DreamMakers two days before the party.” There was gloating in her tone. “This is going to be the place to hang out on the thirty-first.”
They stepped through the hall into the main room, and Colby paused instinctively, keeping Suz protected as he checked the action. People were moving in an orderly fashion, while his bosses, Jack and Parker, directed traffic.
“Looks like they have everything under control,” Suz whispered, her grasp on his arm tightening briefly. “Come on, I need a drink.”
Oh man. Talk about a dilemma. He wasn’t really on the clock tonight—he’d come out as a favor to Pepper because no one said no to her. She was too damn cute to disappoint.
Plus, Jack would rip the arms off anyone who made her pout.
But the sexy, vivacious woman at his side had been driving him crazy for too long. She wanted a drinking partner? Or a partner for anything else, if it came to that?
“No problem,” he said, lowering his voice and letting a hint of desire escape. “You have a favorite watering hole near here?”
“Not far.” Suz slipped her hand into his and hurried them out the side door and into a waiting cab, a short pause in the rain letting them get away with a simple dousing instead of being soaked to the skin. She rattled off directions, and then turned her big green eyes his way. “And I invited you out, so I’m paying.”
Bullshit. “I don’t think so, ma’am. My mama would roll over in her grave if she heard I’d treated a lady that poorly.”
Suz leaned her blonde head against his shoulder as her laughter filled the cab. “Sorry, what was I thinking? It’s not just a costume to you, is it?”
Colby offered a grin. “Don’t go thinking I’m exactly like Captain America,” he warned.