AllFreeNovel
Share Us
MY STOMACH WAS TIEDin knots, tingles tap danced across my skin, and my toes hurt from being squished in the pointed, black high-heels. But despite that, it was nice being dressed up and going out for the evening.
The gala was being held at the AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario, in one of their spectacular rooms. The ceiling was two stories high, and along each wall there were archways with red curtains draped and chandeliers hanging in each one.
It was magnificent, and if I wasn’t so nervous, I’d have been in awe. Well, I was in awe, but it was smothered by the nerves.
Waiters weaved through the crowd carrying trays of champagne flutes and a man in a tuxedo played live music on a white piano.
My dark green gown glimmered under the soft glow of lights and clung to my hips and swished against my legs. The back was cut in a sweeping half circle, matching the neckline. I thought it revealed too much of my cleavage—well, what little cleavage I had, but it was more than I’d ever had since I’d gained weight.
Delara looked stunning wearing the slinky silver gown that accentuated her toned figure. She wore tight silver bands around her wrists and a matching silver choker, leaving her skin bare above the strapless neckline. Her hair was untamed with its strands partially pinned up in loose twists, and her lips were painted bright red. Her eyes were smoky and dark, giving her a sexy, exotic appearance.
“Come on.” Delara leaned in to me, holding my elbow as she swept me into the fray. She grabbed two flutes off a waiter’s tray and handed me one. “Chug it,” she whispered, smiling. “It’ll help you relax.”
I tilted the glass and sipped, the light tingles of the champagne dancing across my tongue. It had a sweet, fruity taste to it and I liked it. Delara laughed when I chugged the rest.
She took my empty glass and placed it on a passing server’s tray and grabbed another two. “Okay, time to mingle.”
We chatted with customers from the gallery, some of whom I recognized, others I didn’t. Delara had no trouble with conversation, and after fifteen minutes and a couple more glasses of champagne, I didn’t either.
Jedrik showed up in a black tuxedo with a gorgeous woman on his arm, who looked at least five foot nine and I soon discovered spoke little English. Delara leaned in to me when Jedrik wasn’t paying attention to us and whispered, “Just how he likes it, less talking, more action.” Delara rolled her eyes and I giggled.
I. Giggled. I’d never giggled before.
We spoke with Balen and Danni, who looked like a couple out of a glamour magazine. Danni wore a sexy, simple black gown with a slit that went up her leg to mid-thigh with tiny sparkly beads lining it. Balen, who kept his hand in hers, wore a tuxedo better than any man in the room, even Jedrik.
There was no sign of the Scars’ Taldeburu, Waleron. But after meeting him, he didn’t appear like the type to socialize, more like watch from the corner of the room with those ice-blue eyes accessing, watching. I hoped he’d make an appearance for Delara’s sake because he’d never be able to take his eyes off her.
“I’m going to find the washroom,” I whispered to Delara.
She set her empty glass on one of the waiter’s trays. “Okay, I’ll come.”
We made our way toward the entrance of the room, which led into a hallway where the washrooms were more than likely located.
“Delara,” a man called, lifting his glass and making his way toward us.
She turned to me. “I’ll catch up in a sec.”
“Okay,” I replied and headed out of the gala and down the hallway. I didn’t really have to go to the washroom, but I did have to sit and take my shoes off because I couldn’t feel my toes any longer.
I smiled at a group of ladies I passed then quickened my steps when I saw a bench ahead where I could sit while I waited for Delara.
“Rayne.”
I gasped. My grip on the glass slipped and a hand reached around me and grabbed it before it dropped. His chest leaned in to me from behind and his warm breath wafted across my bare neck.
“Roarke,” I whispered.
His hands settled on my hips and he gently urged me around to face him. “What are you doing here?” I shoved his hands off my hips and looked over my shoulder for any of the Scars because I was pretty sure they wouldn’t like him being here.
“You look stunning, Rayne.” He stepped back, eyes travelling the length of me then back up to meet my eyes. “Absolutely stunning.” He reached forward to touch me again. When I glared, he stopped. “I’m proud of you.”
I hadn’t expected that and I wasn’t sure how I felt about him saying something like that. Roarke was a mystery, and right now, I was uncertain about his motives. “You can’t be here. You shouldn’t be here.”
“We need to talk. There are things you should know.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to know anything, Roarke. Not from you.” What he brought with him was everything I was trying to heal from, the compound, being used for my abilities, a world I wanted to forget.
His jaw clenched and eyes narrowed. “You need to hear me out.”
