Page 74 of Wrecked By a Devil

“What?” I ask, suddenly a little too self-aware. “Did I put it on wrong? I was getting dressed in the car, I might have messed something up…”

“Relax, Riley,” He laughs, reaching his hand over the table and placing it on mine. “The only problem is that now I can’t wait to fuck you in it.”

“Oh,” I feel my cheeks heat up.

Before I can say anything else, we’re interrupted by a tall, grey-haired man in an expensive suit. Zeke’s turns into the polite, professional, but also intimidating man he is when he’s dealing with someone important.

“Ezekiel Kavanagh,” the man smiles, reaching out his hand for Zeke to take. “It’s been a while.”

For a moment, several conversations around us seem to stop before picking back up again. I can’t tell if it’s because of the manstanding beside our table or because of Zeke, but either way, a part of me wants to hide under the table or just go home.

“Stephen Gordon,” Zeke responds in the same tone. “I expected you to return with a tan from the Caribbean.”

“You can’t get a tan when you’re running a night club,” Gordon continues. “Which you would know if you had taken my offer to partner up.”

“Yeah, unfortunately, as much as my brothers and I would have loved to partner up, the timing was just off,” Zeke looks at me briefly, but long enough for Gordon to realize that he’s not interested in talking about business.

“My apologies,” Gordon turns to face me. “I got so carried away that I forgot my manners.” He reaches out his hand and his grip is firm and rough, almost sending shivers down my spine. “I’m Stephen Gordon, the owner of this restaurant and an old friend of the Kavanaghs.”

“Riley Monroe.” My voice is weak as I speak. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh no,” He smiles, shaking his head. “The pleasure is all mine. It’s not every day that I get to witness seeing such a beautiful lady by Ezekiel’s side.”

I’m not sure what to respond. I glance at Ezekiel whose face is entirely blank and a part of me wishes I had that samesuperpower of not letting any emotion show on my face. I don’t know how he does it.

As if he can read my mind, Zeke squeezes my hand. “There is only one Riley, Gordon.”

“You’re one lucky bastard, Kavanagh,” Gordon laughs, adjusting his tie. “I won’t be bothering you any longer, enjoy your date. And, Ezekiel, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

It’s only after he leaves that I can breathe again. Zeke shifts his chair ever so slightly closer to mine until our knees brush beneath the table. The movement is subtle enough that no one else would notice it, but I do.

“That was intense…” I say, more to myself than to Zeke, but the corners of his lips turn into an understanding smile.

“It usually is with Gordon.” He squeezes my hand even harder, a reassuring look on his face. “But don’t worry, he would never hurt you,” He explains. “No one in this room would dare disrespect you while you’re sitting at my table.”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant,” I laugh. “It’s just, everyone and everything in this place is so fancy and then the owner comes to greet us at our table? I never in my life imagined living something like this.”

I can’t help but feel like I don’t belong here. The people who can afford eating in this place have closets big enough for me to live in.

People like Gordon and Zeke belong in places like this. They walk in like they own the room. I walked in hoping nobody notices I’m pretending to belong. I’m just a girl living in a crappy small apartment that can barely afford rent.

“Careful about judging the books by their cover,” he smirks, reaching for the elegant black paper bag on the table. The bag has been sitting there since we arrived but I’ve been too nervous to even notice. “You’re as worthy and as important as any of the people here.”

I sigh. “I don’t mind my life, I guess I just overthink in a place like this because I don’t want to leave a wrong impression.”

And embarrass you.

“Look around,” His thumb slowly brushes over the back of my hand. “Do you know what every person in this room sees when they look at you?”

I shake my head.

“A beautiful woman sitting with me.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he doesn’t let me.

“None of them are wondering whether you belong here,” his gaze stays locked on mine. “You’re the only one asking yourself that question, Riley.”

Something in my chest tightens at his words and I feel like I might melt if he doesn’t look away.