“Not when it comes to you.”
The words hit low in my stomach, making it impossible to hold his gaze for long. He didn’t give me a chance to respond, already heading for the Maserati as if he hadn’t just set my entire bloodstream on fire.
I followed behind, cheeks blazing, silently cursing the fact that no matter what boundaries I set, Nathan Edge clearly knew exactly how to undo me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
NATHAN
AN AFTERPARTY ATTENDEDby Hollywood A-listers followed the Fire and Ice Award Show, held this year at the Sunset Towers.
Elise came along as my plus one.
Normally, I’d bring one of the women I had in rotation with me as I had done in the past, but considering the circumstances, it was only right that I asked Elise to accompany me this year.
When I gave her my Amex and told her to buy a dress for the occasion, I knew she’d looked beautiful, but I had no idea she would look like a fantasy in gold silk.
It shouldn’t matter. There was a deadline tightening and a clause in my father’s will breathing down my neck like a loaded gun. Every day that passed without Elise seeing me as more than her boss was another day closer to losing everything I’d built.
But the moment I saw her walk out of her house in that gold dress I knew I would be in for a long night. And I was right.
Every fucking head turned when Elise and I walked into the room, especially the men, and I shot the brave motherfuckers a look that let them know that if they stared at Elise for one more second that their eyes would be floating in a champagne glass before the night was over.
“Everyone is staring at us.” Elise whispered nervously as we made our way further into the room.
“Not us, Cupcake. Just you.” I clarified, before leaning down close to her ear. “You’re mesmerizing.”
I smirked at the glow that crept up her cheeks at my compliment, loving how easy it was to make her nervous.
“Thank you.” Elise flashed me a smile and I was temporarily stunned by her beauty. “You look very handsome as well.”
I needed to use that to my advantage tonight. I needed to make her see me as something more than her boss, move this whole thing forward. I needed her to fall. I just hadn’t expected I’d be the one slipping first.
Everyone was here. Faces ranged from some of the top music execs to Hollywood royalty. The latest rap song filled the air, alcohol flowed through the room, and celebrities covered the dance floor, chatting or letting loose.
It was nothing I hadn’t seen before. And if it wasn’t for the fact that I knew Elise would enjoy the experience, I would’ve called it a night after the award ceremony. It was also because I knew a night like tonight would help distract her from whatever had her worried.
And I needed her distracted. Happy. Open. Because time wasn’t on my side, and I couldn’t afford for her to pull away now, not when the entire future of Edge Records depended on her saying yes.
Sure, she smiled and was her usual bubbly self, but there was something in her eyes that troubled me and she wouldn’t tell me what it was.
I figured a night out amongst the stars would cheer her up.
“Oh my gosh!” Elise was suddenly squeezing my bicep. “It’s Titan!”
I followed her gaze to see the triple-threat artist, followed closely behind by his security team and entourage which included an equal number of men and women.
The R&B singer was Edge Record’s biggest-selling male artist. Every song was a hit, every album went platinum, and every tour was sold out within seconds. It wasn’t only his musical talent that turned him into a household name, but his looks as well. Titan was tall with a warm brown complexion, dark brown eyes, and a lean build that was covered in colorful tattoos.
This was my first time seeing Elise’s reaction to him outside the office and I didn’t like that shit at all.
“I didn’t realize you were such a big fan.” I grumbled.
“Are you kidding me? His latest single is on repeat. I was literally just playing it while I was getting ready for tonight.”
My lips twitched. “Is that why it took you so long?”
“That’s not the point,” She rushed to say, her gaze still lingering on the singer as he made his way around the room. “The point is, I showed up, danced my heart out at the audition, and asked to be taken seriously. He’ll either hire me or he won’t. But tonight? I’m just a girl at a party. And I’m going to see if he wants to dance.”
