I down the last of my champagne and set it on a passing waiter’s tray.
“I’m surprised you could make it. With your new job, the games, and the fundraiser, I would’ve thought you didn’t have the time. Or was all that just made up so you wouldn’t have to see me?”
I didn’t realize how mad I was until I heard his dumb voice. Deep and smooth, and still able to pull a reaction from me.Dammit. He leans down the few inches that separate us to whisper in my ear.
“I’m down to have this conversation, but are you sure you want to do it here?”
A quick scan of the room proves his point; anyone could overhear us or, worse, record our conversation and post it online to be shared and reposted for weeks. I jerk my headno, and he places his hand on my elbow.
“OK. Why don’t we—”
“Kendra? Is that you?”
The blood in my veins turns to ice at the familiar voice calling out to me. It used to give me goosebumps; now it just gives me indigestion. Once again, I turn and come face to face with a man who’s rejected me. A man who nearly got away with stealing tens of thousands of dollars of my savings while simultaneously screwing another woman. Correction:women!
My body must react, because Damon’s grip on me tightens.
“Are you OK? What’s happening?” he asks low enough for only me to hear.
There’s no time to explain. Andre and his sidepiece-turned-fiancée are incoming and closing fast. I look at him, my eyes pleading, and hope he understands what I’m about to do.
“Kendra! It’s been too long,” Andre drawls. Julie clings to his arm, preening in a Dolce & Gabbana dress that looks painted on.
It’s now or never. With my ex standing a mere foot away, I rise onto my tippy toes and press my lips to Damon’s, silently willing him to play along.
Please! I know you don’t want me. I know you’ve moved on. But just for tonight, please help me. Please don’t let him think he’s won.
To Damon’s credit, he catches on quickly and responds in kind: wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling my body flush against him, and kissing the life out of me.
It’s not a normal kiss. I knew from the determined expression in his eyes that it wouldn’t be. This kiss is proving a point, arguing his case, and right now, the jury is eating out of the palm of his hand. It’s a life-shattering kiss. Like,the woman I was before this kiss and the woman I am now aren’t the same personkind of kiss.
After a moment of hesitation, his tongue slips into my mouth and the room fades away, leaving only his soft lips, his strong hands, and my embarrassingly wet pussy. Is it a good idea to be kissing like this in the middle of a networking event with all mypeers and potential employers? Maybe not, but fuck if I care at this point.
When I pull away to drag in a breath, I’m met with wild eyes. Dark and stormy and full of everything left unsaid. Like why he left so quickly that morning. Why he hasn’t called. Why he’s stayed away even when his desire is plain for all to see.
I immediately start sweating down the back of my dress.
This is too much. This can’t bereal. I’m not ready forreal. I can’t jump out of a terrible marriage and public humiliation right into somethingreal.
Caught between a man who’s clearly falling for me and another who cast me aside like I was nothing, I’m left with no choice. Instead of acknowledging the passion between us, the feelings I don’t want to feel, I glance around to where Andre’s watching, and act as if what Damon and I shared was a farce. Only done to make Andre jealous. It may have started that way, but now…
Damon’s face shutters as he slips into the role the situation requires. He smirks, making sure Andre sees him kissing my neck, nuzzling my ear. I grin suggestively.
The performance makes a mockery of our previous kiss. Damon deserves so much more than this. More than me. But I have nothing more to give.
Andre takes the bait like I knew he would, stomping the rest of the way over to us.
“Kendra, baby, who’s your new friend?”
“That’s no longer your concern,” I reply coolly. “And I haven’t been your ‘baby’ for quite some time now.”
I move closer to Damon, who rests his chin on my shoulder as he assesses Andre. Andre’s not nearly as tall as Damon, and with less muscle. While Andre always trained to look lean and cut, Damon is built for power. His intricate tattoos become menacing as he spears Andre with his gaze. Julie’s so enamored with the glitz and glamor surrounding us, she’s oblivious to the impending battle between the men.
“Don’t be like that, Kiki.” I grind my teeth at the nickname. He knows I hate it; I always have. “I hope we can be civil. We’re bound to keep running into each other.”
It’s bullshit. Andre could’ve easily avoided coming tonight. He hardly came to my events when we were together, though he always insisted I tag along to his. He showed up tonight hoping to see me, and even though I don’t want him back, it feels good. Dropping your wife for a younger, skinnier modelshouldn’tbe easy. I said “til death do us part,” yet he left at the first inconvenience.
“Iambeing civil. I’m here to kick off the busy fall season, chat with my colleagues, and enjoy a few drinks. My friend here decided to join me when he heard about the exhibit. How were we to know you’d even be here? This isn’t a music event.”
