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“She’s here. She’s with him.” My father motions over my shoulder to the entryway. There she is in glittering silver, which I’m assuming is her version of white. I’m certain it’s a new design of hers, or his, for that matter. She’s got a large glass of wine in her hand, and I can tell it’s not her first.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. “Dad, this is a disaster for a number of reasons. Many of which I can’t get into. She needs to stay away from me and the staff.”
“Your mother and I will run interference the best we can.”
“Thanks, Dad. I need to find Dylan.”
“You won’t have to look far. She’s right behind Victoria.”
My radar zooms in and he’s right. They’re nearly back-to-back. My guts twist inside. I’m not prepared to have my past, present, and hopeful future collide. There’s too much at stake. “I’m going on stage to kick off the donations early. I’m going to call Dylan up. Please intercept Victoria.”
I rush to the stage. Hanging on to what little bit of composure I’m still maintaining, I grab the microphone. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Before we continue the evening, I’d like to call my partner and co-chair to the stage, Miss Dylan Cooper.” Applause fills the room as she takes careful steps forward toward me and away from Victoria.
She glides toward me with purpose, distancing from the minefield that lies just behind her, none the wiser. I lay my open palm out for her. With the grace of a dancer, she offers me her hand as she climbs the stairs. When she’s safe at my side, I continue with her hand in mine, “Just one quick announcement. AnSa International will be matching all donations collected tonight.
“We’re all here for one reason, the children. The children can thank the woman standing next to me. This idea was born and bred by Dylan’s passion for dance and the arts. With your donations this evening and corporate sponsorships, we can make true differences in many lives. Here’s to a fun and fruitful evening filled with conversation and giving. Dylan and I will be available for any questions about our partnership with the Roark Foundation and its mission. Thank you all for coming and please enjoy.”
I lean down and whisper to Dylan, “I need to talk to you. Alone.”
“That time already?” She smirks.
“No.” My one word erases any trace of playful attitude she had before she follows me to the balcony, just beyond the west end of the stage.
I thrust the door open into the cool air. “Jesus,” she cries. “What’s eating you?”
“I need to tell you something. Tori is here. She’s here with the man who… she’s here with her boyfriend. I didn’t invite her. He might be representing his fashion house and brought her. That’s neither here nor there. She’s here, and she’s got a mouth when she’s had too much to drink. I fear that’s the case.”
“Say it plain, Sawyer. What’s the deal?”
“I don’t want you two to meet, interact, or have her know you exist.”
“Fuck. Calm down. I can handle her, Eli. I’m not afraid.”
“I am.” Those words fly out before I can even dial them back.
She takes a step back from me. “Wow. Did you just really say that?”
“I thought I was in a better place with it, but I have this weird level of panic. It’s triggered by him and by my need to protect you and us.”
“Who are you right now, Eli? I don’t know this person. I don’t care what she thinks. I don’t care what she knows. This isn’t about that. You’ve never once made me feel you were ashamed of me or being with me.”
She turns to walk away, but I grab her wrist and tug. She spins back easily into my chest. “Viper, I’m not ashamed. Ever.” With a quick glance to make sure we’re alone, I tilt her chin up between my thumb and my index finger. My thumb begins a slow circle, massaging into her skin. “Ever. I’ll always put you first.”
Dylan slides her hand into mine and draws it down out of sight. She rests us together on the inside of her thigh before leaving me to explore on my own. There is a warmth, a heat under the confines of her dress. “I want you to remember this. Remember the last place this hand is until our flyby. Our dance is coming.”
I grip her thigh and higher between us. Her sigh breathes in a rush before I take her lips with mine. Our tongues and mingled moans stretch on and on. I start to feel that familiar shift in her weight and mine too. I want that flyby now. We would have had it too, if I hadn’t felt the vibration of my phone in my jacket pocket.
Dylan and I separate breathless. Her lipstick is smeared beautifully and while I’m proud of its placement, it’s a dead giveaway to anyone around us. “I’ve messed up your perfect lips. I’m sorry.”
She traces her finger lightly over them. “I’m not. At all.” She wipes away any evidence from my face then sucks on the pad ofher thumb with one last bit of temptation for me. “I’m going to sneak down the back hallway to the ladies’ room and reapply. Next time, I’m using your pocket square to clean up, so you have a souvenir. Be glad your jacket is long. I’ll find you inside.”
I growl a bit as my hand separates from her skin but smile as she walks away. I turn my attention to my phone as it vibrates again.Fuck.The incoming texts break the walk in the clouds I was in. It’s from Wes inside. The message is clear.
Tori 911.
Instant reality mixed with anxiety kicks in. I reposition my jacket as I weave my way back into the main room. Wes and Tori are easy to spot. She’s hanging all over him at a secluded table, along the bank of windows near the stage. He’s trying to keep her calm and seated, which isn’t working. Her boy toy is nowhere in sight.
When Tori stresses, she tries to chill with a glass of wine. One glass would do that. She’s on I’m guessing glass three. Glass three Victoria isn’t easy to reason with. Glass three Victoria is dangerous. “Jesus, Eli.” Wes leans in. “She’s… in a way.”
